The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected His Excellence Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, as the new Chairperson of the AU for the year 2023.
The event took place over the weekend Saturday 18 February 2023 during the official opening of the Thirty-Sixth (36th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
President Azali of Comoros is taking over the baton of command from H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, who has concluded his term as the Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2022.
The symbolic ceremony took place in the presence of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, H.E Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), and representatives of the Regional Economic Commission, dignitaries and invited guests as well as the AU staff.
The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected H.E Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2023. The event took place today, Saturday 18 February 2023 during the official opening of the Thirty-Sixth (36th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
In his handing over speech, President Macky Sall, wished the new AU Chairperson, a successful Chairmanship and thanked the Heads of States of AU Member States as well as the AU outgoing bureau, for their support during the tenure of his mandate.
He said he was marked by the prevailing sanitary crisis caused by the COVID19 pandemic. President Sall highlighted some of the achievements under his chairmanship of the Union notably, the economic empowerment of the women and youths, the enhancement of democracy and good governance, among other development programs under Agenda 2063.
The outgoing Chair of the Union thanked the AUC Chairperson, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat for his leadership and support, including all the members of the Commission. “Serving our continent has been a privilege and a great pride, because I believe in a united Africa, an Africa standing up, an Africa at work, an Africa in peace and confident in its future”. Underlined President Macky Sall.
In his acceptance speech, President Azali Assoumani said he appreciates the honor coupled with the responsibility and the trust invested in his person, and the members of the new Bureau, to lead the destiny of the Organization for the next one year.
“I thank you and assure you of our commitment to work together with all member countries in the exercise of our mandate” indicated the incoming Chair of the Union.
President Azali Assoumani further stated that, it is with great emotion, thanking the members of the Bureau of the African Union who have just done a great honor to his country, the Union of the Comoros, by “entrusting in Comoros for the first time in its history, the destinies of our continental Organization”.
He also thanked colleagues, brothers and sisters from the countries of East Africa for having supported his candidature for this noble function and more particularly
“My Dear Brother, President William RUTO, who had the elegance to withdraw the candidacy of his beautiful country, Kenya, for this position, which today allows the historic accession of the Union of the Comoros to this noble function. By allowing the Union of the Comoros to lead the African continent, our Organization has just proved to the world its conviction that all countries have the same rights and enjoy the same freedoms”. Underscored the incoming Chair of the Union.
“It will not be easy to succeed him, but I will do my best to continue his work and, among other things, by favoring as he has always been able to do, dialogue, listening and gathering, essential conditions to make this mandate, that of the success of our Continent” Concluded the newly elected Chair of the Union.
