Amina Mohammed gets COMESA nod for African Union job

Antananarivo: A number of Countries have supported the candidature of Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed to the position of the chairperson of the African Union Commission.

 The member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) threw their weight behind Ambassador Amina in Antananarivo, Madagascar Monday.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by Deputy President William Ruto for Ministers of Foreign Affairs from COMESA, Malawi, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Rwanda expressed their support for Ambassador Amina.

They said she was best placed to steer the continent’s economic blue print, agenda 2063 and other reforms in the continental body and internationally.

Ethiopia’s Minister for Finance and Economic Cooperation Ahmed Shide noted that Ambassador Amina has had a long and distinguished career in Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry that has enabled her build experience and in-depth understanding of not only African issues but also international affairs.

The Minister Said: “Am confident that she can serve our region well especially in peace building and continental integration. She is able, forthright and articulate and has our support.”

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 Malawi’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Lazalo Kasaila said Malawi was confident Ambassador Amina can champion reforms in the continental body.

“I have interacted with Ambassador Amina on several occasions and I know that she is capable of bringing positive change to our region and the African Union," he said.

Rwanda’s Francis Kanimba said her diplomatic acumen was evident when she successfully presided over several international meetings in Nairobi such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD).

“We in Rwanda made our support for Ambassador Amina immediately it was announced, and as an East African Community (EAC) member we feel very proud of her candidature,” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Madagascar’s Minister for Industry and Private sector Development Chabani Nourdine who said his country had no reason not to support Kenya's foreign minister.

Mr Ruto thanked the Ministers for their support of Kenya’s Foreign Minister and said Ms Amina had proved to be an invaluable asset to the Government of Kenya.

Mr. Ruto Said: “It was not an easy decision to let Amina go. She is an invaluable asset to the government of Kenya but because we believe in a bigger agenda, we think she can do better for Africa.”

He observed that the support of African countries had seen Kenya successfully host a number of international meetings in Nairobi most of which had changed the narrative that Africa is a continent of conflicts, disease and poverty.

 He extolled the virtues of Ms Amina saying she was among the architects of the continental economic blue print agenda 2063 that required someone with diplomatic knowhow at the apex of the body to galvanize and drive the progress of the continent like her.

The Deputy President said Africa needed to take her rightful place in the community of nations noting that the continent needs someone who spearhead reforms in the continental body and at the United Nations.

He said:  “53% of decisions at the United Nations are about Africa and yet Africa has no place where decisions about her are being made. We need reforms at the UN so that Africa can be in the decision making organ of the UN.”

Mr. Ruto emphasized that integration of the continent in terms of trade and investment was critical because intra-Africa trade was only at 13% compared that of Europe at 50 % and Asia 40%.

“We need to trade more with ourselves and invest more to create prosperity on the continent,” he added.

The Vice chairperson of the AUC Erastus Mwencha expressed confidence that Ms Amina possessed qualities that will enhance integration on the continent and in particular save the Tripartite Free Trade Area.

Ms Amina acknowledged that the position came with a lot of responsibilities but hastened to add that with the support of other African countries and through her, the continental body would realize her dreams.