News / Africa
Robert Mugabe to assume AU chairmanship
12 Aug 2014 at 11:36hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe, will assume chairmanship of the Africa Union (AU) next year, in addition to holding the post of SADC chair.
This was learnt when Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo was addressing journalists in Harare after a courtesy call by Palestinian Ambassador Hashem Dejani concerning the Israeli attack on Palestine.
During the press conference, Khaya Moyo disclosed the president will be the AU chair in January, who would use this and other platforms to condone the Israeli attack.
It was reported Khaya Moyo said President Mugabe had spoken vehemently on the matter highlighting how the massacres in Palestine were depressing.
"I can assure you that I am aware also that our President will be taking over the reins of SADC in a few days' time as chairman of SADC and also in January as chairman of the AU," he was quoted.
This means the president will be chairing and presiding over two continental posts, as of next week, his excellency would have assumed chairmanship of SADC.
Khaya Moyo said Zimbabwe will use every platform, especially the forthcoming SADC and AU summits, to condemn the killing of innocent people in Gaza by Israel.
Presently the AU chair is held by one of South Africa's longest serving ministers, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who is the first woman to hold the post.
According to reports, the chairmanship of the AU is a rotating position held by heads of state or duly accredited representatives for one year and gives the holder some influence over the continent's politics but carries no real power.
It is also reported the AU's chairmanship rotates among Africa's regions, and meetings to select the chairman are held in private.
The leader is usually nominated and then chosen by consensus.
This was learnt when Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo was addressing journalists in Harare after a courtesy call by Palestinian Ambassador Hashem Dejani concerning the Israeli attack on Palestine.
During the press conference, Khaya Moyo disclosed the president will be the AU chair in January, who would use this and other platforms to condone the Israeli attack.
It was reported Khaya Moyo said President Mugabe had spoken vehemently on the matter highlighting how the massacres in Palestine were depressing.
"I can assure you that I am aware also that our President will be taking over the reins of SADC in a few days' time as chairman of SADC and also in January as chairman of the AU," he was quoted.
This means the president will be chairing and presiding over two continental posts, as of next week, his excellency would have assumed chairmanship of SADC.
Khaya Moyo said Zimbabwe will use every platform, especially the forthcoming SADC and AU summits, to condemn the killing of innocent people in Gaza by Israel.
Presently the AU chair is held by one of South Africa's longest serving ministers, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who is the first woman to hold the post.
According to reports, the chairmanship of the AU is a rotating position held by heads of state or duly accredited representatives for one year and gives the holder some influence over the continent's politics but carries no real power.
It is also reported the AU's chairmanship rotates among Africa's regions, and meetings to select the chairman are held in private.
The leader is usually nominated and then chosen by consensus.
Source - radio dialogues
