Media Statement
07 February 2020
President Ramaphosa departs South Africa for Ethiopia for AU Summit
His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa has today, Friday 07 February 2020, departed South Africa for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he will be leading a South African delegation to the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government Summit to be held on the 09th and 10th February 2020.
South Africa will during this Summit officially assume, for the second time, the Chairship of the African Continental body – the African Union (AU).
South Africa assumed the Chairship the first time 18 years ago in 2002 during the formation of the AU.
While in Ethiopia, President Ramaphosa will participate in a number of meetings including a meeting of the committee of Heads of States and Government on climate change (CAHOSCC); the 29th Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism Forum of Heads of State and Government, and the 37th Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government orientation committee.
President Ramaphosa will also engage in a number of bilateral meetings with other Heads of States and Government on the side-lines of the Summit and participate in the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative event.
Amongst issues on the agenda, the 2020 Assembly will consider the report of 35th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, the peace and security situation on the Continent, and draft legal instruments of the AU.
It will also receive presentations from various Heads of State and Government championing specific thematic issues of the Union, namely:
- King Mswati in his role as the champion for the African Leaders of Malaria Alliance (ALMA);
- King Mohammed the VI of Morocco as the champion for Migration;
- President Paul Kagame on championing Domestic Health Financing;
- President el-Sisi as champion the for Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD);
- President Edgar Lungu of Zambia on Ending Child Marriage in Africa;
- President Danny Faure as the champion for the Blue Economy; and
- President Nana Akufo Addo as the champion for Gender and Development issues in Africa.
President Abdel Fattah el Sisi of Egypt will officially hand over the reins to President Ramaphosa during the Opening Session of the Assembly.
The Summit is held under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.
In this regard, the Assembly will take stock of progress and challenges to peace, stability and sustainable development in Africa.
President Ramaphosa will be supported by Dr Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans; Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, the Minister of State and Security; Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies; Mr Jackson Mthembu, the Minister in The Presidency; and Mr Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Public Services and Administration.
Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President – 072 854 5707
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