Pretoria - With just two months until her tenure ends, African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has one advice to her successor: implementation.
“It would help the continent if whoever comes continues with what has been done and agreed upon. The general priorities are there in terms of African Union Agenda 2063 and the first 10-year plan.
“Some of the plans need to be achieved before others, such as the silencing of the guns, and then there is the skills revolution and infrastructure. Focus should be on implementation,” Dlamini Zuma told the media on the sidelines of the Africa Editors Forum on Monday in Pretoria.
Dlamini Zuma concludes her four-year tenure in January 2017. At its July summit, the AU leaders postponed the election of the new chairperson to January after the nominated candidates failed to get the two-thirds majority needed.
When she took over the position in 2012, Dlamini Zuma boasted many firsts: the first woman to head the AU; the first head of the AU Commission from southern Africa and the first head of the AU Commission with liberation credentials.
She took over the AU Commission, which confronted significant challenges in the spheres of peace, security and governance as well as institutional reform and social affairs.
However, Dlamini Zuma stressed the importance of unity within the AU as well as advancing transformation on the continent.
Under Dlamini Zuma, the union launched the bolder and more ambitious plan for the next five decades, Agenda 2063, which is a strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development for Africa’s transformation.
The commission, under Dlamini Zuma’s guidance, has also been credited with organising exemplary summits and events that start on time with better agenda management for leaders. But there has been criticism from some quarters of what has been described as “missing in action” on peace, security and governance issues faced by member states.
Asked to reflect on this, Dlamini Zuma said one cannot change the world in four years.
“In four years, I talked about education and investing in people. Although it was member states that had to implement this, I am happy that it is understood by everybody.
“I also talked about agriculture. I can say that in the four years, we have seen an increase in that. We talked about infrastructure, energy transport, intra-Africa trade, women and youth and active citizens - all of which are being implemented.”
Her proudest highlights, however, is the self-funding of the commission by the member states.
“We could not have an organisation funded by other people, who might have other agendas of their own. I’m very proud to say that a decision has been taken last year [for us to] fund our organisation.”
Last year, the leaders agreed to raise R15 billion a year to fund the AU Commission. They also adopted a new formula to charge 0.2% import duties to prop up the coffers as a way of minimising the reliance to external funding.
The AU used to get about 70% of its funds from donations from the West and China, while the United Nations finances most peacekeeping activities.
The AU hopes to raise approximately $1.2 billion starting in 2017 under the new funding model crafted by a team led by former African Development Bank president, Dr Donald Kaberuka. – SAnews.gov.za
