Aminas Agenda: CSs to-do list should she win top AU seat

Aminas Agenda: CSs to-do list should she win top AU seat

Amina’s Agenda:Her to-do list should she win at AU

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Amina Mohamed, remains optimistic that the African Heads of State will move from the traditional voting pattern and appoint her the next chairperson in the vote that is to be held today, Monday, 30th January 2017.

Ambassador Mohamed aims at taking over the leadership mantle of the African Diplomatic Corps from Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma – expressing confidence that Kenya’s extensive lobbying will bear fruit.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto have led the campaign for CS Mohamed’s AU bid across the continent, with CS Fred Matiang’i reporting that the government had reached out to 51 out of the 53 AU member states.

“My hope and my expectation is that I get votes from across the continent,” she said in an interview with Citizen TV’s Hussein Mohammed.

CS Mohamed, who has had an illustrious diplomatic career spanning nearly 30 years, played a key role in the drive against Kenya’s cases before the international Criminal Court (ICC) – a task that raised her profile on the content.

When asked whether Africa’s relationship with the ICC will be on top of her agenda should she win the seat, CS Mohammed stated that such decisions are best dealt with at country level.

Amina’s Agenda

Should she clinch the seat, Ambassador Mohamed promised to aggressively pursue the implementation of Agenda 2063, developed by the Africa Summit for the continent that was adopted in 2013.

According to CS Mohammed, the crucial document provides the catalyst needed to stimulate growth in Africa through creation of opportunities, improving continents infrastructure connectivity as well as embracing technology.

“One doesn’t even need to go outside the agenda. One needs to aggressively and faithfully implement the agenda,” she told Sunday Live, adding: “We have a very comprehensive, inclusive growth agenda that will drive sustainable growth in Africa.”

The key document, which is founded on 7 core aspirations for the content, puts key emphasis on eradication of poverty in Africa.

“By 2063, African countries will be amongst the best performers in global quality of life measures. This will be attained through strategies of inclusive growth, job creation, increasing agricultural production; investments in science, technology, research and innovation; gender equality, youth empowerment and the provision of basic services including health, nutrition, education, shelter, water and sanitation,” reads the document in part.

The CS has cited increased partnerships and intra-African trade amongst African states as a key agenda that she would pursue as she works towards achievement of this aspiration.

The one-time UN Assistant Secretary General has also stated that she will push for stronger democracies on the continent, strengthening electoral policies and bodies within Africa; and this comes in second on Agenda 2063’s aspirations.

Other key things that feature on Agenda 2063 are: promotion of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law; promotion of peace and security on the continent; advancement of a rich Pan-African culture; people-driven development that looks after the rights of vulnerable groups and the unification of African states.

The next African Union Commission chairperson will be elected between January 30 -31, 2017 during the 28th Extra Ordinary African Heads of State Summit at commission’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Moses Ngugi and Joy Chelagat contributed to this story

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