Riyaz Patel
African Union (AU) Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat has met with President Cyril Ramaphosa, to brief the president on the procedural aspects relating South Africa’s tenure as AU in 2020.
President Ramaphosa will serve a one-year term and assume the chair at the 33rd Ordinary Session of the African Union in February 2020.
His term is expected to see the Africa Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) go live by July.
Ramaphosa’s tenure coincides with a wider focus on economic integration, migration, and the role of South Africa and Africa at the UN Security Council.
Under South Africa’s leadership 17 years ago, the AU saw the inauguration of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the establishment of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), as well as the adoption of the Declaration on the Common African Defence and Security Policy.
South Africa last headed the AU in 2002 during former President Thabo Mbeki’s term in office.
