Kazibwe On The Verge Of Clinching Top AU Job

Kazibwe On The Verge Of Clinching Top AU Job

Former Ugandan Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe has intensified her campaign for the post of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Last weekend, she met with several West African leaders in her bid to replace madam Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the helm of the AU.

Kazibwe with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and other officials

On Saturday, she held talks with Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia and the two deliberated on multiple issues of interest to the struggle for a better Africa that inform Uganda’s bid for the post.

Kazibwe held talks with Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia — Kazibwe held talks with Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia

Kazibwe is in the race with Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, foreign minister of Botswana and Agapito Mba Mokuy, foreign minister of Equatorial Guinea.

At the AU, under madam Zuma’s watch, the organization’s profile has grown, culminating in U.S. president Barack Obama’s address to African leaders at its headquarters last year. When Obama hosted the U.S.-African Leaders Summit in 2014 in Washington, Madam Zuma was one of the invited leaders and played a prominent role.

She also held a meeting with Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh — She also held a meeting with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh

In Uganda, women parliamentarians last weekend announced their support for the former Vice President’s bid to head the African Union Commission.

Their declaration of support was made during a breakfast meeting hosted by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga at parliament. The meeting was attended by Female ministers and legislators among other dignitaries.

The former Uganda VP with Liberia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Marjon Kamara, in Monrovia Wednesday — The former Uganda VP with Liberia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Marjon Kamara, in Monrovia Wednesday

Kazibwe, a member of the Panel of the Wise (PoW), one of the critical pillars of the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union (APSA), used the meeting to reiterate that the African continent has enough resources to prioritize issues of peace and security adding these are key components to Africa’s progress.

“We need to optimize use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans,” she noted, promising to fast-track the implementation of “Agenda 2063”.

While in Accra, Kazibwe held a meeting with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, my sister Hannah Tetteh; discussed election of Members of the African Union Commission.

Kazibwe’s bid is themed on six areas: peace building and conflict resolution, infrastructure development, resource mobilization, research, communication and people empowerment, member-state and partner engagement and reinforcing existing AU systems.

Kazibwe has previously served as United Nations Special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.