Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the South African delegation during the 38th Session of the Assembly of African Heads as the African Union (AU) is set to elect a new AU Commission chair and deputy.
The gathering is set to take place this coming weekend in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and takes place under the AU theme for 2025: “Justice for African and People of African Descent Through Reparations”.
In a statement, the Presidency said the Summit would review and assess Africa’s efforts towards long overdue justice and repatriations and decades of colonialism, Apartheid and slavery.
“The Assembly takes place against a backdrop of a myriad of challenges, including threats to democratic governance, peace and security, through unconstitutional changes of government and post-election violence,” Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa this morning, ahead of the election of a new African Union Commission chair and deputy. The AU summit started earlier this week under the theme, ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent… pic.twitter.com/MPMvMxjwXE
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 15, 2025
Africa also faces significant challenges including internal and civil wars, terrorism, poverty, food insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, climate change issues and much more. Magwenya highlighted South Africa’s efforts on the continent and the role it was expected to play at the Summit.
“South Africa is involved in several peacekeeping and mediation efforts across the Continent, notably of the AU Ad-hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan; the AU Ad-Hoc High-Level Committee on Libya, and has deployed troops as part of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC),” he said.
Ramaphosa will be joined by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga; Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau; Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni; Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Mr Dion George; Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina and Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi.
🇿🇦His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa has arrived at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government.
The Assembly takes place under the AU theme for 2025, “Justice for African and… pic.twitter.com/IEFU1KSpnr
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 15, 2025
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
