Museveni endorses his former veep for AU chair post

Uganda

Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira, a former vice president of Uganda has received the backing of her former boss Yoweri Museveni in her bid to become the next chairperson of the African Union (AU).

Wandira is the endorsed candidate of the Eastern African bloc to replace the outgoing AU Chairperson, South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who announced earlier this year that she would not be seeking re-election after her tenure expires.

Dlamini-Zuma likely to quit AU job in July due to her “political ambitions” in South Africa, says AfriNewsAgency report from Addis
— Geoffrey York (geoffreyyork) January 28, 2016

A statement attributable to president Museveni said: ‘‘As a proud OAU Founder Member, Uganda is proud to present and support the candidacy of Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe Wandira for the position of Chairperson, African Union Commission, 2016 – 2020.’‘

The Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union will elect a new African Union Chairperson at its forthcoming African Union Summit slated for 16 – 17 July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 61-year-old seasoned politician, who is the first woman to rise to the post of vice president on the continent, having served between 1994 and 2003 fancies her chances as the best candidate to succeed Dlamini-Zuma.

Former #Ugandan Vice President Speciosa Kazibwe launches bid for president of the African Union Commission. pic.twitter.com/f0TT0luuQj

— Rachael Akidi (@rakidi) June 12, 2016

This position of AU Chairperson comes with both continental and other international obligations given that the Chairperson is the continent’s topmost diplomat. The occupant and how he/she steers affairs of the commission has a direct impact on the lives of over a billion people from 54 African countries.

According to her website, she is currently ‘‘a member of the African Union Panel of the Wise — one of the Pillars of the AU Peace and Security Architecture (PoW). She has participated in strategic Peace interventions including mediation in the Burundi conflict.’‘

The Havard-trained surgeon who holds a Doctorate in Global Health and Population, also serves as a Senior Presidential Advisor, credited with deep knowledge and the capacity to triangulate social, economic and biological data for policy, planning, and resource mobilization.

‘‘She has led a team of planning experts and technocrats to mobilize Ugandans for the required health system changes for a healthier and productive Ugandan population,’‘ her website adds.

In August 2013, she was appointed by the United Nations’s Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon as United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Dr. Wandira’s candidacy will focus on 6 Building Blocks. Peace Building and Conflict Resolution; Infrastructure development; Resource mobilization; Research, communication & people empowerment; Member State & Partner Engagement and Reinforcing existing AU Systems to deliver.