USA pledges support to new AU chairman

  1. Posted on Saturday 6 February 2010 - 12:28
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    The United States of America has congratulated Malawi's president Bingu Wa Mutharika for his appointment as the African Union chairman saying it would support the continental body. President Mutharika was appointed chairman this week and has taken over from Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi.
    African Union
    According to www.america.gov website, USA was committed to help develop Africa and that it will continue to help in various projects.

    US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Phillip Crowley, said: “We share Chairperson Mutharika’s goals of ending child hunger and malnutrition and welcome his interest in promoting the critical goal of agricultural development and food security on the continent.”

    He said the USA stands ready to partner with the AU on promoting democracy and good governance and to ensure free, fair and transparent elections on the continent in the coming year.

    Crowley said United States also welcomes Mutharika’s pledge to isolate those in Africa who seek power through unconstitutional means.

    “The United States will continue to work with the African Union to confront ongoing stability challenges in Guinea, Niger and Madagascar and to further peace and reconciliation in Somalia, Darfur, Zimbabwe and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said.

    He added that his country will also continue to work closely with African partners to confront the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence on the continent and ensure the full participation of Africa’s women in its socio-economic development.
    “We commend the AU for its efforts to work on these issues and pledge our continued assistance on these and other matters,” said Crowley.

    The Malawi leader has won trust from donors for his prudent leadership in the poor southern African nation.

    At 76, Mutharika is set to engage his new wife Callista Chapola Chimombo, who is the former minister of Tourism and wildlife on Valentines Day before marrying her on May 1.

    Meanwhile the new AU president has trashed Gadaffi’s vision of having a continental country saying he tried to fast track the idea to fulfil his dream of ruling the whole Africa.

    Gadaffi saw his dream of going for another term crumble as presidents decided to give the mantle to Mutharika.

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