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New AU Deputy Chair discusses role, AfCFTA
The African Union held its 34th General Assembly virtually over the weekend where elections for new commissioners were also held. Rwanda's Monique Nsanzabaganwa was elected as the AU’s deputy chairperson becoming the first woman to hold the role; she joins CNBC Africa for more.
Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:04:23 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa's historic election as the first female deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission highlights a new era of focus on financial and administrative matters within the organization.
- Challenges such as the global pandemic and the AfCFTA implementation present significant hurdles for Dr. Nsanzabaganwa in her new role, but she is committed to upholding good governance and enhancing the AU's credibility through partnership and collaboration.
- Drawing on her experience in operations, regulations, and institutional reforms, Dr. Nsanzabaganwa aims to leverage her expertise to instill transparency, responsibility, and results-driven management in the AU Commission, while also championing women's empowerment and African solutions for continental challenges.
The African Union held its 34th General Assembly virtually over the weekend, where elections for new commissioners were conducted. Among the elected officials was Rwanda's Monique Nsanzabaganwa, who made history by becoming the AU's first female deputy chairperson. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa discussed the significance of her new role and the challenges that lie ahead. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa expressed her excitement at being the first woman to hold the position, stating that although a woman had previously held the chairperson role, it was fitting to have a woman focusing on financial and administrative matters within the organization. She acknowledged the challenging period the AU is entering, with the ongoing pandemic and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as key issues on her agenda. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa highlighted the importance of good governance and management to enhance the AU's credibility and trustworthiness. She emphasized the organization's goal to reclaim its place on the global stage through partnership and collaboration with African countries. As the deputy chairperson responsible for administrative governance and financial management, Dr. Nsanzabaganwa pledged to ensure adherence to rules and the delivery of tangible results. When asked about the AU's authority to hold member states accountable for agreements, she underscored the need for collaboration between the commission and member states to stay on track. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa addressed the AU's challenge of engaging Africa's youthful population, framing it as an opportunity to instill pride and prevent brain drain. She reiterated the AU's commitment to implementing African solutions for African challenges, emphasizing gradual progress and staying the course. Drawing on her experience as a former deputy governor of the central bank of Rwanda and her involvement in institutional reforms, Dr. Nsanzabaganwa stressed the importance of transparency, responsibility, and results-driven management in her new role. She highlighted the empowerment of women in Rwanda as a model for delivering impactful change and expressed her determination to contribute to the commission's success through her diverse experiences. Dr. Nsanzabaganwa concluded by asserting that her background in operations and regulations would serve as a strong foundation to build trust and credibility within the AU Commission.
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