The ANC’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, in his speech at an African Conference, used the opportunity to hide his country’s serious problems by emphasizing the importance of unity among the 55 member states of the African Union.
He pointed out the pillars of the AU and said economic integration, women’s empowerment, and good governance are the three priorities that South Africa must advance while chairing this year.
The meeting in the building of the Department of International Relations is only a taste of the planned meeting of heads of state to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 8 and 9 this year.
The last time South Africa had the chair was in 2002 and now, 18 years later, the country has been re-elected to take the lead.
To date, the 55 member states of the AU have not been able to do much to mitigate the 1.2 billion impoverished inhabitants of Africa’s plight.