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The IIJD Newsletter:
   
Mr. Jean Ping Elected as New Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Sophie Levy
February 8, 2008
On Friday February 1st, the African Union, at its summit meeting in Addis Ababa elected Gabon’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean Ping, to be the next chairperson of the African Union Commission. Mr. Ping was elected for a four-year term, replacing Alpha Oumar Konare, the former Malian president who led the AU Commission since 2003 [1]. In the vote to become the head of the commission, Ping, who is also Gabon’s Deputy Prime Minister, defeated other candidates from Burundi, Sierra Leone and Zambia.
A successful diplomat, Mr. Ping began his career at the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, were he worked as an international civil servant in the Sector for External Relations and Cooperation [2]. Over the years working at UNESCO, Mr. Ping acquired remarkable diplomatic skills, as well as a strong political experience, which eventually led to his appointment, in 1984, as Director of the Cabinet of the President of Gabon. For a few years, Mr. Ping held a variety of appointments at the ministerial level such as Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Resources, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economy, Budget and Privatization [3]. His remarkable experience in international and regional diplomacy allowed for Mr. Ping to represent his country’s delegation at numerous sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as at international conferences held by UNESCO, the World Bank, the Organization of African Unity, the Non-Aligned Movement and many others [4].
The African Union focuses on the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights, and pushes towards concrete development measures across the continent of Africa. The African Union has also been involved in a number of peacekeeping interventions, particularly in the current crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. Its last summit in Addis Ababa was also centered on the current crisis and ongoing violence in Kenya. African diplomats seem pleased with the election, and hope that Mr. Ping will bring a new outlook to the African Union, which is often criticized for weak leadership and poor organizational structure. "We like him because he has the required experience. He is the Foreign Minister of his country and we are happy about his election [5]," declared President Kufuor, the immediate past chairman of the African Union. Mr. Ping reaffirmed his commitment to the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa, and the “pursuit of the application of the principles of good governance, democracy, non-indifference and gender equality [6].”
After winning the elections in Addis Ababa, Mr. Ping expressed his gratitude to all African Nations: “I will talk to all heads of state to pay my gratitude and also seek their guidance and advice. I also have my own ideas, before I start work I'll discuss my plans with the media [7]."
With his notable political experience and distinguished diplomatic skills, there is reason to believe that Mr. Ping will be an excellent chairperson of the African Union Commission. The current underlying causes of Africa’s poverty find its roots in the weak systems of governance, often characterized by corrupted leaderships, rigged elections and inept political and economic constitutions. The lack of transparency within African governments is one of the most prominent challenges that Africa faces today. The establishment of strong, independent and impartial electoral bodies is crucial to the practice of democratic rule and must be ensured to promote development and equality in Africa. Moreover, the establishment of transparent and autonomous justice systems is also essential in order to prevent corruption and conflict in Africa. Mr. Ping’s contribution to the restoration of peace and stability in Central Africa, particularly in the Republic of the Congo, Chad and the Central African Republic, makes him a promising spokesperson to the African Union [8]. The IIJD believes that Mr. Ping will use his experience and diplomatic skills to ensure that concrete measures are being taken to promote justice and development on the continent of Africa.
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