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AU leaders in Addis Ababa/FILE

Kenya

Beware of West schemes, expert warns AU

AU leaders in Addis Ababa/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 10 – Africa Union delegates are meeting in Addis Ababa for a weeklong session that will culminate to the election of the new chairman.

Even as the delegates are divided on whom between the incumbent Jean Ping and South Africa’s former Home Affairs Minister Dlamini Zuma, critics fear meddling from the western countries will affect the outcome of the results.

Regional Conflict expert Dr David Matsanga argues that the election has already been infiltrated by outsiders.

“It is clear that AU through the maneuvers of our former colonial masters has been divided on Anglo-Franco zones that are threatening the existence of the only body that unites Africa. These blocs are working as an impediment of our unity,” Matsanga said.

The summit begun on July 9 and is set to end on July 16. It follows last February’s aborted attempt to elect the commission chairman that brought out the differences. Campaigns have been ongoing since then.

In his statement, Dr Matsanga praised both candidates for the seat but expressed fears that there are external forces out to tilt the election outcome.

“The achievements of the current chairman Ping speak volumes and under his stewardship, Africa has seen pride as a continent. Equally, the hard working Madam Zuma has contributed to the continent as she has trotted the globe defending laws and norms of AU charter on diluted regionalism,” he said.

Dr Matsanga is urging the AU Heads of State to revisit the procedure to ensure quick changes to have elections on merit and not regionalism.

“We request the Heads of State to put to question the role and partisan criminal proclivity of former colonial powers that are now seeking to divide AU on Anglo-Franco zones,” he said.

Matsanga suggests that the qualities of the candidates be looked into to stand up for Africa and not those that can be used to destroy the continent’s patriotism.

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Kenya has indicated it will support the re-election of Dr Ping.

In his statement, Dr Matsanga also lauded the move by AU to a regional court of justice and human rights to decide the fate of the continent

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