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Sunday Mail Reporter
Sadc has nominated Botswana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Dr Pelonimi Venson-Miotoi, to succeed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as African Union Commission Chair.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma’s four-year tenure expires in July 2016, and she will not seek a second term.
North, East, West and Central Africa will also present candidates before nomination closes on March 31.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail yesterday, Zimbabwe’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joey Bimha said, “Sadc member states (at a ministers’ meeting last week) were in agreement that it was still Southern Africa’s turn to chair the AU Commission. Member states were asked to come up with a candidate and there was a special meeting, which took place in South Africa.
“Three candidates from South Africa, Malawi and Botswana were in the running, and after deliberations, it was agreed that Dr Venson Miotio is Sadc’s candidate.”
Dr Dlamini-Zuma took over from Dr Jean Ping (Gabon) in July 2012.
Mali’s former President Alpha Oumar Konaré (September 2003 – February 2008) and Mr Amara Essy (2008) of the Ivory Coast have also served in that capacity.
Online Reporter