Debate will give candidates an opportunity to speak to African citizens, popularize the AU and give their vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 2, 2016/APO/ --

The African Union, through its African Union Leadership Academy (AULA) will convene the first ever leadership debate for candidates contesting for the position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 9 December 2016.

The debate, to be held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia will be conducted before a live audience comprising members of the African Union Executive Council; members of Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), African Union Commissioners; media personnel and invited guests. It aims at popularizing the African Union and giving the candidates an opportunity to speak to African citizens and present their vision for the fulfilment of the AU vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Candidates contesting to replace outgoing Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma of South Africa are Hon Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi of Botswana, Hon Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, Hon Mba Mokuy of Equatorial Guinea, Hon Dr Amina C Mohamed of Kenya, and Dr Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal.

The event will be live streamed to the entire continent and beyond on the AU live stream link which is available on the AU website au.int. It will also be broadcast live; the details will be made available soon.

The debate will take place in the context of the series “Africa Leadership Debates”, dubbed MjadalaAfrika, which will be a platform for key stakeholders in various aspects of society to discuss the various opportunities that can be harnessed to ensure Africa achieves its goals for integrated and sustainable development and transforming the continent to become a major player in the global arena.

Distributed by APO on behalf of African Union Commission (AUC).