Representatives of the media are invited to attend and cover the official handover ceremony on 15 October between the outgoing and incoming Chairpersons and Commissioners of the African Union Commission.

The ceremony will take place in the large conference hall of the new African Union Conference Center in Addis Ababa, starting at 11:15 a.m.

The new Commission will take over the leadership of the Commission for a four year term. At its head will be the Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dhlamini Zuma, deputized by Mr. Erastus Mwencha. This is the first time the Commission has been led by a woman.

According to the programme, the official handing over ceremony will be attended by Dr. Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the African Union; Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; and Dr. Jean Ping, Outgoing Chairperson of the AU Commission. Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives of the African Union, heads of international and regional organizations, staff members of the AU Commission and other invited guests will also attend the event.

The AU Commission is the Secretariat of the Union entrusted with executive functions. It is composed of 10 officials: a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson; eight (8) Commissioners and staff members. The Commissioners are in charge of the following portfolios: Peace and Security; Political Affairs; Trade and Industry; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs; Rural Economy and Agriculture; Human Resources, Science and Technology; and Economic Affairs. The mission of the Commission is to become “An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”.

The official programme for the event is attached:

10:40 hrs:                        Arrival of the Staff of the Commission

10:50hrs :             Arrival of Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives of the African Union, Heads of International and Regional Organizations and other invited guests

11:05 hrs :            Arrival of the outgoing Chairperson, the incoming Chairperson and the outgoing and incoming commissioners

11:10 hrs :            Arrival of H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the African Union and H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

11:15 – 12:15hrs :            The Official Handing over Ceremony starts:

• Announcement of the Programme by the master of ceremonies (Chief of Protocol)
• AU Anthem
• Welcome Remarks by H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Statement by H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Outgoing Chairperson of the AU Commission
• Statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Incoming Chairperson of the AU Commission
• Statement by H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the African Union
• End of Ceremony

12:30 – 14:00hrs            Lunch (Multi-Purpose Hall) (by invitation)