African Union elects Paul Kagame as chairperson to lead African Agenda 2063

The African Union (AU) has unanimously elected President Paul Kagame as the new chairperson of one of its new agencies that will drive the continent towards vision 2063. The much-praised Rwanda leader is now the chairperson of the African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC).

The election took place on the 8th of February 2020 at the side of the 37th HSGOC session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AUDA-NEPAD is a fundamental module of the AU which seeks to bring both institutions together to work effectively. Paul Kagame has challenged all leaders to make it their duty for its realization.

In his acceptance speech, Kagame said “I can only pledge to do my best, in concert with all of you, to uphold this organ’s founding principles,”

The former Chair of the African Union will start his two-year term as chairperson of HSGOC from 2020-2022.

The Africa Agenda 2063 has seven aspirations and they are as follows:

A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; politically integrated continent on ideals of Pan-Africanism and Africa renaissance; governance, democracy, respect of human rights and rule of the law; peaceful secure; strong cultural identity, reliance on an African potential; drive Africa as a strong and influential global partner.

Although 39 percent of the population of Rwanda is said to be living below the poverty line, Rwanda has under the leadership of Paul Kagame quickly established itself as one of the fastest-growing economies in the continent, registering tremendous progress across all sectors of its society since 1994 from education, health, infrastructure etc for which Paul Kagame has strongly been praised for.

His election as the chairperson of the AUDA-NEPAD has been welcomed across the continent.