03 February 2010
United States Congratulates New African Union Chairperson
Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, president of Malawi, elected
Washington — The United States on February 2 congratulated Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, president of Malawi, on his election by the African Union General Assembly to serve as chairperson of the African Union (AU), saying it looks forward to continuing the U.S. partnership with the AU to promote peace, prosperity and security for all Africans.
In a statement, Phillip J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs at the U.S. Department of State, said: “We share Chairperson Mutharika’s goals of ending child hunger and malnutrition and welcome his interest in promoting the critical goal of agricultural development and food security on the continent. The U.S. stands ready to partner with the AU on promoting democracy and good governance and to ensure free, fair and transparent elections on the continent in the coming year.”
Crowley said the United States also welcomes Mutharika’s pledge to isolate those in Africa who seek power through unconstitutional means. “The United States will continue to work with the African Union to confront ongoing stability challenges in Guinea, Niger and Madagascar and to further peace and reconciliation in Somalia, Darfur, Zimbabwe and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said.
He added: “We also hope to work closely with our African partners to confront the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence on the continent and ensure the full participation of Africa’s women in its socio-economic development.”
“We commend the AU for its efforts to work on these issues and pledge our continued assistance on these and other matters.”
