The President said the Foreign Affairs CS is a consensus builder who will bring a lot of experience to the African Union.
“She is an individual who brings people together. She is an individual who is organised and will help us organise the African Union. She is a lady of courage and valour,” said President Kenyatta at the meeting attended by envoys from African countries based in Nairobi.
A section of Kenya’s envoys to foreign countries also attended the meeting. “I request you to lend your support for the candidature of Amb Amina with a promise that you will get a servant who will work for each one of us,” said President Kenyatta.
The President said he nominated Amb Amina after wide consultations with many other African Heads of State and Governments and believes that her candidature will promote African consensus.
Speaking at the event, Amb Amina said she will strive to ensure that Africa’s dignity is never tampered with if she gets elected as the chairperson.
She said she will ensure the African Union delivers a better life for Africans. “We (Africans) have in the main been politically emancipated. We are working hard to ensure we are economically emancipated. We also need to ensure that our institutions, systems and mechanisms are emancipated and that is what I hope you will allow me to work on,” she said.
Amb Amina said Africa needs to speak with consensus in order for its voice to be heard and respected internationally. “We have to start talking about ourselves as Africans because that is how the world sees us,” she said.
The Foreign Affairs CS said she will bring to the AU the experience she has built in her years as a public servant in Kenya and as a senior official of the United Nations.
The CS said Kenya’s foreign policy under President Kenyatta has been focused on Africa and its contribution to ensuring Africa’s voice is heard on the international stage is recognised.
She cited President Kenyatta’s advocacy for Africa’s integration and the fight Kenya spearheaded for Africa to be respected by institutions dealing with international justice. “If we act collectively we will be able to deliver for the continent,” said Amb Amina.
PSCU