Permanent representatives of the African Union (AU) member states (Ambassadors) had a three day meeting in preparation for the 10th AU Summit. The session was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia starting on Friday last week.

In an interview, the Ambassador of Lesotho to Ethiopia and Representative of the AU, Mr. Motlatsi Ramafole highlighted that among issues of discussion at their meetings paving way for the AU Summit to kick-off on Thursday included election and appointment of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, as well as Commissioners.

The four-year term for the current chairperson of the commission ended in July last year. The Ambassador noted that two Basotho are possible candidates for Politics and Economy Commissioners of the AU Commission. He added that members of the Peace and Security Council will also be appointed at the 10th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

Mr. Ramafole reiterated that in the southern region of the AU, membership of the Security Council is circulatory hence three countries and probably the last in the list that stand a chance of being elected are Swaziland, Namibia and Zambia while Lesotho was on the lead.

Proposals and recommendations made by the representatives are submited to the Executive Council (meeting of Foreign Affairs ministers) meeting that was held on Tuesday. The Ambassador reiterated that reports of the Executive Council on the audit of the union and the report on ministerial committee on the union government will be considered during the assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government where the Right Honourable the Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili is expected to participate.

Source: Lesotho Television 29/01/2008