Support for the election of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to head African Union Commission

17 July 2012

The Young Communist League of South Africa [Ufasimba] gladly welcomes and supports the election of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to head the African Union Commission by the summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 17th July 2012.

Her election follows the submission of a petition on the 15th July 2012 by the African youth to the African Heads of State meeting. This is a time when there is an increasing current of changes within the African continent and an intensification of the calls for accelerated transformation through deepening revolution against colonialism and imperialism in Africa.

It is through this breathe that we welcome a new wave of leadership of the African Union by a cadre who has been committed to the struggles we have waged as a people and continue to wage today against recolonisation. Having served our people, the African National Congress and the liberation movement in general with diligence, excellence and revolutionary commitment we are confident she is equal to the tasks before her.

The leadership of Africa must now focus on ensuring that the generational struggles that have been waged throughout the continent are transformed into real change for Africans. Our continent remains the richest in resources and also remains the poorest continent despite all this due to the legacy of colonisation and imperialism.

The working class has come to the realisation that we as the youth are marginalised from the decision making structures whereas we are the hard hit by conditions of neo-liberal policies that alienate us. We the youth are the hard hit by unemployment in South Africa, Africa and the globe and it is us who should be in the forefront of providing solutions to the effects of our exploitation.

In conclusion we call on the African Union to consider and implement the demands of this current youth generation in order to advance the African century into reality. We further call on all Heads of States to ensure that their governments are committed to youth development and the real transformation needs of our societies to eradicate the legacy of colonialism and imperialism

We therefore reemphasise our demands as the youth of Africa;

1. The youth representation in the AU be institutionalised and that a dedicated desk in the office of the African Union Commission Chairperson be established
2. All member countries adhere fully to the AU Constitutive Act
3. All AU policy commitments and resolutions, including the African Youth Charter, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance, Charter on Human Rights and the AU/NEPAD African Action Plan 2010-2015 be implemented with immediate effect;

We refuse to stand at the gates any longer whilst our future is determined for us without our participation. As the youth of Africa we are steadfast in our resolve as we believe victory is certain. This Petition is the beginning of a struggle which will be waged fearlessly until our voices are heard.

Issued by YCLSA HQ

Mangaliso Stalin Khonza
National Spokesperson
YCLSA
27 83 617 5546
27 11 339 3621