ANC welcomes Mbete's AU appointment

2012-01-30 11:01

Johannesburg - The ANC said on Monday it was pleased with the appointment of its chairperson Baleka Mbete to the African Union's African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) panel of eminent persons.

"The appointment of such an experienced leader and skilled internationalist augurs well for South Africa's ongoing effort to strengthen the work of the African Union and its organs with a view to bolster Africa's role in global issues," said ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga.

Motshekga said he was confident that the former deputy president of the country and former Speaker of Parliament, would do well in her post.

"Through her vast expertise and depth in politics...the institutional work of promoting high standards of governance for Africa's development will be enhanced," he said.

Mbete was unanimously appointed by the APRM, on the margins of the African Union meeting currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"[This] reaffirms the confidence our sister countries have in the important role our country plays in the continental's multilateral forums," said Motshekga.

The APRM is an African-initiated instrument that undertakes periodic peer reviews of participating African countries to strengthen and improve political, social and economic governance.

- SAPA