In this Feb 8, 2018 file photo, African Union chief Moussa Faki Mahamat (left) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before their meeting in Beijing.
(GREG BAKER / POOL / AFP)
BEIJING – Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Moussa Faki Mahamat on his re-election as chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission.
Wang said that the current relationship between China and the AU is at its best in history as the two sides have continually deepened strategic mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in various fields and supported each other in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, fully demonstrating the high level of bilateral relations.
Mahamat on Saturday secured a second four-year term as the chairperson of the AU Commission during the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU
China firmly supports the AU in playing an important role in African and international affairs, and stands ready to continue to work with the AU in solidarity and cooperation to tide over difficulties, promote the sustained and in-depth development of China-AU relations and China-Africa relations, and jointly build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, Wang said.
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Mahamat on Saturday secured a second four-year term as the chairperson of the AU Commission during the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU.
According to the AU, some 51 of the 55 AU members voted in favor of Mahamat.
Mahamat was also presented an assessment of his first-term activities to the assembly of African leaders.
Mahamat was first elected by African leaders to lead the 55-member pan-African bloc back in January 2017 during the 28th AU Summit. Mahamat had last week announced "eight major priorities" as he sought re-election.
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