Press Releases: Secretary Tillerson’s Meeting With African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat
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The following is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert
Secretary Rex Tillerson met with AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki today to reaffirm the United States’ and AU’s mutual respect and strong commitment to the shared goal of a stable and prosperous Africa. Their conversation builds upon the momentum created by their previous meeting in November on the margins of the annual U.S.-AU High Level Dialogue in Washington D.C.
The United States applauded the launch of the AU’s 2018 “African Anti-Corruption Year,” with Secretary Tillerson indicating the United States stands ready to support AU anti-corruption efforts. The United States and the AU share a commitment to combat corruption, which in turn improves the conditions for free and fair trade, enables an open environment for business, and sets the stage for good governance.
The two also discussed a few country-specific issues, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the United States continues to urge the AU to press all parties – including the DRC government and the political opposition – to work towards December 2018 DRC elections. Secretary Tillerson and Chairperson Faki agreed the AU and Intergovernmental Authority on Development should continue to apply pressure on the warring parties in South Sudan for a negotiated solution, to protect the lives and welfare of innocent South Sudanese.
Secretary Tillerson thanked Chairman Faki and the AU for its continued attention to and good work across the Continent and underscored the strong U.S.-AU bilateral relationship.