MOUSSA Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, announced on Saturday the appointment of Adama Dieng of Senegal as the inaugural AU Special Envoy for the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities.
In his statement, Faki emphasised Dieng’s significant role in driving the AU’s agenda to combat the ideology of hate and genocide across the African continent. Dieng’s expertise in legal and human rights advocacy, coupled with his previous appointment as the special adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, positions him well for this crucial task.
Adama Dieng, known for his distinguished career in strengthening the rule of law, fighting impunity, and promoting capacity-building in judicial and democratic institutions, has been tasked with spearheading efforts to prevent genocide and mass atrocities in Africa.
Dieng’s appointment coincided with the AU’s high-level event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, themed ‘Remember-Unite-Renew,’ on Sunday. This appointment underscores the AU’s commitment to honouring the memory of genocide victims while working towards unity and renewal in the region.
Since 2010, the AU has been organising annual commemoration events on April 7, in accordance with the decision of African leaders, to reflect on the tragic events of the Rwanda genocide and reaffirm the collective resolve to prevent such atrocities in the future.
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