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Desist from favouritism,JK warns AU Commission
2008-04-30 09:26:17
By Guardian reporter, Addis Ababa
African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete has urged the new leadership of the AU Commission to go for merit when employing staff so as to avoid the recruitment of incompetent personnel.
Speaking to AU commissioners who assumed office on Monday, Kikwete said nepotism had been a problem in the African Union for quite a long time.
``Africa is a big continent with capable people, recruit these rather than employ incompetent persons simply because they are your relatives,`` Kikwete said.
President Kikwete, however, urged the new leadership under the chairmanship of Jean Ping of Gabon to undertake a strong supervision of AU funds so as to make sure that they were properly utilized.
``The AU has scarce resources, if misused; it cannot implement its plans. We should avoid misusing the little funds that we have,`` he said.
President Kikwete however, directed the new leadership to make sure that the auditing of AU finances was undertaken every year.
``This institution is still new, although most of its subdivisions are completely formed. Concerted efforts are needed to strengthen it,`` he said.
Kikwete told the commissioners that they were Africa’s think tanks, thus should use their ability to develop the continent.
Kikwete reminded them that AU as a political institution needed its staff to cooperate when executing their duties.
President Kikwete also met with all AU staff and urged them to cooperate with the new leadership.
AU is supposed to have 939 staff but currently has some 634 workers.
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