The members of the organization’s general assembly held a virtual meeting on May 25.
This is a further step in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which comes into force on January 1, 2021.
In a press release received by APA, the Union Africaine Professionnelle (UAP)-AfCFTA reports that “an open and free ballot” saw lawyer Mamadou Ismaila Konate, former Malian Minister of Justice elected as president.
Cameroonian consultant Dr. Beauclair Njoya Nkamga, an expert in customs, foreign exchange, investment and AfCFTA, was chosen to take up the post of Permanent Secretary.
In addition, five vice-presidents were elected, from as many of AfCFTA’s regional economic communities.
They are Dr. Sally El Sawah for the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Alli Folashade for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Pr. Rene Njeufack Temgwa for the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Gregory Goeller for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Dr. Jean Baptiste Harelimana for the East African Community (EAC).
Five advisors have also been appointed for specific missions: Laure Olga Gondjout (Political, diplomatic and protocol affairs), Me Didier Lebon (Trade, brand and services), Modibo Mao Makalou (Zlecaf,
partnership and local law), Mr. Yaye Mounkaila (Legal, regulatory affairs, dispute resolution and compliance), Dr. Aliou Niang (Prospective studies and outlook, capacity building) and Aissata Ly
(Gender, youth, heritage, traditions, African values and customs).
The Union Africaine Professionnelle – AfCFTA (UAP-AfCFTA), headquartered in Port-Louis, Mauritius, uses English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Swahili as its working languages.
Its mission is “to work towards achieving the general and specific objectives of the AfCFTA, to ensure the promotion and development of the AfCFTA throughout the continent and beyond, to create a framework
for the participation of all professionals concerned by the AfCFTA, whether or not they are members of the association, to provide institutional support to the bodies, organs and structures of the
AfCFTA, the African Union (AU) and the AfCFTA member states on any subject or project relating to the AfCFTA, to promote the objectives, principles and values of the AfCFTA, but also professional
development, the international exchange of information and ideas on the AfCFTA, to defend the independence and freedom of professionals and experts working in the fields of the Agreement and AfCFTA legal instruments worldwide, and to strengthen friendship, collegiality, professionalism and networking between its members.”
ID/ac/fss/as/APA