Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, a Sierra Leonean medical doctor on Monday 16th July 2012 emerged as the new Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission after a crucial election held in Addis Ababa during the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Dr. Kaloko defeated four other candidates: Mr. Charles Bikoi Binam from Cameroon and representing the Central African sub region; Madam Marie-Perre Lloyd from Seychelles representing Eastern Africa; Mr. Ngarmbatina Soukate Odjimbeye from Chad representing Central Africa and Madam Rudo Chitiga from Zimbabwe representing Southern Africa.
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| A Sierra Leonean, Dr. Feyi Ogunade (L) working for the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights congratulating Dr. Kaloko |
He is replacing the outgoing Commissioner Mrs. Bience Gawanas whose second term ended this year.
The incoming Commissioner for Social Affairs will take up office in October this year and he will be handling and addressing issues of health, children, drug control, population, migration, labour and employment, sports and culture in the Continent.
Dr. Kaloko has worked with the Commission for over 20 years before he retired last year.
The Commission is composed of eight Commissioners: Commissioner for Peace and Security, Political Affairs; Infrastructure and Energy; Social Affairs; Human Resources, Science and Technology; Trade and Industry; Rural Economy and Agriculture; and Economic Affairs.
After the election, Dr. Kaloko thanked His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for supporting his candidacy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Hon. Joseph Dauda for interfacing with his peers on his candidacy and lauded the pivotal and instrumental role played by Ambassador Andrew Gbebay Bangali, Sierra Leone’s Envoy to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union in his election victory.
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Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
