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ADDIS ABABA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has congratulated the newly elected president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), a football governing body on the continent.
Madagascar's football chief, Ahmad Ahmad, won the CAF presidential elections against the long-serving Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, by 34-20, during the 39th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on Thursday at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, has congratulated the newly elected African football leader, who is President of the Madagascar Football Association, according to a statement from the pan-African bloc on Friday.
Mahamat took the opportunity to pay tribute to the outgoing President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, for his meritorious and dedicated services to the development of football on the continent.
He has lauded contribution of the outgoing CAF president to elevate the status of African football to international standards, increasing the number of Africa teams in World Cup finals as well as for playing a pivotal role in having Africa to host one of the best-ever organized FIFA World Cup, which was hosted in South Africa.
At the opening of the Assembly, the AU Commission Chairperson recalled the historic relationship that exists between the AU Commission and CAF.
Mahamat noted that both AU and CAF share values of Pan-Africanism, highlighting the role of CAF in the liberation struggle.
The pan-African bloc and the African football governing body signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2012, though their relationship goes beyond the MoU, and embodies the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
The AU-CAF collaboration has been instrumental in advancing key social causes such as campaigns to kick Polio Out, Make Peace Happen, Eradicate Malaria, HIV/Aids, Fight against Ebola and End Child Marriage campaigns, has said the Chairperson.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission hopes that the relationship of the AU Commission and CAF will continue growing in the benefit of the African continent.
