African Union: A Stream Cannot Rise Above Its Source  On Monday
15 October 2012, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma began her tenure as
the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Her
election at the African Union (AU) July 2012 Summit preceded a
long drawn and somewhat not so fluent appointment. Her election
ushered in the first female Chairperson of the African Union
Commission (AUC) and its predecessor the Organisation of African
Unity. The election's controversy unfortunately, overshadowed
other important issues that were discussed and decided upon by
this Summit. Of great concern to us is the funding of the AU
which is the key driver of Africa's integration and
developmental agenda.  The July 2012 Summit also approved the
2013 Budget of the African Union totalling USD277 million with
contributions as follows:    • AU Member States: $122.8 million
(44 per cent)   • Development Partners (Donors): $155.3 million
(56 per cent)   • Total Budget: $277.1 million  Of the amount
that the African governments are