Cliff Chiduku RECENTLY-APPOINTED African Union (AU) representative to the United States (US) ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze (HSM) says Africa has the potential to attain Agenda 2063 if it gets its act together. Last week, she spoke with NewsDay (ND) senior reporter Cliff Chiduku about how COVID-19 has impacted Africa-US relations, and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), among other issues. ND: Can you give a brief profile of yourself? HSM: I am a seasoned diplomat and political expert with over two decades of practical experience in the execution, monitoring and liaison in African political affairs. I hold a Masters of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Sociology and Gender Development from Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe. I also hold various certificates in network leadership, diplomacy and mediation, among others. I served as an MDC MP (2000-2005), as founder and director of a development-oriented non-governmental organisation (2006-2009). I served as Zimbabwe ambassador to Malawi and before then served as ambassador of Zimbabwe to Sudan and South Sudan, a place where I cut my diplomatic teeth. As Zimbabwean ambassador to Sudan and South Sudan, I effectively handled the two country’s secession (and post-secession) issues until 2012. Zimbabwe being one of the police contributing countries to the Darfur Mission in Sudan, I have been instrumental in the Darfur peace process and have been actively engaged in supporting the United Nations and regional mediators’ efforts. ND: You were appointed ambassador to Sudan during the government of national unity (GNU) from MDC and after the end of the unity government; your term was extended and you were reassigned to Malawi. Did you resign from MDC? It was only you and the late Trudy Stevenson who served beyond the GNU years despite that you were political appointees. HSM: I was appointed ambassador to Sudan during the GNU from the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC. After the GNU ended, my term was extended and in the new dispensation, I was reassigned to Malawi. The position of an ambassador requires one to be apolitical, once you assume duty. Yes, it was only me and Stevenson who served beyond the GNU years despite that we were political appointees. I was now serving the country so I had to rise above political affiliation. Politics is dearly played at home and representing one’s country is way above local machinations and needs be done diligently. Moreover, you have a lot of work, that of looking out for your country and ensuring it is at a good place. It is such an honour to get an opportunity to serve your country. ND: You have become a career diplomat and in this case, an international diplomat. You no longer represent Zimbabwe only, how did all this come about, ditching politics for diplomacy? HSM: I am grateful for the confidence placed upon me by AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat to lead the AU Mission to the US. I serve the interests and pri