Showing posts with label African Union Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African Union Commission. Show all posts

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Uprisings in North Africa top 17th AU Summit Agenda

1 Jul 2011 19:41 Africa/Lagos


17th AU Summit / Opening of AU summit hears of need to heed lessons from North Africa

MALABO, July 1, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Jean Ping today said the popular uprisings in North Africa should be seen as an opportunity for AU member states to renew their commitment to the AU agenda for democracy and governance and to implement socio economic reforms that are demanded by their people.


Furthermore, the Commission underscored the importance of achieving peace, saying there could be no development otherwise.


Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Malabo, Dr Ping delivered an impassioned and powerful speech in which he exhorted Africa to speak with one voice in resolving conflicts such as the one in Libya. He stressed that it is the Libyans themselves who should take ownership of the democratic change. The Chairperson commended the efforts of the AU ad hoc committee seeking to find a solution to the Libyan situation. He underscored the role of the Commission in the peace process in Libya, saying the Union's adhoc committee had drawn up a roadmap before the passing of UN resolution 1973.


The Chairperson observed that Tunisia and Egypt had made remarkable progress over the past few months. The two countries, he said, witnessed a new climate of pluralistic debate and freedom, which allows the citizens to be aware and also allows for the consolidation of a democratic culture. He reported that he visited the two countries to assure them of the support of the AU. In addition, the Peace and Security Council of the AU remains seized with the issue. He thanked Tunisia and Egypt for hosting the thousands of refugees who are fleeing Libya.


Mr Ping, who was delivering a review of the situation in Africa from January to December this year, mainly focused on peace and security because the period under review was a difficult one.


He welcomed the impending birth of the new African state of South Sudan, the 54th member of the African Union on 9 July- this coming after the January referendum that confirmed the desire of South Sudan for independence. To applause from the delegates, the Chairperson introduced Mr Salva Kirr Mayardit of South Sudan, who was attending the meeting as an observer, but is to become the President of the new state.

In Somalia, Dr Ping applauded the “sense of sacrifice and commitment” of the troops of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

He also applauded the end of the crisis in Cote D'Ivoire and welcomed its President to the African Union. He also commended the President for the truth and reconciliation process and said the African Union was one of the first institutions to recognise Mr Outarra's victory.

Mr Ping commended the normalisation of relations between Sudan and Chad, and noted the return of peace to the Comoros, Burundi, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau.


He however lamented the continuing stalemate in Western Sahara and the lack of progress in the normalisation of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the difficulties with Madagascar and Djibouti. “The situations require the attention of the African Union”, he said.


The Chairperson's delivery also gave great importance and recognition to the role played by the African Union and African leaders in the resolution of conflicts. Of note he highlighted the following:

The conclusion of the agreement on security arrangements in Abyei, Sudan, with the facilitation of the AU High Implementation Panel led by former president Thabo Mbeki, and which includes former presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya.

The offer by Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr Meles Zenawi to make Ethiopian troops available as part of the Interim Force Security for Abyei to facilitate implementation of the agreement

The role played by President Yoweri Museveni in facilitating the Kampala agreement which aims to resolve disputes that pitted Somali leaders against each other

The contribution of the Chairperson of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development Mr Meles Zenawi and his peers in IGAD, in promoting a programme of peace, stability, democracy in Somalia

President Muhamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Yoweri Museveni, Ahmadu Toumani Toure, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Jacob Zuma were commended for their efforts on Libya as the high level ad hoc committee on Libya.


Deepening of Democracy in Africa

Dr Ping also noted progress on the continent in terms of the elections that have been held in some member states in the past six months, in spite of difficulties and short comings in some instances. These elections, he said, bear witness to a “deepening pluralistic democracy” on the continent. In this respect, he acknowledged Presidents Elhadj Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Alassane Outarra of Cote D'Ivoire; Yayi Boni of Benin, Goodluck Jonathan Ebele of Nigeria, Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Yoweri Museveni Yussef of Uganda, James Alix Michel of the Seychelles, and Idriss Deby of Chad.


Work being done in fulfilment of other priority areas of the Commission

On economic integration, Mr. Ping applauded the joint action undertaken by the Community of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (ECA) to create “the biggest free trade area on the continent”.


He referred to the Pan African University as a flagship project. Its formation was approved last May and the first three faculties should be launched in September, the Chairperson said. He also said the Campaign for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality (CARMMA) is picking up, with 29 AU member states having launched the campaign in their countries. With regard to agriculture and the environment, the Chairperson pointed to the progress made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), to help ensure food security. 25 member states have signed the CAADP compact. In terms of infrastructure development, Dr Ping said the Commission will continue to give full attention to the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) programme.


Commission's financial situation

With reference to the financial situation of the Commission, Mr. Ping said the Commission continues to ponder over the issue. The AU, he said, needs to be strong and to be provided with the resources it needs to ensure stability and development.


Theme of the summit

Addressing the theme of the summit “accelerating youth empowerment for development”, Mr. Ping said the theme was timely at this crucial moment given their role in the Arab spring. He said the youth should be capacitated so that they can contribute meaningfully to the development of the continent.


Youth are an asset: guest speakers

Deputy United Nations Secretary General Ms Asha Rose Migiro; Mr. Ahmed Ben Helty Deputy Secretary General of the League of Arab States; and Mr. Lula Da Silva, former President of Brazil and special envoy of the Brazilian President also addressed the opening session.

Ms Migiro dwelt on the UN role in support of the AU's efforts in peace and security, democracy and empowerment of African youth.

Mr Ben Helty talked about the great importance of attending to issues of the youth, citing their power to effect change, as evidenced by their central role in the “Arab spring”.

Mr Lula Da Silva motivated the summit by explaining that youth are an asset rather than a problem. He gave concrete examples of the policies he implemented when he was Brazil's President to uplift the youth and the disadvantaged.


Institutionalisation of the AU Youth Charter

Mr. Teodoro Ibiang Nguema, and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union placed emphasis on the need for Africa to fully finance the African Union. In keeping with the summit theme, he proposed the institutionalisation of the AU Youth Volunteer Corp and offered Malabo as the headquarters for such an institution.


Respect for two former presidents

The opening session observed a minute of silence in memory of two former Heads of State: i.e. Ange-Felix Patasse, former President of the Central African Republic and Frederick Chiluba, former President of the Republic of Zambia.


Launch of PATTEC, Central Africa

The session also saw the launching of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) activities in the Central African region. (see separate press release)


Laying of foundation stone for the African Observatory

There was also a ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone for the African Observatory for Science, Technology and Innovation. (see separate press release)



Source: African Union Commission (AUC)


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

1 Jul 2011








Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Receives the Credentials of the Permanent Representative of Nigeria

27 Jan 2011 13:03 Africa/Lagos


The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Receives the Credentials of the Permanent Representative of Nigeria

ADDIS ABABA, January 27, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping received in his office at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, 25 January 2011, the credentials of H.E. Mr. Eineje Egbadekwu ONOBU, as the new Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the African Union.


Welcoming the new Permanent Representative, the Chairperson expressed his deep appreciation for the key role played by Nigeria in the African Union and its full support for the work of the Commission.


He requested Ambassador Eineje Egbadekwu ONOBU to convey to H.E. President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Odein Ajumogobia his sincere gratitude for their continued support and commended Nigeria for its leadership role in the preservation and restoration of peace, security and stability in West Africa and the entire Continent.


The Chairperson assured Ambassador Eineje Egbadekwu ONOBU of the cooperation of the Commission in the fulfillment of his new assignment.


In response, the new Permanent Representative, who served as Nigeria's Ambassador to Ethiopia and the OAU in 1999, stated that Nigeria values the important contribution made by Chairperson Ping and the AUC towards the emergence of an African renaissance, and promised to work closely with the Commission to further strengthen the excellent relations that exist between the African Union and Nigeria.


The Chairperson and Ambassador Egbadekwu ONOBU also exchanged views on several topical issues related to the forthcoming AU Summit.


The ceremony was attended, among others, by Ambassador John Kayode Shinkaiye, Chief of Staff in the Bureau of Chairperson, Mr. Pierre Moussavou, Deputy Chief of Staff and Ambassador John Evonlah Aggrey, Diplomatic Adviser to the Chairperson.




Source: African Union Commission (AUC)



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Saturday, November 7, 2009

Nigeria / FIFTH CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting to take place in Abuja

7 Nov 2009 03:11 Africa/Lagos


Nigeria / FIFTH CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting to take place in Abuja


ABUJA, November 6, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the NEPAD Secretariat and ECOWAS Secretariat, will organize the 5th Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) meeting scheduled for 09-10 November 2009 at the Transcorp Nicon (Hilton) Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria.

The 5th CAADP-PP meeting, which will be hosted by ECOWAS Secretariat, will provide an inclusive platform for peer interaction, review and experience sharing among the core institutions and partners involved in CAADP implementation.

The 5th CAADP-PP is coming at the marking point that a number of countries have shown their commitment of CAADP program implementation by putting the compact agreement. In this regard it is expected to deliberate a key elements and strategies on the joint engagement and coordination so as to ensure the desired, coordinated and timely support appropriate to the country-specific circumstances.

The meeting will also discuss and take important decisions on various components towards CAADP implementation including, amongst others: CAADP Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) Governance arrangement; CAADP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework; Roadmap for the follow-up and implementation of the July 2009 Heads of State and Government Summit decisions; Framework for Regional CAADP implementation and regional compacts, as well as the issue of food security and climate change, which are affecting agricultural performance.

Meanwhile, experts have met for a two-days planning meeting, 5-6 November 2009, ahead of the CADDP-PP meeting, which is scheduled for 9-10 November 2009.

According to the AUC-NEPAD statement at the opening ceremony of CAADP PP Planning Meeting, progress has been made in a number of areas in respect to CAADP process implementation, most importantly a number of countries have signed CAADP compact while many others are lined up. Also progress has been made in rallying the international community including development partners to understand and support CAADP.

The statement also highlighted another significant development in engaging the international community concerning to Global Food Security and supporting Africa's Agriculture through CAADP.

Participants shall include AUC, NEPAD, RECs, Pillar Lead Institutions, development partners, private sector organisations, farmers' organisations, and CSOs.

The establishment of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP) was a key recommendation of the 2005 consultative process involving Regional Economic Communities (RECs), national governments, private sector and farmer organisations.

Journalists are invited to cover the event on Monday 09 November 2009 staring from 8:30am, at Hilton Hotel, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Herewith attached please find the provisional programme of the meeting

For further information please contact KeizireB@africa-union.org and Bwalyam@nepad.org

Source: African Union Commission (AUC)

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