The 4th African Union Summit in session
Greetings of peace and blessing from URI-Africa. I hope this report finds you well. This is to inform you that the 4th African Union Summit was held from January 23 to 31, 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme of “2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.”
I took part in the following meetings:
- 29th Ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) (African Ambassadors accredited to the African Union) held from January 23 to 24, 2015
- 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council (Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Africa) held from January 26 to 27, 2015
- 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union (African Heads of State) held from January 30 to 31, 2015
The 24th African Union Summit officially started on Friday, 23rd January 2015, with the 29th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC). The PRC discussed items on the agenda in preparation of the 24th African Union Summit, which is submitted to the Executive Council for adoption.
The 26th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held on the 26th and 27th of January 2015 at the Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall of the African Union Conference Centre. Welcome remarks were made by the Chairperson of the Executive Council; statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission; statement by the UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the UNECA; opening statement by the Chairperson of the Executive Council. The Ministers of External Affairs and other ministers and authorities designated by the governments of African Union Member States deliberated on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organized by the African Union Commission during the last six months.
The 32nd Summit of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) took place on Thursday 29th January 2015 from 10:00 – 12:00 noon while the 22nd Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum of Heads of State and Government was held on the same day from 15:00 – 17:00 hrs and the meeting of the Peace and Security Council at the Level of the Heads of State and Government took place from 19:00 – 21:00 hrs, also held on the same day.
The 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union took place on January 30 and 31, 2015. The opening ceremony included the following:
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union declared the beginning of the Session; African Union Anthem by the AUC Choir; a minute of silence was observed in memory of the late President Michael Chilufya Sata of the Republic of Zambia (deceased on 29 October 2014); inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Hall by the Chairperson of the African Union and the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union; statement by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union; statement by H.E. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations; opening statement by H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairman of the African Union (for 2014); welcome remarks were made by the Chairperson of the Union to the newly elected Heads of State and Government and presentation to the Assembly; election of the Chairperson of the African Union and members of the Bureau / members of the drafting committee; announcement of the results of the elections by the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps; acceptance statement made by the incoming Chairperson of the Union for 2015 H.E Robert Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe; and announcing the launching of “2015 Year of Women's Empowerment and Development Towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.
During the two-day meeting, the Heads of State and Government went through the progress report of the Commission on the African Union Agenda 2063; the report of the Commission on the Ebola crisis; the report the Conference of Ministers of Finance and Economy on the Alternative Sources of Financing the African Union; the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa; the report of the Commission on the Establishment of the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; the Outcomes of the 2nd Africa-Turkey Summit, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 19-21 November 2014; and an awards ceremony for the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards for 2015 by the Chairperson of the African Union and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, among others.
AU Summit Discussed President's Activity Report:
The Heads of State and Government also exchange views on the report of H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC); the report of H.E. Mr. John Dramane Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the High Level African Trade Committee (HATC); and that of H.E. Mr.Jakaya Mrishro Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) on the outcome of climate change negotiations at the 20th Conference of Parties (COP 20) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Lima, Peru, 27 November – 12 December 2014.
The Summit further considered the report of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia and Chairperson of the High Level Committee on the inputs to the African Common Position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda as well as that of the APRM as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism; the report of H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms; the Report of H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda on the Kigali Plan of Action for implementing the Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.516(XXII) on the Implementation of Sharm El Sheikh Commitments on Accelerating Water and Sanitation Goals in Africa.
Highlights of the 24th African Union Summit were including the appointment of the eleven members of the Advisory Board on Corruption; the appointment of the seven members of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL); the appointment of the president and the vice president of the Council of the Pan-African University (PAU) as well as that of the host country for the Rectorate of the Pan African University.
Amongst some of the key decisions adopted during the 24th African Union Summit are the following:
On the Hissène Habré case
The Assembly called on Member States, partner countries and institutions to continue supporting Senegal through the African Extraordinary Chambers in the execution of the African Union mandate to prosecute and try Mr Hissène Habré, on behalf of Africa, with guarantees for a fair trial.
On the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak
The Assembly recommended the extension of the mandate of the African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA): called upon Member States who have not yet done so, to lift all restrictions imposed on Ebola affected countries; requested the international financial institutions and partner countries to cancel the debt of the three affected countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone); approved the recommendation to urgently convene a Global Conference on the Ebola epidemic; requested the Commission to liaise with all stakeholders in this regard; and appealed to the scientific community to accelerate the search for a vaccine against Ebola.
On the Establishment of the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC)
The Assembly expressed satisfaction for efforts made by the Commission to speed up the process for the establishment of the Centre by mid-2015; approved that the coordination office should initially be at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa and authorized the Commission to undertake the mobilization of funds from Member States, development partners and the private sector who have already indicated an interest and with experience in the domain.
Regarding the Report of the high level African trade committee (HATC) on trade issues
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to launch continental free trade area negotiations in June 2015; and mandated the Chairperson of the HATC in collaboration with the Chairperson of the Commission to engage in high level consultations for the establishment of the CFTA.
On the World Trade Organisation (WTO)
The Assembly urged Member States to identify key issues in the post-Bali work programme that facilitate the achievement of Africa’s strategic structural transformation and regional integration agenda.
On African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
The Assembly called upon AGOA-eligible countries to enhance the advocacy to complement the efforts of the African Group of Ambassadors in Washington, USA towards the reauthorization of AGOA.
On Africa’s engagements at the UN climate summit and Lima global Climate Change Conference (COP2O/CMP 10)
The Assembly requested the Commission to facilitate the implementation of the WPCCAA and put in place a mechanism for follow up and regular reporting to the Summit on its implementation; and the AMCEN and AGN to take into account the WPCCAA in their negotiations and engagement with other partners in the climate change processes. It approved the recommendation that a Troika comprising the outgoing, current and incoming presidents of AMCEN be the coordination mechanism of CAHOSCC.
On the creation of an African Centre for Information and Communication Technologies in N’djamena
The Assembly commended the Republic of Chad and its President for this crucial initiative and for the funds already mobilized towards the construction of ACIT with a view to promoting information technologies in Africa, which are critical in the continent’s development process.
On the status of preparations for the 11th African games due to take place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo in September 2015
The Assembly encouraged all Member States of the African Union to actively participate in the African Games in Brazzaville as a demonstration of solidarity with Congo and a testimony to continental unity.
On the continent-wide solidarity against Boko Haram
The Assembly welcomed and supported the efforts deployed by Member States of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Republic of Benin for having agreed to deploy national contingents and establish a Joint Military Staff Headquarters for conduct of military operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
It expressed its high appreciation to the Republic of Chad for the timely intervention to assist the Republic of Cameroon in combating the Boko Haram terrorist group and called on all Member States to render every possible assistance towards defeating the dangerous Boko Haram Group.
On a culture of peace in Africa
The Assembly requested the Commission:
- to take all appropriate measures in consultation with UNESCO and Government of Angola to co-organize a biannual Pan-African Forum for a cultural of Peace in Africa.
- to explore with UNESCO and the Government of Coted`Ivoire the possibility of creating a “School of Peace”.
On The African Education Initiative for Peace through Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Dialogue
The Assembly calls upon member states, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and African and international partners engaged in the promotion of international peace and security, to actively participate in the Meeting being organized by the Republic of Benin on inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.
On the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa
The Assembly welcomed the progress that continues to be made in terms of peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction in The Comoros, Madagascar, with the continuation of the reconciliation process in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.
The Assembly reiterated Africa's solidarity with countries in West Africa affected by the Ebola epidemic (Guinea, Liberia & Sierra Leone) and welcomed the deployment by the Commission of ASEOWA, as mandated by the PSC.
The Assembly welcomed the completion of the transition in Tunisia, with the holding, in November and December 2014, of presidential election and welcomed the positive developments in Burkina Faso.
The Assembly expressed appreciation to the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) and troops and police contributing countries for the excellent work done in the Central African Republic (CAR), as well as to Member States and international partners who have provided logistical, technical and financial support to the Mission.
The Assembly welcomed the steps that continue to be taken towards the full operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). It noted with deep concern that despite the progress made, Africa continues to face serious challenges in the field of peace and security, which undermine socio-economic development efforts, cause catastrophic humanitarian consequences and contribute to project a negative image of the continent.
It reiterated concern at the continued worsening of the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, as demonstrated by the cowardly and dastardly attacks perpetrated by different terrorist groups across the continent, including Al Shabaab, the Lord's Resistant Army (LRA), Boko Haram, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in the West Africa (MOJWA), al-Murabitun and the Ansar al-Sharia groups.
On the report of the High Level Committee on the Post 2015 development Agenda
The Assembly endorsed the formation and the Terms of Reference of the African Group of Negotiators on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, which shall be the single negotiating body acting on behalf of the continent.
On the deployment of the African capacity for immediate response to crises and the African standby force rapid deployment capability
The Assembly decided that:
- In conformity with the provision of Art 9 (2) of the Constitutive Act, to delegate its authority under Article 4 (h) of the Constitutive Act to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (PSC) to authorize the deployment in a rapid manner.
- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union shall immediately report such deployment within 90 days or to the next meeting of the Assembly for Rectification.
- Member States which are Volunteering Nations (VNs) or contributing resources to an Intervention Force shall be represented and participate in the deliberations of the Peace and Security Council on a possible ACIRC/ASF-RDC intervention mission.
On the report of alternative sources of financing the African Union
The Assembly urged all Member States that have not yet done so, to honour as soon as possible their contributions and arrears to the Union; and requested the Ad-hoc Ministerial Committee on the Scale of Assessment to pursue consultations in an open-ended manner.
On the report of Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) on NEPAD
The Assembly requested the NPCA to develop a coherent Programme of Work to operationalize the Malabo CAADP Implementation Strategy and Roadmap (IS&R) and monitor implementation performance based on the CAADP Results Framework, with emphasis on enhanced support to small-holder farmers, women, youth and promoting inclusive agricultural value-chains, preference for regional markets and strengthening natural resources governance.
The Assembly endorsed in the context of the Dakar Agenda for Action, the PIDA Implementation Acceleration Strategy (PAS) and the PIDA Service Delivery Mechanism (SDM) developed by the NPCA and AUC in conjunction with AfDB, ECA, RECs to implement the Dakar Agenda for Action.
The Assembly endorsed the membership of the five (5) initiating countries and the re-election of the 15 rotating HSGOC members by the 32nd HSGOC Session.
On the fifteenth report of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council
The Assembly reiterated its call for Africa to continue to speak with one voice and cohesively on all issues relating to the United Nations Security Council reform and related matters; and UNDERSCORES the overriding need to ensure that the interest of Africa continues to be maintained and safeguarded at all times in the on-going Intergovernmental Negotiation on Security Council reform.
With regards to the decision on the date and venue of the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in June/July 2015
The Assembly accepted the offer of the Republic of South Africa to host the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in June/July 2015.
MAY PEACE PREVAIL IN AFRICA
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
In peace and gratitude,
Mussie Hailu
URI African Continental Coordinator
