I represented URI at the 26th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
Greetings of peace and blessing from URI-Africa.
This is to inform you that I represented URI at the 26th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January 30 to 31, 2016. This year’s theme was “African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women”.
Speaking at the opening session of the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called for consideration of proposals for free movement of people in Africa, for leaders to place people at the center of Agenda 2063, to advance the human rights of all peoples, and to put an end to the culture that limits the participation of women and girls. Dr. Dlamini Zuma also called for an end to indifference to the needs of others, and that of the people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The AUC Chairperson reiterated the need to create jobs and equip young people with the necessary skills required to transform the continent’s transformation. In this vein, she recognised the intergenerational dialogue that took place at the African Union on the sidelines of the ongoing summit, recalling the desire of the youth that participated to be agents of change in the advocacy for peace. “They want to be educated and skilled, so that they can become the engine and the drivers of our renaissance and transformation.”
United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon congratulated the AU for deciding to focus on human rights as its theme for 2016. He said women should be able to fully take part in society, including in the highest levels of state structures and in peace and security. The age of exclusion is over, he announced. In his last address as UN Chief, he applauded the efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in bringing peace to Somalia. He also said he was impressed by the many health workers who rushed to help in the Ebola affected countries “while the world was running away,” adding his appreciation for the leadership of the AU and its efforts to deploy hundreds of health workers.
H.E. President Idriss Deby of Chad took over the chairmanship for the year 2016 from the President of Zimbabwe H.E. Robert Mugabe, the outgoing chairman of AU for 2015. In his acceptance speech, the President of Chad urged the continent to take advantage of its increased profile in the international system and organize itself to defend its interests. He also said there was need to give the AU the means to attain its objectives, saying it is unacceptable that the functioning of the AU is financed by the outside world. He urged the continent to be action-oriented in order to change its history. He spoke strongly against terrorism, saying the continent should ensure its own security using its own human resources. Meanwhile, the full new bureau to serve with Mr. Deby was announced as follows: First Vice Chairperson – President Yayi Boni of the Republic of Benin; Second Vice Chair- President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda; Third Vice Chair – Honorable Ageila Salah Issa, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the State of Libya; Rapporteur- President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
The summit considered efforts already under way to realize the continental vision for the next 50 years of the existence of the AU, known as Agenda 2063. It also considered the status of peace and security in the continent, financing and governance of the AU and its programmes, as well as AU programmes such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development projects and the African Peer Review Mechanis and many other important issue to the continent.
The Assembly calls member States to accelerate the signing, ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, which was adopted in 2014.
The Assembly appoints the following five (5) Members of the Peace and Security Council for a three-year term as of March 2016: 1. Congo (Rep.) Central Region 2. Kenya Eastern Region 3. Egypt Northern Region 4. Zambia Southern Region 5. Nigeria Western Region.
The Assembly also appoints the following ten (10) Members of the Peace and Security Council for a two-year term as of March 2016: 1. Burundi Central Region 2. Chad 3. Rwanda Eastern Region 4. Uganda 5. Algeria Northern Region 6. Botswana Southern Region 7. South Africa 8. Niger Western Region 9. Sierra Leone 10. Togo.
The Assembly reiterates its supports to the efforts of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan and South Sudan (AUHIP) aimed at facilitating an inclusive National Dialogue, as well as at achieving cessation of hostilities in Darfur and the two states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
The Assembly commends the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and the other leaders of the region, as well as the Team of IGAD Special Envoys, for their sustained efforts in facilitating the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The Assembly also commends the AU High Representative for South Sudan, the members of the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee on South Sudan and international partners that are members of the IGAD-Plus Mechanism, for their contribution to the finalization and signing of the Agreement.
The Assembly reiterates the deep concern of the AU about the continuing political impasse in Burundi, as well as the rising violence, the resulting insecurity and humanitarian consequences. The Assembly reaffirms the conviction of the AU that only a sincere and genuinely inclusive dialogue, based on the respect of the Arusha Agreement and the Constitution of Burundi, will enable the stakeholders concerned to overcome the serious difficulties of the moment and reject any use of force to attain political goals.
The Assembly reiterates the AU’s call for the early resolution of the four-decade long conflict in Western Sahara, in full respect of the international legality. The Assembly appeals to the UN Security Council to fully assume its responsibility in this respect, with the view to achieving a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, in the context of arrangements consistent with the UN principles and purposes.
The Assembly welcomes the positive developments in the political situation in Madagascar, and urges the Malagasy political actors to continue to work for the consolidation of the gains and enhancement of the on-going efforts in the socioeconomic and governance fields. The Assembly appeals to the international community to actively participate in the Roundtable scheduled in June 2016 and to continue to support the efforts of the Malagasy Government to strengthen political stability and revive the development of the country.
The Assembly reiterates its concern at the continued impasse in the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and encourages the Commission to take the required initiatives to assist the parties to overcome the challenges at hand.
The Assembly urges all the Comorian actors to work for the smooth organization of the elections scheduled for 2016, in compliance with the Constitution, in order to consolidate the significant gains made by the Union of the Comoros on the path to reconciliation and stability, and reiterates the commitment of the AU, on the basis of its relevant instruments, particularly the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to contribute to the success of the electoral process.
The Assembly welcomes the progress made in Somalia towards the realization of Vision 2016, and underlines the imperative for all Somali political stakeholders to demonstrate the required political will and unity of purpose, in order to consolidate the progress made and successfully conclude the on-going process that will culminate in the holding of elections. The Assembly pays tribute to all the AMISOM uniformed and civilian personnel for their continued commitment and the sacrifices made thus far, and appeals for the mobilization of adequate support for the Mission to enable it fully discharge its mandate.
The Assembly reaffirms its unanimous and unequivocal adhesion to the Common African Position contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration consisting of the claim of two additional non-permanent seats at the UN security Council and two seats in the permanent category with same rights, privileges and obligations accorded to the current permanent members, including the right to veto.
The Assembly calls on all African Union Member States to continue to speak with one voice on all aspects of “the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the UN Security Council and related matters.”
The Assembly recalls the decision (Assembly/AU/Dec.475(XXI) of the May 2013 Assembly that requested establishment of a High Level Committee (HLC) of Heads of State and Government to sensitize and coordinate the activities of African Leaders and members of the High Level Panel, and build regional and inter-continental alliances on the Common African Position on the post 2015 Development Agenda.
The Assembly welcomes the adoption of the new development agenda, titled: Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and that of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), which significantly capture Africa’s priority areas and are compatible with African Agenda 2063.
The Assembly welcomes the declaration of the end of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea, after Liberia and Sierra Leone, which thus marks a crucial stage in combating this scourge. The Assembly pays tribute to all those who contributed to this important victory against the Ebola epidemic.
The Assembly congratulates the President and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe for establishing the Pan-African Minerals University of Science and Technology (PAMUST) which aims to contribute to building skills in mineral resources beneficiation and improve the quality, productivity, and competitiveness of the African mining industry.
The Assembly congratulates France on hosting a successful Twenty-first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and for facilitating the adoption of the Paris Agreement that is binding to all Parties.
The Assembly welcomes the adoption of the Paris Agreement by the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change at its Twenty-first session and urges all Member States to participate in the High-level signature ceremony for the Agreement to be convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations on 22 April 2016 in New York.
The Assembly reiterates its wish for the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the principles of international law and all relevant United Nations resolutions; and expressing support for the two-state solution.
The Assembly urges the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, and to take the necessary steps to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in all its aspects, to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region based on the principle of a two-state solution, according to the 1967 borders, and apply the provisions of relevant international law and previous decisions of the Council in this regard.
The Assembly calls upon the United States of America to lift all its unilateral coercive measures, restrictions and sanctions imposed on the Republic of the Sudan as soon as possible to allow it to continue the peace building process.
The Assembly welcomes the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the Governments of the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America and the reopening of Embassies in the respective capital cities and other initiatives launched to make progress in bilateral ties;
The Assembly welcomes and fully supports the offer of Zambia to host the secretariat of AU- ECOSOCC.
The Assembly welcomes the proposal by the Republic of Malawi to declare 2017 the year of “Harnessing Demographic Dividend Through Investments in the Youth”.
The Assembly adopts the theme of “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in the Youth” for the 28th and 29th Ordinary Sessions of the Assembly in 2017.
The next AU summit will be held in Rwanda in July 2016.
MAY PEACE PREVAIL IN AFRICA
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
In peace and gratitude,
Mussie Hailu
URI Regional Coordinator for Africa &
Representative of URI to the African Union, UN Economic Commission for Africa
UNEP & UN office at Nairobi
