MEETING  H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture and  rural  economy

African leaders have continued to rally our continent around the four pillars of peace and security, regional integration and development, institutional capacity building and shared values. This is because of the reaslisation that there can be no development without peace and, likewise, no peace without development, and, indeed, none of the two will be achieved without good governance, observance of rule of law and human rights.

Ayoub mzee with  commissioner Tumusiime

        Wisdom Mdzungairi Senior  NewsDay, a daily newspaper in Zimbabwe



     20th  AU SUMMIT

 

Strategic partnerships: “Africa chooses its partners and all should know it” says AUC Chief of Staff

 

Addis Ababa, 22 January 2013 – Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Natama, Chief of Staff of the African Union (AU) Commission, held on, 22 January 2013, at the headquarters of the AU, a briefing on the strategic partnerships of the organisation. The gathering with the media took place on the margins of the 20th AU Summit themed “Panafricanism and African Renaissance”.

 

In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Natama stressed on the fact that relations and partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world should be based on a mutual understanding, allowing Africa to respond to its needs and benefit from those partnerships. He cited Afro-Arab, TICAD, Africa-South America, Africa-EU, Africa-China, Africa-Turkey and Africa-India as partnerships based on mutual will and which should evolve in a beneficial manner. He further clarified that Africa should be aware of its interests and the benefits the continent should be foreseeing with the partnerships concluded. However they are sometimes perceived as unbalanced due to the historical background. In his capacity as the coordinator of partnerships, he informed that the role of the African Union is to make sure Africa’s interests are taken into account.

 

On the relations between Africa and China and replying to a question on that matter, Ambassador Natama explained that there is no monopoly on Africa. “Africa chooses its partners and all should know it” he added. However, he informed that the AU is concerned about unbalanced partnerships. This is the reason the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, requested a moratorium on partnerships in order to review their efficiency and benefit for Africa.

 

He explained that 30% of natural resources and one third of energy sources are located in Africa. Rather than exporting raw materials and importing manufactured products, the continent should put in place processing infrastructure. Combined with better governance, a stable and secure environment, Africa should get rid of the impoverishment generated by the sole exportation of its raw materials. Though entrepreneurship implies taking risks, compliance with the rule of law reduces risks and attracts investors, Ambassador Natama further indicated. “Development should be from within and initiated first by Africa and for Africans”.

 

The main challenge is now to process those resources for the benefit of the people of Africa and share it equally to avoid frustrations. Governance is a major challenge and Africa should adopt mechanisms leading to an environment conducive to growth. In addition, stability and security are also core elements to create growth. Africa exports its raw resources and imports manufactured products. This cycle impoverishes Africa. “We need to transform our resources, adopt good economic governance, share equally among the population,” the Chief of Staff said.

21st Session of the GIMAC - Gender is my Agenda Campaign

 

The 21st Session of the GIMAC - Gender is my Agenda Campaign - will be held in Addis Ababa on 22 and 23 January 2013 starting at 09h30 at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Conference Room 2.

GIMAC hosts special guests such as Hon. Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and President of the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice (MRFCJ), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Ms. Zainab Bangura, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
 About a hundred African women leaders are attending the 21st session of GIMAC to address the theme "The Role of Women in Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance."

Other important topics shall focus on women, peace and security and the role of women in agriculture.

The conference will hear the experiences of women from countries in conflict like Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic.
 The GIMAC is a platform coordinated by the NGO, Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), and consisting of more than 55 women's organizations from civil society across the continent.

Since 2005, the GIMAC meets twice a year on the sidelines of the Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union to defend the rights of women and monitor the implementation by States of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA).
 A press conference will be held January 23, 2013 at 16:00 in the Press Room of the African Union with Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Hon. Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and Mrs. Bineta Diop, President of Femmes Africa Solidarité.

Hisséne Habré Trial Should Start in 2013 » says AU Legal Counsel

 

Addis Ababa, 22 January 2013 – Ms Djenaba Diarra, Acting Legal Counsel of the African Union Commission(AU) has, today, updated the media on two issues featuring high on the agenda of the AU 20th Summit : the Hisséne Habré Case and the status of ratification of AU instrument.

 

With regard to Hisséne Habré’s trial, she stated that «the AU strongly believes that the trial should start sometime in 2013». Ms. Diarra reported on progress made in collaboration with the Republic of Senegal, which was mandated in 2006 by the AU Assembly to judge Habré on behalf of Africa. Since his ascension to power, President Macky Sall has taken concrete steps toward the trial, said Ms. Diarra. The technicalities, e.g. the extraordinary chambers located within the national court of Senegal are being worked out. «The trial is important for the AU. It shows our willingness to fight impunity and shows that we have adequate African mechanism to address African issues » Ms. Diarra added. With regard to funding, Ms. Diarra recalled that the pledges made in 2010 by Africa and the international community, were confirmed in 2011.

 

On treaties signed during the OAU-AU, the Acting Legal Counsel informed that out of 32 legal instruments,22 have entered into force. However, Ms. Diarra emphasized that generally, the AU encounters challenges regarding ratification. To face this challenge, the AU has established a ministerial committee within the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity in order to find solutions to shortcomings engendered by the slow pace of ratification. The AU Commission also recommended the creation of a fund aimed at bringing technical assistance to Member States for ratification and domestication. The AU also uses organs especially the Pan African Parliament (PAP) to advocate for the ratification.