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Remarks by H.E. Mrs Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission on the Occasion of the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Arican Union Commission (AUC) and The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Maputo, Mozambique, 5 September, 2013

Statement by H.E Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture delivered at the Opening Session of the African Green Revolution Forum, Maputo, Mozambique, 4 September 2013

Statement Delivered on Behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi (Amb.), Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the Consultation with Experts on the African Transitional Justice Policy Framework, Nairobi, Kenya

Statement of The African Union Commission Chairperson: H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to the Meeting of the SADC Heads of State and Government, Lilongwe, Malawi, 17-18 August 2013

Your Excellency Armando Guebuza, Outgoing Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of Mozambique;

Your Excellency Dr Joyce Banda, In-coming Chairperson of SADC and President of the Republic of Malawi;

Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government and Heads of SADC Delegations;

Excellencies Former Heads of State present;

Honourable First Ladies present and the First Gentleman of the Republic of Malawi;

Honourable Members of the SADC Council of Ministers;

Your Excellency Dr Salamao; Outgoing Executive Secretary of SADC;

Distinguished Invited Guests and Representatives of International Organisations;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It gives me great pleasure to address this august SADC Summit for the first time since I assumed duty as Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in mid October last year.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank you, individually and collectively, for the support you continue to give to the work of the AU Commission.

It is perhaps not surprising, in the year that we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the OAU and AU, that we are going through both exciting and challenging times.

Exciting times, because many trends are finally moving in the right direction on the continent, not because of some stroke of luck, but because of the foundations laid by the founding mothers and fathers of the OAU in 1963, and the decision to transform it into the African Union, in 2002, to accelerate political and economic integration on the continent.

Over the last decade, we have seen decisive progress with the resolution of long-standing conflicts, the process of democratization and growing confidence by both our public and private sectors to invest in the development of the continent. Thus we observe encouraging signs in our human development indicators, our growth and investment figures and finally also with regards to Africa’s infrastructure development.

Coupled with the vast potential of our natural and human resources, we have all reason to face the future with confidence and optimism.

And yet, we also continue to face challenges, including those related to poverty, underdevelopment, binding infrastructure and trade constraints, unemployment particularly youth unemployment, low levels of industrialization, gender inequality, conflicts and instability, to name a few.

Excellencies,

This therefore imposes enormous responsibilities on all of us, at continental, regional and national levels. Let me highlight a few issues, which are on the agenda of this Summit.

Regional integration remains the driving force towards Africa’s full economic and political integration, which is at the core of AU’s mandate.

The attainment of this vision is not dependent on the work of the AU Commission alone, but that of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), who are the building blocks of the Union.

The 2012 Report on Africa’s Regional Integration Agenda shows that we are making progress on the milestones stipulated in the Abuja Treaty; for an example five out of eight RECs have achieved some progress in coordination and harmonization activities to progressively eliminate tariff and non- tariff barriers; and five RECs have launched their free trade areas and customs unions, with East African Community leading the pack. We must congratulate SADC for being amongst those who are making progress, especially the bold steps taken with the establishment SADC-COMESA-EAC Tripartite Cooperation. We hope that these and other efforts can be accelerated further.

Furthermore, with regards to other aspects of integration we have ECOWAS setting the pace on freedom of movement of peoples and ECOWAS and EAC have recorded improvements in intra-regional trade.

Infrastructure development and investment, though improving, remains the main constraining factor not only on growth, but more importantly on integration. We must therefore unite and concretise the proposals on the table, such as the Africa50 Fund agreed to by the AUC, ADB, ECA and the RECs; and other proposals contained in the ECA and NEPAD Study on Alternative Sources of Funding. The 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration enjoined us to take charge of Africa’s development, by investing in its infrastructure. We must also pay attention to developing and utilizing maritime infrastructure so that we can facilitate the movement of people, goods and services. Similarly, we should take steps to explore and exploit resources in our oceanic space, which is even much larger than our landmass.

With regard to agriculture and food security, Africa is still a net-importer of food, even though we have vast amounts of arable land and water resources. The SADC region is no exception. We must work together to reverse this trend to guarantee food and nutritional security for our people and become net-exporters of agro-products.

Excellencies,

We will not succeed if we do not invest in our human resources. In order to give the ever-growing number of young people a stake in the prosperous future and channel their energy and creativity toward innovation; in order to bring to fruition all our infrastructure, social and human development programmes; in order to build the capacity of our public and private sectors to be truly developmental; in order for Africa to industrialise and build inclusive prosperity, and to feed ourselves and the world; in order to empower women and unleash the potential of half our population, we must invest in our most important resource, our people. Our approaches to education, science, technology, research and innovation must therefore lead to a skills revolution at national, regional and continental levels.

In this regard we are reminded that it was in this region that the AU Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted in Maputo in 2003. We are also mindful that the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development comes into effect this year.

It is an undisputed fact that Africa cannot develop to its full potential, if it does not include women in all areas of human endeavor. The empowerment of women and girls and the implementation of commitments of the AU and SADC Protocols are therefore the responsibility of all of us. A few days ago we reflected on the ten years since the adoption of the AU Protocol on Gender, and realized that progress is slow and minimal in many areas. In order to achieve the objectives of the Decade of African Women and realize the milestones set towards 2020 we must speed up the domestication and implementation of all the provisions of these Protocols.

Excellencies,

We cannot succeed in realizing the dream of Africa’s Renaissance, unless we begin to address squarely the issue of intra-Africa investment and funding for our collective programmes. In this regard, African countries must begin to look within the continent for investment opportunities and resources, for example in our national pension funds, sovereign funds etc. This will go a long way in unleashing Africa’s resources toward its development. Already there are encouraging signs that some African countries, such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa are becoming major investors on the continent. More countries should be encouraged.

We must also be resolute in our search for alternative sources of funding of our continental agenda and programmes. As you are aware 97% of the AU Programme budget is funded by external donors. Just to illustrate this point with respect to the AU Southern Africa Regional Office located here in Malawi, the office has the annual total budget of $750 000. Out of this, only $50 000 is allocated to programmes. In other words, the organization is paying $700 000 worth of overheads from the operational budget paid by Member States for $50 000 worth of services and outcomes from the Programme Budget paid by the partners. Clearly this does not make any sense and is not sustainable. This situation is characteristic of the whole budget of the AU and is untenable. In this regard, I would like to appeal for your leadership to the AU’s efforts on concluding the process on alternate sources of funding, as agreed at the May Summit.

Excellencies,

The issues that you will be discussing are central to moving the SADC region, and the continent forward. In this regard, I would like to commend Your Excellencies for your sterling efforts in developing the SADC Vision 2050, which will set the direction and pace for the development of the region.

As you are aware, the AU Commission is leading the development of a continental long-term vision, Agenda 2063. We are currently developing and implementing a roadmap for extensive consultations for inputs from all stakeholders, including RECs. We will therefore work with all the RECs to ensure their visions, including SADC Vision 2050, are fully aligned with Africa Vision Agenda 2063, towards “An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena”.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The region recently had elections in Zimbabwe. Madagascar is scheduled to have its election later this year, and next year elections are due in Malawi, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. The African Union continuously works with Member States on reform of electoral laws, on strengthening the capacity of Independent Electoral Commissions and we now also try to observe all elections on the continent, including deploying long-term observers where necessary. We do all of this, as partners with Member States so that they achieve their constitutional and electoral law imperatives.

In this regard we congratulate the people of Zimbabwe and Mali for their peaceful and free elections.

We also wish to encourage Madagascar to resolve the outstanding issues standing before the holding of their elections, in line with SADC and AU Roadmap, which we believe will contribute to the long-term stability of that country.

Excellencies,

I wish to congratulate SADC for your relentless pursuit of peace in the region and throughout the continent.

Recent events on the continent have aptly shown the importance of reinforcing our efforts aimed at guaranteeing peace in Africa within the context of the African Peace and Security Architecture. In this regard it is imperative that we expedite the operationalization of this Architecture in all its aspects. As you are aware, the AU May Summit approved the immediate establishment of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) to enable us respond quickly to crises as an interim measure. Soon after the summit, I addressed letters to all African Heads of State and Government appealing for contributions to the crisis response capacity. It is my hope that you will exercise leadership role in accelerating the creation of this capacity.

Excellencies,

Africa is concerned about the recent and ongoing events in Egypt. We have witnessed and are pained by the escalation of violence and deaths now ravaging that sisterly country. We appeal to all the parties to exercise maximum restraint and engage in dialogue and reconciliation. The African Union Commission has deployed a High Level Panel led by former President Konare to Egypt. A Summit of the African Union Peace and Security Council should be convened as soon as possible to receive a report from President Konare and his team and engage with this matter.

Your Excellencies,

In conclusion, we would like to take this opportunity, once more to thank you for inviting the AU Commission to join you at this Summit. On its part, the Commission will work towards building stronger relations with the SADC Member States and its Secretariat, with a view to implementing all the prioritized projects and programmes-which are aimed at poverty eradication, and regional integration.

We look forward to continued collaboration with you.

I thank you

Message by H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission on the Occasion of World Humanitarian Day-Africa, 19 August 2013

Every year, World Humanitarian Day (WHD), a United Nations General Assembly designated day, is commemorated on the 19th of August to coincide with the day in 2003 when the then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Iraq, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and twenty-one of his colleagues were killed in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. This day is dedicated to the recognition of humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It is a day to honor and celebrate those that face danger and difficulty in the service of others, their communities, and their countries.

This year, Africa is celebrating its own during World Humanitarian Day. Today is a continental celebration of Africans helping their fellow Africans, in a myriad of big and small ways, often in difficult and trying situations. Multitudes across the continent are assisting their neighbors, their communities, and their countries at large. We have much to celebrate across the continent.-from organized volunteers that work with national societies, youth leaders who propose creative solutions to the problems facing their communities, communities who mobilize resources to empower themselves in times of disasters and conflicts, individuals who contribute resources, time, and support to those in need around them, and more.

The African Union Commission and the humanitarian community in Addis Ababa will be marking the 2013 WHD under the theme ‘Helping Hands’. Through the 'Helping Hands' Initiative, the African Union Commission and its partners seek to recognize the valiant efforts of African humanitarian heroes and heroines by providing a platform for illuminating their efforts. The campaign will recognize those who have made a difference in their local, national and regional communities.

Helping Hands speaks to the African tradition and humanist philosophy of Ubuntu- that one is because of others, and that responding to distress is not a duty but the natural reaction of human beings. Helping Hands will showcase stories and projects by Africans and the African Diaspora that have made great impact in their communities. It is an opportunity to give Africans the chance to tell their story– not only to raise awareness about the great humanitarian work that they have been doing to uplift communities but also to inspire future generations to emulate innovative and exciting approaches to making a difference.

World Humanitarian Day-Africa should also alert us to the need to work towards a continent that is self-sufficient and built on the capacities, creativity, and collaborative strength of its citizens. The continent is certainly building its capacity at local, national, and regional levels for humanitarian action. Countries that have gone far ahead in this regard are supporting their neighboring countries to boost their capacities and share experiences and tools. Regional bodies are looking at building up teams of local responders as well as creating national emergency response rosters. The IGAD-Kenya Red Cross is a case in point as well as the ECOWAS Emergency Response Teams. The AU Commission looks to increasingly play a significant role in facilitating this collaboration between institutions and Member States-and commits itself to the principle of greater ownership and capacity for Africa’s humanitarian agenda.

Join me today in acknowledging and celebrating all those among us, the many helping hands, on this great continent who are present and active during its times of need and difficult- making a difference and building resilient communities, countries, and continent. Over the next month, you will have the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the stories of our laudable fellow Africans. Celebrate them, emulate them, support them!