Events & Activities

Event

Ethiopia Contributes to African Union Ebola Response Efforts

24 October 2014

Press Release Nº290/2014

Ethiopia Contributes to African Union Ebola Response Efforts

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–24 October 2014:The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has answered to the appeal made by the African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma last week to Member States to urgently contribute human resources to the fight against Ebola in West Africa.

In their response, the Ethiopian Government has pledged to deploy 200 volunteer health professionals to West Africa and also donated 500,000 USD to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The health professionals comprises medical doctors, nurses, field epidemiologists, environmental health personnel and public health specialists. These medics will engage in Ebola case management/treatment, surveillance, contact tracing, social mobilization, and community engagement, and will also assist national health systems in the affected countries to continue their essential and basic health, food, water and sanitation services.

Making the announcement, the Ethiopia Minister of Health Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu said “This new commitment of deploying medical staff can be considered as a continuation and commitment of Ethiopia’s firm stand for African solidarity. Ethiopia shall and will continue to support all efforts until this dreadful crisis is over”

Welcoming the Ethiopia offer, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Ethiopia for the exemplary contribution and hopes that the positive decision of Ethiopia will encourage other Member States to favourably respond to the AU Chairperson’s call for contributions from Member States in the fight against Ebola.

In response the Ebola epidemic, the AU has deployed medical volunteers to Liberia and Sierra Leone under its African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak (Operation ASEOWA). The Commission is deploying another batch of health experts Guinea next week.

Meanwhile, as a mark of AU’s increasing concern about the Ebola epidemic, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is currently visiting the West African sub-region to assess the situation firsthand and show solidarity with the affected countries. Whilst there, Madam Zuma will also engage individual Member States as part of its ongoing efforts to remove air, maritime and border closures that are affecting humanitarian access, and have far reaching implications for the affected countries’ economies, that are still grappling with post conflict reconstruction.

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About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Event

Ford Foundation’s Child Marriage Partners Meeting

19 October 2014

Ford Foundation’s Child Marriage Partners Meeting

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

October 19-October 22, 2014

Meeting Objectives:

Fostering cross-country and cross-region learning on combatting child marriage

Event

AU Commission Chairperson appeals to Member States for human resources to fight

17 October 2014

AU Commission Chairperson appeals to Member States for human resources to fight Ebola

Calls for immediate action to have adequate screening infrastructure at airports and rallies for media support to ongoing continental and global efforts.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–17 October 2014: With reports that the turning point in the fight against Ebola has not yet been reached, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday called for more continental solidarity to bring medical and public health officials to the affected countries. The African Union Commission, which has already called for emergency meetings of its executive and peace and security councils, has already deployed medical volunteers to two of the affected countries- 28 to Liberia and 21 to Sierra Leone under its African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak (Operation ASEOWA). The Commission is now putting together a team for Guinea Conakry.

‘The challenge with the Ebola response is mainly the need for infrastructure, including the need to establish treatment centres in all the three countries. During the United Nations General Assembly, the international community committed to take the lead on that front, with the United States commiting to lead efforts in Liberia, the British government in Sierra Leone and France in Guinea’, said Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson.

‘The second challenge is human resources. Not many countries have pledged human resources, and yet if the infrastructure is made available we will need people to work in these centres. We have to do more as a continent to mobilise human resources”, she added.

The Chairperson of the Commission is pressing Member States to second medical teams and has since written to African Heads of State and Government to request for human resources, noting that it is Africa’s responsibility to support affected countries. If governments second staff the costs of bringing medical personnel on the ground will be significantly lower. She also stressed the need to ensure that the private sector is on board to support with protective clothing, accommodation and subsistence.

The African Union Commission is currently engaged with individual Member States as part of its ongoing political advocacy efforts to remove air, maritime and border closures that are affecting humanitarian access, and have far reaching implications for the affected countries’ economies, that are still grappling with post conflict reconstruction.

Last week the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko led a delegation from the African Union to West Africa that visited Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The Commission is also having meetings with African airlines to make the necessary arrangements that will facilitate movement of people.

Some airlines are ready to fly as long as countries allow them to land. However most countries remain anxious and are concerned about the inadequate measures for screening at some airports. The African Union Commission and its international partners are lobbying African Union Member States to lift the bans and some of the measures include ensuring that the screening measures are strengthened. Some countries have relaxed the border restrictions and the African Union Commission continues to monitor the developments.

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About the African Union

Event

AU convenes a Regional Conference to address Human Trafficking and Smuggling in

13 October 2014

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

AU CONVENE A REGIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

Khartoum, the Sudan, 13 October 2014: Experts and senior officials from the African Union, UN Agencies and the Horn of African countries, partners countries and organizations, gathered at a meeting opened today 13 October 2014, in the Police Club House, Khartoum, the Sudan, in preparation for the African Union Regional Ministerial Conference on Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa.

Organized by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with the Government of the Sudan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Regional Ministerial Conference aims to explore cooperation among the member states in the region in addressing the challenges of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants within and from the Horn of Africa, and to come up with a common approach in addressing this issue.

The Minister of justice of the republic of the Sudan, Mr. Mohamed Bishara Dosa in his opening remarks affirmed on the Sudan’s commitment of supporting the collective efforts of the region and the world in combating this phenomenon, and revealed that the Sudan has enacted a law to combat human trafficking in march 2014, as well as many articles have been included in the transitional constitution of the Sudan of 2005, aiming to protect individuals from trafficking, in addition to amendment of asylum law of 2014.

The Minister highlighted the procedures that tackled by the government of the Sudan in order to face the growing challenges of trafficking, such as establishing of specialized prosecution offices to investigate and supervise the investigation of the smuggling and trafficking crimes, also a national committee for victims protection. He emphasized that in the past few years, irregular migration to the Sudan turned into alarming phenomenon and became more complicated when it has taken a new dangerous dimension, where eventually turned from a merely individuals adventures of improving migrants, and refugees conditions, or take Sudan as a crossing point to Europe, or flee away from armed conflicts.

Mr. Bishara acknowledged that the current situation requires establishing a regional center for counter trafficking and illegal migration in Sudan with the support of the international community to serve the whole region.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Olawale Maiyegun, AUC Director of Social Affairs, affirmed on the AU’s continued commitment towards facing up to the challenges of trafficking in persons and to help its member states to address this pressing issues.

The Director highlighted the frameworks that the AU adopted and initiated in this regard, namely: Ouagadougou Action Plan, the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, in 2006, and the African Union Commission Initiative Against Trafficking (AU.COMMIT) in 2009. These Instruments provided the required push for action and the number of countries having enacted anti-trafficking legislations more than doubled between 2003 and 2010. Consequently, more and more convictions of traffickers have been made possible and hopefully an increasing number of victims rescued and protected.

However, the Director acknowledged that, despite these initiatives, human trafficking and smuggling of migrants have remained a caustic challenge on the continent and particularly in the Horn of Africa. “Many Member States in the Sub-region are yet to ratify the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and or fully implement it with national legislation in their respective domain” he added, urging for greater cooperation in this regard.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Ashraf Al Noor of the IOM Regional Office, said that the responding to the trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants requires strong close cooperation, information sharing and joint operations from the international community. Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers need to be afforded the utmost protection.

He emphasized on the importance of convening this Conference as all stakeholders can consolidate the structures and processes already in place, articulate their commitment to implementation, and recognize the range of partners involved in operational and agency-led responses.

Speaking on behalf of the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. António Guterres, Ms. Ann Encontre, Deputy Director of the UNHCR Bureau for Africa, highlighted the centrality of the international protection regime in any initiatives aimed at addressing the phenomenon of human trafficking in the Horn of Africa. She emphasized the need for strong partnerships among all stakeholders under the AU initiative.

The Deputy Director called for more dialogue on the sharing of best practices, greater mutual legal assistance, more joint cooperation across borders, as well as national strategies and plan of action on human trafficking. She reiterated on the UNHCR willing to assist all governments at the conference with the difficult task of combating the trafficking and smuggling of persons on the move whilst ensuring the rights and well-being of persons in need of international protection i.e refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable populations.

At the two-day Experts meeting, discussion will focus on the state of play of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in the Horn of Africa. The Experts will formulate a clear way forward on the translation of various national, regional and international instruments into measures and common standards for preventing trafficking in persons, and smuggling of migrants, prosecuting traffickers and smugglers, and providing assistance to victims of trafficking and other vulnerable migrants including refugees ans asylum seekers. They will put concrete deliverables for the political endorsement of the Ministers.

The Regional Conference brings together delegations from the countries in the Horn of Africa and other stakeholders including: the AU, Sudan , Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan, and Somalia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Norway, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Switzerland, Regional Economic Communities, League of Arabs States, Interpol, UNODC, EU and its Member States.

The Expert and Senior official meeting will conclude with deliverables that will be presented for endorsement to the Ministerial Conference on 16th October.

Event

AU deploys more African Volunteers to Ebola affected Countries under the African

13 October 2014

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 13 October 2014- After the first deployment of 19 personnel under the African Union Support mission to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa in September, 21 more African paid volunteers have now been deployed to Sierra Leone while an additional 10 have been deployed to Liberia

The volunteers were deployed after undergoing their pre deployment briefing at the AU in Addis Ababa on the 10th and 11th of October.

The teams comprise epidemiologists, medical doctors, clinicians, public health specialists and communications personnel.

Meanwhile, the ASEOWA team that was deployed to Monrovia on 19th September is currently undergoing specialised training to be able to man the Ebola treatment units in Liberia.

ASEOWA is expected to enhance the capacity of existing national and international response mechanisms through mobilisation of technical expertise, resources, and political and financial support. It will complement the efforts of on-going humanitarian assistance and coordinate support provided to the affected member states to augment field response operations. It will also support public awareness and preventive measures across Africa and specifically in the affected region. WZM/

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About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Event

Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Welcomes African Union Deploymment

13 October 2014

Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Welcomes African Union Deploymment of Health Experts in the Fight Against Ebola

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–13 October 2014: In continuation of his visit to the Ebola affected countries, the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs H. E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko has informed the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma about the African Union’s response to the Ebola crises.

The AU Commissioner informed President Koroma on the formation of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) as part of the implementation of the decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council meeting held in Addis Ababa on 18 August 2014. He pointed out that the AU has already commenced the deployment of health teams made of doctors, nurses, epidemiologists and lab technicians to boost the human resources in treatment centres.

Commissioner Kaloko further explained steps the African Union has taken to engage Member States on the urgent need to rescind actions that led to border closures, flight cancellations and the stigmatisation of the affected countries. The Commissioner stressed the need for coordination and the mobilization human and other resources in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease in the subregion.

President Koroma expressed appreciation for the AU intervention and deployment. He welcomed AU efforts towards normalizing air traffic as well as the AU visit, which he hoped would change the negative narrative that is preventing people from coming to states affected by Ebola. President Koroma urged the African Union under the leadership the Chairperson, HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to intensify the advocacy campaign and the mobilization of support for the affected countries. He also expressed his wish for quicker involvement of the AU.

The AU visit to Sierra Leone marks the end of a two week tour which saw the Commissioner and his team travel to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Guinea. The visit was aimed at demonstrating African Union’s solidarity with the affected countries and explaining the AU interventions in the fight against Ebola. In Nigeria and Ghana, the AU delegation held high level discussions with the respective Governments and also with ECOWAS with a view of coordinating regional efforts in the fight against Ebola.

Meanwhile, a team of 21 health and other experts arrived in Freetown on 13 October as part of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. Another team will be deployed to Guinea in a forthnight to complete the first phase of the AU deployment of experts to the affected subregion. The AU team is expected to complement ongoing efforts to tackle the Ebola Virus Disease.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org

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Event

AU Regional Conference on Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa

13 October 2014

AU Regional Ministerial Conference Calls for Stronger Collaborative Approach to Tackle Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa

Khartoum, the Sudan, 16 October 2014: Ministers from more than 15 countries of migration source, transit and destination along with High level delegations from the African Union, United Nations agencies called for a stronger collaborative common approach to tackle human trafficking and smuggling in the Horn of Africa. This comes at the opening of the AU Regional Ministerial Conference on Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa, held at the Police Club House, Khartoum, the Sudan.

Opening the Conference, the Vice President of the Republic of the Sudan, Mr. Hasabo Mohamed Abdelrahman, emphasized the Sudan’s commitment of supporting the collective efforts of the region and the world in combating this phenomenon. He affirmed that Sudan is considered to be one of the pioneer countries in combating human trafficking through a very effective, proactive, legislative and procedural initiatives, this is due to the longstanding and distinguished experience of Sudan in hosting a large number of refugee camps and migrants from neighboring countries.

The Vice President highlighted the procedures tackled by the Sudan in order to face the rapid growth challenges imposed by the migratory flows and human trafficking and smuggling. He expressed the readiness of Sudan to cooperate at the regional and international levels. Furthermore he stressed that Sudan is looking forward to a greater cooperation with the international community by lifting the unjust sanctions and economic embargo against Sudan.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Olawale Maiyegun, AUC Director of Social Affairs stated that the African Union with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have been promoting the need for a regional dialogue and coordination mechanisms on migration management, supporting Member States in strengthening their capacities and responses to transnational organized crimes, notably human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, as well as the protection of victims in general, particularly refugees and asylum seekers within the Horn of Africa region.

Addressing the audience, the Director highlighted the situation of migrants who have been reported to be victims of loss of life due to exposure to harsh conditions, being forced to flee persecution, conflicts and vulnerable situations and walk long distances in the desert without basic life supplementary, as well as physical and sexual abuses, human rights violations, from traffickers and smugglers including extortion and threats to organ extraction.

Speaking on behalf of the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. António Guterres, Ms. Ann Encontre, Deputy Director of the UNHCR Bureau for Africa, appreciated the declaration adopted today that acknowledges the scope and severity of this problem, and recognizes the effect smuggling and trafficking have on refugees and asylum seekers who are among the world’s most vulnerable people...

She emphasized that the outcome of this Conference sets the stage for the next important steps that must be taken to enhance regional cooperation and better address the scourge of human trafficking. “This has a significant impact on the protection of our persons of concern, and UNHCR offices in the concerned countries will continue to work with the authorities and other partners to fight trafficking and smuggling, reinforce asylum space and improve the protection of those persons of our concern affected by it”, she added.

Mr.Eugenio Ambrosi Special Regional Advisor for Europe - Representing the IOM Deputy Director General said that this meeting was aimed at identifying solutions for maximizing the benefits of migration for all. IOM is firmly committed to supporting countries of origin, transit and destination in developing responses to these complex migration flows across the Horn of Africa towards the Central Mediterranean.

He highlighted the multiple stakeholders findings for the critical need to protect vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in line with the international protection standards; and to prevent exploitation from the outset by addressing the root causes of irregular migration while ensuring demand reduction en route and at destination. He focused on the necessity to ensure legal migration channels; and uphold the rule of law including border management leading to a migration governance.

In their meeting today, the Ministers will conduct a dialogue on the issues of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants in the region. They will consider the deliberations and recommendations adopted by the senior officials meeting, held on 13-14 October, and endorse the strategy, action plan as well as release a high level political statement through a Declaration.

Event

Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage

10 October 2014

Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage

Addis Ababa, 10 October 2014. –Following the Decision of the AU Executive Council (EX.CL/Dec. 843 (XXV)) in June 2014, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), at its first Extra Ordinary Session on 10 October 2014, unanimously appointed Dr Fatima Delladj-Sebaa as the Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was formed taking note of the gravity of the problem of child marriage in Africa. Statistics shows that in developing countries one in three girls is married before they are 18 years age. Hence, the Special Rapporteur will conduct fact finding missions on alleged violations, seek cooperation with States Parties, and develops constructive dialogue with Governments, CSOs and other actors. The Special Rapporteur will submit annual reports to the ACERWC and will work closely with the Department of Social Affairs who is the lead department coordinating the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa.

Dr Fatima Delladj-Sebaa has been member of the ACERWC since July 2010 and is currently the 1st Vice President of the Committee. She is a practicing Clinical Psychologist specializing in the development of children and adolescents and she has extensive research experience regarding child and adolescent psychology. She has worked as an Expert and Consultant for various organisations including UNIFEM, UNICEF, the Social and Economic Council and the National Organisation for the Fight against Drugs and Drug-addiction in Algeria.

The ACERWC congratulates Dr Fatima Delladj-Sebaa on her appointment and will support her to fulfill her mandate to the fullest. For further information, please contact:

Mrs. CISSE Mariama Mohamed

Permanent Secretary of the ACERWC

CISSEM@africa-union.org

Mr. Ayalew Getachew Assefa

Child Rights Legal Researcher, ACERWC Secretariat

Ayalewg@africa-union.org

Mr. Kameni Ngankam Y.G.

Communication Officer, ACERWC Secretariat

KameniY@africa-union.org

Event

Ministers’ Meeting of The sixth Session of the African Union Conference of Minis

9 October 2014

PRESS RELEASE Nº265 /2014

Ministers’ Meeting of Thesixth Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Drug Control (CAMDC6)

Addis Ababa, 9th October 2014: The two-day Ministerial meeting of the 6th Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Drug Control (CAMDC6) opened today at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Drugs kill but bad policies kill more: Scaling up balanced and integrated responses towards drug control in Africa”.

President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Mulatu Teshome during the official opening ceremony, highlighted the fact from the AU study that “there is a growing connection between drug trafficking and organized crime as a threat to peace and security, social and economic development in Africa”. He added that organized crime has an undervalued impact on ordinary Africans, by undercutting access to basic services, such as health, education and security provision, and that the issue is often ignored in discussions on development, both because it is not well understood, but also given the real policy challenges involved.

The president registered his personal support, and that of his Government to the AU in its relentless efforts in coordinating and promoting implementation of evidence-driven balanced and integrated approach to drug control and to encourage a shift from ineffective polices.

Speaking on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs H.E Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry H. E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, in the opening address, acknowledged that “much has been achieved with a fair balance between law enforcement and health programs in many AU Member States, but we need to do much more to keep up with the reality of escalating drug trafficking and abuse on the continent jointly and individually.”

The Commissioner therefore reaffirmed the African Union Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensure sustained political will and continuous coordination and harmonization of all efforts to achieve our desired goals. She noted that human-centered and inclusive development will continue to be the priority of the Commission.

She also noted that the Commission is determined to continue advocating for drug control initiatives to go in tandem with socioeconomic programs, as well as good governance, rule of law and security efforts, calling for synergy in the Commission, but also at the RECs and Member States levels.

It is increasingly being recognized that challenges related to the lack of rule of law and the nexus of drugs/crime/peace ought to be prominent in the developmental process and that these considerations should influence development assistance.

Addressing the opening ceremony on behalf of the Chairperson of the West African Commission on Drugs, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo Former President of Nigeria, Prof. Isidore Obot, Expert Advisor- West African Commission on Drugs noted from his Commission’s report, and the report of the African Union Commission, that drugs and drug money are “Not Just in Transit” in Africa, but invade and undermine African societies.

The advisor mentioned some of the key findings of his commission’s report to include that interdiction is improving, however, it is still hindered by limited capacity and resources and sometimes by the interference of the well-connected. Also that In some countries, people in positions of power, the security services and extremist groups have competed for the spoils of drug trafficking, this has led to increased political instability and corruption.

The opening ceremony also witnessed the launching of two critical reports on drugs in Africa, launched by the guest of honour H.E. Dr. Mulatu Teshome President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The studies concerned are: “Comprehensive Assessment of the Socio-Economic and Security Challenges of Drug Trafficking and Related Organized Crime in West and Central Africa” (a premier study by the AUC) and an independent study by the West Africa Commission on Drugs, “Not Just in Transit. Drugs: The State and society in West Africa”. Although the two reports are based on West and Central Africa, their findings and recommendations are applicable to the whole continent.

The report of the experts’ meeting which was held from the 6-8 October will be discussed during the Ministerial meeting. The meeting is concerned the reality that Africa has become not just a major transit route in the global trade in narcotics, but also high consumption patterns of internationally controlled drugs and substances emerging all over the Continent, from Cape to Cairo.

The ministers’ meeting will review reports and recommendations touching on critical programs and interventions undertaken by the AU Commission in implementation of recommendations taken by the Ministers of Drug Control and by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

In a course of two days the Ministers are expected to have frank discussions with the expectation to adopt decisions which will guide and provide leadership on cooperation, coordination and acceleration of the implementation of the four priority areas of the AU Plan of Action on Drug Control (2013-2017) for the remaining three years.

SA/AMT

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Event

Launching Ceremony for the U.S. Assistance to Aseowa

8 October 2014

Press Release Nº263/2014

LAUNCHING CEREMONY FOR THE U.S. ASSISTANCE TO ASEOWA

Addis Ababa, 08 October, 2014. – AUC Director for Social Affairs, Amb. Dr. Olawale I. Maiyegun,and the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union, Dr. Reuben Brigety, held a launching ceremony for the U.S. assistance to the African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) mission. The six month grant agreement of USD 10 million was signed and became effective as of September 28, 2014.

Background:

The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic poses an unprecedented public health emergency affecting the African continent and beyond. The outbreak, which began in Guinea in December 2013, spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. The number of cases from the current outbreak has outnumbered the combined cases from all known previous outbreaks.

The African Union launched ASEWOA to contribute to the on-going efforts of the national and international community to stop the Ebola transmission in the affected African countries. ASEOWA aims to enhance the capacity of existing response mechanisms by mobilisation of technical expertise, resources, political and financial support. It complements the efforts of on-going humanitarian assistance. It also supports advocacy to support public awareness and preventive measures across Africa and specifically in the affected region.

The Director of Social Affairs reported, “Since ASEOWA started, AUC has been moving very fast. Deployment of teams started with a group that went to Liberia in September and more will be sent in the next week”.

The U.S. Ambassador to the African Union noted theimportance of the U.S.-AU partnership and how much “the U.S. appreciates and respects the AU’s historic decision to launch ASEOWA and its commitment to battling the Ebola outbreak.”

For more information, visit http://www.au.int

Wurie Bah|| Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182227| E-mail: Bahw@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Event

1st Extra-Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and

7 October 2014

PRESS RELEASE

1st EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF

EXPERTS ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD

Addis Ababa, 07 October, 2014. - The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) opened its 1st Extra-Ordinary Session on 07 October, 2014, at the Old Conference Centre of the African Union Commission Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This extra-ordinary session is dedicated to consider State Parties Reports on the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) from Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa.

The submission of States Parties reports is provided in Article 43 of the Charter. It allows State Parties to present the progress made in implementing the Charter for the enjoyment of the rights of the child. The reporting mechanism is a means of monitoring compliance of the State with its child rights obligations under the Charter.

Background:

The Committee has launched a Universal Ratification and Reporting Campaign to achieve the ratification of the Charter by 7 remaining countries that hasn’t still ratified the Charter, and to accelerate the submission of State Parties obligation to report . It also aims to increase the visibility of the ACRWC and its monitoring body. It also promotes the effective implementation of the ACRWC and advocate for the withdrawal of reservations. The Campaign is planned to be conducted within a 2 year period culminating on 29 November, 2015, which marks the 25th Anniversary of the adoption of the Charter, with series of activities and outreach events across the Continent.

Follow the Session on #ACERWC Social Media:

www.facebook.com/acerwc

@acerwc

For further information, please contact

Mrs. CISSE Mariama Mohamed: CISSEM@africa-union.org;

Mr. Kameni Ngankam: KameniY@africa-union.org

Event

Press Conference of the African Union Commission Following the Sixth Session of

7 October 2014

MEDIA INVITATION

PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE SIXTH SESSION OF THE AU CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF DRUG ABUSE

The African Union Commission Department of Social Affairs will hold a press conference on Thursday 9th October 2014 at 12.00 noon in the Briefing Room 1 at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Holding within the Sixth session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Drug Control, the following personalities will talk about the following topics:-

The Chairperson of the West African Commission on Drugs H.E President Olusegun Obasanjo- on the report “Not Just in Transit Drugs: The State of society in West Africa”

Senior official of the African Union Commission- on the report “Comprehensive Assessment of the Socio-Economic and Security Challenges of Drug Trafficking and Related Organized Crime in West and Central Africa”

Journalists are invited to attend and to cover the press conference.

For more information contact:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke,

Directorate of Information and Communication, AUC

+251-911630631; molalett@africa-union.org

Learn more at:

http://www.au.int