Accra, Ghana: 21st Nov - 2nd December, 2016 - The African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) opened its 12th Ordinary Session convened under the theme: “The Role of Africa in Developing International Law” in Accra Ghana as a tribute of Mr. Ebenezer Appreku, a dedicated member of the AUCIL Commission. At the core of the 12th Ordinary Session was the elections conducted by the Secretariat for the positions of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and General Rapporteur to be elected for a period of two (2) years Speaking at the opening ceremony Prof. Daniel Makiesse Mwanawanzambi, Chairperson of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) conveyed his deep condolences on the death of Mr. Ebenezer Appreku and thanked the Secretariat for all the work done to hold the session in Accra. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana for the assistance it has extended to towards the Organisation of the forum. He declared the session open and wished the Members successful deliberations. Ghanaian Representative, Mrs. Jane Gasu Aheto, Director of Legal Affairs and Consular Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana also welcomed the Members of the AUCIL to Ghana in her welcoming remarks, and urged African leaders to ratify and accede to AU conventions and protocols which will in turn enable legal scholars promote the respect for human rights, the Rule of Law and further lead to strengthening of state institutions. “The continent needs to be more united than ever before in order to protect its people and this can be achieved if Member States progressively develop their institutions, ratify and accede to AU conventions and protocols and apply them. This I believe is where your esteemed body comes in, since your work in promoting and progressively developing International Law on the continent would go a long way to helping nations and peoples of the continent in attaining their broad aims and objectives”, Mrs. Jane Gasu Aheto said in her welcoming remarks. All Members of the AUCIL congratulated the Chairperson - Ambassador Sebastian Da Silva Isata-, Vice chairperson - Justice Ismael Hersi and the Rapporteur –Prof. Hajer Gueldich the new Bureau members and thanked the outgoing Bureau for its valuable work. The meeting concluded with discussions on the Preparation for the 5th African Union Forum on International Law and African Union Law from the 5th – 6th December, 2016 in Accra, Ghana. The AUCIL Forums are held annually following the inaugural forum in December 2012, as a platform for discussing and interacting on matters of interest for Africa through the prism of international law and the African Union Law with the view of raising awareness on the necessity of accelerating regional integration, enlightening African decision makers on legal implications of regional integration, present the steps already achieved towards the African integration, identify ways to accelerate regional integration throughout the continent. 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 Follow us Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission Learn more at: http://www.au.int Directorate of Information and Communication Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int Addis Ababa | Ethiopia