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Statement by HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to the Twenty-second Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government

30 January 2014
Addis Ababa

Your Excellency, Hailemariam Desaglen, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union;
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union;
Your Excellency, Mr. Laurent Lamothe, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti;
Your Excellency Mr. Jan Eliasson, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations;
Your Excellency, Dr. Carlos Lopez, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa;
Excellencies, Members of the Executive Council and other Ministers present;
Your Excellency, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Mwencha and fellow Commissioners;
Your Excellencies, Heads of AU Organs, and other International agencies;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Distinguished invited guests;
Excellencies, members of the Permanent Representatives Committee;
Heads of African Regional Economic Communities and African Union Specialised and Representative offices;
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

A warm welcome to the Headquarters of the African Union, and we wish you a healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2014! We also congratulate the Assembly for the decision just taken, to name this Plenary hall of our Union, after Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Let me start by expressing our sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Desalegn, Minister Tedros, Ambassador Konjit and the Government of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia for their leadership and commitment during the year of Chairpersonship of the African Union, including the hosting of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Union and for the support they have extended to the Commission.

Special greetings to the Malagasy delegation, and HE President Mr. Hery M. Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana. A warm welcome back into the family of the African Union, and we look forward to your contribution and lasting peace in Madagascar. The same warm feelings go towards the Presidents of Mali and Somalia, and our assurance of solidarity with them on the journey towards lasting peace.

As we start the year, our hearts go out to the peoples of Central African Republic and South Sudan, that face the devastation of the conflicts in these countries, especially women and children who are the main victims of these conflicts. We have to work together to ensure that we effect lasting peace and security in these countries, as part of our efforts to silence the guns on the continent.

It is in this context that I am pleased to announce the appointment of a Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, Mrs. Binta Diop, to ensure that the voices of women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearer in peace building and in conflict resolution.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We conclude the Year of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, inspired by the enthusiasm with which Africans from all walks responded to the call. The CALL to reflect on the continent’s past and present, and to contribute to the Africa they want.

Since this is the first Summit at the start of the next 50 years of our Union, I thought to follow a different format from my usual statements to the Assembly, and to read you this e-mail from the future, written from the year 2063, that we shared with Foreign Ministers and Members of the Executive Council at the recent retreat at Bahir Dar

Date: 24 January 2063
To: Kwame@iamafrican.com
From: Nkosazana@confedafrica.gov
Subject: African Unity

My dear friend Kwame,

Greetings to the family and friends, and good health and best wishes for 2063.

I write to you from the beautiful Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar, located on Lake Tana, as we finalize preparations for the Centenary celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity, which evolved to the African Union in 2002 and laid the foundations for what is now our Confederation of African States (CAS).

Yes, who would have thought that the dream of Kwame Nkrumah and his generations, when they called in 1963 on Africans to unite or perish, would one day become a reality. And what a grand reality.

At the beginning of the twenty first century, we used to get irritated with foreigners when they treated Africa as one country: as if we were not a continent of over a billion people and 55 sovereign states! But, the advancing global trend towards regional blocks, reminded us that integration and unity is the only way for Africa to leverage its competitive advantage.

In fact, if Africa was one country in 2006, we would have been the 10th largest economy in the world! However, instead of acting as one, with virtually every resource in the world (land, oceans, minerals, energy, forests) and over a billion people, we acted as fifty-five small and fragmented individual countries.

The bigger countries that should have been the locomotives of African integration, failed to play their role at that time, and that is part of the reasons it took us so long. We did not realize our power, but instead relied on donors, that we euphemistically called partners.

That was the case in 2013, but reality finally dawned and we had long debates about the form that our unity should take: confederation, a united states, a federation or a union.

As you can see, my friend, those debates are over and the Confederation of African States is now twelve years old, launched in 2051.

The role played by successive generations of African youth contributed to our success. Already in 2013 during the Golden Jubilee celebrations, it was the youth that loudly questioned the slow progress towards integration.

They formed African Union Clubs in schools and universities across the continent, and linked with each other on social media. Thus we saw the grand push for integration, for the free movement of people, for harmonization of education and professional qualifications, with the Pan African University and indeed the university sector and intelligentsia playing an instrumental role.

We were a youthful continent at the start of the 21st century, but as our youth bulge grew, young men and women became even more active, creative, impatient and assertive, often telling us oldies that they are the future, and that they (together with women) form the largest part of the electorates in all our countries!

Of course this was but one of the drivers towards unity. The accelerated implementation of the Abuja Treaty and the creation of the African Economic Community by 2034 saw economic integration moved to unexpected levels.

Economic integration, coupled with infrastructure development, saw intra-Africa trade mushrooming, from less than 12% in 2013 to approaching 50% by 2045. This integration was further consolidated with the growth of commodity exchanges and continental commercial giants.

Starting with the African pharmaceutical company, Pan African companies now not only dominate our domestic market of over two billion people, but they have overtaken multi-nationals from the rest of the world in their own markets.

Even more significant than this, was the growth of regional manufacturing hubs, around the beneficiation of our minerals and natural resources, such as in the Eastern Congo, north-eastern Angola and Zambia’s copper belt and at major Silicon valleys in Kigali, Alexandria, Brazzaville, Maseru, Lagos and Mombasa, to mention but a few such hubs.

My friend, Africa has indeed transformed herself from an exporter of raw materials with a declining manufacturing sector in 2013, to become a major food exporter, a global manufacturing hub, a knowledge centre, beneficiating our natural resources and agricultural products as drivers to industrialization.

Pan African companies, from mining to finance, food and beverages, hospitality and tourism, pharmaceuticals, fashion, fisheries and ICT are driving integration, and are amongst the global leaders in their sectors.

Africa is now the third largest economy in the world. As the Foreign Minister’s retreat in Bahir Dar in January 2014 emphasized, we did this by finding the balance between market forces and strong and accountable developmental states and RECS to drive infrastructure, the provision of social services, industrialization and economic integration.

Let me recall what our mutual friend recently wrote:
“The (African) agrarian revolution had small beginnings. Successful business persons (and local governments) with roots in the rural areas started massive irrigation schemes to harness the waters of the continent’s huge river systems.

The pan-African river projects - on the Congo, the Nile, Niger, Gambia, Zambezi, Kunene, Limpopo and many others – financed by PPPs that involved African and BRIC investors, as well as the African Diaspora, released the continent’s untapped agricultural potential.

By the intelligent application of centuries-old indigenous knowledge, acquired and conserved by African women who have tended crops in all seasons, within the first few years bumper harvests were being reported. Agronomists consulted women about the qualities of various grains – which ones survived low rainfalls and which thrived in wet weather; what pests threatened crops and how could they be combated without undermining delicate ecological systems.

The social impact of the agrarian revolution was perhaps the most enduring change it brought about. The status of women, the tillers of the soil by tradition, rose exponentially. The girl child, condemned to a future in the kitchen or the fields in our not too distant past, now has an equal chance of acquiring a modern education (and owning a farm or an agribusiness). African mothers today have access to tractors and irrigation systems that can be easily assembled.

The producers’ cooperatives, (agribusinesses) and marketing boards these women established help move their produce and became the giant food companies we see today.’

We refused to bear the brunt of climate change and aggressively moved to promote the Green economy and to claim the Blue economy as ours. We lit up Africa, the formerly dark continent, using hydro, solar, wind, geo-thermal energy, in addition to fossil fuels.

And, whilst I’m on the Blue economy, the decision to form Africa-wide shipping companies, and encourage mining houses to ship their goods in vessels flying under African flags, meant a major growth spurt. Of course the decision taken in Dakar to form an African Naval Command to provide for the collective security of our long coastlines, certainly also helped.

Let me quote from our mutual friend again:
‘Africa’s river system, lakes and coast-lines abound with tons of fish. With funding from the different states and the Diaspora, young entrepreneurs discovered… that the mouths of virtually all the rivers along the east coast are rich in a species of eel considered a delicacy across the continent and the world.

Clever marketing also created a growing market for Nile perch, a species whose uncontrolled proliferation had at one time threatened the survival of others in Lake Victoria and the Nile.

Today Namibia and Angola exploit the Benguela current, teaming with marine life, through the joint ventures funded by sovereign funds and the African Development Bank.”

On the east coast, former island states of Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius are leading lights of the Blue economy and their universities and research institutes attract marine scientists and students from all over the world.

My dear friend, you reminded me in your last e-mail how some magazine once called us ‘the hopeless continent’, citing conflicts, hunger and malnutrition, disease and poverty as if it was a permanent African condition.

Few believed that our pledge in the 50th Anniversary Declaration to silence the guns by 2020 was possible. Because of our firsthand experience of the devastation of conflicts, we tackled the root causes, including diversity, inclusion and the management of our resources.

If I have to single out one issue that made peace happened, it was our commitment to invest in our people, especially the empowerment of young people and women. By 2013 we said Africa needed a skills revolution and that we must change our education systems to produce young people that are innovative and entrepreneurial and with strong Pan African values.

From early childhood education, to primary, secondary, technical, vocational and higher education – we experienced a true renaissance, through the investments we made, as governments and the private sector in education and in technology, science, research and innovation.

Coupled with our concerted campaigns to eradicate the major diseases, to provide access to health services, good nutrition, water and sanitation, energy and shelter, our people indeed became and are our most important resource. Can you believe it my friend, even the dreaded malaria is a thing of the past.

Of course this shift could not happen without Africa taking charge of its transformation, including the financing of our development. As one esteemed Foreign minister said in 2014: Africa is rich, but Africans are poor.

With concerted political determination and solidarity, and sometimes one step back and two steps forward, we made financing our development and taking charge of our resources a priority, starting with financing the African Union, our democratic elections and our peacekeeping missions.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations were the start of a major paradigm shift, about taking charge of our narrative.

Agenda 2063, its implementation and the milestones it set, was part of what brought about this shift. We developed Agenda 2063 to galvanize and unite in action all Africans and the Diaspora around the common vision of a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa. As an overarching framework, Agenda 2063 provided internal coherence to our various sectoral frameworks and plans adopted under the OAU and AU.

It linked and coordinated our many national and regional frameworks into a common continental transformation drive.

Planning fifty years ahead, allowed us to dream, think creatively, and sometimes crazy, to see us leapfrog beyond the immediate challenges.

Anchored in Pan Africanism and the African renaissance, Agenda 2063 promoted the values of solidarity, self-belief, non-sexism, self-reliance and celebration of our diversity.

As our societies developed, as our working and middle classes grew, as women took their rightful place in our societies, our recreational, heritage and leisure industries grew: arts and culture, literature, media, languages, music and film. WEB du Bois grand project of Encyclopedia Africana finally saw the light and Kinshasha is now the fashion capital of the world.

From the onset, the Diaspora in the traditions of Pan Africanism, played its part, through investments, returning to the continent with their skills and contributing not only to their place of origin, but where the opportunities and needs were found.

Let me conclude this e-mail, with some family news. The twins, after completing their space studies at Bahir Dar University, decided to take the month off before they start work at the African Space Agency, to travel the continent. My old friend, in our days, trying to do that in one month would have been impossible!

But, the African Express Rail now connects all the capitals of our former states, and indeed they will be able to crisscross and see the beauty, culture and diversity of this cradle of humankind.

The marvel of the African Express Rail is that it is not only a high speed-train, with adjacent highways, but also contains pipelines for gas, oil and water, as well as ICT broadband cables: African ownership, integrated planning and execution at its best!

The continental rail and road network that now crisscross Africa, along with our vibrant airlines, our spectacular landscapes and seductive sunsets, the cultural vibes of our cities, makes tourism one of our largest economic sectors.

Our eldest daughter, the linguist, still lectures in Kiswahili in Cabo Verde, at the headquarters of the Pan African Virtual University. Kiswahili is now a major African working language, and a global language taught at most faculties across the world.

Our grand children find it very funny how we used to struggle at AU meetings with English, French and Portuguese interpretations, how we used to fight that the English version is not in line with the French or Arabic text!

Now we have a lingua franca, and multi-lingualism is the order of the day.

Remember how we used to complain about our voice not being heard in trade negotiations and the Security Council, how disorganized, sometimes divided and nationalistic we used to be in those forums, how we used to be summoned by various countries to their capitals to discuss their policies on Africa?

How things have changed. The Confederation last year celebrated twenty years since we took our seat as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and we are a major force for global stability, peace, human rights, progress, tolerance and justice.

My dear friend, I hope to see you next month in Haiti, for the second round of unity talks between the Confederation of African States and the Caribbean states.

This is a logical step, since Pan Africanism had its roots amongst those early generations, as a movement of Africans from the mother continent and the Diaspora for liberation, self-determination and our common progress.

I end this e-mail, and look forward to seeing you in February. I will bring along some of the chocolates from Accra that you so love, which our children can now afford.

Till we meet again, Nkosazana

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

We are back in 2014, and this is but one dream of the future we want. The discussions on Agenda 2063 allow us to look towards the future, and to chart the road towards this future.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, that pre-eminent Pan Africanist whose passing we mourned last year, used to say, (after fighting for an end to apartheid for over 50 years) that it is impossible, until it is done.

My dream as articulated in this email may seem impossible. But it can and must be done.

Let us start this journey towards 2063. Asante sana
Dates:
Jan.30.2014

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

--

ADDRESS TO THE OPENING OF
THE TWENTY SECOND ORDINARY SESSION
OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, 30 January 2014

Your Excellency, Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairman of the African Union,
Distinguished Heads of State and Government,
Your Excellency, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union,
Honoured guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I bring you best wishes from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who deeply values the strategic partnership between the African Union and the United Nations. Together with our colleagues at the UN he is committed to the success of this partnership.

Today, I will briefly speak about how the African Union and the United Nations can work together to address pressing crises and to build on Africa’s progress to also promote our global development agenda. The world needs this continent’s vitality, entrepreneurship and diversity.

As the rest of the world struggles to recover from the economic crisis, we meet at a time of advancement and impressive growth for Africa.

Now this growth should be translated into transformative economic development, more jobs, greater equality and better living conditions.

The United Nations is your unwavering partner in this pursuit.

The AU Agenda 2063 can serve to mobilize Africa to fulfil its potential, in fitting tribute to the OAU/AU jubilee.

Africa has already made major strides towards the Millennium Development Goals, especially on education, maternal and child health, and on gender equality.

But many MDG targets remain lagging.

L’agriculture et la sécurité alimentaire, qui est le thème du Sommet de cette année, sont essentielles à la réalisation des objectifs de réduction de la pauvreté et des OMD en Afrique.
Je salue vos efforts dans le domaine de la lutte contre l’insécurité alimentaire qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre du Programme détaillé pour le développement de l’agriculture africaine. Je me félicite de l’engagement de l’Union africaine en faveur des initiatives Défi Faim zéro et Renforcer la nutrition.

Alors que nous célébrons l’Année de l’agriculture et de la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique, je rends hommage aux gouvernements qui ont intégré la promotion de l’égalité des sexes au sein de leurs politiques de sécurité alimentaire.

Promouvoir l’égalité des sexes et l’autonomisation des femmes est un moyen pour l’Afrique de réaliser tout son potentiel agricole, et de promouvoir le développement durable et la justice sociale.

Je suis choqué par la mort atroce de nombreux migrants africains, comme on a pu le voir l’an dernier au large des cotes de Lampedusa ou dans le désert du Niger. Ces êtres humains méritent toute notre compassion et doivent pousser tous les pays concernés à faire un examen de conscience et à agir.

Investir davantage dans l’enseignement, la santé, la technologie, l’innovation et l’entreprenariat permettra d’accélérer le développement sur tout le continent et d’offrir de nouvelles opportunités.

La désertification, les conditions climatiques extrêmes et les catastrophes naturelles sont autant de phénomènes qui peuvent remettre en cause les avancées réalisées par l’Afrique.

I welcome the strong African voices for an ambitious climate agreement in 2015. I encourage African participants at the Secretary-General’s September 23rd climate summit to present bold ideas on mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

I am proud to be joined at this Summit by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoys on Climate Change, John Kufuor, former President of Ghana, and Jens Stoltenberg, former Prime Minister of Norway.

Africa has shown admirable leadership in the post-2015 process, not least through the continued active and skilled engagement of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. I applaud the emerging African Common Position’s focus on structural transformation and inclusive economic growth.

There is hardly any higher priority for the United Nations than tangible and sustainable development in Africa. We support African-owned and African-led efforts to achieve this objective.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peace, development and human rights as well as the rule of law are inextricably linked.

Conflict-shattered economies can take a quarter of a century to recover.

The United Nations aims to deepen our partnership with the AU Peace and Security Architecture.

While more work needs to be done, we have already seen positive results in a number of crises, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali and Somalia.

As I returned to Mogadishu after more than 20 years last year, I noted the remarkable progress, and felt new hope and resilience. At this crossroads for Somalia, we all have a responsibility to ensure that state- and peace-building move forward.

Like you, I remain deeply concerned about South Sudan. Our combined efforts should now focus on protecting civilians, preventing gross violations of human rights and facilitating humanitarian assistance. I urge the parties to strictly adhere to the cessation of hostilities agreement signed last week, and to intensify their efforts for reconciliation and domestic peace. The UN warmly commends and supports the mediation efforts of IGAD.

La situation en République centrafricaine nous préoccupe tous au plus haut point. Notre objectif commun doit être de mettre un terme aux affrontements atroces qui opposent les communautés chrétiennes et musulmanes, et de restaurer les relations harmonieuses qui ont existé pendant si longtemps entre ces deux communautés. Nous devons agir sans délai pour prévenir de nouvelles atrocités.

Pour l’heure, notre priorité immédiate doit être de soutenir la MISCA, qui manque sérieusement de fonds. J’encourage tous les États Membres de l’ONU à être généreux lors de la conférence d’annonce de contributions qui se tiendra ce samedi.

Je me félicite de notre engagement conjoint a faire respecter les droits de l’homme et salue a ce titre le fait que l’Union africaine ait dépêché des observateurs au Mali et en République centrafricaine pour aider à y faire respecter les droits de l’homme. De son côté, le Secrétaire général vient d’annoncer la formation d’une commission d’enquête internationale sur les violations commises en République centrafricaine.

Je salue l’initiative prise par l’Union africaine de créer une commission d’enquête sur les violations des droits de l’homme commises durant le conflit au Soudan du Sud. Ce ne sont là que quelques exemples de l’action que nous menons en commun pour lutter contre l’impunité et prévenir la commission de nouveaux crimes.

Toutefois, nos efforts collectifs pâtissent d’un manque de ressources. Je me fais l’écho de l’appel à contribution lancé par l’Union africaine pour financer ses opérations de soutien à la paix. J’invite également les donateurs à soutenir l’action menée pour prévenir, gérer et résoudre les conflits.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

As we address crises facing African countries, we celebrate Africa’s impressive progress.

I was inspired by hearing the AU anthem today. Its call for Africans to work together for lasting peace and justice resonates deeply with the UN.

The United Nations stands firmly at the side of the African Union and its Member States as you advance for the benefit of all the people of this great continent, offering them a better future and a life of dignity.

Thank you.
Dates:
Jan.30.2014

Check against Delivery

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union at the 22nd ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union

30 January 2014
Addis Ababa
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
Distinguished delegates, Inviting Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome you once again to the headquarters of our Union for the 22nd ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. I would like to recognize H.E. Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti for being here with us as a Guest of Honour representing his President H.E. Mr. Michel Martelly. I wish to, on behalf of all of you, welcome the Prime Minister to our Summit.
We are holding our Summit under the theme "Agriculture and Food Security" marking the 10th anniversary of CAADP - one of our flagship projects aimed at achieving agricultural transformation in Africa. This is the time to celebrate the progress made over the past decade in implementing the goals and objectives set by CAADP and renew our commitment to do more in the coming years and decades. In this regard, I am indeed very pleased to note that more and more countries are allocating 10% of their national budget to the agricultural sector. The transformation of agriculture holds the key to the success of our collective efforts to realize our vision.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It was indeed a great honour and privilege for me to have presided over the work of our Union for the last one year. I would like to thank you all most profoundly for the opportunity that you have given me and my country to serve in this high office. I am particularly indebted to each and every one of you for all the support and cooperation that you have rendered to me over the last one year, which has indeed been invaluable in the discharge of my heavy responsibilities.
You would recall that when I took over the chairmanship last January, I had briefly outlined my priorities in advancing the objectives of our Union. Today, I am pleased to note that we have covered a lot of ground in implementing those priorities and move our continental agenda forward.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Top on the priorities of my Chairmanship over the last one year was, of course, the Golden Jubilee celebration of the OAU/AU. It is a happy coincidence that Ethiopia assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Union at this historic moment, which has a special significance for my country as a proud host of our continental organization for the last 50 years. Therefore, we have worked closely together with the Commission, member States and all other relevant stakeholders to mark this historic milestone by undertaking a collective reflection of our past, present and future under the overarching theme of "Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance".
In the 50th Anniversary solemn declaration that we have adopted in our 21st ordinary session, we pledged to act together with our peoples and the African Diaspora to realize our vision of Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance. We should, therefore, remain true to our commitment as we strive to achieve a better future for our peoples.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have been celebrating the Golden Jubilee of our continental organization at a time when multilateral negotiations have started in earnest to formulate a global development framework for the post 2015 era. As we participate in this process, it is imperative for us to ensure that the progress made thus far in achieving the Millennium Development Goals is sustained and that Africa’s development priorities are fully taken on board in the post-2015 Development Agenda as well as in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
All this is with the view to speaking with one voice on the basis of an African Common Position on an issue which is currently perhaps the most important process with respect to defining the nature of international development cooperation for the next decades. In this context, you would recall that I had proposed the establishment of a committee of African Heads of State and Government to lead the efforts in canvassing support for Africa’s development priorities in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
I am pleased to note that the Committee has indeed been discharging its responsibilities. The committee under the able chairmanship of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been working to finalize the common African position which will be submitted to this Assembly for its consideration and adoption. Let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation to President Sirleaf for her leadership in this effort. Of course, since the negotiation on the formulation of Sustainable Development Goals is going to commence in March 2014, it is absolutely critical that we make the necessary advance at this Summit so that we have our common position before March.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The past one year has also witnessed enhanced cooperation and partnership between Africa and its strategic partners. In this regard, the 3rd Africa-South America Summit, the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), the 3rd Afro-Arab Summit and the 12th Annual AGOA Forum have been held successfully. These partnership forums served as an excellent platform to advance our development agenda and further strengthen our partnerships with a view to ensuring mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
In the context of promoting Africa's collective voice and enhance its visibility on the international stage, we have participated at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw (COP-19) and delivered Africa's key messages with regard to the ongoing global climate change negotiations. We have also participated at the G-8 and G-20 Summits held in Northern Ireland and St. Petersburg, respectively, and advanced our continental development agenda. It is in this spirit that we look forward to the upcoming Africa-EU Summit due to be held in April this year.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The issue of peace and security has been our major preoccupation during the past one year. While I am encouraged to note the progress that we have made in resolving some of the conflict situations in our continent, I am nevertheless deeply concerned by the emergence of new conflicts which, if not addressed urgently, will have a potential to seriously threaten our collective peace and security and undermine the gains that we have made in recent years.
I am referring here to the unfolding situation in South Sudan and Central African Republic. We need to find urgent solution to rescue these two sisterly countries from falling into the abyss. Failure to do so will have serious implications for peace and security in the region and indeed the whole continent. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to help these two fragile African States in restoring peace and stability and addressing their internal challenges.
With regard to the situation in South Sudan, both protagonists should know that the problem cannot be resolved through the barrel of the gun. Therefore, they should be fully committed to seat at the negotiating table without any preconditions so as to find a political settlement to the crisis. We all know that this new African State has made tremendous sacrifices to gain its independence and the South Sudanese political actors should rise to the occasion and avoid the country from falling into the precipice.
It is imperative that the peace process initiated by IGAD and supported by the African Union, the United Nations and all other international partners succeeds and the parties demonstrate the necessary political leadership and compromise to achieve peace and durable reconciliation. Let me underscore here that the rest of the international community should continue to put its weight behind the regional effort to find a peaceful solution to the situation in South Sudan. I cannot emphasize enough the need for unity of purpose among all of us and the international community at large in sending the same message to all the south Sudanese stakeholders so as to achieve the desired result.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The situation in Central African Republic remains a matter of concern particularly the senseless violence that has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population. Hence, it was crucial to take urgent action to avert the further escalation of the peace and security situation in that country.
We are all aware of the daunting challenges ahead of the African-led Peace Support Mission in Central African Republic (MISCA) in terms of assisting Central African Republic in restoring peace and security and ensuring a successful transition towards a constitutional order in that country. The international community should remain fully committed to support the Central African Republic in its difficult task of stabilizing itself and organizing elections to ensure a successful political transition.
I wish to commend the African Union Commission for organizing a Donor's Conference on 1 February 2014, in collaboration with the United Nations to mobilize the necessary financial support to MISCA. I wish to call upon member States to demonstrate African solidarity and contribute to the efforts aimed at stabilizing Central African Republic.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Several African States have conducted legislative and presidential elections last year. Those elections have certainly helped some member States to come out of their political crisis and others to consolidate their democratic governance. I welcome the restoration of constitutional order in Mali. ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and other partners should continue to support Mali in consolidating the gains made thus far and enabling the country address its multifaceted challenges.
I also wish to commend the people of Madagascar for conducting a successful presidential election, which is critical in ending the country's political crisis. In the same vein, we look forward to the holding of elections in Guinea Bissau in March 2014, which will facilitate the restoration of constitutional order in that country. I would like to express my appreciation to ECOWAS and other international partners for their sustained efforts in supporting Guinea Bissau to come out of its political crisis.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

With regard to the work of our Commission, we have adopted the Strategic Plan for the years 2014-2017 that took into account the lessons learnt from the achievements and challenges of the previous strategic plan and adequately reflected the views of member States and all other relevant stakeholders. We need to mobilize all the necessary efforts of member States, the Commission and other organs of our Union to ensure the implementation of the eight priorities identified in the strategic plan so as to make a difference in the lives of our peoples.

As part of the Golden Jubilee celebration, the Commission together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank has been in the process of elaborating the framework for Agenda 2063 through a consultative process involving all sections of the African society. Our Ministers have also deliberated on the draft framework document during their retreat a few days ago. At this Summit, we will have the opportunity to examine the draft and make our own inputs and contributions. I believe the Framework will guide our efforts over the coming years and decades as we strive to achieve the socio-economic transformation of our continent.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe we need to build on the progress that we have achieved in the past year and exert more efforts to address some of the emerging challenges confronting our continent. Let me congratulate my successor, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and pledge my full support as he continues to work on these issues and advance the objectives of our Union. I would like to express my very best wishes to him in the successful discharge of his heavy responsibilities.
Finally, I wish to once again express my heartfelt thanks to Your Excellencies, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union. I am also very grateful to Chairperson Zuma and her team for facilitating my work over the past one year. Furthermore, I wish to express my appreciation to all those who, in one way or another, have contributed to the successful discharge of my responsibilities.
I conclude my remarks by wishing a happy and prosperous 2014, as we strive to achieve our collective vision - a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa.

I thank you
Dates:
Jan.30.2014

Report of the Chairperson of the AUC on the 416th PSC meeting on the situation in CAR

I. INTRODUCTION

The present report is submitted to Council within the framework of the regular consideration of the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). It covers the period from 19 December 2013 to 20 January 2014, and gives an overview of the major developments that have taken place in the CAR at the political, security and humanitarian levels, as well as an update on the activities of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), following the transfer of authority from the Peace Consolidation Mission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in the CAR (MICOPAX), on 19 December 2013.
I. POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS

It should be recalled that, following the unconstitutional change of Government that occurred on 24 March 2013 and pursuant to the efforts of ECCAS, the CAR actors agreed on a transitional period for a maximum of 18 months that would culminate in presidential and legislative elections. On 5 July 2013, the Constitutional Charter for the Transition was adopted, before being promulgated on 18 July 2013. A National Transitional Council (CNT) of 135 members and a Constitutional Council were established on 15 April and 16 August 2013, respectively. Mr. Michel Djiotodia was elected Head of State of the Transition on 13 April 2013 and sworn in on 18 August 2013. Maître Nicolas Tiangaye, who was appointed Prime Minister under the Libreville Agreements of 11 January 2013, retained his post. The elements of a Roadmap for the Transition proposed by the 4th Extraordinary Summit of ECCAS, held in N'Djamena, on 18 April 2013, were accepted by the Transitional Government of National Unity, which, in turn, developed a detailed Roadmap, adopted by the CNT on 7 November 2013.

However, the situation did not improve. At the security level, the abuses against the civilian population, both by ex-Seleka elements and by other armed groups, continued. At the political level, there were several disagreements between the two heads of the Executive branch, who could not provide the necessary impetus to the transition process. Consequently, no significant progress was made in the implementation of the Roadmap for the Transition, including the priority of restoring security, the rule of law and public order in Bangui and the rest of the country. The humanitarian situation deteriorated considerably, especially in the wake of the deadly attacks on 5 December 2013, perpetrated in Bangui by elements belonging to the group known as the anti-Balaka (anti-machettes).

In view of the situation, my Special Representative and Head of MISCA, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and that of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, ECCAS Mediator and Chairman of its Follow-up Committee on the CAR, in coordination with members of the international community in Bangui, took a number of initiatives to help the CAR stakeholders to overcome their differences and implement the Roadmap for the Transition. Similarly, a joint AU-ECCAS delegation, comprising the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of the Congo and Chad, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of the Congo and the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, travelled to Bangui, on 28 December 2013, particularly to stress the need for strong cohesion and effective unity of action among all the stakeholders of the transition.

It is within this context, and given the continuing deterioration of the situation, that the 6th Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of ECCAS was held in N'Djamena, on 9 and 10 January 2014, under the chairmanship of President Idriss Deby Itno. The AU was represented at that meeting by a delegation led by the Commissioner for Peace and Security. In the communiqué issued after their deliberations, the ECCAS Heads of State and Government lamented the passivity of the entire CAR political class and the lack of cohesion, harmony and unity among the authorities of the Transition, stressing that this situation had not enabled the international community to provide the necessary support to find a solution to the crisis. They took note of the resignation of the Head of State and the Prime Minister of the transition, and called upon all the CAR political and social actors to continue their consultations so as to elect, in the shortest possible time, a new Head of State of the transition and form a transitional Government in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitutional Charter for the Transition. In addition, and pursuant to the communiqué of the N’Djamena 6th Extraordinary Summit, the AU and ECCAS, in liaison with the CAR parties and key partners and under the auspices of the Mediator, President Denis Sassou Nguesso, are currently considering the modalities for convening a National Reconciliation Conference.

On 20 January 2014, and following two rounds of vote, Ms. Catherine Samba Panza, Mayor of Bangui, was elected as the Head of State of the Transition, putting an end to the interim ensured by the CNT Chairman, Alexandre Ferdinand Nguendet. She is expected, in the coming days and after broad consultations, to appoint a Prime Minister, who, in turn, will form a new Transitional Government of National Unity. In a communiqué issued the same day, I welcomed this development and urged the CAR actors to give to the new Head of State the necessary support to carry out her mission successfully.

Furthermore, the seven members of the National Elections Authority (ANE), who were appointed by decree on 16 December 2013, were sworn in on 24 December 2013, thus launching the electoral process. The members of the ANE are endeavouring to implement their mandate. The United Nations, particularly the UNDP, has sent experts to assess the level of needs and budgetary estimates for the ANE. Other partners, such as the European Union (EU) and France, have announced their intention to make financial contributions. My Special Representative has indicated MISCA’s readiness to ensure the security of the ANE offices, and the Commission will soon send an electoral expert to support the ANE.

II. SECURITY SITUATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE AFISM-CAR

In the recent months, the security situation has been marked by continued abuses by elements of the former Seleka and other armed groups, particularly the anti-Balaka and some elements of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA). In early December 2013, the situation further deteriorated, as a result of the attacks perpetrated in Bangui by elements of the anti-Balaka. The period that followed was characterized by clashes between the anti-Balaka and former Seleka elements and, sometimes, between individuals and families, along community and religious lines. Many crimes were committed. Tens of thousands of people fled their homes to seek refuge in other areas of the city of Bangui considered to be safer, especially the airport area.

Council will recall that, within the framework of their efforts to deal with the security challenges facing the CAR, ECCAS and the AU agreed to increase the strength of MICOPAX and transform it into an African Mission. As a follow-up to those efforts, Council authorized, on 19 July 2013, the deployment of MISCA to contribute notably to the protection of civilians and stabilize the country. On 5 December 2013, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2127 (2013) through which it endorsed the deployment of MISCA for a period of 12 months. As indicated above, the transfer of authority from MICOPAX to MISCA took place on 19 December 2013. Following the consultations that the Heads of State of the region, the AU and international partners held, in the margins of the Elysée Summit for Peace and Security in Africa, Council, on 13 December 2013, authorized an increase in MISCA’s strength, which could reach up to 6,000 uniformed personnel. It was within this context that a Burundian battalion of 850 was deployed. At the time of finalizing this report, a Rwandese battalion of 850 was being deployed. Once completed, this deployment will bring the total strength of MISCA to 5,305. The military component is provided by the following countries: Burundi (850), Cameroon (517), Republic of the Congo (864), Gabon (517), Equatorial Guinea (205), Chad (792), and Rwanda (850). The 629 police personnel are provided by Cameroon (320), the Republic of the Congo (129), Chad (34), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (145) and Gabon (1). MISCA also has a Joint Operations Centre (OCC) and a civilian component. The Commission intends, once the DRC formally confirms its readiness to contribute additional uniformed personnel, to dispatch a mission to that country to agree on the nature and modalities of such a contribution, within the limits of the strength authorized by Council and on the basis of needs identified on the ground.

A number of partners, particularly France, the US and the EU, are already providing financial and/or logistical support to MISCA. Japan recently pledged to support MISCA. The UN plans to deploy specialized personnel to serve in MISCA’s Mission Headquarters. In order to mobilize a more predicable support, the Commission, with the assistance of the United Nations, will organize in Addis Ababa, on 1 February 2014, a Donors’ Conference for MISCA. All Member States and about 60 international partners have been invited to attend the Conference.

Shortly after the transfer of authority, MISCA adopted new sectorisation plans to achieve a satisfactory networking of both Bangui and the rest of Central African territory, in close cooperation with the French forces of the Sangaris Operation. Thanks to their joint efforts, MISCA and Sangaris were able to contain the violence generated by the attacks that occurred in early December 2013. In conformity with the relevant decisions of Council, this coordination will also be extended to the forces of the Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord 's Resistance Army (RCI-LAR), a contingent of which is deployed in the Obo area, in the prefecture of Haut Mbomou.

The security situation has continued to improve in Bangui, especially after the decisions of the ECCAS Extraordinary Summit of 10 January 2014, even if it remains volatile in the major part of the CAR territory. The current efforts to secure the CAR portion of the corridor that connect the CAR to Cameroon, and which is the main supply route for the CAR, will allow a smooth flow of trade between the CAR and the port of Douala. In the hinterland, the situation is calm in the Centre and North-East but tense in the North-West, where clashes between anti-Balaka and former Seleka elements caused significant displacement of people. On 11 January 2014, and at the initiative of my Special Representative, an emergency meeting of the National Security Council was held under the chairmanship of the Interim Head of State of the Transition, with the participation of representatives of the former Seleka, the FACA and the anti-Balaka, as well as of the AU and France. The meeting urged all armed groups and FACA to put an immediate end to attacks and to engage in the process of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).

III. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS

As a result of the security developments in recent months, the humanitarian situation is catastrophic. The number of displaced persons is estimated at 500,000 in Bangui, including 100,000 in the airport area alone. There are between 800,000 to 900,000 displaced persons in the CAR. At the IDP sites, there are about 60% ??of children. The number of Central Africans who have sought refuge in neighboring countries since December 2013 is estimated at over 72,000. The prevailing insecurity is making it difficult to deliver regularly humanitarian assistance to the affected people. To address the humanitarian needs over the next three months, aid agencies have appealed for the mobilization of 152 million US Dollars.

Clashes between anti-Balaka and former Seleka have resulted in serious violations of human rights, including killings, death threats and other acts of intimidation, arrests and abductions, as well as looting and destruction of property. The sectarian violence has resulted in heavy losses of lives and massive displacements of populations, since 5 December 2013. Combined with the stigmatization of some communities, the prevailing insecurity has compelled many foreigners to leave the CAR.

The Commission has deployed an initial group of five human rights observers within MISCA’s civilian component to enable the Mission to better document human rights violations and facilitate actions aimed at ensuring accountability. Since 4 January 2014, these observers have begun consultations with the relevant CAR authorities, civil society organizations, international organizations and other stakeholders, in order to assess the overall situation and determine how best to implement their mandate. They have begun to collect initial information on violations of human rights in the city of Bangui and will be deployed in the provinces as soon as possible.

IV. DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION AND SECURITY SECTOR REFORM

Regarding the DDR and the Security Sector Reform (SSR), two national coordination mechanisms were put in place to better channel and harmonize efforts in these areas, both at the strategic and technical levels. These coordination mechanisms were suspended because of the security situation. With the establishment of MISCA on 19 December 2013, it was decided to reactivate these mechanisms.

Confidence-building measures proposed by the MICOPAX and Sangaris Operation and agreed to just before the establishment of MISCA, which revolve around four areas (identification, disarmament, cantonment and behavior of different forces), have enabled the cantonment of 7,140 former Seleka elements in 14 sites around Bangui. On the other hand, following the appeals made to the FACA, the Gendarmerie and the Police, 3,538 out of a total of 8,434 elements of the FACA, 1,085 out of 2,226 gendarmes and 900 out of 1,500 police have been identified between 23 and 31 December 2013, according to the national authorities in Bangui.

MISCA continues its advocacy for the finalization of the cantonment of the former Seleka elements, including support for their sustenance at their cantonment sites. The Mission has requested UNDP’s support for capacity building to enable it support the identification and registration process of the elements of the defense and security forces. MISCA’s efforts are also geared towards the promotion of the broadest possible national consensus on issues of DDR and SSR. These efforts resulted in the signature by the Prime Minister, on 6 January 2014, of the General Guidelines for this purpose.

V. OBSERVATIONS

While the situation in the CAR remains a source of concern, the decisions taken by the Extraordinary Summit of ECCAS and the subsequent evolution observed on the ground have generated an encouraging momentum which should be sustained. I wish to reiterate my deep appreciation to the countries of the region for their critical role, particularly through the actions of Presidents Idriss Deby Itno and Denis Sassou Nguesso, who are respectively the Chairman of ECCAS and Chairman of its Follow-up Committee on the situation in the CAR. Since the outbreak of the CAR crisis, the region has shown an unwavering commitment and mobilized significant resources to facilitate the search for a solution. I call upon the international community to continue to support their efforts.

Building on the work done by MICOPAX, MISCA is exerting efforts towards the effective implementation of its mandate. I congratulate the Head of the Mission and his staff for their sustained efforts and sacrifices. The results achieved thus far, through the joint action of MISCA and the Sangaris Operation, are very encouraging, more especially as the situation is particularly complex. I am confident in the ability of MISCA, as long as the necessary resources are availed to the Mission, to significantly improve the security situation, with a view to facilitating the execution of the different tasks of the Transition. For the international community, the priority should be to support MISCA, through the provision of financial and logistical resources and, where necessary, technical expertise, as well as through the provision of support in specific areas. In so doing, it will enable the Mission to carry out its mandate and thus create conditions for a possible deployment of a UN peace keeping operation.

In this regard, I wish to reiterate the AU’s gratitude to the international partners supporting MISCA, particularly the United States, France and the EU, as well as Japan and the United Nations. I urge them to continue their support. I wish to call upon other international partners to also support MISCA. The Donors’ Conference scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, on 1 February 2014, is a unique opportunity for the international community as a whole to show solidarity with the CAR people through adequate support to MISCA. It goes without saying that the AU Member States have a crucial role to play. The African ownership and leadership to which the AU aspires necessarily requires a significant contribution to the financing of MISCA. In this regard, I welcome the commitment made by the members of Council at their meeting held in Banjul on 30 December 2013. In addition to bilateral contributions from Member States, I also recommend, following the example of what was done to support the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), that part of the budget for MISCA be assessed to Member States, on the basis of their contributions to the AU’s regular budget, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council.

International solidarity alone will not make it possible to overcome the serious difficulties facing the CAR. The CAR political and other stakeholders have a crucial role to play. There can be no lasting solution without national ownership and leadership. Consequently, I reiterate the AU’s appeal to the CAR stakeholders to place the supreme interests of their country above partisan and others considerations. They must seize the unique opportunity offered by the ECCAS Summit of 10 January 2014 to revitalize the Transition and end the untold suffering endured by their people. In this regard, I welcome the election of Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza as the Head of State for the Transition and hail the sense of responsibility, maturity and commitment shown by the CAR actors on this occasion.

Once again, I strongly condemn the abuses and other serious violations of human rights committed in the CAR. Their perpetrators must be identified and held accountable. In view of the serious humanitarian situation obtaining on the ground, I urgently appeal to all the members of the international community to redouble their efforts to assist the affected populations. I thank the countries of the region for their generosity in hosting CAR refugees.

LAUNCHING OF THE COUNCIL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (CID) IN THE CONTEXT OF PIDA IMPLEMENTATION

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, JANUARY 2014

Opening Remarks Of The Auc Commissioner For Infrastructure And Energy at

 
• Your Excellency AUC Chairperson and Chair of the Council for Infrastructure Development,
• Honorable Ministers, Chairs of Conferences of African Ministers responsible for Transport, Energy, ICT and Water,
• Your Excellency, Commissioner in charge of Rural Economy and Agriculture,
• Your Excellency President of the African Development Bank,
• Your Excellency Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa,
• Your Excellency Chief Executive Officer of NPCA,
• excellences CEOs of Regional Economic Communities,
• Distinguished participants,
• Ladies and Gentlemen, All protocol observed.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all at this first meeting of the Council for Infrastructure Development (CID), a key organ of the Institutional Architecture for Infrastructure Development in Africa (IAIDA).
This is the opportunity to recall that after PIDA adoption in January 2012 by the 18th AU Summit, it was also requested to the AU Commission to operationalize the IAIDA as the PIDA implementation framework. In this context, this CID meeting was prepared by its technical bogy, the Infrastructure Advisory Group which held its first meeting on September 17, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa.
I particularly recognize the presence of all members of this new structure established to better coordinate the development of regional and continental infrastructure, so as to ensure coherence and harmony across sectors and speed up implementation of the priority projects identified within the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
In today’s meeting, we are proposing two main topics, namely:
(i) The CID Rules of Procedure that you are requested to consider and adopt with amendments if any;
(ii) Progress report on the PIDA PAP implementation, which particularly provides information on the updating of the PIDA PAP projects fiches, PIDA Financing Study, PIDA Capacity Building for the main stakeholders involved in PIDA implementation (RECs, NPCA and AUC) as well as on the Communication Strategy.
It will be also a good occasion to be informed on the planned 2014-2015 PIDA-PAP Implementation Road-Map indicating the main activities to be undertaken.
The conclusions and recommendations of your meeting such as the adopted CID Rules of Procedure will help to take the concrete measures and to identify specific priority actions, in the coming months, in order to accelerate the implementation of PIDA-PAP projects; and it will also serve for preparing the integrated report on the infrastructure to be submitted to the AU Summit.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation in implementing this agreement.
I wish you a successful meeting.
Thank you for your kind attention.