Excellencies and Colleagues,

Allow me to welcome and thank-you all for participating in this First meeting of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance for the year 2021 under the Chairmanship of Zimbabwe. I would like to thank Member States for the confidence they have placed in us. I would like to thank Ambassador Mokta Diop of the Republic of Senegal, the previous Chair of the Sub-Committee, for his valuable assistance on the mandate of the Committee. [Let me also recognise the Commissioner for Political Affairs and Peace Security, my Brother Ambassador Bankole Adeoye for his commitment towards the success of this Sub-Committee.] I pledge to collaborate and cooperate with the AUC to realise the objectives of this Sub-Committee.

Excellencies,

You are all aware that the mandate of this Sub-Committee is politically sensitive and broad hence the need to provide tangible deliverables that conform to the objectives of the Sub-Committee as to transform the political landscape of our continent.

Excellencies,

The nexus between peace and security and development is a reality which we cannot deny. Democracy and human rights lay the foundation for peace and security. The Founding Fathers of our Union recognized that “the scourge of conflicts in Africa constitutes a major impediment to the socio-economic development of the continent and of the need to promote peace, security and stability as a prerequisite for the implementation of our development and integration agenda”.

Colleagues,

It is necessary for me to observe that the Coronavirus pandemic has wrecked havoc on continental public health which, among other devastating effects, has caused significant socioeconomic decline, resulting in democratic regression that is further straining the peace and security environments. It is my hope that the Sub-Committee, in collaboration with the AUC, will assist Member States to come up with appropriate reforms to reverse socio-economic and democratic regression caused by the pandemic.

Excellencies,

I intend, as the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee to ensure better synergies and coordination between Member States on the African Governance Architecture and African Peace and Security Architecture platform members.

Excellencies, I pledge my commitment to progress on the work of the Sub-Committee and to bolster collaboration between Member States and the AUC in order to strengthen democracy, good governance and human rights in line the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

I Thank You!