Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 21 November 2017: The 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) kicked off on 21 November 2017 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in the presence of the diplomatic corps in Equatorial Guinea, members of the AUCIL, other invited guests and the media. Key note speakers during the opening ceremony were the Chairperson of the AUCIL, H.E. Amb. (Prof.) Sebastiao Da Silva Isata, H.E. Simeon Oyono Esono, the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and H.E. Evangelina Filomena Oyo Ebule, Minister of Justice, Worship and Penitentiary Institutions of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, who spoke on behalf of her government.

In his remarks, the Chairperson of the AUCIL, Amb (Prof.) Sebastiao Da Silva Isata indicated that the session is taking place at a time where there are important international developments in Zimbabwe and Libya that may require the AUCIL to explore the legal ramifications. He concluded by expressing, on behalf of the AUCIL, “his gratitude to President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, the Government and people of Equatorial Guinea, for the excellent facilities placed at their disposal and for the warm welcome accorded their arrival in the beautiful city of Malabo”.

H.E. Simeon Oyono Esono on his part, welcomed the AUCIL delegation to Equatorial Guinea and informed guests that the 14th Ordinary Session scheduled from 20 November to 1 December 2017 will be followed by the 6th Forum on International and African Union Law, from 4 to 5 December 2017 and a Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy, from 6 to 8 December 2017, all scheduled to take place at the Sipopo Conference Centre.

The 14th Ordinary Session was formally declared open by H.E. Evangelina Filomena Oyo Ebule, Minister of Justice, Worship and Penitentiary Institutions, who indicated that “the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is cognizant of the important role the rule of law plays in the development of our economy. It is this commitment that led that led H.E. President Obiang Nguema, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to offer to host the 14th Ordinary Session and 6th Forum of the AUCIL”. She emphasized that the theme for the Sixth Forum on the “Legal, Political and Socio-Economic Consequences of Migration, Situation of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa” is of great relevance in a period where the global compact on migration is currently being discussed for consideration at the UN General Assembly in 2018”.

The Minister concluded her remarks by noting the growing visibility of the AUCIL as an advisory Organ within the African Union body, which continues to prove that it is an indispensable body in tackling the ever broadening needs of the continent and realizing the objectives of Agenda 2063.

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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