Press Release N0. 07 / 16th AU Summit

Closure of the 16th AU Summit: Unity around shared values

Addis Ababa, February 1, 2011 - The 16th Summit of the African Union (AU), which began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 24, closed its session late into the night of January 31. Organized under the theme "Shared Values in Africa: for greater unity and integration", the 16th Ordinary Session considered the review of the political situation of the continent, including the situation in Côte d'Ivoire and in other sub-regions which are experiencing waves of protests.

The Heads of State and Government of the AU held several meetings in view of finding solutions to crises and ongoing conflicts or conflicts that are emerging on the continent. A high-level Panel for the resolution of the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire composed of Presidents of Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Chad, Tanzania, South Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union Commission has been established. The Panel will provide a peaceful and negotiated solution within a month.

The Heads of State and Government also commented on other crucial issues such as the role of Africa in the Security Council of the United Nations, the impact of climate change and international cooperation.

The summit also unanimously welcomed the election of Professor Alpha Conde, President of Guinea, through a democratic process. The democratically elected President delivered a speech before the Assembly.

The Summit adopted all decisions that were submitted by the Executive Council. It also adopted a Declaration on shared values in which the Summit is committed among others "to create viable and democratic states to ensure effective delivery of services to African peoples and to promote economic progress and good governance."

At the closing ceremony of the 16th Summit of the African Union, the newly elected Chairperson of the continental organization, President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, said, through the Addis Ababa Declaration "Africa has ratified her confidence in herself and in shared values, a key route for the continent's development and for achieving a common vision of unity and integration". He advocated that the Member States of the Union adopt all necessary mechanisms so that the peoples of Africa may enjoy the rights and freedoms contained in these instruments.

The 17th Summit of the African Union with the theme "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development" will be held from 23 to 30 June 2011 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.