Press Release /11th AU Extraordinary Summit

Institutional Reform of the African Union is the Major Focus of the 11th AU Extraordinary Summit Underway in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa 5th November 2018: Under the framework of the 11th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit, the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) officially opened on Monday 5th November 2018, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. The meeting brought together the Permanent Representatives of the 55 AU member states based in Addis Ababa and key AU officials, among others.

Over two days, the PRC session will consider and deliberate on issues related to the AU Institutional Reform process, including reform of the AU Commission. Deliberations will focus on the structure and portfolios of the senior leadership of the Commission, selection of the senior leadership of the Commission, as well as administrative and financial reforms.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission reiterated that since the launching of the AU reform process in January 2017, significant progress has been made in its implementation. He mentioned in particular the introduction of quotas for youth and women, the rationalisation of working methods and the slow but steady progress towards financial autonomy.

The Chairperson added that the results thus achieved demonstrate, if need be, the relevance of the vision of the African leaders when they agreed to set the institutional reforms in motion. “The rationalisation of our working methods has resulted in greater efficiency in the conduct of the affairs of our Union. Progress towards financial autonomy has established the conditions for greater ownership of our policies and efforts. The ongoing improvement in the representation of youths and women in the Commission will inject greater dynamism and innovation within it. At the same time, it must be recognised that much remains to be done”, he added.

Highlighting the issues to be considered by the PRC meeting, the Chairperson noted that it is important to keep in mind the reasons for which the reform was initiated. Basically, it is about giving us, through the Union, the human, material, financial and political means to meet the strong and legitimate expectations of our States and our peoples. Agenda 2063, which serves as a compass in this new phase of the pan-African movement, obliges us to accelerate integration, to put an end to the poverty and underdevelopment afflicting our populations; to silence the weapons and thus put an end to the suffering of all kinds generated by the conflicts; and to ensure that Africa speaks with one voice in the international arena to better defend its interests and work towards a more just and inclusive world order”. He concluded that such ambitious objectives of Agenda 2063 require, for their realization, a more functional and efficient Union.

Over the two days of their meeting, the ambassadors will also discuss the mandate of the AU Development Agency (AUDA), currently known as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. In this regard, the Chairperson recalled that the governance structure of AUDA was validated at the July summit, which was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The PRC meeting is also expected to discuss financing the African Union, the AU Peace Fund, and the division of labor between the AU, RECs, continental organizations and Member States. They will evaluate Africa’s strategic partnerships and consider the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Outcome of the Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council on the ACP post-2020. There will also be discussions around organs of the Union including: the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Pan-African Parliament, as well as strengthening of the Peace and Security Council (PSC).

Additionally, the PRC meeting will prepare the agenda of the 11th AU Extraordinary Assembly with appropriate recommendations for consideration by the 20th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council, scheduled to take place from 14 - 15 November 2018.

For media inquiries:
Ms. Afrah Thabit, Directorate of Information and Communication, Tel: +251-911200922; E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org

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

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