African Union Heads of State and Government meeting at their 17th Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 23 June to 1st July 2011, under the Theme: "'Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development", adopted the following decisions. On the theme "'Accelerating of Youth empowerment for sustainable development", the Assembly decided:
- that all Member States should advance the youth agenda and adopt policies and mechanisms towards the creation of safe, decent and competitive employment opportunities by accelerating the implementation of the Youth Decade Plan of Action (2009-2018) and the Ouagadougou 2004 Plan of Action on Employment Promotion and Poverty Alleviation;
- that the Commission in collaboration with its partners should elaborate a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework, addressing specifically the domains of Agriculture and ICT, while accelerating the implementation of the Youth Decade Plan of Action;
- That Member States provide to the Commission adequate resources for the advancement of the Youth Agenda, including the funding of the Pan African Youth Union;
- To organize on the margins of every June/July Summit a training programme for the Youth Volunteers
- That all trained Young Volunteers should be deployed as soon as possible after their training including placement in the AU organs and the Regional Economic Communities as part of capacity building for young professionals;
- That the African Union Commission should lead the organization of a side event on "Accelerating youth empowerment for Sustainable Development" under the leadership of the Chairperson of the AU, during the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Youth in July 2011 at the UN Headquarters whose theme is "Cooperation towards Financing Youth Development and Empowerment in Africa".
On alternative Sources of Financing the African Union, the Assembly recalled the dire financial situation of the Union caused by delays in honouring assessed contributions by Member States, and complexities of accessing partner funds. This underscores the need to identify additional sources of financing the activities of the Union.
The Heads of State expressed concerns over the growing reliance on partner funds to finance the continental integration and development agenda, while reiterating the imperative need for Member States to provide the AU with predictable, reliable and sustainable resources to enable it fulfil its mandate.
In this regard, the Assembly requested the Commission to actively pursue the effective implementation of the various decisions of the Assembly on alternative sources of financing the AU. They took note of the progress in the setting up of a High Level Panel of Eminent Personalities (the Panel) with a view to engaging with Member States and coming up with definitive proposals to this long standing issue as per the January 2011 Executive Council Decision.
Requesting the Commission to expedite the process of setting up the Panel and take all necessary measures to facilitate its work, the Assembly appealed to all Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to provide all the necessary support to the Panel to ensure a successful outcome of the consultations. It requested the Panel to undertake the consultations in a timely manner and report to the next Ordinary Session of the Assembly through the Executive Council, in January 2012.
On Specialised Technical Committees, the Assembly decided that each STC should meet at the level of ministers and experts once every two years, except the STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, the STC on Gender and Women's Empowerment and the STC on Defense and Security which shall meet once a year in ordinary session and an extra ordinary session if need be;
The Assembly requested the Commission in collaboration with the Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC) through its Sub-Committee on Administrative, Budgetary and Financial Matters to determine the financial implications of meetings of each STC; decided that the coordinating mechanism of the STCs shall be made up of the bureaus of the various STCs in order to ensure that the STCs take a global view of the policies, programmes and activities of the Union and authorised that it meets once every year and that the Chairpersons of the various STCs attend the sessions of the Executive Council.
They further decided that the Commission will be responsible for convening and servicing all the meetings of the STCs in order to ensure synergy with other organs and institutions and ultimately with the Executive Council, requesting the Commission to operationalize the STCs from January 2013 and that thereafter the sectoral ministerial conferences be abolished.
On the implementation of the Assembly Decisions on the International Criminal Court, the Assembly reiterated its commitment to fight impunity in conformity with the provisions of Article 4(h) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
It stressed the need to pursue all efforts and explore ways and means of ensuring that the request by the African Union (AU) to the United Nations (UN) Security Council to defer the proceedings initiated against President Bashir of The Sudan, in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute of ICC on deferral of cases by the UN Security Council, be acted upon.
In this regard, the Assembly reiterated its request to the UN Security Council; and requested the African members of the UN Security Council to place the matter on its agenda of the Council.
It also stressed the need to pursue all efforts in ensuring that the request by the African Union (AU) to the UN Security Council to defer the investigations and prosecutions in relation to the 2008 post-election violence in Kenya under Article 16 of the Rome Statute to allow for a national mechanism to investigate and prosecute the cases under a reformed judiciary provided for in the new constitutional dispensation, in line with the principle of complementarity be accepted by the UN Security Council.
It reaffirmed that by receiving President Bashir, the Republic of Chad, Kenya, and Djibouti were discharging their obligations under Article 23 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union and Article 98 of the Rome Statute as well as acting in pursuit of peace and stability in their respective regions.
It expressed deep concerns at the manner in which the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor is handling the situation in Libya which was referred to the ICC by the Security Council through Resolution 1973 (2011).
The Assembly noted that the warrant of arrest issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber concerning Colonel Qadhafi, seriously complicates the efforts aimed at finding a negotiated political solution to the crisis in Libya, which will also address, in a mutually-reinforcing way, issues relating to impunity and reconciliation. In this regard, the Assembly decided that AU Member States shall not cooperate in the execution of the arrest warrant, and requested the United Nations Security Council to activate the provisions of Article 16 of the Rome Statute with a view to deferring the ICC process on Libya, in the interest of Justice as well as peace in the country.
It requested the Group of African States Parties in New York and in the Hague to closely follow-up on the implementation of the Assembly's Decisions on ICC.
It also requested the Commission in collaboration with the Permanent Representatives' Committee, to reflect on how best Africa's interests can be fully defended and protected in the international judicial system and to actively pursue the implementation of the Assembly's Decisions on the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples' Rights so that it is empowered to try serious international crimes committed on African soil; Finally, the Commission was asked to follow-up on this matter and to report regularly on the implementation of the various Assembly decisions on ICC.
On the Implementation of the Roadmap and Global African Diaspora process, the Assembly recognised the progress report on the roadmap and the preparations for the Global African Diaspora summit as well as the efforts and progress made by the Republic of South Africa and the Commission to ensure the implementation of the roadmap.
It also requested them to continue their collaboration to ensure the successful planning and conduct of the Diaspora Summit; such efforts should include the continuation of regional consultative conferences, the revitalization of Diaspora Regional Networks in the various regions of the world where the African Diaspora population lives and feasibility studies on bankable projects.
The Assembly decided that the outcomes of the Technical Committee Meeting on the Diaspora be submitted for consideration to a Diaspora Ministerial Conference to be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA in September 2011 in preparation for the Global Diaspora Summit.
While reaffirming the decision that the Diaspora issue remains a standing agenda for Summit meetings the Assembly decided to convene the Global Diaspora Summit on 25 May 2012.
It called upon Member States, AU Partners and the Diaspora communities worldwide to support this agenda and facilitate the implementation of the roadmap and the Global Diaspora Summit.
On the Theme, Date and Venue of the Eighteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, the Assembly recalled the Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.347(XVI) adopted by the Sixteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly in January 2011 on the theme of the January/February 2012 Summit which is: "Boosting Intra-African Trade";
It endorsed the recommendation of the Executive Council regarding the necessity to have henceforth one theme per year and confirmed that the above-mentioned theme will be for the whole year of 2012 including for the celebrations of Africa Day on 25 May 2012.
It decided that the dates of the Eighteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly which will hold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, shall be the following:
- Twenty-third Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee: 23 and 24 January 2012;
- Twentieth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council: 26 and 27 January 2012;
- Eighteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly: 29 and 30 January 2012
On the Activities of Peace and Security Council and the State of Peace and Security in Africa, the Assembly commended the efforts of both the Commission and the Regional Economic Communities/ Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), to finalize the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture, and underscored the need to accelerate this process.
It commended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for its efforts to facilitate the return to constitutional order in Madagascar on the basis of its "Roadmap for a way out of the crisis in Madagascar," as endorsed by the SADC Extraordinary Summit held in Sandton, South Africa, on 11 and 12 June 2011.
It welcomed the completion of the implementation process of the 16 June 2010 Agreement on the Management of the Interim Period in the Comoros, and urged the Comorian stakeholders to persevere in their efforts to consolidate the gains made. It reaffirmed that Mayotte belongs to the Union of the Comoros and expressed its deep concern regarding the pursuit by France of its current policy, in particular the transformation of Mayotte into an overseas, province (Departement).
The Assembly welcomed the signing, on 9 June 2011, of the Kampala Accord between the President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, Mr. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and the Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), Mr. Shariff Hassan Sheikh Aden, which seeks to end the current transitional period with deferral of elections for one year. It took note of the resignation of Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohammed "Farmajo" and the decision of the TFG President to appoint Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali as the new Prime Minister, who has since been endorsed by the TFP, and encouraged the speedy completion of the consultations for the formation of a new cabinet and its subsequent endorsement by the parliament.
The Assembly underlined that the expeditious implementation of the Kampala Accord will go a long way in consolidating the important military gains made on the ground by the TFG, with the support of AMISOM.
It expressed its appreciation to AMISOM personnel for its valuable contribution to the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia, and paid tribute to the Troop Contributing Countries, namely Uganda and Burundi.
It appealed to Member States that pledged troops to honor their commitments, as well as to the international community to lend the necessary support to AMISOM.
It reiterated the call to the United Nations Security Council to authorize the deployment of a UN peace keeping operation in Somalia and, in the meantime, to provide more adequate support to AMISOM.
It reiterated its concern at the continued impasse in the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
It reiterated its call on Djibouti and Eritrea to pursue, in good faith, the scrupulous implementation of the 6 June 2010 Agreement, concluded under the auspices of Qatar, in order to resolve their border dispute and consolidate the normalization of their relations, and requested the Commission to closely follow the situation and make every effort to facilitate progress.
The Assembly recalled the Solemn Declaration on Sudan adopted at its 16th Ordinary Session, following the successful holding of the self-determination referendum for Southern Sudan, the main pillar of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
It acknowledged the overwhelming choice for separation made by the people of Southern Sudan, and looks forward to welcoming the Republic of Southern Sudan as the newest member of the AU, immediately upon its independence on 9 July 2011.
It urged the Sudanese Parties to the CPA, in particular President Omar Hassan Al Bashir and First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), to continue to demonstrate the commitment required to complete the implementation of the CPA and finalize the post-referendum negotiations, with the support of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and in the spirit of creating two viable States, mutually supportive and at peace with one another.
It welcomed the signing, in Addis Ababa, on 20 June 2011, by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), of an Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of Abyei Area, under the facilitation of the AUHIP, which will enable security to be established and displaced persons to return to their homes in that district, as well as create conditions under which the Panel can make its recommendation on the final status of Abyei at a time to be agreed upon.
It endorsed the agreement and urged the parties to build on this breakthrough to resolve the pending issues in their negotiations.
The Assembly congratulated the Government of Ethiopia, in particular Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, for the key role it played in facilitating this breakthrough and for its readiness to provide troops for the Interim Security Force for Abyei (ISFA) without delay.
In this respect, it welcomed the adoption, on 27 June 2011, by the Security Council, of resolution 1990(2011), authorizing the deployment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement, and stressed that this decision is an eloquent illustration of how best the AU and the UN can judiciously combine their respective comparative advantages to address peace and security challenges in Africa.
It further welcomed and endorsed the Framework Agreement on Political Partnership and Political and Security Arrangements in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan, signed, under the facilitating of the AUHIP, in Addis Ababa, on 28 June 2011, by the GoS and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (North), as a decisive step towards consolidating peace, security and democracy in the Republic of Sudan.
It congratulated the parties on their commitment to the peaceful resolution of their differences and called upon them immediately to cease hostilities, permit humanitarian access, and allow the return of displaced persons to their homes, while stressing the need for renewed efforts to bring about lasting peace, justice and reconciliation in Darfur.
The Assembly noted with satisfaction the conclusion of the Doha political talks and the endorsement by the All-Darfur Stakeholders Conference held in Doha, from 27 to 31 May 2011, under the auspices of the Joint Chief Mediator and the Government of the State of Qatar, of the draft outcome document as a basis for the achievement of peace.
It looks forward to the conclusions of the negotiations between the GoS and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), as well as of the discussions with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
It expressed full support to the efforts being made by the AUHIP, with the support of UNAMID, to expedite the launching of the Darfur Political Process (DPP), in line with relevant AU decisions, as a way of addressing in a comprehensive and inclusive manner the challenges of peace, justice and reconciliation in Darfur.
The Assembly welcomed the encouraging progress made in consolidating peace and post-conflict reconstruction in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), Liberia and Sierra Leone. It welcomed the continued efforts to implement the 15 January 2010 agreement between the Sudan and Chad and the impressive results achieved in this regard, especially with regard to securing the common border.
It also welcomed the holding of the tripartite Summit that brought together, in Khartoum, on 23 May 2011, the Presidents of the CAR, Sudan and Chad, as part of the efforts to enhance security and regional cooperation.
It welcomed the end of the post-election crisis in Côte d'Ivoire and the fact that the democratically elected President, Mr. Alassane Ouattara, now fully assumes full power. It noted with satisfaction the commitment of the new authorities to consolidate peace and promote reconciliation.
The Assembly welcomed the progress made in Guinea Bissau, in particular the adoption by the Government of the CPLP - ECOWAS Roadmap on the reform of the security sector, which responds to the objectives of the Tripoli Action Plan.
It encouraged the Guinea-Bissau authorities to continue their efforts, particularly in the fight against impunity and drug trafficking, the establishment of the rule of law and socio-economic recovery. It called on development partners to provide the support needed for the economic and social rehabilitation of Guinea.
It welcomed the positive evolution of the situation in Tunisia and the progress made in the transition, including the preparation for the election, of the Constituent Assembly, scheduled for 23 October 2011, and the establishment of a High Independent Body for Elections (HIIE), as well as the climate of freedom and democracy that now prevails in the country.
It noted the positive evolution of the situation in Egypt following the popular uprising which took place in January/February 2011, in particular the atmosphere of freedom and democracy that now prevails, the opening of the political space and the adoption of new legislation to facilitate the formation of political parties, the constitutional referendum of 19 March 2011, and the steps being taken to enable the Egyptian people to democratically choose their leaders and establish institutions that are truly representative and respectful of fundamental freedoms and human rights.
The Assembly reiterated its deep concern at the prevailing situation in Libya, as well as its conviction that only a political solution will make it possible to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people and preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country. It reaffirmed the decision on the peaceful resolution of the Libyan crisis adopted at its Extraordinary Session held on 25 May 2011.
The Assembly further expressed profound appreciation of the AU to the Governments and peoples of Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia for the generosity with which they have welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees, particularly African refugees, fleeing the conflict and NATO bombings in Libya.
On the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, the Assembly took note of the recent developments in the intergovernmental negotiations and appreciated the efforts of the African Permanent Representatives to the UN, in promoting and defending the continent's interest in the UN Security Council reform process.
It welcomed the growing support of Member states in the intergovernmental negotiations on the Security Council reform and for recognizing the compelling need to correct, first of all, the historical injustice done to the continent, which continues to be unrepresented in the permanent category and under-represented in the non-permanent category of the UN Security Council.
It further welcomed the growing recognition by Member states of the need in the on-going intergovernmental negotiations on UN Security Council reform, to treat Africa as a special case.
It welcomed the growing support the African common position continues to receive from Member States in the intergovernmental negotiations; underscored the need for Africa to continue to speak with one voice and cohesively on all issues, whether of substance or procedure or both related to the UN Security Council reform, in order to build on the gains so far achieved in the on-going intergovernmental negotiations and ensure that the interests of Africa continue to be maintained and safeguarded at all times.
It reaffirmed the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration on the Reform of the UN Security Council containing the African common position.
It requested the African Permanent Representatives of the Committee of Ten, participating in the on-going intergovernmental negotiations on the Security Council reform, to work closely with other African Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and the African Permanent Representatives to the AU, and to continue to dialogue with and engage other member states and interest groups in the reform process, with a view to building more alliances in support of the African common position.
It also requested the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government to continue to intensify its efforts in advocating, canvassing and promoting the African common position as well as endeavouring to reach out at the highest political levels for the purpose of garnering more support for the African common position and of galvanising the required political will to keep the reform process moving forward.
On the Hissene Habre case, the Assembly reiterated its decision in January 2011 confirming the mandate given to Senegal to try Hissene Habre on behalf of Africa and urged Senegal to carry out its legal responsibility in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Torture; the decision of the United Nations (UN) Committee against Torture as well as the said mandate, to put Hissene Habre on trial expeditiously or extradite him to any other country willing to put him on trial.
On the Transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority, the Assembly requested the Commission to convene a sixth meeting of government experts to consider the remaining legal instruments followed by a meeting of Ministers of Justice/Attorneys General or any other Ministers in charge of the matter of Member States during the second half of 2011 to consider and finalize the instruments related to the African Court of Justice and Human Rights and the Pan African Parliament for submission to the next ordinary session of the Assembly, through the Executive Council, for consideration.
On the establishment of the Pan-African University, the Assembly decided, based on the agreement between the North African region countries, to allocate the Pan African University Institute on Water and Energy Science, including climate change, to Algeria.
On the budget of the African Union, the Assembly delegated its power to adopt the 2012 budget to the Executive Council and authorised Executive Council to convene an extraordinary session in September 2011 to consider and adopt the said budget.
On the Coordination of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), on Africa's preparation towards the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17), the Assembly urged CAHOSCC to convene a meeting to consider and take forward the Updated African Common Position on Climate Change to COP17/CMP7, which the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) will have considered and endorsed at its Extra-Ordinary Session to be held in September 2011.
It urged all the Member States to attend and participate in COP17/CMP7 in large numbers as well as individually and collectively, and provide support to the Presidency of South Africa in order to ensure the success of the conference.
It called on African negotiators to concentrate on completing the negotiations on climate finance in Durban and in that regard, build on the work of the Transitional Committee and other experts to ensure adequate resource flows, to address Africa's climate change challenges.
On the Great Green Wall Initiative, the Assembly called on the Commission to play its coordinating role in mobilizing resources for the GGW and provide the necessary support to the Executing Agency of the GGW. It further requested the Commission and the Agency to monitor, evaluate the project and report regularly.
On the election of 1 member of the African Union Commission on International Law, the Assembly decided to nominate Mr. Bonaventure Makenga MPASI from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a one (1)-year term.
On the election of the five members of the African Union Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Assembly decided to appoint the following persons as members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights:
- Ms. Reine Adelaïde ALAPINI Benin 6-year term
- Mr. Med S. K. KAGGWA Uganda 6-year term
- Ms. Maya SAHLI FADEL Algeria 6-year term
- Ms. Faith Pansy TLAKULA South Africa 6-year term
- Mr. Pacifique MANIRAKIZA Burundi 4-year term
No. Name Country Term of Office
On the African Union (AU) decision-making process, lack of implementation of decisions, and the need to uphold and respect the integrity of the decisions of the AU Assembly by all Member States, the Assembly was deeply concerned by the deterioration of the decision-making processes within the AU, particularly efforts by some Member States to impose their will on the decision-making process.
It called on the Member States to respect the authority and integrity of the Chairperson of the Assembly and other AU institutions in carrying out their duties and mandates.
On the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of African countries, the Assembly took note of the proposal of the Government of the Republic of Benin on the establishment of a Group of Experts in charge of ensuring the effective implementation of the principles spelt out in the Manifesto of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of African Countries.
On the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD-Rio+20): common position and strategies to face the Green Economy and an institutional framework for sustainable development", the Assembly urged Member States to take note of the schedule of negotiations of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20) and the preparatory meetings at regional and world levels, to ensure the active participation of African negotiators and experts and to ensure that Africa's interests on the Green Economy issues within the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and institutional frameworks for sustainable development, are defined and taken into account.
It urgently invited the Member States to work for a Common African Position on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20), which will be finalized in Addis Ababa in October 2011.
It approved the proposal that Africa be represented by a spokesperson for the purpose of negotiating with one single voice at the international preparatory meetings for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20), and mandated the Republic of Congo to coordinate at the political level, in consultation with Member States, Africa's preparation for Rio + 20.
On the Jacques Diouf Prize on food security, the Assembly approved the joint proposal by the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Malawi to create a "Jacques DIOUF Prize", on the basis of the recommendations of the Twenty Sixth Session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Africa that was held in Luanda, Angola, from 4 to 7 July 2010.
It decided to award every two (2) years, the "Jacques DIOUF Prize" to a Member State or institution that has made an outstanding contribution towards achieving food security, in particular, through the improvement of small-scale farming and elimination of post-harvest losses in rural communities, agriculture innovation and environmental sustainability.
It invited Member States and all partners to support the proposed "Jacques Diouf Prize" through voluntary contributions and to ensure its financial and environmental sustainability.
On the support of a draft resolution at the 66th ordinary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations to ban genital mutilation in the world, the Assembly expressed deep concern at the continued practice of FGM in spite of numerous campaigns conducted over the last thirty years.
It urged all Member States of the African Union to provide strong support for efforts to adopt a draft resolution to ban female genital mutilation worldwide, which draft will be submitted to the Sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
On the establish an African Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technologies in Tunis, Republic of Tunisia, the Assembly recognised the importance of the role that the Centre will play in promoting ownership of ICTs by the Continent, developing African competence and raising the awareness of decision-makers on the major issues of the sector.
It requested the Commission, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Tunisia, to begin the necessary negotiations with the various partners of Africa in order to i
