Events

Addis Ababa, 22 January 2013 – Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Natama, Chief of Staff of the African Union (AU) Commission, held on, 22 January 2013, at the headquarters of the AU, a briefing on the strategic partnerships of the organisation. The gathering with the media took place on the margins of the 20th AU Summit themed “Panafricanism and African Renaissance”.
In his introductory remarks, Ambassador Natama stressed on the fact that relations and partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world should be based on a mutual understanding, allowing Africa to respond to its needs and benefit from those partnerships. He cited Afro-Arab, TICAD, Africa-South America, Africa-EU, Africa-China, Africa-Turkey and Africa-India as partnerships based on mutual will and which should evolve in a beneficial manner. He further clarified that Africa should be aware of its interests and the benefits the continent should be foreseeing with the partnerships concluded. However they are sometimes perceived as unbalanced due to the historical background. In his capacity as the coordinator of partnerships, he informed that the role of the African Union is to make sure Africa’s interests are taken into account.

On the relations between Africa and China and replying to a question on that matter, Ambassador Natama explained that there is no monopoly on Africa. “Africa chooses its partners and all should know it” he added. However, he informed that the AU is concerned about unbalanced partnerships. This is the reason the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, intends to request a moratorium from Member States on partnerships in order to review their efficiency and benefit for Africa.

He explained that 30% of natural resources and one third of energy sources are located in Africa. Rather than exporting raw materials and importing manufactured products, the continent should put in place processing infrastructure. Combined with better governance, a stable and secure environment, Africa should get rid of the impoverishment generated by the sole exportation of its raw materials. Though entrepreneurship implies taking risks, compliance with the rule of law reduces risks and attracts investors, Ambassador Natama further indicated. “Development should be from within and initiated first by Africa and for Africans”.

The main challenge is now to process those resources for the benefit of the people of Africa and share it equally to avoid frustrations. Governance is a major challenge and Africa should adopt mechanisms leading to an environment conducive to growth. In addition, stability and security are also core elements to create growth. Africa exports its raw resources and imports manufactured products. This cycle impoverishes Africa. “We need to transform our resources, adopt good economic governance, share equally among the population,” the Chief of Staff said.

Press Release N°11/20th AU Summit

Africa making encouraging strides in agriculture and food security, says Commissioner Tumusiime

Addis Ababa, 23 January 2013 – AUC’s Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture Mrs Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, has reiterated that commendable progress has been achieved in the agricultural sector on the continent.

Addressing the media on the margins of the 20th AU Summit themed ‘Panafricanism and African Renaissance,’ Mrs. Tumusiime said the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA), was making unprecedented and continuing efforts to advance the areas of agriculture for food security and nutrition as well as on areas of sustainable development.

She highlighted three broad inter-related core and strategic development areas that guided her department’s work, namely:

(i) Advancing the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) through mobilization of political, technical and financial support;
(ii) Promotion of sustainable management of the environment and natural resources; and
(iii) Enhanced coordination of the implementation of related flagship projects pursuant to relevant AU Decisions.

Mrs. Tumusiime noted that a scan through the specific progress made in individual countries, showed that notable achievements had been registered in improving agricultural productivity and trade in Africa.

“Apart from the recent challenges in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel Region, the continent has registered a stable food security environment over the last 4 years. From the different country household survey reports covering the entire continent, there has been a notable increase in the incomes of many agricultural households. These positive changes and shifts can be attributed to CAADP-based and incentive-oriented agricultural policy and institutional reforms that have been undertaken by AU Member States in the recent past with the support of the AUC, the NEPAD Agency, RECs and other Pan African Institutions together with development partners,” she said.

Mrs. Tumusiime further stressed the importance of putting women at the centre of agriculture and food security.

“We're moving the agenda of women forward and in fact the current Chairperson of the AUC, H.E Madame Dlamini-Zuma has prioritized women in the Commission’s strategic focus and operations,” she said.

And speaking on sustainable development, Commissioner Tumusiime said, “It remains one of DREA’s key strategic areas of intervention in order to ensure efficient and effective harnessing and management of Africa’s natural resources and be able to cope with the demands of the exponentially increasing population; the adverse impacts of climate change and climate variability; and the intensifying disasters and risks.”

Press Release N°12/ 20th AU Summit
AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry updates the media on progresses made

Addis Ababa, 23rd January 2013 – Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, held a press briefing on 22 January 2013 at the margins of the 20th AU Summit to update the media on progress made with regard to the Implementation of the Continental Free trade Area (CFTA) by 2017, the implementation the Africa Mining Vision as well as that of the industrial development of Africa (AIDA).
After a brief description of the reasons why the Heads of State and Government took the historical decision, in January 2012, to implement the Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, Mrs Fatima Haram Acyl, indicated that an action plan has been adopted for Boosting Intra-Africa Trade (BIAT). It has 7 clusters aimed at reporting on the constraints identified. She also informed that preliminary actions such as the establishment of the Trade Observatory and the African Business Council have been undertaken. On January 26, a meeting will be held on the margins of the summit, to review the progress made in respect to both BIAT and CFTA.
On mining, Mrs Acyl said the objective of the African Mining vision is mainly to resolve the “paradox of Africa being the richest continent in terms of mineral resources and yet being the least developed". Therefore and in compliance with its action plan to be implemented in 2013, the establishment of a center aimed at supporting African countries in improving their capacities to manage mineral resources, is underway.

Finally, Mrs Acyl updated the audience about the plan on accelerated industrial development of Africa (AIDA) which aims to improve Africa’s productive capacity. Ministers of Industry of the Member states have identified 2 keys areas for urgent implementation: Agro-Industrial and Pharmaceutical products. In this regard, she specified that a high level joint EU-AU Resource Mobilization committee was to be set in collaboration with UNIDO.

MEDIA ADVISORY
The Centre for Citizens’ Participation on the African Union (CCP-AU) is launching a booklet called ‘THE AFRICAN UNION WE WANT!’ a compilation of views, aspirations, expectations and perspectives of African Citizens from all walks of life.
WHO: The Centre for Citizens’ Participation on the African Union (CCP-AU)
WHAT: Launching a booklet ‘THE AFRICAN UNION WE WANT!’
WHEN: WENESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013 AT 1700 hrs
WHERE: AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION, BREIFING ROOM 1
SPEAKERS:
 Mr. Donald Deya, CCP-AU Board Chairperson
 Dr. Chantal Midzié Abessolo, CCP-AU Board Vice Chairperson
 Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, CCP-AU Board Member
 Ms. Janah Ncube, CCP-AU Executive Director
The CCP-AU is an independent network of national, regional and continental civil society organizations and citizens working to promote the African Union and ensuring that the AU is a people driven entity.
CONTACTS:
Centre for Citizens’ Participation on the African Union (CCP-AU)
Tel: + 251-923 090 217/ + 254 – 702 622 922
+ 251-911 484 237
Email: eyob.balcha@ccpau.org
info@ccpau.org

Addis-Abeba, le 21 janvier 2013: Sous le thème “Panafricanisme et Renaissance Africaine”, le 20emme Sommet de l’Union Africaine s’est ouvert aujourd’hui, lundi, 21 janvier 2013, au Nouveau Centre de conférence de l’Union Africaine à Addis-Abeba avec la 25ème Session Ordinaire du Comité des Représentants Permanents (COREP).
La cérémonie officielle d’ouverture a vu la participation du Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Présidente de la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CUA), de Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Vice-Président de la CUA, des Commissaires de l’Union Africaine, des Représentants des Etats Membres, des membres de la Société Civile et du secteur privé, des invités spéciaux entre autres.
Le Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, dans son discours a souligné l’importance de la concrétisation de la vision d’une Afrique intégrée, prospère et pacifique à l’horizon 2063 réaffirmant ainsi la nécessite de l’accélération de la mise en œuvre des principes clés du développement socioéconomique, culturel et politique de l’Afrique.
La Présidente de la Commission de l’UA a affirmé que les Etats membres, les Communautés économiques régionales (CER), la Commission de l’UA et les partenaires à travers le continent ont un rôle clé à jouer pour s’assurer que l’Afrique prenne en main son propre développement et contribue à la construction d’un mode plus juste et équitable.
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A propos du thème du Sommet, la Présidente de la Commission de l’UA a insisté sur les atouts majeurs que l’Afrique possède, tels le pôle le capital intellectuel de ses ressources humaines, les valeurs et les ressources fondamentales pour l’invention et la réinvention de modèles équitables de croissance et de développement durable du continent.
Concluant son propos, le Dr. Dlamini Zuma, a réitéré l’engagement de la Commission de l’Union africaine à jouer non seulement un rôle de coordination mais aussi à entreprendre une vaste consultation de toutes les parties prenantes en vue de rassembler toutes les vues au profit du plan stratégique de construction de l'Afrique. Elle a ajouté que les défis du continent impliquent que 2013 sera une année excitante et du de dur labeur pour l’Afrique. (Discours entier de la Présidente de la CUA, disponible sur le site internet de l’UA www.au.int)
M. Ferdinand Montcho, Président du COREP et ambassadeur de la République du Bénin, a insisté sur les reculs de la démocratie en 2012, avec les coups d'Etat en Guinée Bissau et au Mali, ainsi que la récente escalade de violence en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) et en République centrafricaine (RCA). Il a également déploré les accrocs dans les relations entre le Soudan et le Sud-Soudan en dépit des accords conclus.
M. Montcho a relevé que le Rapport 2012 de la Commission économique pour l'Afrique (CEA) annonce de la croissance pour l'Afrique mais cette dernière n'a pas d'effet sur la vie quotidienne des citoyens africains. Afin de promouvoir la primauté du droit, l'intégration et le développement, l'Ambassadeur Montcho a appelé tous les Africains à se mobiliser, soulignant la célébration opportune du 50e anniversaire de l'Organisation de l'unité africaine (OUA). "Il est temps de célébrer et de rendre hommage aux pères fondateurs, mais, plus important, ce sera le moment de faire le bilan de ce qui a été réalisé jusqu'ici et de réfléchir sur la façon dont l'avenir devrait se modeler", a noté l'ambassadeur (discours complet du président du COREP disponible sur le site de l'UA: www.au.int).
Du 21 au 22 janvier 2013, les ambassadeurs discuteront des rapports spécifiques, parmi lesquels les rapports du sous-comité consultatif sur les questions administratives, budgétaires et financières, du sous-comité des programmes et des conférences; du sous-comité sur les structures, la coopération multilatérale, les questions économiques et commerciales; du
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sous-comité sur les contributions, le rapport d'étape du projet de Plan stratégique 2014- 2017de la Commission de l'Union africaine, le rapport sur le NEPAD, le Fonds Spécial d'urgence pour la sécheresse et la famine en Afrique, les accords de siège, ainsi que le rapport sur les questions d'audit.
Les ambassadeurs discuteront également de la révision des règlements de la procédure d'élection des membres de la Commission. Ils examineront, les documents de travail et les projets de décisions en préparation de la 22ème session ordinaire du Conseil exécutif qui se tiendra les 24 et 25 Janvier 2013.
Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter le site internet de l'Union africaine: www.au.int, visitez la page web 20ème Sommet de l'UA: http://summits.au.int/en/20thsummit
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