WORLD BANK SEMINAR LINKAGES BETWEEN PARLIAMENTS, THE AU AND NEPAD IN SADC 28 th TO 29 th JANUARY 2004

THE AFRICAN UNION – VISION, ORGANS AND PROGRESS PRESENTED BY MS. SUSAN SIKANETA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AFRICAN UNION SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE P.O. Box LILONGWE 3, MALAWI Tel

INTRODUCTION Africa at a crossroads Transformation of the OAU to the AU Need for a clear vision The need to champion the African cause 3

THE VISION United and Strong Africa Regional cooperation and economic integration means of achieving unity and solidarity Peace, security and stability critical considerations Sustainable economic development 4

OBJECTIVES achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa; defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States; accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent; promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples; encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; 5

OBJECTIVES promote peace, security, and stability on the continent; promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance; promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other relevant human rights instruments; e stablish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations; promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies; 6

OBJECTIVES promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples; coordinate and harmonise the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union; advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology; work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent. 7

ORGANS OF THE UNION The Assembly The Supreme Organ of the Union – Heads of State and Government Executive Council – Foreign Ministers The Pan-African Parliament The Court of Justice 8

ORGANS OF THE UNION The AU Commission Permanent Representatives Committee Specialized Technical Committees Economic, Social and Cultural Council 9

AFRICA’S ECONOMIC PROGRAMME NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD) AU ECONOMIC PROGRAMME 10

CHANGING FACE OF AFRICA Africa sick and tired of living in misery – High poverty levels – HIV/AIDS, Malaria etc – Regional Conflicts – Drought s D evelopment of Culture of Cooperation 11

CHANGING FACE OF AFRICA Commitment to C ommon Values – Democracy – Peace and Security – Rule of Law – Respect for Human Rights – Regional cooperation and economic integration – Unity, solidarity and progress African Leaders championing the African cause and vision – One Vision – One Identity – One Hope 12

PROGRESS 1. The Roadmap So Far – 25 May 1963, Addis Ababa Founding of the OAU – 1991, Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community – 1993 Established Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution – 1999, Algiers Decision on unconstitutional changes in Governments 13

PROGRESS The Roadmap So Far – 9 September 1999, Sirte Declaration calling for the establishment of an African Union – 2000 Declaration on the Conference on Security Stability Development and Cooperation – 2000, Lome Constitutive Act of the African Union entered into force – 2001, Lusaka NEPAD adopted as a program of the AU 14

PROGRESS The Roadmap So Far – 2002, Durban Launch of the African Union and First Assembly of the Heads of state and Government of the African Union – 2002, Durban Declaration on the principles governing democratic elections in Africa – 2003, Maputo Members of the Commission elected and appointed 15

PROGRESS 2. Protocols – Court of Justice – Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of the Women in Africa – Peace and Security Council – The Pan-African Parliament – African Court on Human Rights 16

CONCLUSION SUCCESS FACTORS All stakeholders to understand and support Mobilisation, sensitization and popularisation Investing in the collective power of the AU Strategic Management and performance 17

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Africa can not be marginalised if Africans did not marginalise themselves The 21 st Century belongs to Africa THANK YOU 18