“Summary from the Proceedings and Press Releases”

The 14th African Union Summit that ran from January 25 – February 2, 2010 in the Headquarters of AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, concluded yesterday with a new official African Union flag and a new AU Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi. His acceptance speech can be downloaded here.

The Summit was divided into 3 main events; it started with the 19th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) on January 25 – 26, followed by the 16th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on January 28 – 29, and finally, the 14th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union from January 31 – February 2.

The Summit opened with a 19th Ordinary Session of the PRC on January 25, 2010 but it started with minute of silence in memory of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 that crashed into the Mediterranean a few minutes after take-off from Beirut at dawn on that day.

At the meeting’s opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. Ali Awidan, the Ambassador fo Libya to Ethiopia and current Chairperson of the PRC pointed out that the 2009 had been special for the AUC. He recalled that during that year, important meetings were held in a bid to push forward the Commission’s agenda and the development of the continent. He highlighted some examples such as the Special Summit on Conflict Management in Africa; Africa-Latin America Forum, and the Special AU Summit on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, adding that, all these meetings were aimed at bringing Africa to speak with one voice and adopt common positions on crucial issues. A full report of the said meeting can be downloaded here.

The second main event of the Summit in the Executive Council Meeting that was held from January 28 – 29, 2010. Amongst the key speakers during the opening ceremony was Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), MR. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Vuk Jeremic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and Dr. Paavo Vayrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Finland.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Jean Ping, pointed out that the year 2009 had been an “Annus Horribilis”, meaning that it was a hard year for the entire world. For the AUC, it was a special year, he reiterated that important meetings were held during that period aimed at reinforcing Peace and Security for development in Africa. He said concrete actions were implemented following the Strategic Plan of the African Union Commission. He further highlighted the different achievements with respect to the peace keeping efforts of the Commission in conflict areas. These include: Niger, Sudan, Somalia, Madagascar and Guinea Bissau. He expressed satisfaction with the common position by the African delegation during the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change where he said, Africa was strongly represented and spoke with one voice.

The highlights of the agenda discussed were:
a.    Adoption of the Reports on Ministerial Conferences
b.    Consideration of the Activity Report of the Commission
c.    Election of the Members of the Peace and Security Council

A complete draft agenda can be downloaded by clicking here.

The third event and the highlight of the Summit, the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union opened on January 31, 2010 in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

Speakers of the opening ceremony were H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commision, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapattero, President of Spain, and H.E. Mr. Muammar El Gaddafi, the Libyan President.

In his keynote address Dr. Ping reminded the Heads of State and Government and other delegates of two major events taking place in Africa this year i.e. the African Cup which is taking place in Angola and the FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament to be held in South Africa in June and July. He condemned the attacks on the Togolese national soccer team in which three people killed as the team was on its way to the African Cup tournament.  He also announced that many African countries had pledged support to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, saying a special account for Haiti has been launched with the African development Bank. He extended his condolences to the UN and families of those UN members who perished in the disaster. Dr. Ping’s full presentation can be downloaded here.

In his speech, the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon thanked Africa for its assistance to Haiti. The UNSG also announced the creation of the MDG advocacy group composed of eminent persons from all walks of life who will raise awareness and emphasis on Africa’s MDG priorities. He commended Africa for declaring the year of Peace and Security in Africa and pledged the UN’s full support. Mr. Ban Ki Moon’s full speech can be downloaded here.

The Spanish president Mr. Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapattero commended the AU’s search for peace, and its efforts to reduce conflict. He reiterated his country’s firm commitment to peace and security and to the fight against trafficking. He said his country has greatly strengthened its cooperation with Africa and that a lot of that assistance had been channeled to education, health and agricultural development.

Delivering the Assembly’s opening statement, Brother Leader Muammar El Gaddafi, leader of the Libyan Revolution, Great Socialist People’s Libyan Jamahiriya and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Africa encouraged Africa to unite and fight for its development as a single entity. Mr. Gaddafi said speaking as one will help Africa resolve many of its challenges.

As far as the important resolution projects are concerned, one regarding the International Criminal Court, the other about universal jurisdiction, the document put great emphasis on the judicial future for the Sudanese President, Omar El-Bechir. Indeed, the resolution project regrets that the United Nations Security Council didn’t pronounce on the implementation of the 16th Article of the Rome Convention allowing the suspension of the procedures directed against President Bechir.

It should also be mentioned that Japan was represented at the Summit by the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. Tetsuro Fukuyama who addressed the 16th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council. Mr. Fukuyama reiterated that Japan, through the Hatoyama Administration will fulfill Japan’s commitments made at TICAD IV including the doubling of ODA to Africa and the facilitation of trade and investment by 2012. He added that Japan is working to expedite the implementation of their assistance, just as they promised last year during the TICAD Ministerial Follow-up Meeting in Botswana. As part of Japan’s efforts to deliver pledges steadily, it is organizing the TICAD Follow-up Ministerial Meeting in Africa once again, in May.

Mr. Fukuyama also mentioned, that the choice of “Information and Communication Technologies” as the theme for the AU Assembly is very timely. ICT offer vast opportunities for development and growth. From this standpoint, Japan has spent about 120 million US dollars in the past three years in Africa, to develop its communications infrastructure and build up ICT-related human resources. Japan will continue to provide assistance on ICT, bearing in mind their importance for achieving growth in Africa. Please click here for the complete speech of Mr. Fukuyama.

For additional information on the 14th African Union Summit, speeches and press releases, please visit the official African Union website

(www.african-union.org).

H.E. Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi
Chairperson of the African Union