AU Weekly - 2nd June 2015

AU WEEKLY ...keeping you updated June 1st, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS Economic Justice 

Africa’s Expectations on FfD3

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Border Management in Africa Discussed

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AU Foundation Appoints Executive Director

Peace and Security 

Africa Must Join the Arms Trade Treaty

Understanding the AU Governance and Citizens’ Participation 

Promoting Good Governance for Citizen Action

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Common Africa Position on Humanitarian Matters

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Special Issue: The African Union Summit Process in 10 Questions

Follow us on: Facebook - Oxfam International Liaison Office with the African Union: OI-AU Twitter - twitter@oxfam_AU Disclaimer: Views or articles presented in this publication are solely those of the media source and do not represent Oxfam’s views

AU-Weekly Published by Oxfam Liaison Office to the AU 1

AU Weekly

Economic Justice

Credited: AUC

Africa’s Expectations on FfD3 A well-attended debate as part of the AU’s regular “Fridays of the Commission” with the theme “Towards the Third International Conference on Financing for Development: Africa’s Expectations” took place on May 19th 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was organized by the Department of Economic Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Oxfam International Liaison Office to the AU and the AUC’s Directorate of Information and Communication. AU officials, Ambassadors from Africa and other continents, and civil society leaders presented their expectations for the outcome of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD3) that will take place in July in Addis Ababa.

The Head of the Oxfam International Liaison Office to the African Union (OI-AU) Mr. Desiré Assogbavi, said “Decisions of the FfD3 must be bold, visionary, and lead to transformative change if today we are to create a universal equitable and sustainable prosperity within planetary boundaries, and fulfil international human rights obligations for future generations.” Dr. Vanessa Inko-Dokubo, Oxfam’s policy advisor on extractives industries, called for greater inclusiveness in the consultative process that is taking place now in many African capitals, ahead of the Conference.

Further reading: http://ea.au.int/en/content/fridays-commission-towards-third-internationalconference-financing-development

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AU Weekly

Economic Justice Border Management in Africa Dis- AU Foundation Appoints Executive Dicussed rector The Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority organised a three day meeting from May 20th –22th 2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The meeting provided a platform for exchange of views and experiences on issues of trade facilitation in line with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and movement of people across borders .This is part of the process leading to the development of the first African Union Border Management Strategy.

AUC Director of Trade and Industry Mrs. Treasure Maphanga stressed on the importance of implementing a coordinated Border Management Strategy across Africa and the need to involve corporations that conduct business and trade across the continent.

On May 20th 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa, the Council of the African Union Foundation appointed Mr. Louis Napo Gnagbe, as the Executive Director ( a two year term) to lead the operations of the Foundation. The Foundation’s Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, also approved the hosting of three high-profile awareness and fundraising events in the next few months.

The Foundation will host the “African Union Summit Presidential Golf Day” in June 12th 2015. The “African Economic Platform”, will be held from August 14th - 16th 2015, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and hosted by the Government of Tanzania. This event will bring together Governments, Private Sector and the Academia to discuss how to further the economic development of the continent.

Further reading: http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/au -foundation-appoints-executive-director-plans-high -profile-initial-awareness-and-fundraising

Further reading: http://ti.au.int/en/events/ customs-experts-gather-2nd-time-hararezimbabwe-discuss-coordinated-bordermanagement-africa

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AU Weekly

Governance & Citizens’ Participation Promoting Good Governance for Citizen’s Action The 3rd Intergenerational Dialogue (IGD) was held from May 21st – 23rd 2015 in Midrand, South Africa under the theme: “promoting a culture of good governance for citizens’ action for the empowerment of young women”. This brought together youth from many African countries and youth organisations. Members of the Pan African Parliament also participated. The agenda included education and capacity building, youth participation and leadership, youth socio-economic welfare and the role of youth in conflict situations.

The president of the Pan African Youth Union (PYU) Ms. Francine Muyumba addressed the meeting, advising young people to build up their capacity to participate in all aspect of society and to acquire the necessary skills to enter into politics and develop into leaders who are role models to others.

The African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, emphasized on the importance of youth on the continent and the need to provide adequate investments in food, health, education, and skill training with a focus on science, technology and engineering.

Further reading: http://www.au.int/en/content/intergenerational-dialogue-pan-africanparliament-and-african-youth-midrand-south-africa

Common Africa Position on Humanitarian Matters The African Union Commission kicked off regional consultations with AU Member States on May 27th in Midrand, South Africa. The objective is to stimulate discussions among Member States on the emerging issues concerning the global humanitarian landscape. Participants will deliberate on different issues from Member States and other stakeholders on the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, common African position, regional humanitarian situation, including root causes and mediation, and relevant African Governance Architecture .

The Chair of African Union PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons, Amb. Lamine Baali Yahiaoui during the meeting highlighted the impact of natural disasters, displacements and migration issues in Southern Africa and social-economic factors that are contributing to humanitarian crisis. He also emphasized on the need for Africa to deal with continent-wide problems of poverty and underdevelopment as well establishing a link between relief and development.

Further reading: http://pa.au.int/en/content/african-union-au-regional-consultative-meetingsothern-africa-development-common-african-position 4

AU Weekly

Peace and Security

Africa Must Join the Arms Trade Treaty A consultative meeting organised by Oxfam International Liaison Office to the AU was held on May 15th 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Africa and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Participants involved representatives of Twenty two African States by Ambassadors and Defence AttachÊ, with some Civil Society Organizations. The irresponsible transfer and use of weapons has been noticed to be a fuelling source for Africa’s conflicts and poverty situation. As a prime concern of the AU, silencing the guns by 2020 is part of the AU vision 2063 through the universalization and the implementation of the ATT in the continent. In this regard, the consultative meeting discussed the process, opportunities and challenges on the ratification and implementation of the Treaty by African Countries.

For more information contact OI-AU: e-mail-addisababa@oxfaminernational.org

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AU Weekly

Understanding the African Union As the25th ordinary Summit of Heads of State of the African Union approaching we will like to share with you the following ten Q & A about the AU Summit process.

The African Union Summit Process in 10 Questions What is the African Union Summit?

The African Union Ordinary Summit is the gathering of all policy organs of the African union. Two ordinary Summits are held every year and each Summit consists of three 2-day meetings that always take place in the same sequence. Usually, there are 1 or 2 days breaks between these meetings. The Permanent Representatives Committee (all ambassadors representing their countries to the AU) meets first, followed by the Executive Council (Ministers of Foreign Affairs) and then the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

When are the AU Summits Organized?

As a rule, the January Summit takes place at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The June – July Summit is held in a different Member State each year. The AU can also convene extraordinary Summits at the request of the Chairperson or a Member State with approval by a two-thirds majority of the Member States. The 2015 mid-year Summit will take place in South Africa.

Who Participates in the AU Summit?

The AU Summit is a gathering of 5,000 people including delegates, media, AU organs, partner countries, UN Agencies, interested International Organizations and NGOs. How to Obtain Accreditation to the AU Summit?

Accreditation to a summit is a separate process from obtaining observer status with the AU. It is not necessary to have observer status to be accredited to attend a Summit. This accreditation process normally starts three months before a Summit.

There are different types of accreditation: 

Delegate – Governments of Member States

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Observer – NGOs, non-African governments, UN agencies

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Staff – Host government, AU Commission and other AU organs

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Media – national and international press

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Special Guest

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Security etc.

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AU Weekly

Understanding the African Union Civil society organisations wishing to obtain accreditation to a summit should request accreditation from CIDO (CIDO@africa-union.org) at least 3 months in advance of the Summit. Other AU Directorates and Departments may also forward the names of selected partner organisations to be accredited as observers. The Office of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, where CIDO is located, draws up the final invitation list. Two types of badges are required for the summits. One is a security badge bearing your photograph. The other type (conference badge) indicates the meetings which you can attend. Normally only 2 of the latter are given per organization. The Security badge allows access to all open area where you can meet delegates and interact.

If the summit is taking place elsewhere than Addis Ababa, the host government will usually establish a separate website with protocol information and application forms. This information is normally also posted on the AU website.

What does Observer Status Mean at the AU Summit?

Observer status at a Summit does not give speaking rights, or even the right to attend more than the opening and closing ceremonies of the Executive Council and Assembly sessions. However, with this status, productive lobbying and advocacy can be done in the corridors of the meeting venues and at the parallel side meetings. As well the AU Commission mentions on the invitation letters that observers can be authorized to participate in working sessions of the Council dealing with agenda items of which the AU Commission considers that they are concern.

The PRC and Executive Council meetings may be more productive to engage with than the Assembly of Heads of State meetings.

Credit: assodesire.wordpress.com Follow us on the next AU-Weekly newsletter to get the last five questions.

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