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AU-SARO Bulletin African Union Southern Africa Regional Office AU-SARO Bulletin African Union Southern Africa Regional Office African Ambassadors and Donor Community Volume 5, Issue April 2012 Briefed on the 18th AU Summit Outcome… Updated on the Preparations of the 19th Inside this Issue Youth Leadership and Ordinary Summit the African Union 3 AUYVC Engages Youth in Development 4 in the history of the African Union. Natural Resources for “On the political front, we were witness- Sustainable Development 5 ing major changes in the fabric of Afri- AU Regional Delegate Familiarises with AU/CTTBD 6 can political culture. Besides the wind of Advisory Mission on the change blowing across North Africa, 19th AU Summit in Malawi 8 which some have dubbed the ‘Arab Spring,’ democratic elections are tak- Tribute to Malawi President Late Ngwazi ing place across the continent where Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika 9 countries are experiencing free AUC Chair Attends Malawian President’s Funeral 11 and fair elections for the first time, AU –SARO hails while others are consolidating their Peaceful power transition Dr Salif Sada Sall African Union in Malawi 12 democratic credentials.” Regional Delegate to Southern Africa The two extremes were happening WFP African Risky Capacity Chief Visit AU-SARO 13 when Africa was striving to establish a World Press Freedom Day continental free trade area by 2017, in Message from AUC Chair 14 order to promote the economic Upcoming Events 15 e took leave of the African development and integration of the AU-SARO Courtesy Call 16 H Ambassadors and donor continent. group operating in the African Union Southern Regional Office host country, Inauguration of the New African th Malawi when departing for the 18 Union Conference Centre. Ordinary Session of the AU Heads of State EDITORIAL and Government Summit of the African Saturday 28 January 2012 was a special Union (AU), that took place from 29th day in the history of the AU with the January –30th February 2012, in Addis inauguration of the new Office he African Union Ababa, Ethiopia. Complex and Conference Centre. T Southern Africa The diplomats were not only interested Bringing the vivid idea of the structure Regional Office welcomes you to in the Summit theme “Boosting to the Ambassadors most of whom have its first quarter of the 2012 Intra-African Trade”, they were fascinated not seen the building, Dr Sall said the bulletin. The articles in this issue focus on the activities that AU too with the outcome of the elections of the USD200 million worthy modern -SARO undertook towards Commission which were high on the agenda building, fully equipped facilities covers achieving promotion of of the continental meeting, and they over 100,000 square metre land donated by constructive and productive enthusiastically looked forward to a report the Ethiopian government, was built by relationships between the AU by the AU Regional Delegate envoy to the Chinese government as a gift to the and Member States in the region. African people. The 20 storied building, The major articles in this Southern Africa, Dr. Salif Sada Sall. issue include preparatory Immediately upon his return from the 100 meter tall with a 2,500 capacity plenary hall, was inaugurated by the outgoing AU activities for the 19th African Summit, the AURD/SA, Dr. Sada Sall Union Summit slated for chairperson, Teodoro Obiang Nguema convened two meetings to brief the groups 9th -16th July 2012 in Mbasogo, President of the Republic of on the outcome of the Summit which Lilongwe Malawi. It also Equatorial Guinea on Saturday 28th took place at the new AU Conference highlights Missions and January 2012. popularization activities Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and to The Regional Delegate also informed performed by the office. The update them about the preparations of the the diplomats that the Summit also issue also pays tribute to the next AU Ordinary Summit scheduled to witnessed the unveiling of a Statue of President of the Republic of take place from 9th—16th July in Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of OAU; Malawi, Late Ngwazi Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika, and acknowledges Lilongwe, Malawi. the laying of the foundation stone for the Opening his report, Dr. Sall said the 18th the peaceful transition of power construction of an African Union Human in the country following the Summit was the most crucial meeting ever Rights Memorial. Cont on page 2 death. Page 2 AU-SARO Bulletin AURD/SA Reports on the 18th AU Summit Cont from page 1. Elections of the Commission Members The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are elected by secret ballot. A majority of two thirds must be from members with the right to vote, that is, Members States that are not under sanction. According to the rules of the AU Assembly, the Candidates must be "competent women and men, with proven experience in the field, leadership qualities and experience in the civil service, parliament, international organizations or any other relevant sectors of the society.” The election results should be announced the same day. The election was postponed to July 2012 during the 19th AU Assembly in Lilongwe, Malawi because none of the candidates for the chairmanship could obtain the 2/3 votes as stipulated in the AU constitution. The summit AU Regional Delegate to Southern Africa, Dr Salif sada Sall (L) with some members resolved that an ad-hoc committee be set of Africa Group. Mozambican High Commissioner to Malawi H.E. Pedro Davane up as soon as possible to look into the (C ) and Zambian High Commissioner to Malawi H.E. (R ). election matter ahead of the next AU summit in Malawi. The committee is position of the chairperson, Deputy and Security Council (PSC) of the AU for expected to meet in March 2012. To that Chairperson and Commissioners a term of two years. The AU PSC consists effect, the mandate of the present shall take place during Lilongwe of 15 members, 5 from (Equatorial Commission was extended until the next summit. Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Zimbabwe and AU Summit. According to the rules governing Nigeria) they are elected for a period of 3 For the position of the the elections of the eight years and 10 others for a period of two Chairperson of the AUC, the Commissioners of the AU, each years. This difference in the duration of Gabonese Dr. Jean Ping is seeking a region is expected to present two terms ensures continuity in the second mandate, competing with the candidates including a woman for monitoring of the PSC records and Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, the each position. achievements. The candidates for the next South African Interior Minister. The As of the expiration of the dead- election are drawn from the following Kenyan Erastus J. O. Mwencha who line on 15 September 2011, countries: (North) Egypt; (West), Côte is the current Commission’s Deputy submissions for 25 candidates from d'Ivoire, Ghana and Guinea (East), Chairperson is the only candidate for the different regions were received for Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania and position of the Deputy chair seeking a the following portfolios: Peace Uganda; (Centre) Congo and Cameroon; second mandate. and Security, Political Affairs, (South) Angola and Lesotho. The elections, the Chairperson and Infrastructure and Energy, Social The Heads of States adopted 25 Deputy Chairperson must not derive Affairs, Human Resources, Science Decisions, one resolution and two from the same region. and Technology, Trade and Indus- Declarations. The summit was preceded Immediately after the election of the try, Rural Economy and Agriculture, by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Chairperson and Deputy of the and finally Economic Affairs. These Permanent Representatives Committee Commission by the Assembly, the candidates were selected based on (PRC), on January 23rd 2012, the Executive Council retires to elect the eight work experience, education and meeting of Ambassadors of AU Commissioners of the AU. The results are age (35 years minimum). Member States which ended on announced at the end of the close session 24 January 2012; the 20th Ordinary dedicated for the election during the Session of the Executive Council, which Executive Council meeting. Since the Elections of Members of Peace is made up of African Ministers of Assembly failed to elect the Commission’s and Security Council Foreign Affairs, held Thursday and chair, it could not proceed with the The 18th AU Summit featured the Friday the 26th and 27th of January 2012. election of the Commission-thus the election of ten members of the Peace Page 3 AU-SARO Bulletin Youth Leadership and the African Union oncerted and C innovative efforts are required to improve the livelihood of youth especially at a time when the youth population continues to increase on the continent, the Regional Delegate to Southern Africa has said. In his paper “Youth Leadership and the African Union” that he presented at the certificate presentation to the last group of the participants of AU Model Summit in Malawi, the AU Regional Delegate to Southern Africa said very often youth AU Regional Delegate to Southern Africa Dr. Salif Sada Sall posing in a picture with Participant of the 2011 AU Model Summit and staff of Catholic are considered as 'tomorrow's leaders' university of Malawi at AU-SARO offices in Lilongwe, Malawi. or 'tomorrow's hope,’ while in reality, they are today’s leaders and need to be part of the system contributing to programmes. youth and for society. the Economic Development and be About 62% of Africa’s overall He said several commitments, policies considered in the development model population fall below the age of 35 and programs on youth have been priori- that most African States follow. and more than 35% are between 15 tized at national, sub-regional and The Assembly of Heads of State and 24years old.
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