AU WEEKLY
May 5-12, 2014 AU WEEKLY
…keeping you updated @Oxfam_AU Oxfam
Oxfam International Liaison Office with the African Union: OI-AU
We must fight the abduction of our girls The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has totally condemned the abduction of schools in Nigeria by suspected militants of the extremist group Boko Haram, as part of their strategy to terrorise and scare into submission the Nigerian public and the world at large. Over 200 girls were taken away from their school in Chibok, in Borno State in mid April 2014. Dr Dlamini-Zuma said “we have to campaign against the abduction of school girls, because girls need education, girls need to be at school. It is their right.”
In this issue •
AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan goes on mission
•
Libya asks for disarmament
•
President Nujoma to lead AU Observer Mission to Malawi
•
AU recommits to silencing the guns in Africa
help
Dr. Dlamini Zuma calls on all African Union Member States and the international community to support the Nigerian Government to energetically fight the abduction of girls, senseless killings and series of other vices perpetuated by the militant group Boko Haram.
`http://cpauc.au.int/en/content/%E2%80%9Cwe-must-fight-againstabduction-girls%E2%80%9D-dr-nkosazana-dlamini-zuma
PEACE AND SECURITY
Government of National Unity best way for South Sudan: Dlamini-Zuma The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomed the signing of the “Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan” between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in Addis Ababa on 9 May 2014. Dr Dlamini-Zuma expressed AU’s firm belief that the full implementation of the Agreement would significantly contribute to the restoration of peace, security and stability in the country. She also stressed the importance of the
commitments made by the two leaders to end the fighting immediately and facilitating the full deployment of the IGAD-led Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), ensuring humanitarian access, commencing substantive discussions on the agenda of the negotiations as proposed by the IGAD, promoting an inclusive process and full cooperation with the AU Commission of Inquiry. She also welcomed the recognition by the Parties that a transitional Government
of National Unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to move the country forward. Furthermore, the AUC Chairperson, urged the two parties to demonstrate commitment and leadership in the implementation phase so as to end the suffering of the people and put the country on the path to durable peace, reconciliation and recovery.
http://www.peaceau.org/en/article/ the-african-union-welcomes-thesigning-of-the-agreement-toresolve-the-crisis-in-south-sudanthe-au-looks-forwards-to-the-timelyand-effective-implementation-
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AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan goes on mission to Kenya, Uganda The African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan is expected to meet with South Sudanese citizens in Kenya and Uganda as well as other pressure groups. The meetings are expected to happen between May 12-17. This is in meetings with Organizations other actors
addition to Civil Society (CSOs) and that could
assist the commission in its investigations. The commission will investigate the human rights violations and other abuses committed during the armed conflict, the the causes underlying the violations; make recommendations on the best ways and means to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South
Sudanesecommunities with a view to deterring and preventing the occurrence of theviolations in future; and to make recommendations on how to move the country forward in terms of unity, cooperation and sustainable development. http://www.au.int/en/content/mediaadvisory-regional-visit-african-unioncommission-inquiry-south-sudan
Libya asks African Union, UN to help with disarmament On 6 May 2014, the African Union Commission (AUC), United Nations and the World Bank, conducted a one-day briefing for the Libyan Government on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR). The briefing, carried out within the AU framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Capacity Programme, was requested for by the Libyan authorities
to assist them in addressing the challenges of the DDR process in Libya and also to discuss possible assistance by international partners. Participants noted that current DDR activities in the country focused primarily on the registration and providiosn of support for ex-combatants but were short of aspects relating to disarmament and demobilization. About 80
participants were involved in this briefing.
http://www.peaceau.org/ en/article/the-african-unionand-partners-conductdisarmament-demobilisationand-reintegration-briefingwith-libyan-authorities#sthash.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND LIVELIHOODS Hospitality industry players oppose proposed African Union travel tax Players in the hospitality industry are opposed to plans by the African Union (AU) to impose new tax on air travel and hotel stays in the region. A recent meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization 56th Commission Meeting for Africa (CAF) meeting that
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concluded in the Angolan Capital, Luanda, received objections to the move arguing that no prior consultations had been made. In March 2014, the High-Level Panel on Alternative Sources of Funding the African Union led by the former
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo proposed a US$2.00 hospitality levy per stay in a hotel and US$10.00 levy on flight tickets for flights originating from Africa or with destinations in Africa. However, this has not been welcomed by many member states of the African Union.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000119663/playersoppose-au-s-new-travel-tax
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AU WEEKLY Former President Nujoma to lead AU poll observer mission to Malawi Former Namibian President Sam Nujoma to lead the African Union election observer team for Malawi’s general elections set for May 20. Nujoma was expected to arrive in Malawi on 14 May. A 10-member team of AU long-term observers was deployed in the country a week ago.
The AU mission is expected to issue various statements regarding their observation in the run up to the elections day.
recommendations.
These include a pre-election statement on findings of Long-Term Observers (LTOs), a preliminary statement that would include LTO findings and Election Day observations and a comprehensive final report that would include
The final report would be issued by the chairperson of the AU Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The pre-election and preliminary statements would be issued by president Nujoma.
` http://en.starafrica.com/news/nujoma-to-lead-au-poll-observer-mission-to-malawi.html
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE
EVENT
VENUE
DEPARTMENT
CONTACT
African Union Peace and Security Department
May 15
AU PSC/EU PSC: 7th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting, Brussels
May 16
Briefing to the AU PSC on conflict prevention and on EU Maritime Strategy for the Gulf of Guinea (Africa) by EU Focal Points
Brussels
Peace and Security
Brussels
Peace and Security
Tel. +251 115 515143/ 516329 Fax: +251 115 519321/ 514227 Email: webmaster@peaceau. org
African Union Peace and Security Department Tel. +251 115 515143/ 516329 Fax: +251 115 519321/ 514227 Email: webmaster@peaceau. org
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Secretariat of the Annual Meetings
May 19-23
African Development Bank Annual Meetings
Kigali, Rwanda
African Development Bank Group
African Development Bank BP 323 - 1002, Tunis, Belvedere, Tunisia Telephone : +216 71 102 805 Fax : +216 71 832 035 / +216 71 833 414
May 25
Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Peace and Security Council, Addis Ababa
PSC Open Session
Addis Ababa
Peace and Security Council
African Union Peace and Security Department Tel. +251 115 515143/ 516329 Fax: +251 115 519321/ 514227 Email: webmaster@peaceau. org
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