PRESENTATIONBY

H.E. AMBASSADOR KONGIT SINEGIOGISPERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ETHIOPIA TO THE AU

AND UNECA AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE PRC

I N S T I T U T E O F P E A C E A N D S E C U R I T Y S T U D I E S ( I P S S )A D D I S A B A B A U N I V E R I T Y

1 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3

50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU: Origins, Achievements,

Limitations and Future Role

The Pan-African Movement

Diaspora AfricansBlack ConsciousnessBack to Africa MovementThe Battle of AdwaSeries of Pan-African ConferencesNotable Leaders of the Pan-African Movement

Henry Sylvester Williams

W.E.B. Dubois

Leaders of the Pan-African Movement

Marcus Garvey George Padmore

Continued…

Continued….

After WW II, the movement took roots in the African Soil.

leadership of the Movement – Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta.

New focus - liberation of Africa from colonialism t- the forging of African unity.

The Pan-African Conference Accra in 1958.

Continued….

Division among independent African States

Casablanca GroupMonrovia GroupEthiopia’s roleShuttle diplomacy to the various African capitals.

The Founding of the OAU

Continued….

Addis Ababa ConferenceI was there…..The atmosphere in the hall.The grand debate….statements by Leaders

Quotable Quotes

Emperor Hailesellassie IAhmed Ben Bella

Continued…

Kwame NkrumahJulius Nyerere

The OAU Charter

Ethiopia’s proposal……Objectives:-

1. Promote unity and solidarity2. Coordinate and intensify cooperation and

efforts3. Defend sovereignty, territorial integrity

and independence4. The emphasis on eradicating colonialism5. International cooperation

Portrait of the Leaders who signed the Charter

Achievements and Challenges of the OAU

AchievementsOAU successfully discharged its

primary mandateThe OAU Liberation Committee.Ethiopia’s role

• Example:- SWAPO, ANC, ZANU-PF and others.

The OAU served as a continental platform

Continued…

Challenges peace and stability, socio-economic

development as well as integration.Bad governance and corruptionThe resurgence of coup d'état and one man

rule.Intra and inter-state conflicts.Economic decay and debt burdenAfrican economies fall under the dictates of

International Financial Institution.

The transformation of the OAU to the AU

Africa’s multifaceted challenges

fast track integration

Another grand debate

Col. Gaddafi and his call for the establishment of the United States of Africa (personal ego)

Continued…

Continued…

The gradualists once again won the debate.

The decision to establish the African Union

Article 24 of the Constitutive ActThe role of the late Prime MinisterThe AU launched in Durban in 2002

The launching of the African Union in Durban

Some of the major objectives of the AU

Achieve greater unity and solidarityAccelerate the political and socio-

economic integrationPromote peace, security and stabilityPromote democratic principles and

institutions, popular participation and good governance.

enable the continent to play its rightful role

The difference between the OAU and AU

OAUNon-interferenceLack of popular

participationOAU accused of

being an elitist institution

African UnionThe right of the

Union to intervene in grave circumstances

Encourages popular participation

Institutional Mechanisms put in place – PAP, ECOSOC

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development

A blueprint for Africa’s political and socio-economic transformation.

A genuine call for partnership

Governance mechanism (HSGOC)

NEPAD Flagship Projects:-

CADDP, PIDA, AIDA

The African Peer Review Mechanism

Experience sharing in good governance. A demonstration of Africa’s commitment

to good governance.A voluntary mechanismSignificant number of African countries

have acceded the APR Process.APR Forum held on the sidelines of AU

Summits.

Issues of Peace and Security

Solutions to ProblemsEnhanced capacity to prevent, manage and

resolve conflicts in the continent.The African Peace and Security Architecture

(APSA) The Peace and Security Council (PSC) The African Standby Force (ASF) The Continental Early Warning System

(CEWS) The Panel of the Wise The Peace Fund

Regional Economic Communities (RECs)

RECs - building blocs of the African Union.

Eight RECs Principle of complimentarityAttempts to amalgamate regional economic blocs

Achievements and challenges of the AU

AchievementsEnhanced capacity – APSAThe deployment of AU-led

peacekeeping missionsReduction in the number of conflictsFirm commitment for the principles of

democratic governanceImplementation of NEPAD programmes

Continued…

Increased visibility of the African Union

Africa started to speak with one voice

Strengthened partnership with the rest of the world

Increased participation of the African people

Late Prime Minister Meles Zenawiat the inauguration of the new AU

conference centre and office complex

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Continued…

ChallengesProblem of financing the AULack of institutional capacityInstitutional cacophonyWeak economic and infrastructural

integrationChallenges of peace and securityDivision among member StatesVarious amendment proposals

The Golden Jubilee celebration of the OAU/AU

Time for stocktaking re-defining Pan-AfricanismSpecial Summit held in Addis Ababa

Solemn Declaration.

Strategic Plan of the Commission (2014-2017)

laying the foundation for the realization of the AU’s Vision.

adopted at a historic momentEights prioritiesEnhancing the capacity of the Commission

The eight priority areas of the Commission

1. Human capacity development2. Agriculture and agro processing;3. Inclusive economic development4. Peace, stability and good governance;5. Mainstreaming women and youth into all

our activities;6. Resource mobilization;7. Building a people-centred Union8. institutional capacity

Agenda 2063: The Grand Vision

defining Africa’s transformation agendaDraft prepared by AUC, UNECA and

AfDB.Vision

achieve a middle income status. peaceful and integrated Africa.

Agenda 2063 to be adopted by the next AU Summit.

Conclusion

celebrating our achievements and draw valuable lessons from our shortcomings.

Renewed commitmentThe OAU has achieved its historic

responsibilityThe task aheadThe young generation.Universities and research institutionsAll of us have a responsibility to contribute

our share

አመሰግናለሁ

I thank you