At its 13th Ordinary Session held in Sirte, Libya, from 1st to 3rd July 2009, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) adopted decision Assembly/AU/Dec.266(XIII) on the holding of a Special Session on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa.
The adoption of this decision is yet another demonstration of the commitment of the Africa’s leaders to address the scourge of conflicts. The Special Session will provide Africa’s leaders with an opportunity to review the ongoing efforts to address the challenges of peace and security on the continent. It will also give further impetus for the implementation of the decisions made by various AU policy organs on peace and security issues.
The Special Session
The Special Session will review the various conflict and crisis situations in Africa and look at ways and means of ensuring the effective implementation of the decisions adopted by the AU policy organs on these issues. In particular, the session is expected to focus on the following conflict situations and thematic issues:
Somalia: the focus is expected to be on how to further support for the TFG through the strengthening of its institutions, enhancing the security of the country and implementation of the various IGAD, AU and UN decisions on Somalia;
Darfur: the need for enhanced security is paramount and this will be possible through the full deployment of UNAMID, continued cooperation between the Government of Sudan and the peacekeeping mission, restraint between Chad and Sudan and parties to the conflict agreeing to negotiate in good faith;
Great Lakes region: the Session will explore ways and means of consolidating the significant progress made over the past few years towards the promotion of lasting peace, security and stability.
In addition, the Session will also consider the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization, with specific reference to the roles that could be played by member States and the Regional Mechanisms. Guinea Bissau, which is faced with numerous challenges ranging from security sector reform to socio-economic recovery, is a case in point for such consideration.
The Commission is preparing a report that will provide an overview of the conflict and crisis situations on the Continent.
To read the report of the Chairperson of the Commission Enhancing Africa’s Resolve and Effectiveness in Ending Conflict and Sustaining Peace, follow the link to the right.