Forwarded from Uncle Sainey
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    Africa Unity's Golden Jubilee: A Reflection



While committed to the promotion of African leadership and ownership in
grappling with its challenges, we are mindful of the fact that success in
our endeavors requires a strong partnership between the continent and the
other members of the international community. Achieving peace and security
in Africa will go a long way in furthering collective security as provided
for in the United Nations Charter.



Africa prepares to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Organization African
Unity/African Union. When we look back at the last fifty years, there are
many reasons to be proud of what we have achieved. It suffices to mention
the liberation of the continent from the yoke of colonial and racial
domination, the strides towards ending violence and conflict, the gains
recorded in the democratization processes, and the progress made with
respect to economic development and integration.



These achievements provide inspiration and hope as the continent and its
people look forward to continuing their endeavors over the next fifty years
and address the many challenges lying ahead. The realization of a
conflict-free, prosperous, democratic, well-governed, integrated and united
Africa remains our ultimate goal.



Tanzania has made major contributions to those achievements. Notably,
Tanzania was host to the OAU Liberation Committee, which played such an
instrumental role in the liberation struggle and the emancipation of the
continent. At critical junctures in the history of the OAU, when political
differences and diverging approaches threatened to destroy our continental
institution, the wisdom of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was what made it possible
to overcome the difficulties then at hand and preserve the higher interests
of the continent.



Tanzania played an active role in helping to resolve some of the most
intractable African conflicts. I have here in mind the outstanding
contribution made by the late Julius Nyerere to the resolution of the
conflict in Burundi, against all odds.



President Kikwete, both as former Foreign Minister and now in his capacity
as President of the United Republic of Tanzania, has shown an exemplary
commitment to the advancement of our continent. He demonstrated leadership
and resolve in addressing the separatist crisis in the Comoros. He was, as
Chair of the AU and a neighbor, instrumental in finding a solution to the
post-electoral crisis in Kenya, in 2007/2008. He actively contributed to
the work of the AU High-Level Panel on Cote d’Ivoire. His continued
contribution to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the Great
Lakes Region also deserves recognition and commendation.

Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, a three-term Secretary-General of the OAU now a
member of the AU Panel of the Wise, also helped make the History of Africa
as the continent had to adjust to the fundamental changes brought by the
ending of the Cold War.



Africa has made a major step in its quest for lasting peace, security and
stability with the establishment of the AU and the putting in place of the
African Peace and Security Architecture in 2002. The Peace and Security
Council is the locomotive of this continental architecture. Since its
launching in 2004, the PSC has actively pursued its mandate of preventing,
managing and resolving conflicts on the continent. In so doing, the PSC has
been actively seized with various crises on our continent.



Significant gains have been made in the promotion of peace, security and
stability in Africa, as demonstrated by the encouraging developments in
Somalia, a country once considered as doomed, the improvements in the
relations between Sudan and South Sudan, and the recovery by Mali of its
territorial integrity threatened by a mixture of criminal, rebel and
terrorist groups. The recent developments in the Great Lakes Region,
notably the signing, in Addis Ababa, on 24 February 2013, of a Framework
Agreement outlining a set of commitments by the different stakeholders in
DRC and the region, are a source of hope for a region that has had more
than its share of conflict and violence on the continent.



However, major challenges continue to face the AU and its Peace and
Security Council. For one, we need to consolidate the progress I referred
to earlier. This requires sustained efforts and a long-term commitment by
all concerned.



Second, we have to address the recurrent crises being faced by some of our
Member States, such as Guinea Bissau and the Central African Republic.
These call into question basic principles of our Union. While making every
effort to assist these countries in restoring legality, we have to remain
steadfast in our rejection of unconstitutional changes of government and
recourse to armed rebellion to further political claims. Africa cannot
afford any hesitation in this respect. It is only by standing up to the
principles enshrined in relevant AU instruments that we can safeguard peace
and prevent further trouble on the continent.



Third, there are longstanding conflicts that have so far defied all
attempts at peace making. Allow me to mention here the conflict over the
territory of Western Sahara, as well as the stalled peace process between
Ethiopia and Eritrea and the challenges that continue to be encountered in
the relations between Djibouti and Eritrea.



The Golden Jubilee should be used as an opportunity to inject the
much-needed momentum in the efforts to consolidate peace where it has been
achieved and resolve outstanding conflicts. It should also be an
opportunity for all our Member States to recommit themselves to the
founding principles of our Union and to advance the cause of democracy and
good governance, as the best way and means to prevent conflict and sustain
peace.



By HE Ramtane Lamamra,
AU Commissioner for Peace and Security.




-- 
*"Be the change you want to see in the World"*


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