Rough note prior 8th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union, January 2007

Rough note prior 8th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union, January 2007, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

22-23 13th Ordinary Session of the PRC
25-26 10th Ordinary Session of the Exec Council
29-30 8th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly

These comments are un-attributable but offer an accurate briefing of some of the key issues prior to the Summit, 20/11/06

2007 Main themes: Science and Technology
The main theme for the year is science and technology. External speakers are expected to generate discussion and provoke decisions by the Heads of States. Climate change will also be a focus on the agenda.

Continental Union Proposal
Ambitious proposal produced by the Committee of Seven led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni seems set to pit West and North Africa against Southern Africa on the lines of the 1964 OAU debate of rapid unification versus gradual federation of states. The former argument calls for a Union Government and loss of national sovereignty within a decade and the latter, gradual transformation using the regional blocs as pillars and focussing on some common positions. This is likely to a primary issue of focus for the Heads of States Summit.

Presidency
The promise to Sudan to host the 2007 Presidency is further embroiled in clashes with its neighbour Chad, escalation of violence in Darfur and protracted stalling on the transfer to UNMISS. It is likely in this context that unless there is progress by the January Summit that Congo Brazzaville will be asked to continue to the July Summit. Important to note that agreement reached in Khartoum was not a decision of the Summit but a recommendation and therefore is not binding.

Revision of the Rules of Procedure and review of the Implementation of decisions
A draft revision of the rules of procedure has been prepared but the Permanent Representatives Committee has not been able to look at it. It is unlikely that it will take place before the January Summit. Secretary to the Commission is responsible for establishing a PRC sub-committee to look at how to monitor and streamline the Summit related processes. It is expected to start this process prior to the Summit

CSOs and ECOSOCC
A CSO pre-summit meeting will take place in January.

Solemn Declaration on Gender and the African Women’s Protocol
A number of countries have submitted reports against the obligations of the Solemn Declaration on Gender. The Women, Gender and Development Directorate have requested CSO commentary on these reports in time fot he pre-women’s meeting in January. Resignation by Winnie Byanyima in October dramatically reduces the Directorate’s status within the Commission and it’s capacity to do outreach. Given previous breakthroughs by women’s organisations and coalitions, it would be important to maintain momentum around the Declaration and Protocol in an inclusive manner. A pre-summit women’s meeting will take place. Further information should be sourced from AUC Gender Directorate Acting Director Yetunde Teriba, Email: , Tel: +251-11- 552 58 63 and Bineta DIOP, Executive Director, Femmes Africa Solidarite, Email:fas-ong@sentoo.sn, Tel: +221-8602048.

Election of the Commission and other Staff changes
The Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and the entire set of Commissioners will either step down or be re-elected for a further tenure during the June 2007 Summit. Various names being discussed as successors to Alpha Konare include current Foreign Minister for South Africa Nkososana Zuma and former Mozambiquan President Joaquim Chissano. Important discussion taking place whether the Commission should be run on a more executive basis, with the Chairperson appointing Commissioners. The appointment of Commissioners by member-states has weakened their accountability to the Chairperson. For various reasons, five Directors have left the Commission over the last five months (conferences, social affairs, gender, administration and finance) and will also be appointed over 2007. The Commission remains understaffed with a staff compliment of under 500.

2007 AUC Budget
In 2007, the AUC will operate on a consolidated Budget that combines core costs and priority activities. The Permanent Representatives Committee will set Budget ceilings and assess contributions for member states. The budget is being developed in November. An increase from the approved budget for the AUC in 2006 of US$158 million is expected. Five Governments namely Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and South Africa currently contribute the bulk of member-states contributions with external donors providing the balance.

Request for Accreditation and Accommodation
Requests for accreditation should be sent to Jinmi Adisa, Head of the Civil Society Desk (CIDA), Email: , Tel: 251-11-5513822 x628 in the month of November. Bookings for accommodation should also be made early and CSO staff should avoid the Hilton and Sheraton as they tend un-book rooms in the interest of African state delegations.

Future Summits
2007 July Summit, Accra, Ghana, 2008 July Summit, Madagascar, 2009 July Summit, Angola

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