AU Monitor

Panel of the Wise

(PANA)-The Commission of the African Union (AU) will Tuesday launch a five-member ‘Panel of the Wise’ to support the efforts of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) in conflict prevention on the continent, it was officially announced here Monday.

During its eighth ordinary session, held in Addis Ababa in January 2007, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government appointed five eminent personalities to advise the PSC and the Chairperson of the Commission on all issues pertaining to the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in Africa.

Appointed on the basis of regional representation, the five personalities will serve for a period of three years.

Members of the Panel are former Secretary-General of the defunct Organization of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim from Tanzania (East Africa); Brigalia Bam, Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (Southern Africa); and former Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella (North Africa).

The others are Elisabeth K. Pognon, President of the Constitutional Court of Benin (West Africa); and Miguel Trovoada, former President of Sao Tome and Principe (Central Africa).

According to the Protocol relating to the establishment of the PSC, the Panel of the Wise shall report to the PSC, and through the PSC to the Assembly of the AU.

AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare and a representative of Ghana’s President John Kufuor, who holds the rotating chairmanship of the AU, will officiate at the formal launch of the Panel at the AU headquarters.

Posted by on 12/17 at 05:57 PM

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