****************
The 5th African Union Commission – United States High Level Dialogue…
The 5th African Union Commission – United States High Level Dialogue was held in Washington DC, USA last week on November 16. The High Level Dialogue falls within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the AU Commission and the US Department of State in January 2013. This put in place a structured process for dialogue on matters of strategic importance as well as cooperation between the Commission and the US State Department. The Memorandum of Understanding also encouraged the holding of discussions between the two parties in the context of working groups to address issues of peace and security, democracy and governance, economic development, investment and trade, and the promotion of opportunities in development. Discussants from the AU including Ambassador Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security; Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs; and Professor Sarah Anyang Agbor, Commissioner for Human Resources Science and Technology
The priority areas for cooperation fall within the AU Agenda 2063 aspiration as “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.” It also falls within the U.S. Government’s Strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa: Promotion of Opportunity and Development. The priorities are derived from the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan of the African Union Agenda 2063. These include: health, education, humanitarian resilience; enhancement of the role of youth and women; higher education, the promotion of technical and scientific cooperation, exchange programs, capacity building and research and development in areas of information technology.
The US Ambassador to the African Union, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, in her opening remarks noted that the US has “always worked closely with the African Union and the AU Commission and we remain committed to dialogue and productive engagement. The African Union is our steadfast partner on the continent and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with the AU and its member states.” She highlighted the work the US was doing with the departments of the African Union Commission in the different areas identified for cooperation. She also emphasized the support given to the Department of Political Affairs to implement the AU’s African Governance Architecture with the view to promote democracy, good governance, and human rights throughout AU-affiliated bodies, including Regional Economic Communities and member states.
Hosting the High Level Dialogue, Acting Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador Don Yamamoto stated that “working together we hope to make the most of this opportunity to highlight the successes of the African Union, underscore our mutually productive engagement across the continent, and also to reiterate U.S. support in striving towards the shared goal of a stable and prosperous Africa.”
Discussions focused on strengthening democratic institutions, encouraging economic growth, trade, and investment, advancing peace and security, and promoting opportunity and development. The High Level Dialogue has provided a platform to offer an update on the state of implementation of the flagship projects of Agenda 2063: “A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development”, as well as social, economic, and human development with the view to improve the living conditions of the African people.
****************
… And the AU/US Ministerial on Trade, Security and Governance in Africa
Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu participated in the “Ministerial on Trade, Security and Governance in Africa” along with 36 other foreign ministers of African countries and a delegation from the African Union Commission, in Washington, D.C. on Friday last week (November 17). As US President Trump underscored during his working lunch with African leaders at the UN General Assembly earlier this year, and Under Secretary Shannon said in his September speech on Africa policy, the purpose of the meeting was to build on economic partnerships with countries committed to self-reliance and job creation; to partner with African leaders to end violence, prevent the spread of terrorism, and respond to humanitarian crises; and to work together to promote freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. And the discussions at the Ministerial focused on three themes: trade and investment, security, and good governance. This meeting was important to promote a shared commitment to increase the flow of US investment to open markets; enhance trade; strengthen democracy and the rule of law. In addition, it helped to deliberate on the effective response to global terrorist threats.
US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, in his opening remarks, noted that the Trump administration wanted to refocus the U.S. relationship with Africa largely on trade and investment, to help unlock the tremendous potential of what is expected to become the world’s most populous continent in coming decades. He noted the U.S. exports to sub-Saharan Africa grew from $17 billion in 2010 to more than $25 billion in 2014. Mr. Tillerson said that last year, U.S. direct investment in Africa grew to $57.5 billion, the highest level to date. “Africa”, he said, “is a growing market with vast potential. Five of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies are in Africa, and consumer spending there is projected to exceed $2 trillion by the year 2025.” The Secretary of State, however, noted that economic growth and lasting prosperity could thrive only in environments of good governance. He said the United States also stood with its African partners to work to defeat what he called the scourge of terrorism and to address the root causes of violent extremism. The Secretary also urged African countries to help isolate North Korea, which he called a threat to all nations, by acting to implement U.N. sanctions in full, and cut off all U.N.-proscribed ties. Donald Yamamoto, acting Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department told the meeting: We need to create jobs, help facilitate trade and address the challenges of the Africa of the future.”
In advance of the meeting, Mr. Tillerson said: “By 2050, the population of the continent is projected to double to more than 2.5 billion people, with 70 percent of that population being under the age of 30,” Tillerson said. “All of these young people will have expectations for entering the workforce.” Tillerson noted a more vibrant and economically competitive Africa would mean a growing middle class and increased standards of living. It would make the entire continent more prosperous. The Secretary of State also underlined the importance of the way lasting peace and prosperity could be undermined when governments failed to respect human rights and uphold the law. He said a peaceful transition of power is important, but democracy involved more than just holding fair elections. Democracy required the inclusive, peaceful participation of a nation’s citizens in the political process, “including freedoms of expression and association, an independent press, a robust and engaged civil society, a government that is transparent and accountable to all of its citizens, and a fair and impartial judiciary.” He noted the U.S. was helping 20 African countries to train, deploy and sustain more than 27,000 African peacekeepers this year in United Nations and African Union missions.
The Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Ismaïl Chergui, led the AU delegation which included the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, and the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, Professor Sarah Anyang Agbor, to the Ministerial. During discussions on enhancing Africa-U.S. security cooperation to address transnational security threats, the Commissioner for Peace and Security stressed the need for a preventive approach focusing on addressing structural vulnerabilities conducive to the spread of terrorism. He underlined the need to provide meaningful and effective alternatives for livelihoods and political participation. In terms of response, he called for mutually reinforcing measures that focus on strengthening the criminal justice response to terrorism, the promotion of reconciliation, and the implementation of well-resourced stabilization and post-conflict development initiatives. Commissioner Chergui recalled the significant gains made through AU-led peace operation in Somalia, the successes of the Regional Cooperative Initiative for the elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA) and the efforts of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin in the fight against Boko Haram. He also highlighted other key preventive and response initiatives launched by the AU, including the Continental Structural Conflict Prevention Framework, the Nouakchott and Djibouti Processes, the Model Law on Counter-Terrorism, and the Lake Chad Basin Stabilization initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh commended the US for its enormous support to restore peace and security as well as promote democracy in the Horn of Africa. Mentioning the impressive economic growth registered in Ethiopia over past years, Dr. Workneh also invited US investors to come and invest in the country. He noted that Ethiopia and the United States were working together on various peace and security issues, and cooperating in the fight against global terrorism and to maintain peace and security in Sudan and South Sudan. He also referred to the US support to restore peace and security as well as promote democracy in Ethiopia.
On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Dr. Workneh also met members of the U.S. Congress. During talks with Senator James M. Inhofe, Congressman John Garamendi and other Congress members, Dr Workneh gave a briefing on the current situation in Ethiopia. He noted that the government of Ethiopia was working to ensure the sustainability of its ongoing economic growth by maintaining peace in the country as well as to further strengthen its ties with the U.S. government. He also pointed out that IGAD, currently chaired by Ethiopia, was doing a great deal to ensure and build peace in South Sudan and Somalia. The Members of the Congress commended the key role being played by Ethiopia to maintain peace in South Sudan and the country’s support for refugees. They emphasized that the US government would continue to work together with Ethiopia as a strategic partner.
During his visit, Dr. Workneh met with Cyril Sartor, the NSA Senior Director for Africa at the White House and discussed bilateral and regional issues. He also met with Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and exchanged views with Congressman Ed Royce and Congresswoman Karen Bass on the sidelines of the Ministerial.
***************
AU, EU urged to strengthen cooperation on peace and security
Within the frame work of the regular dialogue of the Africa- European Union partnership, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EU PSC) held their 10th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting on November 17 at African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The meeting which was co-chaired by Ambassador Cherrif Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU PSC for the month of November, and Ambassador Walter Stevens, Permanent Chair of the EU PSC.
The day before the two groups also held the 3rd Joint Retreat of the AU PSC and the EU PSC, providing a platform to exchange views on post-conflict and peace consolidation in Africa, sustainable financing of AU-led peace operations authorized by the UN Security Council and enhancement of AU/EU cooperation on peace and security, as well as on migration.
During the joint retreat the two sides recognized the need to strengthen the relationship between them and agreed on the principle of developing a framework document. This would put their partnership on peace and security on a more solid and structured basis taking into account the more complex and new threats facing both continents. They also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, to involve women, youth and vulnerable groups in building sustainable peace, security and development. They underlined the need to focus in future meetings on conflict prevention. They agreed this was better than investing in conflict management. On migration Ambassador Stevens underlined the importance of a comprehensive approach, taking into account all the elements from addressing the root causes to tackling the networks and saving lives. Participants stressed the value of a well coordinated approach towards emigration, human trafficking and smuggling.
Following the retreat, the Joint Consultative Meeting convened to discuss and review peace and security issues in Africa with particular reference to the current pressing conflict and crisis issues in Somalia, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau, Sahel/Mali, Lake Chad Basin and Libya. Ambassador Mahamat underlined that the geographical proximity between the two continents and issues of peace and security were the factors that encouraged them work together in areas of peace and security. The meeting assessed how their respective organs could reinforce their joint efforts to resolve such conflicts. An exchange of views on the sustainability of financing the AU-led peace operations authorized by the UN Security Council was a major topic. Ambassador Stevens said the EU has already extended 50 million Euros support for Sahel Joint Forces, and it was now providing 700 million Euros not only for peace and security purposes but for the re-stabilization and re-construction of the whole Lake Chad area.
At the conclusion of the 10th Annual Joint Consultative AUPSC/ EUPSC meeting on conflict, post-conflict crisis and peace consolidation, participants adopted a draft joint communiqué in which both councils stressed and agreed on the need for sustained international support to Somalia; commended AMISOM, MONUSCO, and UNMINUSMA for their respective efforts in the promotion of peace and security in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali. The two councils agreed to further strengthen their cooperation in addressing challenges of peace and security on the continent.
Giving a briefing on the outcomes of the AUPSC meeting for media representatives, the Co-Chairs reconfirmed the importance of reinforcing the strong partnership of the AU and the EU on peace and security. They also underlined the relevance of strengthening trilateral cooperation between the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations. Ambassador
Mahamat said that with terrorist attacks, insecurity and instability continued to prevail in many parts of Africa strengthening the joint efforts of the AU PSC and the EUPSC would be the best measure of success. He said they would be able “to identify, for each of the situations on our agenda, ways of finding joint solutions in a collective approach, taking into account, of course, new threats and developments that require us to readjust our tools in the face of insecurity and instability.” Ambassador Stevens said, “Conflicts are push factors for migration and create areas of lawlessness, safe havens for terrorist and organized crimes. All the challenges raised by these crises need a strong and coordinated response, involving all stakeholders, including the UN.” He also noted that when the EU, the AU and the UN were acting together, there was always a greater chance of success. The two Co-Chairs confirmed the strong partnership between the AU and the EU on issues of peace and security and underlined the importance of strengthening the trilateral cooperation between the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations.
The AUPSC and EUPSC will hold another joint meeting early next year to continue their cooperation in the context of a joint field trip to the Central African Republic.
Very interesting Information