Straight Talk Africa on the Golden Jubilee of the African Union - YouTube: ""
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Thursday, May 30, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
African Union: Continental drift? - Features - Al Jazeera English
Group celebrates its anniversary, but the verdict is still out on whether it's meeting the needs of ordinary Africans.http://aje.me/ZkpSJG    | |||
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The African Union headquarters complex in the capital Addis Ababa stands in stark contrast to its immediate surroundings. The wide planetarium-like-structure sitting comfortably attached to a $100mn lightly glazed tower dominates the city’s skyline. Inside, the combined leadership of 54 nations gather in state of the art conference rooms to contemplate Africa’s future. Outside the complex, taxi cabs jostle for parking space, pedestrians are questioned by security guards, while local residents navigate the grime and dust of urban life, jostling for space in narrow alleys. The continental bloc might be celebrating 50 years on Saturday, but there is an unmistakable cynicism surrounding the nature and value of the union in meeting the needs of ordinary Africans. The AU plans to host commemorative celebrations at a reported cost of $1.3mn, despite ongoing conflicts and insecurity in five countries across the continent, including Sudan, the eastern DRC and Mali. Disarray still reigns in Guinea-Bissau, the Central African Republic and Madagascar. Moreover, despite recent economic growth across the continent, living conditions remain abysmal for many average people, with the UN’s signature index suggesting that 24 of the 25 countries at the bottom of the human development index are African. These types of statistics compel critics to describe the AU as a talk shop, rudderless and crucially disconnected from African citizens like its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Change of focus Joram Biswaro, Tanzania’s ambassador to Ethiopia believes criticism of the AU is unfair and out of context. Despite its limitations as a continental bloc, the fact that Madagascar, CAR and Guinea-Bissau were banned from attending the summit for ongoing political irregularities signalled the AU was headed in the right direction, he said. "Perhaps had it not been for this organisation, Africa might not have achieved what it has achieved… if you want to assess its performance, one should look at its charter,” Biswaro told Al Jazeera. The original organisation, the OAU, built by 32 African nations originally on May 25, 1963, focused primarily on liberating countries on the continent from the grip of colonialism.
But since the formation of the AU in 2002, with a renewed focus on solving conflicts, engineering socio-economic development and improving governance, hard questions are being asked over the political will of the AU to reignite the lost dream of pan-Africanism. During the Arab Spring of 2011, the AU was an anonymous spectator as a revolutionary fervor that was born in North Africa spread across the Middle East. The AU appeared to be particularly hamstrung in its response to the armed revolt against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. “The crisis in Libya was a very difficult time for the AU’s Peace and Security Council to reach an agreement,” reminisced Yemane Nagish, a political analyst at The Reporter Newspaper, in Addis Ababa. It is this type of accountability, transparency and political will that needs to improve, says Ashebir Woldegeois, the chairperson of the Health, Labour and Social Affairs of the AU’s Pan-African Parliament. Acccountability issues With 60 percent of its annual budget reportedly funded by overseas donors, it remains unclear how much political clout, and independence the African Union can wield in reality. Solomon Dersso, senior researcher at the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) says seeking partnership to solve problems is not the issue. Difficulties on the continent need to be viewed in proper context, he said, as some problems are come from outside sources, rather than from within Africa. “The idea is not that only Africans should do it; the idea is that Africans should be at the centre for the search of solutions,” he told Al Jazeera. Other observers wonder if ordinary Africans are actually at the forefront of the AU’s concerns. With so many Africans living in politically repressive regimes, like Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and the Gambia with limitations on freedom of expression, and restrictions on opposition parties, the AU is not yet representative of the African people, critics say. “Despite being home to several of the world’s worst performing countries in terms of respect for human rights, the region saw overall if uneven progress toward democratisation during the 1990s and the early 2000s,” Freedom House, a US think-tank, reported in regards to Sub-Saharan Africa. While elections are being held regularly across the continent, these apparent gains towards a culture of democracy are sometimes little more than masterful con jobs. Election issues Votes are scheduled this year for fragile states like Zimbabwe and Madagascar, and scrutiny has fallen on the efforts of the African Union to be an honest broker for democracy. In the past, Human Rights Watch has slammed the AU as an organisation ostensibly created to support democracy and freedom but wary of grassroots social movements.
Woldegeois, the parliamentary member, said the situation has improved, despite set-backs. "We are getting there, but many opposition parties in Africa are still immature; many are not willing to work hard in the villages, build their constituencies." But other observers said the root problem of representation at the AU can be seen in the group's founding constitution. “Compared to the United Nations charter which starts off with ‘We the people of the United Nations, the AU constitution starts off with ‘We the heads of the state and government," said Solomon Dersso, senior researcher at the Institute of Security Studies (ISS). "Make no mistake, this [the AU] is in many ways still a club of heads of state and government and not necessarily a body that truly represents the African people." Young and restless Almost 65 per cent of Africans are below the age of 35, and many are uninterested in politics of patronage; the face of the continent has changed. The new AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkhosozana Dlamini-Zuma, has vowed to frame the next five decades around the themes of African identity, integration, economic development and democratic governance, among others. But without action, analysts warn the continual talk shops at summits can last only so long. “There is a great sense of empowerment on part of the youth, if the actions of leaders are not in sync, of particularly the youth, moving forward, these type of governments have no future in Africa,” Dersso said. As African leaders enjoy the pomp and ceremony in Addis Ababa this weekend, many outside its headquarters still the continental body is adrift from the aspirations of its people. | |||
Africa Day: Extravagant celebration of 50 years of unity | News | Africa | Mail & Guardian
African leaders have opened celebrations for the 50th jubilee of the continental bloc with Africa's problems set aside for a day to mark progress.
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OUR COVERAGE
African Union Chairperson and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn told leaders as he opened the celebrations they should seek to "create a continent free from poverty and conflict, and an Africa whose citizens enjoy a middle income status."
Today's 54-member AU is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established amid the heady days as independence from colonial rule swept the continent in 1963.
"While our founders met for the formation of the OAU at the dawn of the independence period 50 years ago, it is fitting that we are meeting here today at a time when Africa is rising," Hailemariam added, speaking in the modern Chinese-built AU headquarters.
Leaders said the celebrations would boost the movement to support pan-Africanism.
"When we therefore talk about African solutions to African problems, it is because we know that we can only permanently silence the guns if we act in solidarity and unity," said AU Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Self-reliance
But while speaking optimistically about "the bright future of Africa", she also noted that "the self-reliance and economic independence that our founders spoke of remains a bit elusive and social inequalities remain."
African leaders were joined by UN leader Ban Ki-moon, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and US Secretary of State John Kerry, while French President Francois Hollande and China's Vice Premier Wang Yang were expected to attend celebrations later.
But Hailemariam singled out Beijing, expressing his "deepest appreciation to China for investing billions… to assist our infrastructure endeavours."
Saturday's celebrations will be followed by a two-day AU summit meeting, to tackle the range of crises the continent faces.
Mass dancing troupes are set to perform musical dramas later Saturday to some 10 000 guests in a giant hall in the Ethiopian capital, choreographed by the same team who organised the lavish opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 World Cup and this year's Africa Cup of Nations.
The AU has budgeted $1.27-million for Saturday's celebrations, according to official documents seen by South Africa's Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
Festivities
AU Commission deputy chief Erastus Mwencha said he did not have the exact figure but that some $3-million would be spent on Saturday's festivities and on other events over the coming year.
Musicians playing later include Congolese music legend Papa Wemba, Mali's Salif Keita and British-based reggae band Steel Pulse, with giant screens set up across Addis Ababa also showing the festival.
Development indicators on the continent – including health, education, infant mortality, economic growth and democracy – have improved steadily in the past 50 years.
Africa is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world according to the IMF, and has attracted huge amounts of foreign investment in recent years, with Kerry praising the "economic possibilities, growth and development" on the continent.
At the same time 24 out of the 25 nations at the bottom of UN human development index are in Africa.
Concrete action
The AU took over in 2002, switching its name in a bid to shrug off the OAU's troubled policy of non-interference in member states' affairs, which allowed leaders to shirk democratic elections and abuse human rights without criticism from their neighbours.
In recent years, the AU's role in combat – such as its mission in Somalia to battle Al-Qaeda linked Islamists – has shown it can take concrete action, even if the funding for that mission comes mainly from Western backers.
But at the same time, the splits revealed by the 2011 conflict in Libya – when members squabbled between those wanting to recognise rebels and those backing Moamer Kadhafi – showed its disunity and lack of global clout.
Kadhafi's death also stripped the AU of a major source of funding. Leaders will discuss finding backers for the cash-strapped body at the summit meeting opening Sunday. Mali is expected to be discussed: it is preparing to receive a UN peacekeeping force to support French soldiers fighting Islamist rebels in the desert north since January.
The agenda will also likely include Madagascar – in political deadlock since a 2009 coup – and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where United Nations-backed government soldiers are struggling to quash rebels. – Sapa-AFP
Today's 54-member AU is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established amid the heady days as independence from colonial rule swept the continent in 1963.
"While our founders met for the formation of the OAU at the dawn of the independence period 50 years ago, it is fitting that we are meeting here today at a time when Africa is rising," Hailemariam added, speaking in the modern Chinese-built AU headquarters.
Leaders said the celebrations would boost the movement to support pan-Africanism.
"When we therefore talk about African solutions to African problems, it is because we know that we can only permanently silence the guns if we act in solidarity and unity," said AU Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Self-reliance
But while speaking optimistically about "the bright future of Africa", she also noted that "the self-reliance and economic independence that our founders spoke of remains a bit elusive and social inequalities remain."
African leaders were joined by UN leader Ban Ki-moon, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and US Secretary of State John Kerry, while French President Francois Hollande and China's Vice Premier Wang Yang were expected to attend celebrations later.
But Hailemariam singled out Beijing, expressing his "deepest appreciation to China for investing billions… to assist our infrastructure endeavours."
Saturday's celebrations will be followed by a two-day AU summit meeting, to tackle the range of crises the continent faces.
Mass dancing troupes are set to perform musical dramas later Saturday to some 10 000 guests in a giant hall in the Ethiopian capital, choreographed by the same team who organised the lavish opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 World Cup and this year's Africa Cup of Nations.
The AU has budgeted $1.27-million for Saturday's celebrations, according to official documents seen by South Africa's Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
Festivities
AU Commission deputy chief Erastus Mwencha said he did not have the exact figure but that some $3-million would be spent on Saturday's festivities and on other events over the coming year.
Musicians playing later include Congolese music legend Papa Wemba, Mali's Salif Keita and British-based reggae band Steel Pulse, with giant screens set up across Addis Ababa also showing the festival.
Development indicators on the continent – including health, education, infant mortality, economic growth and democracy – have improved steadily in the past 50 years.
Africa is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world according to the IMF, and has attracted huge amounts of foreign investment in recent years, with Kerry praising the "economic possibilities, growth and development" on the continent.
At the same time 24 out of the 25 nations at the bottom of UN human development index are in Africa.
Concrete action
The AU took over in 2002, switching its name in a bid to shrug off the OAU's troubled policy of non-interference in member states' affairs, which allowed leaders to shirk democratic elections and abuse human rights without criticism from their neighbours.
In recent years, the AU's role in combat – such as its mission in Somalia to battle Al-Qaeda linked Islamists – has shown it can take concrete action, even if the funding for that mission comes mainly from Western backers.
But at the same time, the splits revealed by the 2011 conflict in Libya – when members squabbled between those wanting to recognise rebels and those backing Moamer Kadhafi – showed its disunity and lack of global clout.
Kadhafi's death also stripped the AU of a major source of funding. Leaders will discuss finding backers for the cash-strapped body at the summit meeting opening Sunday. Mali is expected to be discussed: it is preparing to receive a UN peacekeeping force to support French soldiers fighting Islamist rebels in the desert north since January.
The agenda will also likely include Madagascar – in political deadlock since a 2009 coup – and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where United Nations-backed government soldiers are struggling to quash rebels. – Sapa-AFP
Thursday, May 23, 2013
African Union celebrates 50th year | eNCA
African Union celebrates 50th year
ADDIS ABABA - African nations this week mark the 50th year since the founding of a continentwide organisation that spearheaded efforts to liberate Africa from its colonial masters.
Now leaders want to map out the next 50 years of political and economic integration.
Konjit Sinegiorgis was a young diplomat tasked with distributing documents to the assembled heads of state when the founding congress of the Organization of African Unity was held in May 1963.
Sinegiorgis said the OAU "brilliantly" accomplished its primary task.
"Its primary mandate was to liberate Africa from the shackles of colonialism and apartheid. I think in that regard it has done brilliantly," said Konjit, now Ethiopia's ambassador to the African Union, the successor to the OAU.
The weeklong 50-year celebrations culminate Saturday in the Ethiopian capital where African leaders will be joined by foreign dignitaries including United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
African leaders will also consider Agenda 2063, a blueprint they say will bring socio-economic and political transformation to the continent.
Kerry, who recently expressed concerns over China's growing influence in Africa, is expected to be joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, Vice Premier Wang Yang, at the celebrations in the AU headquarters, a building whose $200 million constriction costs were paid by Beijing.
The 53-member African Union, which began in 2002, has been trying to emerge as a force for stability on a continent regularly troubled by violence, conflicts and coups.
One key achievement of the OAU and AU "has been to set standards and norms that we are now using at the continental level," said Erastus Mwencha, deputy chair of the AU. "We are now talking of having norms such as a protocol on governance, on elections and so forth."
As the AU strives to make peaceful transfers of power across Africa the norm, it often sanctions coup leaders and suspends membership of states. But it also often fails to mobilise resource to enforce its decisions.
The AU is also a long way from its founders' dream of a united Africa. The continent sees a huge disparity in the economic and political conditions of its nations.
South Africa is an economic power, while citizens in countries like Somalia, Sudan, Congo and Chad suffer from warfare and poverty.
A coalition of over 120 civil society groups from across Africa and the Middle East on Wednesday issued a warning about conflicts in Sudan.
The groups called on the AU to support a bolder approach to peace there.
But the continent also boasts nine of the world's 15 fastest growing economies, Rwanda President Paul Kagame wrote last weekend in The Wall Street Journal, and the AU head says the continent's future is brighter than its past.
"If you look at the last 10 years, Africa has been growing economically," said AU chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. "There has been quite a lot of development even in terms of infrastructure, not enough yet, but countries have been working hard."
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa says Africa's medium-term growth prospects remain strong, at 4.8% in 2013 and a projected 5.1% in 2014.
"Yet this impressive growth story has not translated into economic diversification, commensurate jobs or faster social development," said the U.N. in its latest report.
"Most African economies still depend heavily on commodity production and exports, with too little value addition and few forward and backward linkages to other sectors of the economy."
Improvements are being seen in education, child and maternal mortality rates, and gender equality.
As African leaders meet later this week, the 50-year strategic plan is expected to be high on the agenda.
Dlamini-Zuma said the decades-long quest for Africa's political and economic integration are to be answered by the blueprint.
Energising and galvanising the people of the continent toward an African Renaissance is the aim of the week's celebrations, Dlamini-Zuma said over the weekend.
As Africa looks to write plans for the future, activists are calling for more efforts to respect its citizens' rights. The Committee to Protect Journalists wrote to Kerry to urge him to include the issue of press freedom in his discussions at the AU Summit.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Emperor Haileselassie one of the founder of African Unity Statue to be erected
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May 17, 2013 - President Girma Woldegiorgis in a letter sent to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn asked for a statue to be erected in honour of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile-Selassie I, according to the Reporter.
“A statue must be erected to commemorate the Emperor…he was the first leader of Africa and I think he deserves a statue,” the president said during the interview.
According to the president, the Ethiopian government is making good progress on the matter and hopes that it will materialize.
It is to be recalled that Kwame Nkrumah's statue, which was unveiled at the African Union (AU) headquarters, has sparked anger amongst Ethiopian scholars, historians and politicians, who feel Haile-Selassie deserved the honor.
Back then, Members of Parliament have also been drawn into the debate and raised the issue with former prime minister, the late Meles Zenawi.
Meles downplayed the request and defended the decision to honor Nkrumah, the former Ghanaian leader, whom he described as a pan-African.
What has further angered locals was that, with the AU headquarters being in Addis Ababa, many expected a statue of Haile-Selassie to be erected.
Ethiopian historians said they also remembered Selassie for his leading role in the creation of the OAU.
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