AU Executive Council meeting begins in Ethiopian capital
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
July 12, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – The 21st Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council kicked off on Thursday at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The council will deliberate, amongst other things, the report of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), the Draft Budget and the Recommendations of the PRC on the Commission’s report on implementing previous executive council decisions and the report of the ministerial committee on candidates for commissioners.
The AU summit will be held from 14 to 16 July under the theme, “boosting intra-African trade” and is expected to thoroughly discuss on current situations in Africa and adopt proposed draft decisions and declarations of the Assembly.
A DECLINE IN DECLINE
In a press briefing, the AU‘s deputy chairperson, Erastus Mwencha, said that since the continental bloc was established, during the past decade Africa has witnessed a decline in conflict and a boost in economic growth.
A decade ago, Mwench said, there were at least 20 active conflicts going on in Africa, but “now we have only three or four active conflicts, showing a tremendous change in peace and security of the region”.
African countries not only witnessed improvement in peace and security but have also registered remarkable economic growth, according to the AU official.
“The fact that seven out of ten fastest growing economies are African countries speaks volumes about the changes we are witnessing in our recent past.” He said reaffirming the firm commitment of the AU to further working with member states to ensure lasting peace and security and to enhance economic integration within Africa.
CONTEST FOR AU’S TOP JOB
One of the highly anticipated events during the AU summit later this week is, the race for the positions of Chairperson and AU Commissioners.
In this regard, Mwench noted that “member countries will be able to elect the next chairman and commissioners in full accordance with the rules and regulations of the AU at the Summit”.
Meanwhile, Jean Ping, who has been the AU chief since 2008, announced that he will rerun to secure second term in office amid rumours in media outlets he is to step aside voluntarily.
Ping has gained support from most of west, eastern and central African countries. However many Southern and Northern Africa countries are seeking a new chairman.
The Gabonese diplomat has been under fire from a number of African countries criticizing him of failing to adequately handle to a number continental crises including Libya’s uprising that ousted Africa’s long-time dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, last year.
(ST)