Ethiopia to host AU conference on border issues

June 2, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union (AU) said a conference of the African ministers in charge of border issues would be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during 4-7 June 2007.

In a press statement, AU said on Friday June 1 that the objective of the conference would be to agree on concrete measures involved in implementing the border programme of the AU.

Enabling African governments to develop cross-border cooperation, the strengthening of the capacity of decision makers in the area of border management and regional integration and the funding of cross-border development projects are among the objectives of the programme.

It should be recalled that the border areas of African states, which date from the colonial era, have been a recurrent sources of conflicts, it said.

As a result African leaders have adopted a number of decisions on the issue of borders.

The conference will be held in two stages, a meeting of governmental experts will be held between 4 and 5 June 2007 and the ministers in charge of border issues will meet on 7 June 2007.

(ST)