USD 200 million agreed for 2010 Africa Union Budget
By Tesfa Alem Tekle
January 31, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Africa Union executive council has passed $ 200 million for the 2010 AU budget, a 20% rise over last year’s.
The agreed budget along with other 20 prepared reports will be approved at the assembly of the Africa head of states and government which kicked off today in Addis Ababa.
AU officials said that the new budget will enhance the efforts to curb political conflicts across the continent.
Of the total budget $ 30 million will go for peace and security missions while $77 million for continent’s developmental activity.10% of it is also said to be allocated in the fight for corruption, which is costing the continent Billions of dollars every year.
AU said that a special anti-corruption commission which follows up situations and brings back reports will be set.
The African union budget is expected to be financed from the contributions of member countries and from other development partners.
The Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government has today launched the New African Union Flag.
The Continental Scientific Award Ceremony for two (2) successful African Scientists is among expected in the assembly.
The AU Assembly will adopt the Staff Regulations and Rules; will appoint new members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). The African Heads of State will also consider several reports including: the Report on the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa alongside that of African Year of Peace and Security; and the Report of the Commission on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.
They will further consider and adopt the Report of the Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee; the Report of the Ministerial Meeting on the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); the Report of the Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms; and the Report of the Commission on the Implementation of Previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly.
(ST)