Addis Ababa – Leaders of the African Union (AU) member states wrapped up their 21st summit in Ethiopia on Monday with a set of land-mark decisions that they say will lead to a self-reliant continent that is at peace with itself.
Leaders agreed to:
- Accept a report which recommends that AU explore rigorous alternative sources of funding in Africa.
- South Africa’s membership of BRICS is used to attract funding for infrastructure in Africa.
- Peace and security be top priority in the next 50 years.
It was a historic summit for the continental body as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (now AU), established in 1963.
Own funding options
The idea of exploring alternative sources of funding for the AU has been under discussion for years among the African leaders. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is spearheading the drive, which he believes is the only way for the continental body to be less dependent on outside donors.
The fact that the biggest chunk of the AU budget is mainly sourced from donor partners, with some African members failing to pay their annual subscriptions, is not sitting well with some, as this has been seen to lead to unjustified external influence in how the continent is governed.
The report of the High–Level Panel on Alternative Sources of Funding the African Union has been approved by Heads of State and will be sent to Finance Ministers to study it and report back at the next summit in January.
Previously, the panel recommended a number of proposals for more sustainable funding, including a $2 tax on hotel rooms on the continent and a $5 levy on flights to and from African countries.
“It can’t be business as usual. We can’t continue to depend on outside help… Yes, outside help is crucial and greatly appreciated but we must also look at ways of making ourselves independent, and therefore it is very important that we also fund ourselves and our programmes,” said AU Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Speaking at the conclusion of the summit, Dlamini Zuma also said the summit basked a plan to take advantage of South Africa’s membership in the economically powerful BRICS grouping, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The AU thinks partnerships with BRICS can help attract the much-needed infrastructure funding for the continent.
In March, President Jacob Zuma hosted various African leaders and members of regional blocks for a BRICS Leaders’ Africa Dialogue Forum, held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, held in Durban in March.
Peaceful and secure continent
On peace and security on the continent, Dlamini Zuma said the summit conceded that while the AU’s Peace and Security Council has made in roads to neutralise conflicts in some parts of the continent, more work needed to be done to avert crisis situations and humanitarian problems arising out of these conflicts.
Several countries including Mali, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan remain in constant conflict, and the AU has had to deploy peace keeping troops to contain violence in these areas.
“We believe sooner rather than later the guns should be silenced on our continent. We need more dialogue with those who feel different, we need to find a way of having a discussion about our differences instead of resorting to conflicts and violence,” said Dlamini Zuma.
This was echoed by the chairperson of the union and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn who said conflict in Africa was standing in the way of development.
No tolerance for coups
Expressing concern over the dangers posed by the unconstitutional seizure of power, something which is common in some African states, Desalegn said gone are the days where generals will be tolerated to take power by force and govern with a gun.
“The summit called on all member states to activate rapid response mechanisms to deal with any threats of coups and other forceful means of governing. The summit agreed that unconstitutional change of governments should be averted and condemned where it happens. This is serious,” Desalegn said.
“The situation in Madagascar and the recent development in Central African Republic are reflections of this worrying trend. While noting the importance of looking for political solutions to these problems, I have no doubt that the non-acceptance of unconstitutional change in governance, will remain our firm position.” – SAnews.gov.za
