Pretoria – The various ministers of international relations from African countries will meet today at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit taking place later this week.
The ministers are expected to, during the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, deliberate in a closed session on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organised by the AU Commission during the last six months.
They will also discuss the activity report of the commission; the recommendations on the implementation of previous decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly.
The Executive Council will also consider reports on the situation in Western Sahara the implementation of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA).
Other reports which will be deliberated on will be the reports of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP); the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR); the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC); the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the Union (ECOSOCC); the Activities of the African Union Advisory Board against Corruption and the report on the Activities of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL).
The ministers will also elect four Members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and four members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).
Following the discussions, the ministers will submit their report to the 21st Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government scheduled to take place on 26 and 27 May.
The AU will mark Africa Day on 25 May. The 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) is expected to provide a platform to promote social cohesion, build a common identity and a sense of belonging for all people of the continent.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to unveil an artwork as South Africa’s cultural contribution to the 50th anniversary of the African Union, previously the Organisation of African Unity in Addis on Saturday.
Africa Day will reflect the key lessons of the past 50 years and acknowledge the contributions of founders of the OAU and Pan Africanism in all countries, regions and the African Diaspora.
This commemoration enables the continent to take stock of Africa today, its assets, capabilities, opportunities and challenges and to look forward and define the Pan-African values that will underpin the African agenda over the next five decades. - SAnews.gov.za
