50 th Anniversary of the OAU/AU: Origins, Achievements, Limitations and Future Role

1. 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU: Origins, Achievements, Limitations and Future Role Presentation By h.e. ambassador kongitsinegiogis Permanent representative of ethiopia to the au and uneca and chairperson of the prc Institute of peace and security studies (IPSS) Addis ababauniverity 13 september 2013

2. The Pan-African Movement Diaspora Africans Black Consciousness Back to Africa Movement The Battle of Adwa Series of Pan-African Conferences Notable Leaders of the Pan-African Movement

3. Leaders of the Pan-African Movement Henry Sylvester Williams W.E.B. Dubois

4. Continued… Marcus Garvey George Padmore

5. Continued…. • After WW II, the movement took roots in the African Soil. • leadership of the Movement – Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta. • New focus - liberation of Africa from colonialism t - the forging of African unity. • The Pan-African Conference Accra in 1958.

6. Continued…. Division among independent African States Casablanca Group Monrovia Group Ethiopia’s role Shuttle diplomacy to the various African capitals.

7. The Founding of the OAU

8. Continued…. Addis Ababa Conference I was there….. The atmosphere in the hall. The grand debate…. statements by Leaders

9. Quotable Quotes Ahmed Ben Bella Emperor Hailesellassie I

10. Continued… Julius Nyerere Kwame Nkrumah

11. The OAU Charter • Ethiopia’s proposal…… • Objectives:- • Promote unity and solidarity • Coordinate and intensify cooperation and efforts • Defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence • The emphasis on eradicating colonialism • International cooperation

12. Portrait of the Leaders who signed the Charter

13. Achievements and Challenges of the OAU Achievements • OAU successfully discharged its primary mandate • The OAU Liberation Committee. • Ethiopia’s role • Example:- SWAPO, ANC, ZANU-PF and others. • The OAU served as a continental platform

14. Continued… Challenges peace and stability, socio-economic development as well as integration. Bad governance and corruption The resurgence of coup d'état and one man rule. Intra and inter-state conflicts. Economic decay and debt burden African economies fall under the dictates of International Financial Institution.

15. The transformation of the OAU to the AU Africa’s multifaceted challenges fast track integration Another grand debate Col. Gaddafi and his call for the establishment of the United States of Africa (personal ego)

16. Continued…

17. Continued… The gradualists once again won the debate. The decision to establish the African Union Article 24 of the Constitutive Act The role of the late Prime Minister The AU launched in Durban in 2002

18. The launching of the African Union in Durban

19. Some of the major objectives of the AU Achieve greater unity and solidarity Accelerate the political and socio-economic integration Promote peace, security and stability Promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance. enable the continent to play its rightful role

20. The difference between the OAU and AU OAU Non-interference Lack of popular participation OAU accused of being an elitist institution African Union The right of the Union to intervene in grave circumstances Encourages popular participation Institutional Mechanisms put in place – PAP, ECOSOC

21. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development NEPAD Flagship Projects:- CADDP, PIDA, AIDA A blueprint for Africa’s political and socio-economic transformation. A genuine call for partnership Governance mechanism (HSGOC)

22. The African Peer Review Mechanism Experience sharing in good governance. A demonstration of Africa’s commitment to good governance. A voluntary mechanism Significant number of African countries have acceded the APR Process. APR Forum held on the sidelines of AU Summits.

23. Issues of Peace and Security • Solutions to Problems • Enhanced capacity to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in the continent. • The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) • The Peace and Security Council (PSC) • The African Standby Force (ASF) • The Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) • The Panel of the Wise • The Peace Fund

24. Regional Economic Communities (RECs) RECs - building blocs of the African Union. Eight RECs Principle of complimentarity Attempts to amalgamate regional economic blocs

25. Achievements and challenges of the AU Achievements Enhanced capacity – APSA The deployment of AU-led peacekeeping missions Reduction in the number of conflicts Firm commitment for the principles of democratic governance Implementation of NEPAD programmes

26. Continued… Increased visibility of the African Union Africa started to speak with one voice Strengthened partnership with the rest of the world Increased participation of the African people

27. Late Prime Minister MelesZenawiat the inauguration of the new AU conference centre and office complex

28. Continued… Challenges Problem of financing the AU Lack of institutional capacity Institutional cacophony Weak economic and infrastructural integration Challenges of peace and security Division among member States Various amendment proposals

29. The Golden Jubilee celebration of the OAU/AU Time for stocktaking re-defining Pan-Africanism Special Summit held in Addis Ababa Solemn Declaration.

30. Strategic Plan of the Commission (2014-2017) laying the foundation for the realization of the AU’s Vision. adopted at a historic moment Eights priorities Enhancing the capacity of the Commission

31. The eight priority areas of the Commission Human capacity development Agriculture and agro processing; Inclusive economic development Peace, stability and good governance; Mainstreaming women and youth into all our activities; Resource mobilization; Building a people-centred Union institutional capacity

32. Agenda 2063: The Grand Vision • defining Africa’s transformation agenda • Draft prepared by AUC, UNECA and AfDB. • Vision • achieve a middle income status. • peaceful and integrated Africa. • Agenda 2063 to be adopted by the next AU Summit.

33. Conclusion celebrating our achievements and draw valuable lessons from our shortcomings. Renewed commitment The OAU has achieved its historic responsibility The task ahead The young generation. Universities and research institutions All of us have a responsibility to contribute our share

34. I thank you አመሰግናለሁ