Recommendation on peace and security issues in Africa

Jurisdiction: African Regional Bodies · African Union (AU)
Regional Body / Author: Pan-African Parliament
Date: 23 November 2006
Language: English
Type: Recommendation
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African Union

Recommendation on peace and security issues in Africa

Published on 23 November 2006
Commenced
[This is the version of this document from 23 November 2006.]

The Pan-African Parliament,DEEPLY CONCERNED about the existence of violent armed conflicts in Africa, for the following reasons, among others:a.the division of African societies along ethnic and religious lines;b.absence of socio-economic justice;c.the struggle for resources;d.lack of consistency in the administration of justice;e.exclusion in political and economic governance;f.political intolerance;g.poor organization of elections and contesting of results;h.unconstitutional change of governments and lack of visionary leadership; lack of power changeover policy;i.absence of strong, responsible and democratic institutions;j.corruption and impunity;k.land problems;l.proliferation of light weapons;m.non-respect and non-application of local and international legal instruments;n.interference of foreign agents in African affairs; ando.the colonial legacy of border demarcation and border conflicts;TAKING INTO ACCOUNT its objective of promoting peace and security in the African continent; andRECOGNIZING the concerted efforts deployed by the African Union, the United Nations and the international community in finding solutions to the armed conflicts in Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia, Sudan, Chad and in the Great Lakes Region.

THEREFORE RECOMMENDS:

1.That the Conference of African Union Heads of State and Government strengthen the capacity of all the AU Organs to enable them to play an effective role in the prevention, management and settlement of conflicts;

2.That all the member States sign, respect and implement all the AU instruments relating to peace, security and good governance, especially the Declaration on the Framework for OAU Response to Unconstitutional Change of Governments; the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa and the Durban Declaration on Democracy, Good Political, Economic and Corporate Governance;

3.That governments whose Constitutions limit the mandate for Heads of State and Government maintain such limits to ensure smooth transfer of power and that those who have no fixed mandate endeavour to set limits to their mandates;

4.That national and regional parliaments strictly enforce respect for democratic constitutional provisions and stand up to any attempt aimed at amending them to grant unlimited mandates to Heads of State and Government;

5.That national and regional parliaments make efforts to ensure that the countries which have not acceded to the APRM do so without further delay;

6.That parties concerned about political governance issues in African countries resort to peaceful means, rather than military action, in resolving their problems;

7.That all parties to peace accords respect the spirit and letter of the accords and refrain from actions that might undermine the peace process;

8.That the on-going African and international efforts be intensified to afford lasting peace in Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, and in the Great Lakes Region.

9.That UNO and AU take a final decision on compliance with the time frame for the decolonization of Western Sahara;

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