Decision Relating to the OAU/UNDCP Joint Project on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the OAU Plan of Action on Drug Control in Africa

DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON
THE OAU/UNDCP JOINT PROJECT ON CAPACITY BUILDING
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OAU PLAN OF
ACTION ON DRUG CONTROL IN AFRICA

Council:

1. TAKES NOTE of the Report;

2. COMMENDS the OAU General Secretariat for the steps taken to eliminate the illicit production, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Africa;

3. EXPRESSES ITS GRATITUDE to the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) for the invaluable contribution rendered to the Secretariat in the implementation of the OAU Plan of Action on Drug Control in Africa, through its funding of the Organization’s project on Institutional Capacity Building;

4. CALLS ON the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), after a thorough evaluation of the state of implementation of the Joint Project, to consider the extension of the period of this project for at least one additional year;

5. MANDATES the Secretary-General, in putting in place the new structure of the African Union, to create a Drug Control and Crime Prevention Unit within that structure, in view of the emerging seriousness of the drug abuse and trafficking situation in Africa, and especially the linkage between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, conflicts and organized crimes in the Continent;

CM/Dec.5 (LXXIV)

6. APPEALS to Member States to second if they so wish, an Expert on drug control, at their own expense, to assist the OAU General Secretariat during the negotiations for the extension and during interim periods in order to forestall a break in the implementation of the Plan of Action on Drug Control in Africa;

7 URGES Member States to strengthen their fight against Illicit Drug Abuse and Trafficking on the Continent, with the full collaboration of workers, employers, educational institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders;

8. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to explore ways and means of establishing a mechanism for an African Fund for Drug Control on voluntary basis as was recommended by the 22^nd OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission in Windhoek, Namibia; and endorsed by the 70^th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers and the 35^th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government both held in Algiers, Algeria in July 1999 and CALLS UPON OAU partners, donor agencies and the International Community to render the necessary support to the Secretariat in this endeavour;

9. ALSO REQUESTS the Drug Control Focal Point to step its activities in close collaboration with all the Regional Economic Communities, so as to overcome this scourge;

10. FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to take appropriate steps aimed at updating the OAU Plan of Action for Drug Control in Africa in view of current emerging drug issues in the Continent so as to be in line with global approaches to solving the problem;

11. FINALLY REQUESTS the Secretary-General to submit reports on current drug situations in the Continent regularly to Sessions of the Council of Ministers and Assembly of Heads of State and Government.