LIBYA 1-3 Jul 2009 African Union leaders meet to continue talks about reform

Until Madagascar's coup in March, that country was listed as host of the 13th Ordinary African Union Summit. The venue was changed to Sirte, and both the coup and the recent death of Gabon leader Omar Bongo could steal part of the agenda from the official theme: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security.” The leaders are also likely to be pressed again to advance the "United States of Africa" concept.

Madagascar has been in political limbo since new president Andry Rajoelina overthrew Ravalomanana with the support of dissident troops in March.

Many of the blocs 53 leaders are resisting the US of Africa idea, but several of the less contentious aspects of the union-wide government idea remain in play. The scourge of coups d' état continues to concern the African leaders, as well as the implications of the global economic crisis and negotiations on the reform of the international financial system.

The father of "US of Africa" idea is the 2009 AU president, Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi, who is also a founder of the African Union. His drive to create a “union government” for all of Africa has heightened divisions, but is yielding some concessions. In July the leaders will consider a report on strengthening the AU Commission, which would be renamed the AU Authority. If approved, the African Authority could be ratified by member states from early 2010. They would then have to move on to the difficult task of determining the precise functions of the AU Authority, its size, and the financial implications of establishing it.

Gadaffi has long looked at the AU as a way to boost Africa’s international profile, but also to increase his own standing. Libya advocates immediate unification. Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya are among the countries that are in no hurry for integration.

And at the 13th summit, the first members of the Commission on International Law are due to be elected. The leaders will also hear a report on a feasibility study on the creation of a Guarantee Fund for development of micro-finance in Africa. Another feasibility study is under way on alternative sources of financing for the bloc. The bloc has also decided to move ahead on the African Charter of Statistics, which will serve as a regulatory framework for statistics development on the continent.

At the 12th summit, the AU leaders strongly condemned the coups d’état that took place in Mauritania on 6 Aug 2008, and in Guinea on 23 Dec 2008, as well as the attempted coup d’état in Guinea Bissau on 5 Aug 2008. The Assembly reiterated its concern at the continued impasse in the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as at the persisting tension at the border between Djibouti and Eritrea and in the relations between the two countries. They also commended peace moves in Somalia and Comoros.

At the 12th summit, the Committee of 10 Ministers and Central Bank Governors, representing the five AU regions, were asked to monitor the unfolding trends of the financial and economic crisis, provide regular updated data, comprehensive information and analysis, proffer advice to the AU, the Regional Economic Communities and Member States, and make proposals on how best to contribute to the deliberations on the economic and social impact of the international financial crisis and measures to mitigate the crisis, and report accordingly to the Assembly. The ministers will deliver their reports at the 13th Assembly.

The associated meetings include the: 18th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee: 24-25 June 2009; 17th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council: 28-29 June 2009; followed by the 13th summit.

RELATED READING:

African Union
http://www.africa-union.org/

Communiqué of the 12th AU Summit
http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/2180/

Libya's Qaddafi elected chairman of African Union (Bloomberg 3 Feb 2009)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=azJBmzOWm1jQ&refer=africa

Gaddafi pushes for power at helm of African Union (Independent-Uganda 18 Feb 2009)
http://www.independent.co.ug/index.php/reports/world-report/74-world-report-/596-gaddafi-pushes-for-power-at-helm-of-african-union