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Assembly
of Heads of State and Government Thirty-sixth Ordinary
Session/Fourth Ordinary Session of the AEC
10
– 12 July, 2000
Lome, Togo
AHG/Dec.143-159 (XXXVI)
AHG/OAU/AEC/Dec.1 (IV)
Decisions
adopted
AHG/Dec.144
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the establishment of the African Union and the
Pan-African Parliament
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE of the Report and Recommendation of the
72nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers;
2.
COMMENDS the excellent work accomplished, within a
short time, by the Council of Ministers assisted by
Experts and Parliamentarians;
3.
APPROVES and ADOPTS the Draft Constitutive Act on
the establishment of the African Union;
4.
URGES all Member States to take the necessary measures
to sign and ratify it as soon as possible in order
to ensure its speedy implementation;
5.
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to convene a meeting
of Parliamentarians to examine the Draft Protocol
to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community
relating to the Pan-African Parliament and submit
it for approval by the next sessions of the Council
of Ministers and subsequent adoption by the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government.
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AHG/Dec.144
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea
The
Assembly:
1.
EXPRESSES SATISFACTION at the Agreement on the Cessation
of Hostilities signed in Algiers on 18 June, 2000
by the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic
of Ethiopia and the Government of the State of Eritrea;
2.
PAYS TRIBUTE to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Outgoing
Chairman of the OAU and the OAU Secretary-General
for the sustained efforts they made to promote a peaceful
solution to the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea;
3.
EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to the UN, the European
Union, the United States of America and other members
of the International Community for the support they
continue to give to the efforts of the OAU;
4.
ENCOURAGES the two Parties to pursue the negotiations,
under the auspices of the OAU, in order to reach a
lasting and definitive peace;
5.
REQUESTS the UN Security Council to take the necessary
measures for the speedy deployment of the Peace-keeping
Mission provided for in the Agreement on the cessation
of hostilities;
6.
REQUESTS Member States to continue to give their support
and assistance to the efforts of the OAU, particularly
to enable it assume its responsibilities in the implementation
of the Agreement on the cessation of hostilities;
7.
EXPRESSLY REQUESTS President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
to kindly pursue his action with a view to reaching
a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict between
the two brotherly countries.
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AHG/Dec.145
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Democratic Republic of the Congo
The
Assembly:
1.
REITERATES its support for the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which constitutes
the only negotiated and accepted framework by all
the Parties for the solution to the crisis in the
DRC;
2.
URGES the Parties to strictly implement the Agreement
in all its aspects;
3.
COMMENDS Sir. Ketumile Masire, Facilitator of the
Inter-Congolese Dialogue and the Joint Military Commission
(JMC) for the efforts made for the implementation
of Lusaka Agreement;
4.
REQUESTS the Government of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo and the other Congolese Parties to co-operate
fully with the Facilitator so that the Inter-Congolese
dialogue can begin as soon as possible;
5.
FURTHER URGES the countries which have troops in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo to begin withdrawing
them in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement;
6.
ALSO URGES the United Nations to complete, as soon
as possible, the deployment of UN Observers in conformity
with UN Security Council Resolution 1291 of 24 April
2000 and to take the necessary measures for the deployment
of the Peacekeeping Force in the DRC under the Lusaka
Ceasefire Agreement;
7.
PAYS TRIBUTE to President Frederick Chiluba, Chairman
of the Regional Initiative for Peace in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, the outgoing OAU Chairman,
the other African leaders and the OAU Secretary General
for the untiring efforts made for the restoration
of peace in the DRC;
8.
ENCOURAGES President Frederick Chiluba, in consort
with the Current Chairman, the OAU Secretary General
and the other Heads of State to pursue his efforts
for the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
9.
FINALLY URGES the International Community to continue
to support the peace process in the DRC and to support
the efforts of the Facilitator and the JMC.
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AHG/Dec.146
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Somalia
The
Assembly:
1.
REITERATES its commitment to the Unity and territorial
integrity of Somalia;
2.
CONGRATULATES the President of the Republic of Djibouti,
Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh and STRONGLY SUPPORTS his
initiative aimed at restoring the State and the Somali
institutions and promote a peaceful and lasting solution
to the conflict in this country torn by protracted
years of civil war;
3.
FURTHER SUPPORTS the Somali National Conference for
Peace meeting in Arta, Djibouti and the Somali institutions
that will emanate from this Conference;
4.
REQUESTS the International Community to give political,
financial and logistic support to ensure the success
of the Somali National Conference for Peace and the
implementation of decisions from this Conference.
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AHG/Dec.147
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Sierra Leone
The
Assembly:
1.
EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION to the Current Chairman
of ECOWAS, President Alpha Omar Konare, and the other
leaders of the region, for the efforts they have deployed
to bring peace to Sierra Leone; and EXPRESSES SUPPORT
for their efforts to establish a ceasefire and revive
the peace process in Sierra Leone, based on the Lome
Peace Agreement;
2.
CALLS ON the RUF in particular, to scrupulously abide
by and implement the terms of the Peace Agreement,
including disarming and demobilizing voluntary and
desisting from making attacks on UNAMSIL as well as
from acts of hostage-taking:
3.
CALLS FOR the immediate and unconditional lifting
of the siege of UNSAMSIL peacekeepers at Kailalun
by RUF, and restoring to them, complete freedom of
movement; RECALLS that restrictions on freedom of
movement of UNAMSIL peacekeepers is a violation of
the Lome Accord, the Bamako Summit Communiqué
and UN Security Council Resolutions on Sierra Leone.
It also recalls the mandate given by the ECOWAS Summit
to President Charles Taylor of Liberia in this regard
and URGES him to facilitate the early lifting of the
siege on UN personnel. The Conference stresses that
the RUF will be entirely responsible for any consequences
that may follow, in case the matter is not resolved
immediately;
4.
EXPRESSES ITS APPRECIATION and gratitude to Colonel
Muamar Al Gaddafi, Leader of the Great Alfateh Revolution
for his assistance in securing the release of the
hostages and for his effort to settle the conflict
and to achieve and sustain peace in Sierra Leone;
5.
EXPRESSES SUPPORT for the decision of the ECOWAS Heads
of State that troops be provided from the sub-region
to strengthen UNAMSIL and SUPPORTS the call by ECOWAS
to the United Nations Security Council to change the
mandate of UNAMSIL from peacekeeping to enforcement,
to increase the umber of UNSAMSIL personnel deployed
and to provide adequate logistical support to enable
UNAMSIL effectively carry out its mandate:
6.
WELCOMES the decision of ECOWAS to conduct a regional
enquiry into the illegal trade in diamonds originating
from Sierra Leone; and EXPRESSES SUPPORT for the ban
by the UN on the illegal trade in diamonds from Sierra
Leone.
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AHG/Dec.
148 (XXXVI)
Decision
on Angola
The
Assembly:
1.
EXPRESSES ITS CONCERN at the fact that the UN sanctions
against UNITA are not implemented effectively;
2.
WELCOMES the recent measures taken by some Member
States towards ensuring the implementation of the
UN sanctions against UNITA;
3.
REAFFIRMS its strong support for all the Resolutions
and efforts of the United Nations Security Council
on Angola;
4.
REQUESTS all Member States to scrupulously comply
with all the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions
and in this regard, to fully co-operate with the UN,
to ensure their effective implementation;
5.
CONDEMNS UNITA for continuing to wage war against
the people of Angola, which war has been responsible
for the humanitarian tragedy in that country and EXPRESSES
its solidarity with the Government and People of Angola;
6.
APPEALS to Member States in a position to do so and
to the wider International Community to extend maximum
assistance to the Government of Angola to enable it
address the humanitarian and socio-economic problems
that have resulted from the conflict in that country.
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AHG/Dec.149
(XXXVI)
Decision
on The Comoros
The
Assembly:
1.
REITERATES its commitment to the Unity and territorial
integrity of the Comoros;
2.
APPROVES the proposals of the Council of Ministers
upon recommendation of the countries of the Region
and of the Troika of the Central Organ aimed at putting
an end to the Separatist crisis in Anjouan, particularly
the military measures whose modalities will be determined
by the countries of the Region and the Troika of the
Central Organ;
3.
REITERATES ITS SUPPORT to the efforts of the countries
of the Region and the Troika of the Central Organ
in order to promote the restoration of the Constitutional
Order in the Comoros and APPROVES the proposals made
by the Council of Ministers in this regard.
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AHG/Dec.150
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa
- CM/2166 (LXXII)
The
Assembly:
A.1.
COMMENDS the Central Organ and its Sub-Committee on
Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa for
their work, and the Secretary General for the efforts
deployed to implement the Algiers Decisions;
2.
DECIDES to restrict the definition of unconstitutional
changes of government to paragraphs ((b) i to iv))
of the "Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional
Changes of Government" (Doc. Rev.1 of the Central
Organ);
3.
WELCOMES the restoration of democratic governance
in Niger and Guinea Bissau by their transitional authorities,
in compliance with the decision of the Algiers Summit
on Unconstitutional Changes of Government and STRONGLY
APPEALS to the International Community, particularly
the International Financial Institutions, to lend
concrete support for the Post-Conflict reconstruction
of both countries so that their peoples can begin
to enjoy the dividends of peace and the fruits of
democracy;
4.
ADOPTS the proposed Framework for an OAU Response
to Unconstitutional Changes of Government;
1.
RECALLS Decision AHG/Dec.141 (XXXV) adopted during
the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly rejecting
any unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa;
2.
REITERATES its condemnation of all types of unconstitutional
change of Government as anachronistic and in contradiction
of its commitment to the promotion of democratic principles
and constitutional rule;
3.
CALLS UPON the United Nations during the Millennium
Summit to join in the rejection of all types of unconstitutional
changes anywhere in the world, and to take appropriate
measures against their perpetrators.
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AHG/Dec.151
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the dispute between the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
the United States of America and the United Kingdom
- CM/2169
(LXXII)
The
Assembly:
1.
EXPRESSES SATISFACTION at the commencement of the
trial of the two Libyan suspects and REQUESTS that
all the necessary conditions be provided to ensure
that the trial is fair, neutral, and transparent;
2.
REQUESTS the Security Council to take a decision as
soon as possible for a final and total lifting of
sanctions imposed on the Great Socialist People’s
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and CONSIDERS as unacceptable
any delay or impediment to this process, or any request
contrary to international law, such as request for
damages prior to the verdict of the Scottish Tribunal
on this matter;
3.
REAFFIRMS the right of the Great Socialist People’s
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to compensation for the damages
caused by the imposition of sanctions;
4.
COMMENDS the Outgoing Chairman of the OAU for his
endeavours in approaching the President of the UN
Security Council as well as the UN Secretary-General
regarding the immediate and definitive lifting of
the sanctions imposed on the Great Socialist People’s
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;
5.
NOTES WITH APPRECIATION the normalization of diplomatic
relations and economic cooperation between the Great
Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and
a number of Western countries and ENCOURAGES other
countries to follow suit;
6.
FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to follow-up
on the implementation of this decision and to submit
a report thereon to the Thirty-seventh Ordinary Session
of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
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AHG/Dec.152
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Côte D'Ivoire
The
Assembly:
1.
DECIDES to establish a Committee composed of ten (10)
Heads of State to proceed quickly to Abidjan with
the mission of finding, together with all the political
leaders, a political compromise likely to ensure a
peaceful transition in the Unity and Stability of
Cote d’Ivoire;
2.
MANDATES President Eyadema to:
- inform
the Ivorian authorities of this decision;
- convene
immediately this Committee composed of: Togo, Nigeria,
Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Algeria, South
Africa, Djibouti and Senegal.
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AHG/Dec.153
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the Thirteenth Annual Activity Report of the African
Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE with satisfaction of the 13th Annual Activity
Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’
Rights and COMMENDS the Commission for the quality
of work accomplished during the period under review;
2.
URGES the African Commission to continue to exercise
its mandate of promoting and protecting human and
peoples’ rights, and to strengthen cooperation
with organizations dealing with human rights issues,
as well as with other relevant partners;
3.
FURTHER URGES Member States to honour their commitments
under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights, and to extend to the African Commission all
the assistance and cooperation necessary for the accomplishment
of its mission.
4.
AUTHORIZES the publication of the 13th Annual Activity
Report in conformity with Article 59 of the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
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AHG/Dec.154
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the holding of an African Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis
and other related infectious diseases
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE of the nexus between HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis,
other infectious diseases and Malaria;
2.
ENDORSES the proposal to hold an African Summit on
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
in the year 2001 and ACCEPTS the offer by the Federal
Republic of Nigeria to host the Summit;
3.
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to undertake necessary
consultations with UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, other relevant
international organizations and the government of
Nigeria, to ensure the success of the Summit. This
conference should be preceded by a meeting of Experts.
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AHG/Dec.155
(XXXVI)
Decision
on the Report of African Summit on Roll-Back Malaria
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE of the Report;
2.
ACKNOWLEDGES and WELCOMES the Abuja Declaration and
Plan of Action on Roll-Back-Malaria endorsed by the
Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and government
which met from 24-25 April 2000 in Abuja, Nigeria;
3.
CALLS UPON Member States to implement the Abuja Plan
of Action at National level and more specifically,
at community level;
4.
ENDORSES the proposal of declaring April 25 each year
as "Africa Malaria Control Day" and CALLS
UPON the United Nations to declare the coming decade
2001 – 2010, a decade for Roll-Back-Malaria;
5.
REQUESTS the Secretary General to follow-up and report
annually to the summit on the progress made in the
implementation of the Abuja Declaration and Plan of
Action on Roll-Back-Malaria.
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AHG/Dec.156
(XXXVI)
Decision on proposal for eradication
of tsetse flies on the African Continent - (CM/2152
(LXXII) ADD.2
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE of the report presented by the Government
of Uganda, and COMMENDS the efforts undertaken to
highlight the problems caused by tsetse flies in Africa;
2.
COMMENDS those African countries that have initiated
the application of Sterile Insect Technology (SIT)
for their pioneering effort;
3.
RECOGNIZES the seriousness of the problem as one of
Africa’s greatest constraints to socio-economic
development severely affecting human and livestock
health, limiting land use, causing poverty and perpetuating
underdevelopment on the Continent;
4.
URGES Member States to act collectively to rise to
the challenge of eliminating the problem through concerted
efforts in mobilizing the necessary human, financial
and material resources required to render Africa tsetse-free
within the shortest time possible;
5.
ACKNOWLEDGES the trans-boundary nature of the problem,
WELCOMES the establishment of the Pan-African SIT
Forum as a mechanism through which sustainable area-wide
tsetse eradication can be achieved and CALLS UPON
the Secretary-General to provide support to the Pan
African SIT FORUM;
6.
DECLARES the year 2001 as the year of the control
of tsetse fly, to mark the beginning of renewed efforts
in the campaign for the eradication of tsetse flies
in Africa;
7.
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to undertake all necessary
consultations with a view to initiating the campaign
from all possible partners and seek their support
and cooperation in the implementation of the Pan-African
Tsetse Eradication Campaign. The Secretary-General
should submit an annual Progress Report to the OAU
Summit, through the Current Chairman.
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AHG/Dec.157
(XXXVI)
Decision
proclaiming 25 May a work-free day in Africa
We,
the Heads of State and Government of the Organization
of African Unity (OAU) meeting at the Thirty-sixth
Ordinary Session of our Assembly, from 10 – 12
July, 2000 in Lome, Togo,
1.
DECLARE 25 May as work-free day throughout the territories
of Member States of the Organization of African Unity.
On this occasion, appropriate activities will be organized
to bring African peoples closer together, reaffirm
their faith in the integration and popularize the
ideals of union in the Continent;
2.
INVITE Member States to take all necessary legislative
and regulatory measures for the implementation of
this decision.
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AHG/Dec.158
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Africa and the United Nations Millennium Summit
The
Assembly:
1.
TAKES NOTE of the invitation extended to African Heads
of State and Government by the Secretary-General of
the United Nations to participate in the Millennium
Summit that is scheduled to take place in New York
from 6 to 8 September 2000, and of the Millennium
Report presented by the Secretary-General of the United
Nations;
2.
URGES African Heads of State and Government to fully
participate in the deliberations of this important
Summit, which will be co-chaired by Namibia on behalf
of the developing countries, and Finland on behalf
of the developed countries, in order to present the
African vision, and to contribute to the shaping of
the role of the United Nations in the 21st century
in general and particularly in Africa.
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AHG/Dec.159
(XXXVI)
Decision
on Chagos Archipelago
The
Assembly:
1.
EXPRESSES CONCERN that the Chagos Archipelago was
unilaterally and illegally excised by the colonial
power from Mauritius prior to its independence in
violation of UN Resolution 1514;
2.
NOTES WITH DISMAY that the bilateral talks between
Mauritius and UK on this matter has not yielded any
significant progress;
3.
URGES the UK Government to immediately enter into
direct and constructive dialogue with Mauritius so
as to enable the early return of the sovereignty of
Mauritius.
AHG/OAU/AEC/Dec.1
(IV)
Decision
The
Assembly of Heads of State and Government,
Considering
the Charter of the Organization of African Unity,
Considering
the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community,
especially Articles 7, 8, 9 and 10 thereof,
Considering
Further the Protocol on the Relations between the
African Economic Communities and the Regional Economic
Communities,
Having
Considered the Report of the Council of Minister,
Decides:
1.
Regulations of the Council of Ministers
Regulation
CM/AEC/Regl.1 (VI) and CM/OAU/AEC/Regl.1 (VII) of
the Council of Ministers are hereby approved.
2.
Ratification of AEC Treaty
Member
States which have not yet done so are urged to ratify
the AEC Treaty or accede to it as early as possible.
3.
First Africa-Europe Summit
- Special
commendations are extended to President Abdelaziz
BOUTEFLIKA of Algeria and President Hosny Mubarak
of Egypt for the tireless efforts they have deployed
to ensure the convening and success of this Summit;
- Gratitude
is expressed to the OAU Preparatory Committee and
its Core for their initiatives in preserving the
solidarity and unity of the OAU during negotiations
with the European side;
-
Member States are invited to give necessary priority
to implementation of the "Cairo Plan of Action"
adopted by the Summit;
- Member
States and the General Secretariat are invited to
map out, in co-operation with the RECs, an Implementation
Programme for the priority issues contained in the
Cairo Plan of Action and report regularly thereon
to Council;
4.
Africa's external debt
-
Creditors and the International Community are requested
to take urgent measures to:
-
Relax the modalities of the initiative in favour
of heavily indebted poor countries and extend
it to all African countries as a step towards
the cancellation of the continent’s external
debt;
-
Cancel all outstanding arrears in respect of
debt incurred before the new millennium.
-
The General Secretariat is requested to set up a
group of Experts to assist the OAU Contact Group
on Africa’s External Debt in:
-
formulating specific measures aimed at resolving
the Africa’s external debt problem;
-
mapping out a common African position for the
2001 event on development financing;
-
formulating concrete proposals on the reform
of the international monetary system.
-
The OAU Advisory Committee on Administrative, Budgetary
and Financial Matters should take the necessary
measures to ensure that adequate funds are earmarked
to this effect;
-
Special commendations are extended to the NGOs for
resolutely supporting the just cause of Africa for
debt cancellation as a way to help the continent
relieve itself of the debt burden.
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5.
Transport and communications
-
Note is taken of the Conference of African Ministers
responsible for Civil Aviation;
-
Decision Relating to the Implementation of the Yamoussoukro
Declaration concerning the Liberation of Access
to Air Transport Markets in Africa and contained
in document CM/2178 (LXXII) is endorsed;
-
Member States are urged to:
-
Adopt measures for speedy implementation of
the Decision;
-
Enhance co-operation among them with a view
to facilitating development of the air transport
industry, particularly air safety in Africa;
-
the Monitoring Body is requested to provide Member
States with the necessary support in the implementation
of the Decision.
5.
Third UN Conference on LDCs
-
Mandate is given to the Chairman of the third UN
conference on the LDCs to contact the G8 Countries.
In order to secure their support for the conference;
-
The General Secretariat is requested to organize
in co-operation with the RECs and relevant UN Agencies,
a meeting of all Member States, in order to adopt
a co-ordinated African position in preparation for
the third UN conference on the Least Developed Countries.
Done
in Lome, Togo on 12 July, 2000
Gnassingbe
EYADEMA, President of the Republic of Togo, Chairman
of the Assembly
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