Assembly of Heads of State and Government Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session/Fourth Ordinary Session of the AEC

10 - 12 July, 2000
Lome, Togo
AHG/Decl. 1- 6 (XXXVI)
AHG/St.1 – 3 (XXXVI)

Declarations and Statements adopted by the Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and Fourth Ordinary Session of the AEC

AHG/Decl.1 (XXXVI)
Declaration on the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries

WE, the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, meeting at the Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of our Assembly and the 4th Ordinary Session of the African Economic Community in Lome, Togo from 10 to 12 July 2000, have undertaken a critical review of the socio-economic situation of the 33 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa.

2. WE NOTE with concern that the socio-economic situation in these countries has continued to deteriorate, and that this situation has been exacerbated by external debt, inadequate infrastructure facilities, as well as by conflicts in some regions and natural disasters like cyclones, floods, and drought in others, leading to a rising level of poverty. Despite the drastic structural adjustment and policy reforms carried out by our countries, the number of countries in our continent classified in the category of Least Developed Countries has not decreased.

3. The international community, including the institutions within the United Nations System, has demonstrated its support to the LDCs through special initiatives targeted at this category of countries. In this regard, WE WELCOME the opportunity provided by the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries as a Forum for the International Community to go beyond general declarations of intent and commitment, and embark on concrete implementable actions directed at ameliorating the socio-economic situation in the LDCs, with a view to attaining the internationally agreed target of reducing the level of poverty by half by the year 2015.

4. WE REAFFIRM at the same time, that the development of African LDCs is primarily the responsibility of their governments and peoples. In this regard, WE COMMIT ourselves individually and collectively to support the effort of the LDCs in our continent through programmes for promoting regional economic cooperation. This, WE BELIEVE is the only way forward for Africa as a whole to integrate into the global economy equitably.

5. In order to assist the LDCs deal with the serious challenges they continue to face, WE CALL ON the international community to redouble its effort in the critical areas of debt cancellation, resource flows, capacity building and infrastructural development with concrete programmes to be worked out in close consultation and cooperation with our continental and regional organizations.

6. For the LDCs to be a credible participant in the global economy and conscious of the unavoidable phenomenon of globalisation, WE CALL on the 3rd UN Conference on the LDCs to launch a programme for the accelerated transformation of the economies of these countries, with emphasis on expanding and diversifying the production and export base. While WE COMMEND the decision to improve market access for products from the LDCs, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE that these opportunities can be exploited advantageously only when the required production and export capacities have been established and strengthened in the LDCs.

7. With regard to the debt problem of the LDCs, WE WELCOME the announcement concerning the enhancing of HIPC Initiative and call on the international community to provide adequate resources for its effective operationalization. While underscoring the fact that external debt and the debt service payments represent an excruciating burden on our continent and stifle our effort at development, WE CALL ON the creditor countries and multilateral financial institutions to provide real debt relief, including debt cancellation in favour of all LDCs, complemented by increased capital flows, particularly Official Development Assistance to meet the international agreed target, and Foreign Direct Investment. WE, on our part, UNDERTAKE TO COMMIT the funds released from such actions to the development of our societies with a view to eradicating poverty.

8. WE PLEDGE to lend our full support to the African LDCs in preparing for the 3rd UN Conference and to ensure the effective participation of all our countries. WE CALL ON the Secretary-General of the OAU, in consultation and cooperation with all the Regional Economic Communities, UNCTAD and other related UN bodies to assist the LDCs in the preparation for the 3rd UN Conference and to organise in that respect an African ministerial conference for the purpose of adopting an African common position.

Lome, Togo
12 July 2000

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AHG/Decl.2 (XXXVI)
Lome declaration

We, the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) meeting at the Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of our Assembly in Lome, Togo from 10 to 12 July, 2000,

Firmly committed to the fundamental principles and objectives of the OAU Charter adopted by the Founding Fathers, namely, political independence, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, promotion of peace, security, co-operation, development and human and peoples rights,

Conscious of the persistence of conflict situations and acts of violence which are seriously undermining the security and stability of our States, and gravely hampering our development efforts,

Convinced of the need to work towards the maintenance of regional and international peace and security, in accordance with the United Nations Organization (UN) and OAU Charters,

Noting with concern that the reform of the Security Council aimed at aligning its membership and functioning to new exigencies is long overdue,

Deploring the fact that the International Community has not always accorded due attention to conflict management in Africa, as it has consistently done in other regions of the world, and that the efforts exerted by Africans themselves in the area of peace keeping, as provided for under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, are not given adequate financial and logistical support,

Gravely Concerned by the growing number of refugees and displaced persons on the African Continent, as a result of all these conflicts,

Also deploring the growing deterioration of the prices of raw materials and the obstacles militating against access of African countries to international trade,

Further Gravely concerned by the negative effect of indebtedness on African economies and by the persistent decline of ODA and investments in our countries,

Recognizing that Africa’s progress and economic and social development are contingent upon the integration of African economies, as stipulated in the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community,

Considering the imperative need to strengthen African economies in order to enable them to benefit from the globalization process,

Stressing the importance of the International Community’s contribution to efforts by African States for sustainable development, a prerequisite for peace and security,

Further stressing the importance of technology transfer for Africa’s industrial development,

Further Recognizing that misery, poverty, hunger, disease, injustice, illiteracy and war constitute major impediments to the development and advancement of our peoples,

Recalling the importance of education, training and capacity building in Africa’s development process,

Also Recognizing the preponderant place and role of African women in the economic, social, human and cultural development, as well as in the edification of a harmonious and prosperous African society,

Further Considering that cross-border criminality, illicit proliferation circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons, drug trafficking, corruption and terrorism constitute serious threats to security and stability, and hamper the harmonious economic and social development of the Continent,

Bearing in mind our Decision AHG/Dec. 137 (LXXV) of July 1999 on the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons,

Further Noting with concern that the plight of millions of African children is worsening by the day due to war, their conscription for armed conflicts and their abusive exploitation in many respects,

Further Recalling the need to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,

Also Gravely concerned by the widespread incidence of HIV/AIDS and the ravages caused by other pandemics such as malaria, which seriously undermine Africa’s development efforts,

Further concerned with the devastating effects of natural disasters in Africa on the lives of the peoples and on the national and regional economies,

Aware that development, democracy, respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, good governance, tolerance, culture of peace are essential prerequisites for the establishment and maintenance of peace, security and stability,

Further Convinced that cultural diversity and dialogue among civilizations are sources of enrichment and progress,

Reiterating our faith in the Sirte declaration of 9 September 1999.

1. REAFFIRM our strong resolve to make the year 2000, a year of peace, security and solidarity in Africa, in accordance with Declaration AHG/Decl.2 (XXXV) which we adopted at our 35th Ordinary Session held in Algiers from 12 to 14 July 1999;

2. COMMIT OURSELVES to intensify our actions for peace, and to support efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of conflicts in Africa, particularly through the strengthening of the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, and of African capacities for conflict management and the maintenance of peace and security;

3. STRONGLY ADVOCATE co-operation in the area of peace keeping and security between the United Nations Organization (UNO) , the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and African Regional Organizations;

4. Recognizing the expansion of UN peacekeeping activities and the need for adequate resources for rapid and efficient deployment of peacekeeping operations, WE AFFIRM the importance of taking necessary steps to ensure an adequate system of financing for all UN peacekeeping activities;

5. While recalling that maintenance of international peace and security is the primary responsibility of the UN Security Council, WE URGE the United Nations and the International Community to pay necessary attention to the management and resolution of conflicts in Africa and actively support the initiatives deployed under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter;

6. REAFFIRM FURTHER the need to pursue efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive and complete disarmament, including nuclear disarmament, as a means of attaining the objectives of regional and international peace and security;

7. COMMIT OURSELVES FURTHER to tackle the root causes of the problem of refugees and displaced persons, and to create conditions conducive to voluntary repatriation of refugees and return of displaced persons to their places of origin;

8. ARE DETERMINED to preserve Africa as a nuclear free zone in conformity with the PELINDABA TREATY signed in Cairo on 11 April 1996, and REAFFIRM our resolve to leave no stone unturned to ensure the early entry into force of this Treaty;

9. COMMIT OURSELVES ALSO to resolutely combat cross-border criminality, illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons, drug trafficking, corruption and terrorism;

10. WELCOME the moratorium on import, export and manufacture of small arms and light weapons in Africa introduced by ECOWAS Member States and ENCOURAGES the establishment of similar mechanisms in other regions;

11. EMPHASIZE the need for African States to take an active part in the 2001 World Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects;

12. SOLEMNLY APPEAL to Member States to speed up the ratification process of the OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism signed in Algiers on 14 July 1999;

13. REITERATE our determination to continue to promote respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, rule of law and good governance in our countries;

14. REAFFIRM ALSO the imperative need to accelerate the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and ensure that its membership is more reflective of the universality of the Organization, a prerequisite for its increased credibility;

15. ARE FIRMLY RESOLVED to hasten the African integration process, particularly through:

• dynamic cooperation among the Regional Economic Communities;
• enhancement of intra and inter-regional trade, and
• rationalization and optimum use of the regional training and capacity-building centers in Africa in conformity with the 1991 Abuja Treaty Establishing the African economic community.

16. RECALL WITH SATISFACTION the successful holding on 3-4 April 2000, of the Africa-Europe Summit in Cairo, Egypt, as a historic effort to strengthen cooperation and develop a new strategic partnership between the two Continents and URGE that efforts be sustained to implement the decisions contained in the Cairo Declaration and Plan of Action;

17. FURTHER REAFFIRM our commitment to the Libreville Summit Declaration and Plan of Action and the Social Summit of Copenhagen on the increase of poverty and its reduction in Africa and REITERATE our pledge to implement this Plan of Action;

18. CALL ON the industrialized countries to take more purposeful and innovative initiatives aimed at the total cancellation of the debt owed by African countries;

19. AGREE to reinvigorate the OAU Contact Group on Africa’s External Debt in order to continue to search for suitable solutions to the excruciating debt burden;

20. FURTHER CALL ON the International Community to do its utmost to ensure that globalization serves the interest of all countries without discrimination and, in particular, facilitate the effective participation of our countries in the global trade system, thereby helping us to lay the foundations for durable and equitable growth;

21. FURTHER REAFFIRM our firm resolve to eliminate poverty, illiteracy and social inequalities in our countries, and in this regard, SUPPORT the efforts aimed at the establishment of a World Solidarity Fund;

22. CALL UPON Member States to strengthen the measures designed to implement the Programme of Action of the Decade of Education in Africa (1997-2006) and SUPPORT the resolutions adopted by the Dakar UNESCO Conference on Education held from 24 – 28 April 2000;

23. ADVOCATE FURTHER the establishment and promotion of the new communication and information technologies as invaluable tools for the promotion of culture, education and development;

24. REAFFIRM FINALLY our determination to implement all relevant United Nations and OAU Declarations aimed at the rapid and definitive elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and URGE for greater participation of women at all levels of management of public affairs and development;

25. EXHORT Member States to implement policies which contribute to the promotion and exercise of the rights of the child, as well as the full physical, intellectual and moral development of the child in an environment of peace, security and stability;

26. CALL ON ALSO the International Community to lend support to our efforts in the promotion of health care, particularly in the fight against Malaria and AIDS, in accordance with the pertinent decisions and resolutions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the Council of Ministers;

27. STRONGLY SUPPORT the establishment of an African mechanism for the prevention and control of natural disasters and the strengthening of the relevant funds to mitigate their destructive effects in Africa;

28. Reaffirming that Africa’s development devolves primarily on our Governments and peoples, WE ARE RESOLVED to consolidate the foundations of equitable and sustainable development centered on humankind, and underpinned by viable economic policies, social justice, respect for human rights and effective management of public affairs, thereby ensuring the speedy structural transformation of our economies;

29. To these ends, WE FINALLY AND SOLEMNLY COMMIT OURSELVES to resolutely support all efforts geared to defending and promoting Africa’s interests within the context of the African Union, as stipulated in the Sirte Declaration of 9 September 1999, thereby making Africa a more united, more prosperous and stronger Continent, fully responsible for its own destiny.

Done in LOME, Republic of Togo, 12 JULY 2000

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AHG/Decl.3 (XXXVI)
Lome declaration on HIV/AIDS 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 in Lome, Togo from 10 to 12 July, 2000,

Having devoted a full session of our meeting to deliberate frankly and extensively on the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in our countries and Bearing in Mind the daunting medical, socio-economic and political challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS scourge in our continent;

Recognizing that responding to those challenges requires inter-alia, intense awareness building campaign and an expression of political will of an exceptional nature at the highest possible level in all countries of our continent;

Recalling our previous Declaration AHG/Decl.(XXIII) on Health, as a Foundation for Socio-Economic Development, endorsed in 1987 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as well as our Dakar (1992) and Tunis (1994) Declarations on HIV/AIDS in Africa in which we committed ourselves to mobilize all segments of the society in our countries, to fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic;

Gravely Concerned about the rapid spread of HIV infection in our countries and the millions of deaths caused by AIDS throughout our continent in spite of the serious efforts being invested by our countries to combat this scourge, as well as infectious diseases particularly sexually transmitted diseases (STDs);

Further Concerned by the recurrence of diseases which had previously been eradicated from our continent, such as Tuberculosis, and the emergence of new diseases which have become prevalent in Africa, and are complicating the control of HIV/AIDS;

Commending the efforts made by our respective individual national governments, our Continental Organization, the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, national and International NGOs, and some individuals, to sensitize our peoples to the threat of HIV/AIDS and Recognizing that progress made in this endeavour has remained largely limited, uneven, fragile and incomplete;

Further Recognizing that the sacrifices, and ability of our people mainly women to cope with the tragic consequences of this pandemic at the individual, family, community and national levels, to confront and overcome the losses and threats of HIV/AIDS, need our greater attention and support;

SOLEMNLY DECIDE TO:

• RECOMMIT OURSELVES and our Governments to the principles and actions enunciated in our previous Declarations, Decisions and Recommendations on controlling the spread of the HIV/AIDS on our continent;
  
  
• COMMIT OURSELVES to take personal responsibility and provide leadership for the activities of the National AIDS Commissions/Councils where they exist and ensure that they are established where they do not exist;
  
  
• RESOLVE to keep the question of HIV/AIDS high on national agenda for health, social, cultural and economic activities and to make it a development issue;
  
  
• ENHANCE capacities of our Governments, particularly our Ministries of Health, to develop and enact national strategies to deal with HIV/AIDS as a priority within our national development plans;

TO THAT EFFECT, WE RESOLVE TO ENDORSE:

• The Algiers Common Position and Plan of Action on Strategies to support HIV/AIDS Orphans, Vulnerable Children and children-infected by HIV/AIDS adopted by the OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission;
  
  
• The Algiers Appeal by the OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission for the Intensification of the fight Against AIDS in Africa;
  
  
• The Ouagadougou Commitment for Action for the Implementation of the Declarations, Decisions and Recommendations of the Heads of State and Government of the OAU aimed at strengthening HIV/AIDS Control in Africa;
  
  
• The Framework of the International Partnership on AIDS in Africa in order to intensify the health sector response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic;
  
  
• FURTHER COMMIT OURSELVES and PLEDGE TO TAKE all necessary measures to facilitate the implementation of the above instruments and to allocate resources within the framework of our national budgets to HIV/AIDS activities, particularly the prevention and the epidemiological study of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, public education on HIV/AIDS and its prevention and care, taking due recognition of the needs of HIV positive people and People Living with AIDS, their rights and roles in the containment of the epidemic;
  
  
• REQUEST the International Partnership against HIV/AIDS to collaborate with the OAU General Secretariat and our individual Member States in order to mobilize necessary additional financial resources for the fight against AIDS epidemic in Africa;
  
  
• MANDATE our Governments, with the assistance of International partners, to take all necessary measures in order to accelerate Health Sector reform with a focus on all pandemics in general and HIV/AIDS in particular, as a basis for improving the standard of living of our populations;
  
  
• FURTHER REQUEST our Secretary-General in collaboration with international partners, to draw up a Plan of Action for acceleration of Health Sector Reform with a focus on epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, and malaria in our Continent, particularly the establishment of research and training centres where African indigenous knowledge on health systems could be incorporated.
  
  
• ALSO REQUEST our Secretary-General, in collaboration with WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF and all other interested international partners, to follow-up on the implementation of this Declaration and report to our Assembly every year on progress achieved.

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AHG/Decl.4 (XXXVI)
CSSDCA solemn declaration

1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), meeting in Lome, Togo, at the 36th Assembly of our Organization, have considered the report of the Ministerial meeting of the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) held in Abuja, from 8 to 9 May, 2000. The Ministerial Conference was convened pursuant to the decision taken in Algiers in July 1999, proclaiming 2000 as the Year of Peace, Security and Solidarity in Africa as well as the Declaration adopted on 9 September, 1999, at our 4th Extraordinary Summit in Sirte, in the Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, which, inter-alia, decided on the establishment of an African Union and the convening of the Ministerial Conference.

2. We recall the Decisions we have taken, over the years, to promote political stability and economic development in our Continent. In the realm of promoting stability, the African Charter for Popular Participation in Development and the Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes Taking Place in the World, were adopted in 1990.

3. In June 1993, in Cairo, Egypt, we adopted a Declaration establishing the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution to forge, within the OAU, a new institutional dynamism for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. In 1981 and 1998 respectively, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Protocol on the establishment of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, were adopted. Both were important instruments for ensuring the promotion, protection and observance of human rights as an integral part of our Organization’s wider objective of promoting collective security for durable peace and sustainable development.

4. "In July 1997, during our Summit in Harare, we took a stand against Unconstitutional Changes of Government. This led the Algiers Summit of July 1999 to adopt a decision on Unconstitutional Changes of Governments to reinforce respect for democracy, the rule of law, good governance and stability."

5. In the area of development and cooperation, the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos were adopted in 1980; the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community and the Cairo Agenda for Re-launching the Economic and Social Development of Africa, were adopted in 1991 and 1995 respectively. The Sirte Declaration of September 1999, included measures for accelerating the process of economic integration and addressing the question of Africa’s indebtedness.

6. We recall that these concerns were at the core of the initiative launched by the African Leadership Forum on the CSSDCA process. We note that the conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa as proposed in the Kampala Document was not conceived as a one-off event, but rather as a process. The underlying thinking of the CSSDCA process as articulated in the four calabashes of the Kampala Document of 1991 was a recognition of the fact that the problems of security and stability in many African countries had impaired their capacity to achieve the necessary level of intra and inter-African cooperation that is required to attain the integration of the continent and critical to the continent’s socio-economic development and transformation. In this regard, we have used both the revised Kampala Document and the working document elaborated by our experts in Addis Ababa to enrich our thinking on the CSSDCA process.

7. We note that all the major decisions taken by our Organization since its inception, reflect the inter-linkage between peace, stability, development, integration and cooperation. We believe that the CSSDCA process creates a synergy between the various activities currently undertaken by our Organization and should therefore help to consolidate the work of the OAU in the areas of peace, security, stability, development and cooperation. It should provide a policy development forum for the elaboration and advancement of common values within the main policy organs of the OAU.

8. We are convinced that the interactive approach embedded in the CSSDCA initiative, should provide an invaluable tool for the pursuit of the agenda of the OAU in the new millennium, with particular reference to the issues of Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation.

Declaration of principles

9. In recognition of the importance of the CSSDCA, which shall encompass four major areas henceforth called Calabashes: Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in furthering Africa’s interests within the ambit of the OAU, we affirm the following general and specific principles:

General principles

1. Respect for the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all Member States;
   
   
2. The security, stability and development of every African country is inseparably linked to that of other African countries. Instability in one country affects the stability of neighbouring countries and has serious implications for continental unity, peace and development;
   
   
3. The interdependence of Member States and the link between their security, stability and development make it imperative to develop a common African agenda. Such an agenda must be based on a unity of purpose and a collective political consensus derived from a firm conviction that Africa cannot make any significant progress without finding lasting solutions to the problem of peace and security;
   
   
4. The peaceful resolution of disputes, with emphasis on seeking African solutions to African problems;
   
   
5. The prevention, management and resolution of conflicts provide the enabling environment for peace, security, stability and development to flourish;
   
   
6. The responsibility for the security, stability and socio-economic development of the Continent lies primarily with African States;
   
   
7. While recognizing that the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has with the United Nations Security Council, the OAU, in close cooperation with the United Nations and the Regional Economic Communities, remains the premier organization for promoting security, stability, development and cooperation in Africa;
   
   
8. Democracy, good governance, respect for human and peoples’ rights and the rule of law are prerequisites for the security, stability and development of the Continent;
   
   
9. Africa’s resources should be used more effectively to meet the needs of African peoples and to improve their well-being;
   
   
10. The fulfillment of the objectives of the CSSDCA, requires the strengthening of Africa’s solidarity and partnership with other regions of the world, in order to meet the challenges of globalization and avoid further marginalization;
    
    
11. HIV/AIDS and other pandemics on the continent constitute a threat to human security as well as short and long term sustainable growth in Africa;
    
    
12. Member States should adhere in good faith to all CSSDCA principles and ensure their implementation.

Specific principles

Security

10. Recognizing that security should be seen in its wholesomeness and totality including the right of peoples to live in peace with access to the basic necessities of life, while fully enjoying the rights enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and freely participating in the affairs of their societies; and bearing in mind that Africa’s security and that of its Member States are inseparably linked with the security of all African peoples;

We affirm that:

1. Security should be recognized as a pillar of the CSSDCA process. It is an indispensable condition for peace, stability, development and cooperation. It underscores the organic links that exist between the security of Member States as a whole and the security of each of them on the basis of their history, culture, geography and their common destiny. This implies individual and collective responsibilities exercised within the basic framework of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other relevant international instruments;
   
   
2. The concept of security must embrace all aspects of society including economic, political, and social and environmental dimensions of the individual, family, and community, local and national life. The security of a nation must be based on the security of the life of the individual citizens to live in peace and to satisfy basic needs while being able to participate fully in societal affairs and enjoying freedom and fundamental human rights;
   
   
3. The security of all Africans and their States as a whole is indispensable for stability, development and cooperation in Africa. This should be a sacred responsibility of all African States – individually and collectively- which must be exercised within the basic framework of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant international instruments;
   
   
4. Member States should in times of peace undertake the delimitation and demarcation of common borders;
   
   
5. There is an imperative need to build and enhance Africa’s capacity for peace support operations, emergency relief preparedness and natural disaster response at the sub-regional and continental levels, including the strengthening of regional efforts and initiatives;
   
   
6. Foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Member States, especially in situations of conflict should be resisted and condemned by all Member States;
   
   
7. The problem of refugees and displaced persons constitutes a threat to peace and security of the continent and its root causes must be addressed;
   
   
8. Uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons as well as the problem of landmines pose a threat to peace and security in the African continent.

Stability

11. Noting that stability requires that all States be guided by strict adherence to the rule of law, good governance, peoples participation in public affairs, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the establishment of political organizations devoid of sectarian, religious, ethnic, regional and racial extremism;

We affirm that:

1. The Executive, legislative and judicial branches of government must respect their national constitutions and adhere to the provisions of the law and other legislative enactment promulgated by National Assemblies. No one should be exempted from accountability;
   
   
2. The active and genuine participation of citizens of every country in the decision-making processes and in the conduct of public affairs must be fostered and facilitated;
   
   
3. All rights and freedoms of citizens should be promoted and protected;
   
   
4. There shall be no hindrance to the promotion of political pluralism. All forms of extremism and intolerance foster instability;
   
   
5. Terrorism, in all its manifestations, is inimical to stability.

Development

12. Noting that the attainment of self-reliance, sustainable growth and economic development will be facilitated by the promotion of economic cooperation and integration; that effective diversification of the resource and production base is vital for rapid social and economic transformation; that popular participation, equal opportunity, transparency in public policy-making and partnership between government and peoples are necessary for the achievement of development; that improved access to resources and markets for Africa’s exports as well as debt cancellation and capacity-building in all fields of human endeavour are crucial for Africa’s development;

We affirm that:

1. The accelerated economic development of our countries is at the centre of our national policies and in this regard, comprehensive programmes will be put in place at the national and regional levels to address capacity constraints, infrastructural problems and weak industrial and technological base;
   
   
2. Self-sustaining economic growth and development must be grounded on self-reliance and diversification of the production base of African economies;
   
   
3. Unilateral imposition of economic sanctions and blockade are unjust and constitute a serious constraint to development;
   
   
4. Rapid physical and economic integration of the continent through the African Economic Community and the Regional Economic Communities is vital for Africa’s economic recovery and development and for enhancing prospects to achieve competitiveness in a globalizing world;
   
   
5. The principles of popular participation, equal opportunity and equitable access to resources for all people must underlie all development objectives and strategies;
   
   
6. Partnership, trust and transparency between leaders and citizens will be critical to ensure sustainable development, based on mutual responsibilities and a shared vision;
   
   
7. An effective solution to Africa’s external debt problem including total debt cancellation in accordance with the mandates given to the Presidents of Algeria and South Africa is crucial to supporting Africa’s programme on poverty eradication;
   
   
8. (h) The inalienable sovereign right of African countries to control their natural resources must be respected.

Cooperation

13. Noting the importance of regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration to the development of our continent, and the efforts so far made in this connection to implement the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community, as well as the various initiatives of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs); and stressing the need to articulate and harmonize the macro-economic policies, strengthen the institutions for regional integration and build regional infrastructural networks, particularly in the transport and communication sectors;

We affirm that:

1. Member States should further intensify efforts at economic integration to compete better in the global economy and work towards a shortened time-table for the realization of the African Economic Community (AEC);
   
   
2. Member States should act jointly and collectively to develop, protect, manage and equitably utilize common natural resources for mutual benefit;
   
   
3. Taking into account the growing global interdependence, African countries must seek to explore further, opportunities for beneficial cooperative relations with other developing and industrialized countries;
   
   
4. In pursuing closer cooperation and integration, African countries will need to transfer certain responsibilities to continental or sub-regional institutions within the framework of the African Economic Community and the Regional Economic Communities;
   
   
5. The promotion of North-South and South-South cooperation is an important strategy in Africa’s development effort, particularly in addressing issues such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows, external debt and terms of trade which impact on Africa’s development;
   
   
6. The process of regional and continental integration will be facilitated by enhanced effort at harmonization and coordination of economic programmes and policies of Regional Economic Communities.

Plan of action

14. Having identified the General and Specific Principles that will guide the CSSDCA process and having reached a consensus on the need to put in place measures for the implementation of those principles, we, the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, have agreed on the following Plan of Action.

Security

We agree to:

1. Reinforce Africa's capacity for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution by strengthening the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, in particular, through the mobilization of additional resources and logistical support for the operational activities of the Mechanism and the enhancement of the effectiveness of the Central Organ;
   
   
2. Strengthen the capacity of the OAU mechanism for negotiation, mediation and conciliation, inter-alia, through the use of African statesmen and eminent personalities in overall efforts to prevent, manage and/or resolve conflicts;
   
   
3. Establish modalities for more effective cooperation, coordination and harmonization between the OAU and African and non-African organizations on the one hand, and between the OAU and the UN, as the World body which is primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, on the other, especially, in relation to peace-building and peace-making and peace-keeping;
   
   
4. Adopt confidence-building measures based on trust, transparency, good neighbourliness, respect for the territorial integrity, security concerns of States and non-interference in their internal affairs, as the bedrock of inter-state relations. In this regard, negotiations for the delimitation and demarcation of disputed borders, exchange of information and cooperation at the sub-regional level on security matters, especially on issues relating to terrorism, cross border criminal activities and joint military training as well as emergency relief preparedness and natural disaster response;
   
   
5. Recommit ourselves to politically negotiated approaches for resolving conflicts so as to create an environment of peace and stability on the continent that will also have the effect of reducing military expenditure, thus releasing additional resources for socio-economic development;
   
   
6. Ensure that parties to conflicts commit themselves to fully cooperate with the efforts made within the framework of the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution and of regional mechanisms;
   
   
7. Endorse the proposed OAU Early Warning System which should be made fully operational expeditiously, to provide timely information on conflict situations in Africa. This should be complemented by a corresponding preparedness by our States to facilitate early political action by the OAU, based on Early Warning information;
   
   
8. Enhance OAU's capacity for mobilizing support and resources for the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of countries emerging from conflicts;
   
   
9. Implement the Decision of the 31st Summit on Ready Contingents within Member States for possible deployment by the UN and in exceptional circumstances, by the OAU, as well as the recommendations of the meetings of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff;
   
   
10. Address the root causes of the problem of refugees and displaced persons on the continent and work towards the mobilization of resources to provide adequate assistance for asylum countries to enable them mitigate the impact of the refugee burden;
    
    
11. Address the phenomena of armed elements and political activists in Refugee Camps, impunity, crimes against humanity, child soldiers and drug addiction, which have contributed to the state of insecurity in some parts of the continent;
    
    
12. Work towards ending the illicit proliferation and trafficking in small arms and light weapons that has played a major role in perpetuating intra and inter-State conflicts in Africa.
    
    
13. Monitor progress and regularly evaluate the implementation of the Algiers Decision declaring the year 2000, as the Year of Peace, Security and Solidarity in Africa.

Stability

We agree to:

1. Intensify efforts aimed at enhancing the process of democratization in Africa. In this regard, the strengthening of institutions that will sustain democracy on the continent including the holding of free and fair elections should be encouraged;
   
   
2. Adopt and implement a set of guidelines for dealing with unconstitutional and undemocratic changes in Africa in line with the Decisions that we took during the 35th Ordinary Session of our Assembly held in Algiers in 1999;
   
   
3. Encourage the participation and contribution of Civil Society in our States, to the efforts to bring about further democratization in our Continent;
   
   
4. Recommit ourselves to the promotion of Good Governance, a culture of peace and accountability by leaders and officials, as a shared community value;
   
   
5. Encourage civic education on good governance and the promotion of African values in African institutions and schools;
   
   
6. Uphold and guarantee the rule of law, the protection and defence of the rights of citizenship as acquired at independence and as provided for in national constitutions;
   
   
7. Vigorously combat racism, extreme nationalism, religious extremism and xenophobic tendencies;
   
   
8. Promote and encourage cohesion, national solidarity and identity within African societies;
   
   
9. Protect and promote respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, such as the freedom of expression and association, political and trade union pluralism and other forms of participatory democracy;
   
   
10. Ensure the equitable distribution of national income and wealth, as well as transparency in the exploitation of Africa's resources. In this regard, the negative impact of external and internal interests in the exploitation of Africa's resources and corruption, which continue to fuel conflicts on the continent, should be addressed in a more cohesive and effective manner;
    
    
11. Promote greater burden-sharing in addressing refugee problems in Africa and, especially, reduce its negative impact on the environment and the economies of asylum countries;
    
    
12. Condemn genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Continent and undertake to cooperate with relevant institutions set up to prosecute the perpetrators. Similarly, we agree to take measures to prevent the occurrence of genocide on our Continent, and encourage ratification of the protocol on the establishment of African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the statute of the International Criminal Court.

Development

We agree to:

1. Accelerate the implementation process of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community;
   
   
2. Implement the Cairo Agenda for Re-launching the economic and Social Development of Africa;
   
   
3. Implement the Sirte Summit Declaration on the establishment of the African Union and other Decisions, including the establishment of a Pan-African Parliament;
   
   
4. Initiate action in cooperation with other developing countries to establish an open, rule-based, accountable, predictable, just, equitable, comprehensive and development-oriented global system of economic relations that takes into account the special situation of African economies;
   
   
5. Create stable and predictable economic environment that will allow for linkages between different economic sectors and dynamic local entrepreneurship, while establishing and reinforcing linkages between the formal and informal sectors;
   
   
6. Design programmes for poverty eradication and the improvement of the living standards of African peoples;
   
   
7. Support the appeals made by Tunisia to Heads of State and Government at Regional and International Fora for the creation of a World Solidarity Fund to combat poverty;
   
   
8. Build and nurture African solidarity and unity of action, based on shared values, common development interests and goals for the benefit of Africa and its peoples. Such solidarity should be manifested in situations where African countries and peoples are subjected to external pressures and sanctions;
   
   
9. Encourage and strengthen work ethics as well as create the necessary conditions to stop brain drain, particularly, through increased development of African human resources and the establishment of a register of African experts;
   
   
10. Strengthen partnership between the State and the private sector and create the propitious environment for the development and expansion of our economies;
    
    
11. Develop the human resources of our Continent;
    
    
12. Enhance relevant skills development through the optimal and efficient utilization of existing institutions and develop new centres of excellence, and where necessary draw on, inter alia, the diaspora to supplement existing capacities and facilitate technology and skills transfer;
    
    
13. Implement reforms to enhance economic development;
    
    
14. Ensure the enactment of appropriate national laws to extend equal opportunities with respect to health, education, employment and other civic rights to all citizens, especially women and the girl child;
    
    
15. Mobilize financial resources, pursue the objective of the cancellation of Africa's debt and of improved market access for Africa’s exports;
    
    
16. Develop as a priority, the main sectors of the economy, at all levels, such as agriculture, energy, industry, trade, transport and communication and human resources;
    
    
17. Give special emphasis to the empowerment of women to enable them actively and independently participate in activities aimed at promoting economic development;
    
    
18. Develop programmes to improve the skills of Youths, so as to facilitate their employment and enhance their role in development;
    
    
19. Promote sustainable environmental policies and sustained economic growth.

Cooperation

We agree to:

1. Pursue with vigour, the implementation of the Abuja Treaty, establishing the African Economic Community;
   
   
2. Implement the Cairo Agenda for Re-launching the Economic and Social Development of Africa;
   
   
3. Implement the Sirte Declaration of 9-9-99;
   
   
4. Elaborate a strategy for the dissemination and popularization of the decisions of the OAU/AEC and the RECs;
   
   
5. Improve coordination at the level of the OAU to ensure accelerated integration at the regional levels and improved coordination among the RECs, and between the OAU/AEC and the RECs;
   
   
6. Promote financial cooperation and integration of financial markets;
   
   
7. Promote intra-African and international cooperation with a view to finding an effective solution to Africa’s outstanding problems in the fields of debt, trade, investment and AIDS pandemic;
   
   
8. Implement the outcome of various studies undertaken on the establishment of self-financing mechanisms for the RECs;
   
   
9. Improve the modalities for undertaking regular review and the implementation of cooperation agreements, within Africa and between Africa and its development partners;
   
   
10. Improve various trade related facilities, including transport, communication, border formalities, to ensure the free movement of persons and goods at all levels;
    
    
11. Promote joint ventures between Member States and Regional Cooperation programmes;
    
    
12. Take necessary measures to identify static and dynamic comparative advantage, through joint harmonization of regional policy framework, as the basis for the expansion of the production base in African countries and as a guide for cooperation between African countries in the areas of industry, trade, energy, transport, communication and human resources;
    
    
13. Strengthen Regional Economic Communities;
    
    
14. Promote South-South Cooperation and Cooperation between Africa and the Industrialized countries;
    
    
15. Improve access to information and communication technologies;
    
    
16. Forge close cooperation with a view to addressing problems related to natural disasters through the establishment of appropriate institutions and promotion of capacity building.

Implementation mechanism

15. In order to implement the CSSDCA within the framework of our Organization and ensure the sustainability of the process, we agree to:

1. Establish a Standing Conference which should meet every two years during our Summit. Provision should be made for African Parliamentarians to make their contributions to the Conference through the Pan-African Parliament, while representatives of the civil society may forward their views and recommendations to the Standing Conference through the OAU General Secretariat;
   
   
2. Convene of Review Meetings of Plenipotentiaries and Senior Officials of OAU Member States to monitor the implementation of the CSSDCA decisions, in-between Sessions of the Standing Conference. To this end, we request our Secretary General to work out the modalities and financial implications for realizing this objective;
   
   
3. Incorporate CSSDCA principles and guidelines in national institutions that would have responsibility for helping in the monitoring of the implementation of CSSDCA activities;
   
   
4. Request the Secretary General to initiate internal administrative arrangements for designating, within the OAU Secretariat, a Unit to coordinate CSSDCA activities;
   
   
5. Take necessary measures to ensure that detailed discussions are undertaken on the various Calabashes in order to implement the CSSDCA process. In this regard, the Secretary General is requested to coordinate the consultations with a view to ensuring the convening of the meetings on the Calabashes;
   
   
6. Review the progress report of the Secretary General on the CSSDCA process during our next Extra-Ordinary Summit in Sirte, Libya in 2001 and the conclusions of the discussions on the various Calabashes at our Summit in 2002.
   
   
7. Review the agreements deriving from these meetings and discussions after considering the outcome of consultations to be undertaken by the Secretary General, during our Summit in Sirte, Libya, in 2001.

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AHG/Decl.5 (XXXVI)
Declaration on the framework for an OAU response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government

We, Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of African Unity, meeting at the Thirty-sixth Ordinary