Council of Ministers Seventy-third Ordinary Session/ Eighth Ordinary Session of the African Economic Community

22 – 26 February 2001
Tripoli, Libya
CM/Rpt (LXXIII)

Report of the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers

Introduction

The Seventy-third Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers/Eighth Ordinary Session of the African Economic Community was held in Tripoli, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 24 to 26 February 2001.

(a) Opening Ceremony

2. The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Sadok Fayala, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia and Third Vice-Chairman of the 72nd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the OAU, in the absence of the current Chairman of the Council who was unavoidably absent. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Leader of the First September Revolution of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. The Chairman expressed the gratitude and thanks of Council to the Leader for so kindly inaugurating the session. He commended the Leader for the efforts he has been deploying to promote the well-being of the people of Africa, a continent with immense riches, human and material potentials that have remained largely untapped. The Chairman in particular paid tribute to the Leader for his efforts towards the edification of the African Union whose foundations had been laid at the Sirte Summit in September 1999. He said that the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which was adopted by the Heads of State and Government in Lome in July 2000, would secure Africa’s rightful place in a changing world.

3. After solemnly declaring the Seventy-Third Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers open, the Chairman invited the Leader of the Libyan Revolution to deliver the opening address.

Opening Address by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Leader of the First September Revolution of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

4. In his opening address, the Leader of the Libyan Revolution expressed happiness that he was very happy to be present at the opening of the 73rd Ordinary Session of the OAU Council of Ministers. He warmly welcomed all delegations to their country, Libya, a country situated in the northern frontier of Africa, a country which played host to many liberation movements from Africa and other parts of the world.

5. After these warm words of welcome, the Leader stated that he was proud of the role played by the OAU and its diplomacy in the community of nations since its inception in 1963. He further stated that in spite of the many problems encountered, African determination and diplomacy had triumphed in battles both within and outside the continent.

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6. The Leader pointed out that the Libyan people were witnesses to the effectiveness and commitment of this diplomacy in the "Lockerbie affair" which inspired the entire world in this struggle between opposing forces. In that regard, he referred to the 1998 Ouagadougou Summit where Africa’s determination triumphed over the will of foreign imperialist forces which finally acknowledged their defeat and accepted the conditions set out in that Summit’s Resolution. He expressed satisfaction with the efficient work done by the Ministerial Committee established to monitor the "Lockerbie affair".

7. The Leader then reviewed the challenges facing Africa, a Continent which had for long been humiliated and neglected. After expressing his appreciation and admiration for the tireless effort exerted by the OAU since 1963, he referred to the evolution of regional groupings in other parts of the world such as the European Union, the League of Arab States as well as Asian and Latin American organizations, adding that after the Sirte I Summit, the Lome Summit, and the Sirte II Summit to be held in a few days time, the African Union should gradually replace the OAU, in order to continue strengthening the edification of African Unity with even greater resolve and solidarity, in this period of globalization and at a time when large entities were emerging.

8. The Leader then pointed out that the Ministers had the crucial role of giving necessary advice to the Heads of State, on implementation of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. He recalled that the Act had been adopted unanimously in Lomé, in July 2000, and that its entry into force had been delayed by merely procedural issues of administrative and non-political nature. He underlined the fact that from his contacts with his peers in the countries which had not yet deposited Instruments of Ratification of this Act, it had emerged that all of them were committed to do so as soon as possible, but that they had to follow the procedures laid down by their national legislatures. It was evident that African countries, despite criticisms from certain quarters, were proceeding within a legal framework and in a civilised manner. He stressed that the required speedy action to set up the African Union was dictated by the expectations of Africa’s future generations whose aspirations to freedom and development were similar to those of future generations of other regions of the world. He announced that the birth of the African Union would be declared at Sirte II, by the grace of God. Accordingly, the procedures which would be adopted for the Constitutive Act of the African Union would be different from those adopted for the OAU Charter. The Leader anticipated that in future, within the framework of the Union, matters concerning the Union would no longer have to be submitted to the Member States, as was presently the case under the OAU Charter, but rather to the mechanisms set up under the Constitutive Act of the African Union, like the Pan African Assembly or the Pan-African Parliament. Thus, requisite measures would be taken according to very simplified procedures, as against the current lengthy procedures.

9. The Leader stressed that the Constitutive Act could also be amended as and when necessary, to take account of the exigencies of the moment, adding that it was not like the Bible or the Quran which are Holy Books which are sacrosanct .

10. The Libyan Leader appealed that during that delicate phase of the transition, any obstacles on the way of edification of the Union should be avoided. He urged Council and the Secretary General to exert maximum efforts to facilitate the establishment of the Union.

11. The Leader concluded his address by underscoring the fact that after enduring so much humiliation, Africa should take full control of its destiny. "We are henceforth our own guardians", he concluded. Thereafter he wished Council full success in its deliberations.

12. Following this opening address, the Chairman on behalf of the Council thanked the Leader of the Libyan Revolution for his excellent analysis of the situation and the challenges confronting the Continent. Council then adopted the opening address as an official document of the Session.

Statement of Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Information and Broadcasting of Namibia

13. The reply to the opening statement by Brother Muammar Gaddafi, Leader of the Great El Fatah Revolution was given, on behalf of Council by Hon. Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Namibia. In his reply, Minister Gurirab conveyed the thanks and appreciation of the Council to the Libyan Leader and people for their cordial welcome and warm hospitality, as well as for the excellent facilities provided for the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Council. Leader Gaddafi’s presence was a special encouragement that had accorded an elevated status to the Council, and his inspiring address had dwelt on the challenges and opportunities facing Africa and stressed the conviction that the Continent was determined to succeed.

14. Turning to the major developments in Africa since the last session of the Council in Lome, in July 2000, Minister Gurirab stressed the structural reorganization of the OAU General Secretariat, the signing of the peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and between the Comorian parties as well as the meeting of the UN Security Council on the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was indeed a good omen for the early restoration of peace, security and stability, not only in that country, but also in the entire central region of the Continent.

15. Another development, according to the Minister, was the organization of the first meeting of African Parliamentarians, held in Pretoria in November 2000 on the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament which would auger well for the establishment of the African Union, and of the African Economic Community. The greater democratisation of African societies and the increased international response and support for socio-economic development in Africa were also aspects of favourable developments which he mentioned.

16. On the forthcoming 5th Extra-Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Minister Gurirab stressed the responsibility of the Council to prepare effectively for that session, recognising that Sirte II would be a major positive step for Africa and its future generations.

17. Before concluding, Minister Gurirab expressed the support of Council for the just cause of the Palestinian people and for the Libyan people over the Lockerbie affair which, he stated, was a cause that Africa must win.

18. Minister Gurirab ended his statement by renewing the thanks and appreciation of Council to the entire Libyan people, in particular their Leader for his courageous mission to establish the African Union. Africa, he said, must rise to the challenge in order to make the Continent a happy place for all its children.

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Statement of Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary General of the OAU

19. In his address at the opening of the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Minister Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary General of the OAU, joined the Leader of the Great Al Fatah Revolution, Brother Muammar Gaddafi, to extend a warm welcome to all participants. He also thanked the people of the Jamahiriya for their legendary hospitality and point out that in just four years, the country had hosted three sessions of the Council, thus demonstrating its commitment to the realization of the objectives of the Continental Organization, as well as the Leader’s unequivocal commitment to the Larger African vision for the greater unity of the African Continent and its peoples.

20. Before addressing on the matters before the Council, Dr. Salim expressed thanks to the Outgoing Chairman, Dr. Koffi Panou, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo and his predecessor in Office, Mr. Joseph Kokou Koffigoh for having discharged their responsibilities in an efficient manner.

21. Dr. Salim then concentrated on the unhealthy financial situation of the Organization, expressing once more serious concern over the risk of paralysis of the OAU, as a result of the general negative financial trend. He pointed out, as in the past that fewer and fewer Members were meeting their financial obligations, a fact which resulted in the depreciation both in constant and current value, of the budget of the Organization over the past 10 years. While recognizing the financial difficulties of Member States, the Secretary General had no doubt that the realization of the objectives of the OAU depended entirely on all Member States meeting their financial and other obligations; consequently, he requested them to live up to their responsibilities. He stressed that the African Union to be established should not inherit the negative legacy of resource deprivation.

22. The Secretary General of the OAU then turned to the progress achieved in the restructuring exercise, in particular the steps taken in the areas of human resources, institutional structure, systems and methods, as well as of rules and regulations. In this regard, he thanked all Member States and the staff of the General Secretariat, and expressed gratitude to the partners that had contributed financially to the attainment of these objectives.

23. The evolution of the political situation in the continent over the past months was accorded due attention by Dr. Salim who defined the signing of the comprehensive Peace Agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea as a major historic development, and paid tribute to both parties. In this regard, he acknowledged the efforts of the Organisation and many of the continent’s leaders, especially President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria. He also expressed appreciation to international partners for their invaluable contribution to that achievement and his confidence in the entire process, in the light of the seriousness being shown by both parties in the implementation phase of the Agreement, and the constructive role being played by the United Nations.

24. In describing the situation in the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros, the Secretary General considered that rich dividends had been obtained resulting in the signing of the Foumboni Agreement on February 17th thanks to the determination and perseverance of the OAU and its Member States, as well as the International Organisation of la Francophonie, the League of Arab States, the European Union and other partners. He also expressed his appreciation to his Special Envoy to the Comoros, Mr. Francisco Madeira, the countries of the region, coordinated by the Republic of South Africa, the government of the Comoros, the opposition parties, the leadership of Anjouan and Moheli and all the other parties, for the timeless efforts that they had deployed. He was confident that all aspects of the complex and multi-faceted problems of the Archipelago would be addressed comprehensively and as a matter of priority, with the ending of separation and the expected return to constitutional order, national reconciliation, as well as economic development and reconstruction.

25. Turning to the situation in Burundi, Dr. Salim expressed optimism for enhanced prospects for peace in that country, following the signing of the Peace and Reconcialiation Agreement in Arusha last August. In that regard, he paid tribute to the Former President of South Africa, H.E. Mr. Mandela, and declared how important it was for all the parties to extend the maximum cooperation to the on-going efforts.

26. The evolution of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo was considered encouraging, thanks to the fresh impetus injected into the peace process by the new leader of the country, President Joseph Kabila. Dr. Salim said that light could be seen at the end of the tunnel following the combined efforts of President Chiluba, other Leaders of the region, the OAU and the United Nations. This optimism, he said, was strengthened by the outcome of the Lusaka Summit, held earlier in the month and the conclusions of the joint meeting of the United Nations Security Council and the Political Committee.

27. Turning to the situation in Somalia, Dr. Salim cautioned that in spite of the positive evolution being witnessed in Somalia, there were still great challenges ahead in terms of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation which had to be vigorously pursued, as well as the dialogue between the Transitional Government and all other parties who were still outside the process, in order to attain a comprehensive and durable peace and reconciliation within Somalia .

28. The Secretary General then enumerated the unresolved crises and conflict situations in the continent. These included Angola, Southern Sudan and Western Sahara all of which deserve particular attention of the Council. He highlighted in that respect his grave concern over the situation in the Republic of Guinea and in the Mano River Basin countries, and appealed to all concerned to extend their support to the ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian tragedy in Guinea. Dr. Salim also acknowledged the efforts of the Current Chairman of ECOWAS and other Leaders in the region. Equally serious was the conflict in Sierra Leone which deserved the same attention, aiming at building and strengthening internal consensus and action.

29. In the area of social and health matters, Dr. Salim described the HIV-AIDS pandemic as the most dreadful challenge confronting the continent. While acknowledging the importance of the outcome of the Africa Development Forum, recently organized by the ECA with the participation of the OAU, he expressed his confidence that the forthcoming Abuja Special Summit on HIV-AIDS and other related infectious diseases would provide an opportunity for African leaders, at the highest level, to reinvigorate the fight against the pandemic.

30. Before concluding his statement, Salim Ahmed Salim elaborated on the draft Protocol on the Establishment of the Pan-African Parliament which he considered a historic document contributing to fostering a higher level of integration which is anchored in the African people. He expressed his confidence that guided by the vision of Sirte, and inspired by the ideals enunciated by the Founding Fathers of the OAU, this session of the Council would live up to the challenge.

31.In conclusion the Secretary General reaffirmed OAU’s firm support and solidarity with the Palestinian people and with the leadership of the PLO as they face the challenging task of achieving peace in the Middle East.

Statement by Mrs. Lalla Ben Barka, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

32.Mrs. Lalla Ben Barka, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) who spoke on behalf of the Chief Executive of the ECA, focussed on the theme of African integration. She emphasized that the benefits of integration were both manifold and self-evident, and such as integration should be supported by all. However, there were challenges that threatened to erode/or reverse the fragile gains, such as poverty, conflicts and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which needed to be addressed with the seriousness they deserved.

33.Mrs. Ben Barka informed Council that the establishment of the African Development Forum (ADF) initiative, which was an open space for consensus-building and action-oriented proposals on the future of the Continent, was premised on the belief that the regional integration agenda should be characterized by a broad and outward-oriented approach. After briefing Council on the content and outcome of the First (1999) and Second (2000) ADFs, she announced Council that the Third ADF, which was slated for December 2001, would focus on regional integration in Africa. She further informed Council that, in addition to the OAU and ADB who had collaborated with the ECA in organising the ADF in the past, in recognition of the key and strategic role of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the regional integration process, the RECs would be invited to participate in the Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee of the Third (2001) ADF. Africa’s external partners would be similarly involved. An important aspect of the Third (2001) ADF would be the launching of a monitoring tool in the form of an Annual Report on Regional Integration in Africa (ARIA). She ended by pledging that the ECA would put its analytical and organizational capabilities at the service of the regional integration process.

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Statement by the Acting Chairman of the Council, Mr. Sadok Fayala

34.The Chairman began by informing Council of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Koffi Panou, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Togo and Outgoing Chairman of the OAU Council of Ministers. The Chairman then proceeded to extend appreciation, in absentia, to the Outgoing Chairman for the sterling work he had done in guiding the work and deliberations of Council during his term. The Chairman also thanked Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Leader of the 1st September Libyan Revolution, and the People of the Great Socialist Arab Libyan Jamahiriya for the invitation to Council to Sirte to deliberate on the formation of the African Union. He stressed that the Africa of the Twenty-first Century must be one that was able to meet all challenges facing the continent, and to make the most of its human and other resources. He emphasized that all those concerns called for the cooperation of all.

35.The Chairman then assured Libya of his country’s (Tunisia) support for the African Union which concretises the principle of solidarity for the attainment of which the Leader of the First September Revolution has been making tireless efforts. He recalled in that regard the initiative of H.E. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to establish a World Solidarity Fund and to convene an International Conference on Africa’s Debt. He also expressed support to the OAU Secretary General for the efforts being deployed by the General Secretariat to address the many political, social and economic challenges facing Africa, and to develop the Continent within the new framework of the African Union. He ended by expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine in their just struggle to set up an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

(b) Election of the Bureau

36. On the recommendation of the Acting Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Addis Ababa, Mr. Assane Igodoe, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger, following consultations with the Regional Deans, Council elected the Bureau as well as the Drafting Committee of the 73rd Ordinary Session, as follows:

Bureau

• Chairman: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
• 1st Vice-Chairman: Rwanda
• 2nd Vice-Chairman: Malawi
• 3rd Vice-Chairman: Cameroon
• Rapporteur: The Gambia

  Drafting Committee

  Algeria, Cameroon, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Swaziland and Tanzania.

37.Council also accepted the proposal tabled by the Dean that Namibia and Equatorial Guinea should, respectively, reply to the address by the Representative of the host country and move a vote of thanks at the closing session.

Statement by Dr. Ali Abdul Salam Treki, the Chairman of the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers

38.On his assumption of office as Chairman of the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Ali Abdul Salam Al Treki, Secretary of the General People’s Committee for African Unity expressed thanks to the Council for electing him to chair the proceedings, which was a demonstration of confidence in him and his country. He welcomed the Ministers to the Great Socialist Peoples Arab Jamahiriya which they should consider as their second home. He then recalled the support that the OAU had extended to the Jamahiriya during the period of sanctions in respect of their dispute with Great Britain over the Lockerbie affair. He hailed the OAU for the decisions had been taken against colonialists who maintained aggression against the Jamahiriya. He stated that recent events at The Hague had proved that the issue was a political problem and not a legal issue.

39. The Chairman recalled the major achievements of the OAU in the past regarding unity and paid tribute to the Founding Fathers, especially Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere for their vision. In that regard he expressed the hope that these would be, once again, a miracle in Sirte, with the launching of the African Union, in order for Africa to take a new leap. Some of the current problems facing Africa were outlined, namely, disastrous civil wars, regional and subregional wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, economic problems, poverty and disease including HIV/AIDS and malaria. He hoped that the war in Sierra Leone would soon come to an end and expressed joy that Somalia had resumed its seat within the OAU. He urged Council that Africa must chart the course of unity, in order to solve its enormous problems.

40. On the international scene he drew attention to the problem of Palestine where the youth were being killed while defending their dignity. He therefore appealed to Council to adopt the Palestinian problem as an African problem. He expressed thanks to Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the Secretary General of the OAU and the Assistant Secretaries General and the staff for their great efforts deployed in sustaining the activities of the Organization. At the end of his speech the Chairman called for a minute’s silence in honour of the memory of Mr. Omar Mustafa Muntassir, the former Secretary of Foreign Relations of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, who had been in their midst in the past.

(c) Organization of Work

41.The Council adopted the following working hours:

Morning : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Afternoon : 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

(d) Adoption of the Agenda

42.Council adopted the follow Agenda:

I.

1. Opening Ceremony
2. Election of the Bureau
3. Organization of work
4. Adoption of the Agenda

II. Report of the Secretary General on activities of the Organization for hte period July 2000 to February 2001

1. Introductory Note to the Report of the Secretary General

2. Report on the Activities of the General Secretariat CM/2197 (LXXIII)

Part I

3. Report on the Activities of the Regional and Sub-Regional Offices CM/2197(LXXIII)

Part II

III. Report of the Secreatry General on the Meeting of Parliamentarians to examine the Draft Protocol to the Treaty establishing the Africna Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament CM/2198(LXXIII)

IV. Report of the Secretary General on implementation of the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community CM/2199(LXXIII)

V. Consideration of the Report of the Committee of Ambassadors and other plenipotentiaries

VI. Report of the Committee on Candidatures

VII. Date and Venue of the Seventy-Fourth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers

VIII. Any other business

IX. Adoption of the Report and Closure

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Debate on the Introductory Note of the Secretary General

43. All the delegations that took the floor expressed thanks and appreciation to the Libyan Leader and people for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them. They commended the Report of the Secretary General for its high quality and comprehensiveness. The comments covered all aspects of the Report, political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and social. Of particular focus were the deteriorating financial situation of the Organziation the progress of the structural reorganization of the Secretariat; the social economic situation in the African LDCs, the wave of globalisation and international negotiations; the debt problem of the Continent; the problem of disaster. Of equal concern, was the political situation in the Continent.

44. On the financial situation of the Organization, all delegations that took the floor deplored the deteriorating situation and failure by many Member States to meet their financial obligations to the Organization. Council urged the defaulting Members to exert more effort to pay up their financial contributions promptly. It was emphasized that the available finances should be judiciously allocated to priority programmes relative to the African Union.

45. Council was informed of the following:

(i) Payments received during the Session

• Libya: US$3,334,981.60
• Guinea: US$ 500,000.00
• Chad: US$ 793,163.00

(ii) Announcement of Payment

• Equatorial Guinea US$ 500,000.00

46. It was also announced that the following countries had paid 30% of their arrears of contributions, and were exempted from partial sanctions until the opening of the 74th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers:

47. The Head of the delegation of Chad informed Council that his country had paid all contributions up to the 2000-2001 Financial Year.

48. The information provided in the report of the Secretary General on the on-going recruitment exercise attracted comments and suggestions. The delegations expressed appreciation for the principles and approach adopted by the Secretariat for the exercise, stressing the need for the maintenance of transparency, the criteria of competence and qualification while maintaining geographical balance.

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A. Political Issues

i) The Question of Palestine and Middle East

49. The delegations that took the floor reaffirmed their support to the Palestinian cause and the need for the Council to take appropriate action in recognition of the seriousness of the evolving situation in the Middle East. In his statement before the OAU Council of Ministers, Mr. Farouk Al-Kadumi, the Officer in charge of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, expressed the appreciation of the Palestinian people for the continued support of the Organization of African Unity for the struggle of the Palestinian people, their right to return to their homeland, and the establishment of the Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital. He added that the Organization of African Unity had remained supportive of the Palestinian people in their uprising, and had followed closely the peace process since its inception in Madrid in 1991.

50. Mr. Farouk Al Kadumi pointed out that, despite the fact that the Palestinian Liberation Organization accepted the peace process on the basis of the principle of land for peace and international legality, and had signed agreements after numerous negotiations, the Israeli side still continued to employ delaying tactics. The peace process had not made any significant progress over the past ten years despite changes of government in Israel.

51. He informed Council that the Summit of the European Union issued a statement on 25 March 1999 in which it emphasised the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to establish a democratic Palestinian sovereign State. Mr. Kadumi added that there was need to take necessary steps to break the barriers created by the Israeli intransigence position supported by America which have stalled the negotiations. He emphasised the following: the need to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine in the territories Israel occupied in 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital; the need for the United Nations to deploy an international peace-keeping force in the occupied Palestinian territories and the need for commencement of negotiations between the two independent States on five issues, namely refugees, Jerusalem, Israeli settlement, water and orders.

52. He concluded with the observation that international public opinion is now convinced that it is impossible to make progress in the peace process without the Israeli withdrawing from the occupied Palestinian territories.

(ii) Angola

53. The representative of Angola thanked the General Secretariat for setting up an Ad-Hoc Committee on Sanctions against UNITA comprising Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Namibia and Nigeria, and assured the Committee of the total and full cooperation of his country.

54. The representative of Angola reported that Government forces had recaptured many areas controlled by UNITA and destroyed its conventional forces, compelling it to confine itself to some areas from where it had been launching guerrilla activities directed particularly against civilian populations, and impeding the free movement of people and goods, thereby creating the difficult humanitarian situation mentioned in the Report of the Secretary General.

55. Among the measures taken by the Government to promote the policy of national reconciliation, the representative of Angola made mention of the amnesty law enacted by the Government which resulted in the surrender of many high ranking UNITA officials and soldiers, in response to the Government’s appeal, as well as the establishment of a Social Fund for the reintegration of all those who have abandoned UNITA’s military wing and opted for the policy of national reconciliation.

56. The representative stated that, in his country’s view, the solution to the Angolan problem hinged on the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol. Regarding the external aspects of the Angolan problem, the representative indicated that the UN resolutions must be implemented and respected particularly with regard to the sale and purchase of diamonds. He described as positive, the holding in Luanda of a Tripartite Summit with two neighbouring countries which pledged to cooperate fully to facilitate the peace process in Angola.

57. In the ensuing debate, the delegations emphasised the need to ensure compliance with the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council and the total isolation of Mr. Jonas Savimbi and his movement. They also underscored the fact that UNITA’s activities constituted a source of instability in the sub-region.

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(iii) Countries of the Mano River Union

58. Council expressed alarm over the prevailing situation in the Mano River region particularly the incursions by armed groups into the Republic of Guinea, resulting in massive influx of refugees into that country. It condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by the armed groups which had provoked a tragic situation, with thousands of people trapped in the conflict areas.

59. Council commended ECOWAS for the efforts it had invested in the search for an appropriate solution to the problems of the sub-region, and urged the parties to respect international humanitarian law and the relevant provisions of the OAU Convention on Refugees.

iv) Ethiopia/Eritrea

60. On the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Council welcomed the signing of the Peace Agreement between the two countries in Algiers on 12 December 2000, and the steps taken by OAU and the UN to implement the Agreement. It also declared itself encouraged by the commitment with which the parties have been implementing the Peace Agreement. Council also reiterated its gratitude to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for the sustained effort he had deployed towards a resolution of the conflict.

iv) The Sudan

61. With regard to the situation in The Sudan, Council expressed concern over the continued conflict in Southern Sudan as well as its humanitarian consequences. Council reaffirmed its support for on-going initiatives to find a lasting solution to this conflict, including the mediation conducted under the auspices of IGAD. In this regard, the Head of the Egyptian delegation informed Council of the Egypt/Libya joint initiative to convene a comprehensive Peace Conference.

vi) The Comoros

62. On the crisis in The Comoros, Council noted with profound satisfaction the signing of the Framework Agreement for Reconciliation in the Comoros in Moheli on 17 February 2001. Council commended the Comorian parties for their spirit of compromise which made the finalisation of the Agreement possible. Council further expressed gratitude to the countries of the region, the Troika, the Secretary General of the OAU and his Special Envoy, as well as the OAU partners, particularly the International Organization of the Francophonie, the League of Arab States, the European Union and the UN, for the assistance they have extended to the OAU.

63. Council also underscored the need for a speedy and scrupulous implementation of the Framework Agreement for Reconciliation in The Comoros. In this connection, it called on the countries of the region and the Troika, as well as the Secretary General in close collaboration with OAU’s partners, to take all necessary steps to facilitate implementation of the Agreement. In addition, Council appealed to the International Community to provide support for the socio-economic reconstruction of the Comoros.

vii) Somalia

64. Council also discussed the situation in Somalia. It hailed the holding of the Somali National Conference which led to the establishment of a Transitional Assembly, and the election of Mr. Abdiquasim Salad Hadsan as President of the Transitional Government of Somalia. Council expressed its gratitude to President Ismael Omar Guelleh and the people of Djibouti for their tireless efforts which made it possible to achieve this result.

65. The Sudanese Foreign Minister briefed Council on the decision taken by the 8th IGAD Summit held in Khartoum last November, and the efforts exerted by the Sudanese President, in his capacity as Current Chairman of IGAD, to enlist support for the reconciliation and reconstruction process in Somalia. The Head of the Somali delegation underscored the efforts being deployed by the Transitional Government to successfully implement the reconciliation process. He reaffirmed his country’s readiness to have good relations with all the neighbouring countries, and to initiate with them a constructive dialogue on the future of the region. The Head of the Ethiopian delegation highlighted the hopes generated by the successful holding and conduct of the Somali Reconciliation Conference in Djibouti. He however pointed out that much remains to be done to bring the reconciliation process to its logical conclusion, thus paving the way for the establishment of a lasting peace in Somalia.

66. Council underscored the necessity to intensify efforts to speed up the reconciliation process in Somalia. Council also appealed to Member States and the International Community as a whole to extend the necessary assistance to the Somali people and leaders. Lastly, it urged the Transitional Government to pursue and intensify the dialogue with the other Somali parties for a speedy conclusion of the reconciliation process.

viii) Democratic Republic of Congo

67. The Delegations that took the floor on the situation in the DRC hailed the new spirit underlying the peace process in the DRC and the implementation of the Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement. They briefed the Council on the positive results of the Summit of the parties signatories to the Agreement, held in Lusaka on 15 February 2001, as well as on the meeting between the Security Council and the Political Committee held in New York from 20 to 22 February 2001.

68. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe, Chairman of the Political Committee for he Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement, the Foreign Minister of Zambia, representing the Coordinator of the Regional Initiative on the DRC and the Foreign Minister of Namibia, all reviewed the situation following the two important meetings. In particular, these representatives highlighted the renewed will of the authorities of the DRC to resume the inter-Congolese national dialogue with Sir Ketumile Masire as Facilitator.

69. Council was also briefed on the essential elements of the UN Security Council Resolution 1341 (2001) which called on the Parties to fully implement all Plans and sub Plans for the disengagement and redeployment of forces within 14 days starting from 15 March 2001. The Resolution also called on the Parties to set up, by 15 March 2001, a specific plan for the orderly withdrawal of foreign troupes from the DRC. Finally, the Resolution welcomed the commitment of the Rwandan authorities to withdraw their troops from Puerto and that of the Ugandan Authorities to reduce their forces in the DRC by two battalions, with immediate effect.

70. Council paid tribute to President Frederick Chiluba, Coordinator of the Regional Initiative on the DRC, and to all other leaders who had deployed relentless efforts for peace in the DRC. Council expressed its satisfaction at the fact that the peace process in the DRC now raised high hopes for peace in the country.

ix) Refugees

71. Council expressed alarm at the persistent and worsening refugee situation in Africa. It deplored that situation which it described as catastrophic, adding that responsibility for it devolved primarily on Africans themselves. Council therefore, underscored the imperative need to put an end to this situation by addressing the root causes.

72. Council expressed satisfaction at the fielding of an evaluation and solidarity mission to the affected countries in January/February 2001 and expressed deserved appreciation at the financial assistance given to the countries visited.

x) World Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

73. Council took note of the preparations for the World Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, which was scheduled to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 31st August to 7th September 2001. Council noted the importance of the theme of the conference to Africa particularly in view of past and continuing racism, as well as new and emerging forms of intolerance. It welcomed the offer of South Africa and urged all Member States to participate in the conference. Council also congratulated the Republic of Senegal on their hosting of the African Regional Preparatory Conference for the World Conference, which took place in Dakar, Senegal from 22 to 24 January 2001.

B. Social Issues

i) Women, Gender and Development

74. Commenting on the issue of women, gender and development, delegations stressed the need for programmes to focus specifically on women rather than treat the subject as an appendage to other subjects. Council also felt the need to ensure greater participation of women in its proceedings, as Members of delegations.

75. In his response, the Secretary General agreed with the views expressed and briefed Council on the efforts he was making to ensure the recruitment of more women into the Secretariat. He was hopeful that more women would be interested in working for the Continental Organization, despite the condition currently being offered.

ii) Children

76. Concern was expressed regarding the plight of children in armed conflict. In this regard, Council was informed that, in preparation for the UNGASS on children which would take place in September 2001 and the Second Conference on Children in Situations of Armed Conflicts, the Secretariat, in collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders, an African Forum on the future of the African child which the Government of Arab Republic of Egypt had offered to host. The forum, which would discuss all aspects relating to the African Child’s rights and welfare, would prepare an African Common Position on the issue which would be tabled before the UNGASS; the meeting was planned to take place during the last week of May 2001, in Cairo, Egypt.

iii) HIV/AIDS

77. It was noted that while the majority of those suffering from HIV/AIDS was in Africa, the medication was available at a cost which the Continent could not afford. These are some of the issues which would be considered at the Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other Related Infectious Diseases in Africa, which will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 24 to 27 April 2001. Member States were urged to participate fully, in large numbers and at the highest levels, in this Summit.

iv) Drug Control in Africa

78. As regards combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs in Africa, it was emphasised that it was necessary to treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves, and to consider OAU follow-up action when the OAU/UNDCP Joint Project on capacity building for the implementation of the OAU Plan of Action on Drug Control comes to an end in July 2001.

79. One delegation called for a report to be provided by the Secretariat on the Joint Project which should indicate what was achieved by the project and the measures put in place by the Secretariat to sustain this achievement

v) Disaster Preparedness, prevention and management

80. Regarding the heavy flooding which had affected Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, the Council decided to support the proposal to launch an appeal for assistance to the affected countries which would be communicated to all Members of the OAU. In this connection, the Secretary General informed Council that the OAU, in collaboration with the relevant United Nations institutions was planning to convene a Regional Symposium on disaster preparedness, prevention and management in Africa, in order to facilitate and speed up the Continent’s response of disasters.

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C. Economic Issues

i) The 3rd United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

81. Under the is item, Mr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of External Relations of the The Sudan stressed the importance of the forthcoming 3rd UN Conference on LDCs, and proposed some salient points for inclusion in a statement to be issued by Council.

82. Other delegations which took the floor supported this proposal and recalled in that regard the Declaration AHG/Decl.1 (XXXVI) adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Lome, Togo July 2000 and the Statement on the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries issued by the 8th Session of the UNECA Conference of African Minister of Finance. They also noted the progress in the preparatory process, including the outcome of the 2nd session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee for the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries held in New York on 5-9 February, 2001. They suggested inter-alia that Council should express appreciation to the United Nations system and the European Union for the support provided to the LDCs at the national level to prepare for the Conference. In this regard the LDCs Conference was urged to adopt a new Global Programme of Action that would comprise more result-oriented commitments with clear goals and targets to be achieved within a specified timeframe. The expected programme of Action should contain measures to effectively address and overcome the structural constraints, particularly the supply-side constraints.

83. Council was also invited to urge the development partners to assist LDCs by ensuring an enabling external environment, providing adequate external financial support, debt relief, promoting FDI and ODA flows to LDCs and providing bound, duty and quota-free market access to all products exported by LDCs. The LDCs Conference, it was suggested, should appeal to the development partners to provide financial and technical support to regional and sub-regional cooperation programmes, in particular in areas of physical infrastructure development, and projects and programmes designed to prevent environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development.

ii) Africa’s External Debt

84. Several delegations expressed concern over the problem of Africa’s external debt and the urgent need to resolve it. In that regard they recalled the concrete proposal of President Abdul Wade of Senegal last July in Lome which inspired the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU to adopt Decision AHG/OAU/AEC/Dec.1 (IV). Council took note of the efforts so far deployed by the General Secretariat towards the setting up of the Experts Group to support the OAU Contact Group on Africa’s External Debt, and called on it to finalize the terms of reference for the basic document and the identification of a consultant in order to submit the recommendations thereon to an African Regional Experts’ Conference on African’s External Debt during 2001, in Dakar, Senegal..

85. Council also took note of the outcome of the High Level Regional Constitutive Meeting on financing for Development jointly organized in November 2000 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the OAU in collaboration with the African Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

86. Council welcomed the information provided by the Foreign Minister of Senegal concerning the African Development Plan project which was launched by H.E. President Wade in Bamako, Mali in a meeting between African Heads of State and the Heads of the World Bank and IMF. The project which was designed to tackle the structural problems and associated debt crisis facing the Continent, was brought to the attention of Council. The delegation further stated that President Wade would present it to his peers during the 5th Extra-Ordinary Summit in Sirte.

87. Council also reaffirmed its earlier view contained in the Decision of Lome Summit about the inter-related nature and the linkage between Africa’s external debt problem, international finance for development as well as the need for the reform of the international financial and monetary system. Accordingly, the Ministers took note of the complementary efforts being deployed by the General Secretariat by initiating contact with the UN General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Open –Ended Working Group on Financing for Development. In the light of the foregoing, it was inter-alia recommended that Council request the Secretary General :

1. to deepen the preparatory process for convening Africa’s External Debt Conference, by taking the necessary steps to widen the scope of technical work and urgently putting in place the Independent Group of High-Level African Experts to support the Contact Group on Africa’s External debt;
   
   
2. convene a meeting of Independent Experts Group to carry out a reflection on the African external debt problem, in order to facilitate the holding of a Continental Seminar for African Experts to conduct a diagnosis of the continent’s debt and consider the establishment of an African Debt Management Fund;
   
   
3. submit the proposals to an Africa’s External Conference to further reflect on the matter with a view to re-engaging the creditor countries and institutions on the problem of Africa’s external Debt;
   
   
4. ensure that the General Secretariat to coordinate its technical work on the Africa’s debt the reform of the international financial architecture with that of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Financing for Development in New York in order to prepare and adopt a Common African Position towards the United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development scheduled for 2002;
   
   
5. convene at the appropriate time the 1st Meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee on Monetary and Financial Matters of the OAU/African Economic Community to take a decision on the matter.

88. Council took up the issue of globalisation and the current issues under negotiation within the WTO and ACP-EU framework and emphasised that all Member States and Regional Economic Communities should intensify efforts at the promotion of regional integration and pursuing policy reforms in order to create an environment conducive to increased investment and economic growth.

iii) World Trade Organization

89. In their reaction to this part of the report of the Secretary General the Council recalled the increasing challenges in the fields of globalisation and liberalisation and the pressure on African countries to go into a new round of multilateral trade negotiations. It noted that whereas Africa had no capacity to implement the existing WTO Agreement, there was a tendency to load the agenda with new issues. He drew the attention of Council to the fact that the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) would take place in November 2001 in Qartar. Council noted that there was a lot of pressure on African countries to accept the launching of another round of multilateral trade negotiations.

90. Council took note of the preparations on course, and urged the Secretary General and co-operating institutions, in particular the UNDP and the ACP Secretariat, to provide adequate resources in support of the OAU/AEC Advisory Panel on Negotiations.

91. Furthermore given the rapid development in the preparatory process in Geneva and Brussels, Council directed the Economic and Social Commission of the OAU/AEC to consider an appropriate mechanism for coordinating and guiding the preparatory processes in Geneva and Brussels and to monitor the negotiations in order to ensure that they do not undermine the process of establishing the African Economic Community.

iv) ACP-EU Negotiations

92. Some delegations also touched on the state of development in respect of the preparation for launching the negotiations of the trade provisions of the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Taking into account the outcome of the 3rd Meeting of the ACP Ministers of Trade held in December 2000, Council decided to endorse the decision of the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Trade.

v) U.S. Trade and Development Act/Africa Growth and Opportunity Act

93. Council extensively exchanged views on the various aspects of the U.S. Trade and Development Act. Council focused its attention on the reservations of some Member States about certain aspects of the Act, the implementation of which was seen to divide Africa. Other countries were of the view that in spite of the limitations the Act could still be taken advantage of, for the benefit of the countries which badly needed opportunity to access the U.S. market. It was recognised that during their meeting in September 2000 the African Ministers of Trade had welcomed the Act.

94. At the end of their deliberations Council decided as follows:

1. Council decided to endorse the Decision of the African Ministers of Trade requesting the OAU Secretary General to develop the practical and operational modalities for the establishment of the Consultative Mechanism on the U.S. Trade and Development Act;
   
   
2. while taking note of the fact that the U.S. Trade and Development Act covers primarily countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, Council requests the U.S. Congress to extend the benefits of this legislation to all African countries.

vi) China-Africa Forum

95. The outcome of the China-Africa Forum, Beijing-2000 was also considered by Council. Ministers welcomed the initiative and urged Member States to examine its conclusions as contained in the Beijing Declaration and Programme for China-Africa Cooperation in order to draw maximum benefit from it.

vii) Afro-Arab Cooperation

96. Council stressed the importance of reactivating and reviving the programs and organs of the Afro-Arab Cooperation. In this regard, the Foreign Minister of the Sudan referred to the tripartite meeting held in Khartoum during the meetings of CEN-SAD February 2001 between The Sudan, Egypt, and Great Al Jamahiriya, which proposed the following steps to reactivate Afro-Arab Cooperation:

1. the need to increase the working capital of the Arab Fund for Economic Development in Africa and expand its activities to cover all African countries.
2. Expediting the establishment of Afro-Arab Cultural Institute to be hosted by the Republic of Mali and to be headed by an Arab Director General.
3. The organization of annual exhibitions aimed at developing economic cooperation, commercial exchange between African and Arab Countries.
4. Expediting action on the convening of the 2nd Afro-Arab Summit as soon as possible.

97. The Foreign Minister of The Sudan confirmed that the proposals would be raised at the forthcoming session of the League of Arab States scheduled for the end of March 2001 in Amman, Jordan

98. The Algerian delegation supported these proposals and promised to back them during the said meetings of the League of Arab States.

99. The delegation then informed Council that Algeria had carried out contacts with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and the Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity on reviving and reactivating the programmes of the Afro-Arab Cooperation. A consensus was reached to organization of the meeting of the Standing Committee to examine and find solutions to the problem of reactivating the organs and programmes of Afro-Arab Cooperation which was for the two Organizations, especially against the background of the prevailing international conditions which require that Afro-Arab Cooperation take up the economic and political challenges.

100. The Algerian delegation extended invitation to all Member States to attend the meeting to be hosted by Algeria in April 2001. The Algerian delegation confirmed that the written invitation had been forwarded to the Heads of delegation attending the 73rd Ordinary Session of the OAU Council of Ministers.

viii) Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA)

101. Delegations who spoke on this issue emphasised that without the effective implementation of the four calabashes, the OAU as well as the proposed African Union would not be doing its work. Council reinforced the need for experts meetings on the different calabashes in order to prepare for the forthcoming Summit on the CSSDCA. Council accepted the offer of South Africa to host the experts meeting on the development and cooperation calabashes, and expressed the hope that other countries would offer to host the security and stability calabashes. In this regard the Nig