The African Union’s Executive Council meets in Kampala
The AU Executive Council held its 17th Ordinary Session on Thursday and Friday this week [22nd-23rd July] in Kampala, in advance of the forthcoming African Union Summit. The meeting was officially opened by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs of Uganda. During the opening ceremony statements were made by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the Under Secretary and Executive Secretary of the UNECA, the Vice Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The current Chairperson of the Executive Council, Professor Etta E. Banda, Foreign Minister of Malawi, concluded the opening session. Every Head of Delegation who spoke expressed condolences to the people and government of Uganda, and to those who lost their lives, in the recent terrorist attacks in Kampala.
Following the opening session, the Council considered its agenda. The Chairperson of the Commission presented an extensive report on the activities of the Commission. Issues relating to peace and security, in particular with reference to Somalia, to Ethiopia-Eritrea and to Djibouti and Eritrea, were discussed in depth. Development, the integration of the continent and the need for Africa to continue to speak with one voice in international fora, were also emphasised. It was noted that in respect to the current situation in Somalia, it was necessary to update the report of the Chairperson to incorporate the recent activities of IGAD, including the outcome of the meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers held on 15th June 2010, of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 5th July 2010, and the meeting of the IGAD Chiefs of Defence Staff earlier this week. Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya brought to the attention of the Council the fact that the war being waged in Somalia was not a war between the Government of Somalia and its opposition, but rather a war between the people of Somalia and international terrorists.
The activities of IGAD concerning Somalia were welcomed. Some Council members categorically condemned the terrorist acts waged against the people of Somalia; they emphasised that Africa should do more to assist the TFG and the people of Somalia. The Eritrean representative, however, argued that developments in Somalia should not be linked to international terrorism, suggesting that this would make the situation in Somalia worse. Eritrea further requested the withdrawal of all peacekeeping forces from Somalia. It also called for a reconciliation process in Somalia to include terrorists. This was rejected by the Council.
Djibouti briefed the Council on the recent agreement signed between Eritrea and Djibouti. The Council was informed that further negotiations are expected to be held in Doha. The Council welcomed this positive development and hoped it might be reflected in other areas of the Horn of Africa. Dr. Tekeda Alemu, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, described the agreement between Djibouti and Eritrea as a positive development. He suggested that those who facilitated that agreement might extend their role to other areas in the region. In a brief statement to the Council, Dr. Tekeda also expressed Ethiopia’s appreciation of the role the AU played in the recent Ethiopian elections. He thanked the AU observers for their professional and objective assessment of the conduct of the elections.