AU Monitor Weekly Roundup
This week's AU Monitor brings you updates from the African Union. During the Pan-African Parliament's (PAP) Eighth Ordinary Session, members discussed the need for increased citizen involvement in international affairs, especially within the United Nations. Further, the PAP held motions on financial matters, following speculation of misappropriation of funds and mismanagement. UN Deputy Secretary-General Migiro met with AU and NEPAD officials in Ethiopia for consultation on various issues. Also, AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare delivered opening remarks at the Inter- Sudanese Peace Talks on Darfur in Lybia, encouraging leaders that there is no other choice but to make peace. ECOSOCC held it first General Assembly, electing eight African Civil Society organizations to its Council. Lastly, The African Commission on Human and People's Rights is holding its 42nd Ordinary Session in the Republic of Congo-Brazaville from November 14-28th.
In youth-related news, African youth are being urged to remain in Africa after completing school instead of going abroad to live and work, to play an integral role in developing their homeland instead of "selling their souls". Further, November 1 marked the first African Youth Day, an extension of the African Youth Charter, created to enhance the partnership between youth and public authorities towards the development of the continent.
In African Diaspora news, Activists Danny Glover and Nicole Lee advocate to stop the US Africom Command's (Africom) plans to establish permanent military bases in Africa, which will increase dependency on outside forces, inhibit Africa from devising its own solutions to its security problems, and further destabilize regions. Further, Ugandan President Musevini urged members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus to " support the African development cause by supporting pro-African policies and programmes in the US Congress", while reminding them that Africa is their homeland.
In Asia-Africa news, India recently hosted the India-Africa Hydrocarbon conference to increase partnerships and opportunities between the two regions in the hydrocarbon sector. Further, efforts are being made to increase the AU's role in business relations between Africa and China, ensuring that Chinese business decisions are made in the best interest of the African people. Lastly, Chinese Acting Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xinm Li, insists that China's presence in Africa is meant to improve living standards for Africans, not to merely extract resources from the continent.
In technology related news, the Euro-Africa Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Strategic Partnership seeks to strengthen science and technology cooperation between the two continents. Further, at the recent Connect Africa conference, investments were pledged to further develop Africa's ICT sector in order to facilitate economic growth in the region.
In trade news, The South African Development Company reports on plans to develop infrastructure in the region that " ensures the availability of an integrated, efficient and cost-effective system to sustain regional economic development and trade". Further, Russia's new trade agreements will allow African imports to be tax-free in hopes of increasing opportunities amongst Russian-African trade. Lastly, economic partnership agreements (EPA's) continue to be criticized, for their potential to destroy Africa's economic progress and "do little for its political self-determination".