The African Union suspends Guinea
The chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping strongly condemned the seizure of power by elements of the Guinean armed forces and their subsequent suspension of various legal institutions following the death of President Lansana Conté. In addition, the peace and security council (PSC) suspended Guinea from the AU until the return of constitutional order and welcomed the present efforts and coordination between different stakeholders for the rapid return to legitimate governance. However, the new military authorities in the country played down the AU’s decision and analysts suggest that the sanctions will have little or no effect.
The PSC also discussed the situation in Mauritania, expressing its deep concern at the junta’s lack of political will to return to constitutional legality, encouraging efforts being made by Mauritanian parties, international partners and the AU to promote the return of constitutional order within the deadline stipulated by the Lomé Declaration. On Guinea Bissau, the PSC strongly condemned the attack on the residence of President João Bernardo Vieira and commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its initiatives to help the country re-establish political order. Reiterating its deep concern at the prevailing security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the PSC lauded the mobilisation of the international community to support the peace process in the country and to contribute towards the alleviation of the current humanitarian crisis. In addition, the AU Commission has strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, appealed to the United Nations Security Council and members of the Quartet to compel Israel to an immediate cease-fire and called upon both parties to the conflict to return to the Truce Agreement.
The PSC also discussed the situation in Somalia, paid tribute to all humanitarian agencies and workers in Somalia, expressed appreciation to countries providing humanitarian aid and called for their continued support. Meanwhile, at a joint news conference, the Burundian and Ugandan defence ministers threatened to withdraw their troops from Somalia if the AU failed to urgently strengthen its peacekeeping mission in the country by providing adequate equipment and enough financial resources. The AU chairperson urged all Somali stakeholders to take the necessary steps for the early appointment of a new president following the resignation of President Abdullahi Yusuf and called on those who have not yet done so to join the on-going peace process.
Still in peace and security related news, the AU Commission chairperson denounced the murder of a Senegalese peacekeeper by militia groups in Darfur while reiterating the AU and UN’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts in the region. While Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe no longer enjoys the trust of the regional body, the Southern African Development Community, to distribute humanitarian aid fairly, the community agreed at a ministerial meeting to launch an urgent international campaign to mobilise financial and material resources for both Zimbabwe and the DRC. The decision followed the food shortages and the outbreak of cholera and a humanitarian disaster respectively in Zimbabwe and DRC.
In regards to regional integration, the AU convened a meeting of Africa’s finance experts, central bank governors, capital market authorities and regulators to discuss economic integration as a weapon against the global economic slowdown and the creation of the African Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund and the African Investment Bank. The AU Commission chairperson had previously stressed the need to establish stronger African economic communities with greater impact saying that no single country would alone overcome the current challenges of globalisation and financial crisis.
In environmental news, the attempt to expand carbon-trading mechanisms and create rewards for sustainable farming practices on the continent made little progress at the climate change conference in Pozna?, Poland as there were several rival proposals under consideration including the African Climate Solution fronted by the 26 member states of the Common Market For Eastern and Southern Africa.
Finally, the Centre for Citizens’ Participation in the African Union invites civil society and nongovernmental organisations to the fourth Citizens’ Continental Conference on the African Union summit to be held between 16 and 17 January 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.