AU Monitor: Issue 121, 2008

[Selome Araya]

Weekly Roundup: Issue 121, 2008 This week's AU Monitor brings you news and
updates from the 10th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union
Heads of State and Government. As the Heads of State convene for the
10thAfrican Union Summit, Chrysantus Ayangafac provides an in-depth
analysis of the structure, operation, and capabilities of the
organization<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/765/>in
relation to the continent's peace and security agenda. Further, the
AU's
Second Session of "Friday at the Commission" recently held a discussion with
the theme: *"**Chinese presence in
Africa<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/762/>:
An opportunity or an obstacle to the development of Africa?" to discuss
Sino-African cooperation.* Also, the second African Private Sector
Forum<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/814/>under
the theme "Africa's Industrial Drive: The Private Sector and Corporate
Citizenship" recently took place at the AU headquarters. The objective of
this Forum was to "sensitize the African population on the available
investment opportunities as well as the promotion of good governance and
mobilization of professional know-how in the business world as promoted by
the United Nations Global Compact". Lastly, the AU is working to strengthen
economic integration <http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/comments/821/> in
Africa with the development of three premier financial institutions within
the organization and the creation of a pan-African stock exchange. In peace
and security news, United Nations and AU envoys for the Darfur peace
process<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/786/>continue
to encourage a comprehensive peace accord in the region and are
"hopeful
that peace talks regarding the Sudanese region can reconvene soon". Further,
the AU Commission recently gave US$600,000 to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees
(UNCHR)<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/820/>as
a sign of solidarity and "recommitment
to solving the problem of forced displacement in Africa". In development
news, African negotiators at the Development Round of the World Trade
Organization (WTO)<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/784/>negotiations
are concerned they might be completely marginalized from the
negotiations this year; and that their development concerns and the issue of
rural livelihoods will not be addressed. Also, the African Development Bank
(AfDB) *pledges to be Africa's premier continental development
bank<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/813/>and
serve as an African voice on development internationally. Lastly,
*a 13-member Independent High Level Panel of the AfDB released a report
entitled *"Investing in Africa's Future: The AfDB in the 21st
Century<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/764/>
,"* which calls for a "greater focus on areas that contribute directly to
increasing African productive capacity and economic integration: investing
in infrastructure, building capable states, promoting the private sector and
developing skills".** In regional news, thirteen African countries are
planning to form a common land
policy<http://www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor/AUMONITOR/comments/761/>and
develop a common framework on land use in their respective nations to
"strengthen land rights, enhance productivity and secure livelihoods among
the citizens".   AU Deepens Africa's Economic Integration (PANA) - Africa's
premier investment banking institution is expected to be formally launched
within 24 months to provide the much-needed capital to finance
infrastructural development in Africa, especially the construction of
cross-border highways and the creation of telecommunication links. Read
more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/821   AU Supports UNHCR Activities

(Daily Monitor) - The African Union Commission recently donated US$ 600,000
to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programs in
four African countries.
Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/820   The Private Sector and Corporate
Citizenship Press Release - The second African Private Sector Forum begins
Tuesday 22 January 2008, at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: " Africa's Industrial Drive: The Private
Sector and Corporate Citizenship". The theme of the Forum ties with the
theme of the 10th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly :
"Industrial Development of Africa". Read more:
www.aumonitor.org/comments/814   AfDB: Africa's Premier Development
Institution Press Release - Given the huge development challenges it faces,
Africa, more than any other region, needs a premier continental development
bank, an Independent High Level Panel on the Bank Group says in a report
released on Tuesday in Tunis. Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/813
Update on Darfur Peace Process (BuaNews) - The United Nations and African
Union envoys for the Darfur peace process said they are hopeful that peace
talks regarding the Sudanese region can reconvene soon. Read more:
www.aumonitor.org/comments/786   WTO Trade Negotiations Aileen Kwa (IPS) -
African negotiators are concerned that their development concerns have been
sidelined in the much vaunted Doha Development Round of negotiations at the
World Trade Organisation (WTO). Whether the round, which has missed two
previous deadlines, will be concluded this year or not depends on several
issues. Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/784
AU Under Scrutiny Chrysantus Ayangafac (ISS Today) - The inception of the AU
in 2002 was greeted with much fanfare and optimism. Though there was
sceptism, even ardent Afro-pessimists conceded that the AU marked a
significant paradigm shift with regards to conflict prevention and
management, thus providing the continent with a plausible chance of solving
its problems. As Heads of State and Government convene in Addis Ababa in
31st January - 2nd February 2008 for the 10th AU Summit, the organisation is
at a critical juncture. Almost seven year down the road, the organisation
has had mixed results. While the desirability of the organisation in not in
dispute, its structure and operation have come under intense scrutiny over
the years. Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/765   AfDB in 21st
Century Press
Release – "We believe the ADB can, and must become the premier development
institution in Africa, providing a strong voice for- and within- Africa, so
that Africans can take their rightful place at the forefront of continental
economic stewardship". Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/764   Sino-African
Cooperation Discussion Press Release - The theme: *"Chinese presence in
Africa: An opportunity or an obstacle to the development of Africa?"*,* *will
be at the centre of discussions during the Second Session of the "Friday of
the Commission" debates scheduled to take place on Friday 18 January 2008
from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/762   Regional
Countries Common Land Policy Innocent Gahigana (New Times) - Thirteen
African countries intend to forge a common land policy, the Registrar of
Land Tittles in the Ministry of Lands and Environment, Eugene Rurangwa has
said. Read more: www.aumonitor.org/comments/761

-- 
Selome Araya
Consultant Project Coordinator
AU- Monitor
aumonitor.editor at gmail.com

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