The African Union Summit: Time for action
The 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, which held at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, came to an end on 31st of January, 2016. The theme of the summit was “African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women”.
The summit saw African presidents come together to discuss and proffer solutions to various issues surrounding this theme in different countries on the continent in addition to efforts already under way to realise the continental vision for the next 50 years of the existence of the AU, known as Agenda 2063.
‘Agenda 2063’, is the bloc’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. The Agenda outlines plans for free movement of people, the Commodities strategy and the Pan African Integrated High speed Rail network. Agenda 2063 is also about investing in African people, especially youth and women, in agricultural modernisation and agro-businesses, in manufacturing and industrialisation, the development of infrastructure, and democracy and developmental governance, and silencing the guns.
Though the AU summit was expected to address Burundi’s current crisis, it was unable to do so sufficiently. However, AU leaders at the summit have declared they will not be sending troops to Burundi, but will, instead, be sending a delegation to try and negotiate for peace. However, analysts say this latest inaction by the AU could spur opposition members in Burundi to pick up arms against the government, a move which can escalate situations in the country into a full-blown civil war.
Another of its resolutions at the summit was the consideration of a mass withdrawal by African countries from the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prior to this, African leaders have made claims of persecution by the ICC; claims which some say seem to be justified considering the cases in the ICC are mostly about the continent.
The Ebola outbreak which has ravaged parts of West Africa for close to two years has been admirably contained. The AU summit recognized the efforts expended towards the eradication of the virus.
Moving on from the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, AU should set sights on combating the emerging famine in the continent as well as easing out the last dregs of despots leading some African countries.
However, the AU needs to do more to concretise its objectives of promoting peace, security, and stability on the continent and, and democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance in the continent. The situation where sit tight rulers are allowed to manipulate institutions of their country to elongate their tenures could lead to the unravelling of those countries and a precipitate decline into conflicts and even war. Therefore, its decision not to send troops to Burundi is ill advised and will strengthen the resolve of sit-tight leaders. The AU cannot continue to hide and refuse to confront such tough situations. Emerging trends show that sit tight leaders are on the rise. Rwanda is another explosive situation waiting to happen.
As the world enters a new phase of civilization and development, AU should not sit back and watch other continents leave her behind. Agenda 2063 should not be mere talk and slogan, the continent should live up to the pledges to improve governance, democracy, peace and security on the continent.