Press Release
28 May 2013
President Zuma returns from the 21st African Union Summit
President Jacob Zuma has returned to South Africa from a historic African Union (AU) Summit which took place on 25-27 May 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The President was accompanied by Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Dr Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of State Security; and Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration.
The Summit coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (OAU/AU) in 1963.The Organisation's Golden Jubilee was commemorated on 25 May 2013 with a special debate on "Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance", which was also the main theme of the Summit.
The session was opened by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, the current Chairperson of the African Union. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister stated that the new spirit of Pan-Africanism was to create a continent free from poverty and conflict.
In President Zuma's message to mark the 50th Anniversary, he said that: "The Republic of South Africa encourages all fellow Member States, the Organs of the AU and the various Regional Economic Communities to mark this momentous milestone, and to continue to work together for the realisation of a prosperous, peaceful and developed Africa, a legacy for future generations."
Several celebratory events took place on 25 May 2013 to mark the Golden Jubilee, which culminated in the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU on 27 May 2013.
South Africa prioritised a number of issues on the agenda of the Summit, key amongst which were: consideration of the theme of the Summit; the Strategic Plan of the AU Commission for the period 2014-2017 and the AU Budget for 2014; the state of peace and security in Africa; alternative sources of funding for the AU; the post-2015 Development Agenda; the meeting of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum Summit.
At the end of intense deliberations over the three days in Addis Ababa, the Assembly of the African Union's 21st Ordinary Session, endorsed several decisions, key amongst which were:
- The adoption of the Solemn Declaration on the 50th Anniversary of the OAU/AU. The Declaration pays tribute to the Pan-Africanist legacy of the OAU/AU and its founders, the African Renaissance and the achievements of the OAU/AU over the past 50 years. The Heads of State also commit themselves to gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment; peace and security; democracy and socio-economic development as important thematic pillars that the African Union will prioritise in its vision for the next 50 years. This will be elaborated upon in the African Union Agenda 2063 to be presented at the 22nd Summit of the AU in January 2014.
- On peace and security in Africa, the African Union Summit adopted a historic decision to establish the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIR) at the initiative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission. South Africa led the drive for its immediate establishment. Many other Member States followed suit and pledged their support and readiness to contribute to the interim mechanism.
- The concept of financial self-reliance of the African Union was another issue that was raised during the Summit. In response thereto, the Summit adopted a decision to establish the African Union Foundation as a vehicle to harness financial support for Africa’s development agenda from its private sector, amongst others.
- With regard to the UN-led consultations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the Heads of State and Government decided that wide-ranging consultations should continue in order to develop the African Common Position. A decision was taken to establish a High-level Committee of Heads of State and Government, led by President Sir Leaf of Liberia, to ensure that the African Common Position is fully integrated into the global agenda.
- South Africa presented a report on the BRICS Leaders Africa Dialogue Forum which took place in Durban on 27 March 2013. In his report to the Assembly, President Zuma stated, amongst others, that the BRICS Leaders reaffirmed their support for sustainable infrastructure and industrial development in Africa. The report was widely welcomed by the Assembly and President Zuma was thanked for his initiative.
- South Africa also presented an item on the implementation of the African Diaspora Legacy Projects through the establishment of a committee of technical experts to include amongst others the NEPAD Agency, to ensure rapid implementation. The proposal was adopted by the Assembly.
- Finally the Summit adopted a Declaration strongly calling for the lifting of the economic and trade embargo on Cuba by the United States of America.
The Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award ceremony took place on the side-lines of the AU Summit. This Award is one of the AU Commission's initiatives to strengthen Africa's science and technology capacities and to promote efforts to transform scientific research into sustainable development of the continent. Among the recipients of this prestigious Award was South African Professor Michael John Winfield of the University of Pretoria, who received the Life and Earth Sciences Award.
For further information, please contact Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974.
Issued by: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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