Conference on Security, Stability,
Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA)
Report of the Secretary-General | Draft Memorandum
of Understanding
HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS
In 1991, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in
his capacity as Chairman of the OAU, and President
Olusegun Obasanjo, then Chairman of the African
Leadership Foundation, issued invitations to African
Heads of States to attend a meeting on Security,
Stability, Development and Cooperation in Kampala
in May 1991. This meeting agreed on a unified strategy
for development linking the issues of security,
stability, development and cooperation in a comprehensive
and integrated fashion recognising that one flows
into the other and that it is impossible to tackle
any without concern for another.
The result of the meeting was the Kampala Document,
which encapsulated both the 1990 OAU Heads of State
Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic
Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes
Taking Place in the World and the 1990 African Charter
for Popular Participation in Development. Essentially,
the Kampala Document comprised four interrelated
Calabashes:
The security calabash to focus on principles and
modalities for assuring interstate relations;
The stability calabash on the need for democratisation,
good governance and popular participation within
member States;
The development calabash on strategies to raise
and improve general standards of living; and
The cooperation calabash on the modalities for
accelerating regional integration processes and
harmonising development of vital sectors of the
Continent.
The Kampala Document also proposed a Conference
on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation
in Africa (CSSDCA). The Document was presented to
the OAU Summit in Abuja, Nigeria in June 1991 for
adoption; however, it was only noted and referred
to the Council of Ministers. Subsequent OAU Summits
in June 1992 in Dakar, Senegal and in June 1993
in Cairo, Egypt could not adopt the Kampala Document
in the absence of inputs from member States.
During the OAU Summit in July 1999 in Algiers,
Algeria, President Obasanjo called for the refocusing
on the Kampala Document in the light of contemporary
developments in Africa, and offered to take responsibility
for setting in motion the process of re-launching
the CSSDCA. President Obasanjo also proposed that
the year 2000 be declared as the Year of Peace,
Security and Solidarity in Africa.
At the Extraordinary OAU Summit held in Sirte,
Libya in September 1999, the Heads of State decided
to convene an African Ministerial Conference on
Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation
in the Continent as soon as possible. As such the
CSSDCA initiative was fully endorsed by the policy-making
organs of the OAU. This First Ministerial CSSDCA
Meeting was held in Abuja from 8 to 9 May 2000
The 36th OAU Summit in Lomé in 2000 adopted
the Solemn Declaration on the CSSDCA and, in its
Declaration, acknowledged the CSSDCA process as
creating a synergy between the various activities
undertaken by the OAU/AEC, which therefore must
help to consolidate the work of the OAU/AEC in the
areas of peace, security, stability, development
and cooperation. The Lomé Summit further
stated that the CSSDCA must provide a policy development
forum for the elaboration and advancement of common
values within the main policy organs of the OAU/AEC.
In order to implement the CSSDCA within the framework
of the OAU/AEC and to ensure the sustainability
of the process, it was agreed that a Standing CSSDCA
Conference would be established, to convene every
two years during the Summit. The Meetings of Plenipotentiaries
and Senior Officials will undertake review meetings
in between Sessions of the Standing Conference.
The Secretary General was requested to initiate
internal administrative arrangements for designating,
within the OAU/AEC Secretariat, a unit to coordinate
CSSDCA activities.
According to the letter and spirit of the Lomé
Declaration, the first Standing Conference of Heads
of State and Government on the CSSDCA will take
place during the Summit to be hosted in South Africa
from 8 to 10 July 2002. In preparation for the Standing
Conference, detailed discussions have been undertaken
on the various calabashes in order to implement
the CSSDCA process. Two meetings of experts were
held, the first in Midrand, South Africa from 9
to 13 December 2001 to discuss the Development and
Cooperation Calabashes, and the second in Addis
Ababa from 14 to 17 May 2002 to discuss the Security
and Stability Calabashes.
The experts meetings were aimed at the drafting
of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on respectively
Development and Cooperation and on Security and
Stability in Africa, within the following framework:
Further distilling the general and specific principles
identified in the Solemn Declaration on the CSSDCA
into core values;
To agree on commitments to give effect to these
core values;
To agree on key performance indicators to evaluate
compliance with the commitments in the Memorandum
of Understanding;
To design a framework of implementation as a means
of carrying out the commitments contained in the
Memorandum of Understanding; and
To agree on mechanisms for measuring performance.
The two MoUs (see attached) will be submitted to
the 76th OAU Council of Ministers meeting to be
hosted in Durban from 4 to 6 July 2002. The intention
is for the Ministers to consider the MoUs, with
the view to incorporating it into a draft protocol,
to be adopted by the Heads of State and Government
during the Summit. As such it is envisaged that
the CSSDCA process must develop into a more binding
agreement to be subsequently annexed as an integral
part of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
It should be noted that the 2nd OAU-Civil Society
Conference on Developing Partnership between the
OAU and Civil Society Organisations, held in Addis
Ababa from 11 to 14 June 2002, considered the MoUs
in depth. Various inputs and recommendations were
made to both Memoranda, particularly to the preamble
and commitments. These recommendations by civil
society will be reflected in a report to the Heads
of State and Government during the Summit meetings
in Durban.
South Africa’s involvement in the CSSDCA process
South Africa’s commitment and participation
in the CSSDCA process to date has included the following:
Participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
and other Ministers in meetings of the Steering
Committee of the CSSDCA process, from September
1999 to March 2000;
Hosting of a meeting of the Steering Committee
in South Africa from 28 to 29 February 2000, during
which President Mbeki delivered the keynote address;
Participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
and Defence and senior officials in the 1st Ministerial
CSSDCA meeting in Abuja from 8 to 9 May 2000;
Making available the amount of US$500,000 to the
OAU Secretariat towards the operationalisation of
the CSSDCA process;
Short-term (three-month) secondment of a Foreign
Affairs official to Addis Ababa to assist the OAU
Secretariat to develop the working papers for the
Development and Cooperation calabashes;
Hosting the experts meeting of the Development
and Cooperation calabashes in South Africa from
9 to 13 December 2001; and
Participation of officials in the experts meeting
of the Security and Stability calabashes in Addis
Ababa from 14 to 17 May 2002.
Furthermore, it is important to note that South
Africa appears to be the only member state to have
responded to the Solemn Declaration’s call
to incorporate CSSDCA principles and guidelines
into the national institutions that would have the
responsibility for monitoring the implementation
of CSSDCA activities by, inter alia, the restructuring
of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the IRPS
Cluster Committee along the lines of the calabashes.
Relationship between CSSDCA and NEPAD
Subsequent to the adoption of the Solemn Declaration
on the CSSDCA, the NEPAD initiative has come into
being as Africa’s principal agenda for development,
providing a holistic, comprehensive integrated strategic
framework for the socio-economic development of
the continent, within the institutional framework
of the African Union. On 11 July 2001, NEPAD, or
the New African Initiative (NAI) as it was temporarily
known at the time, was presented to the OAU Summit
of Heads of State and Government in Lusaka, Zambia,
where it was enthusiastically received and unanimously
adopted by the Summit.
NEPAD is structured into three components, which
also focus on the interrelation between peace, security,
stability, development and cooperation in Africa,
as follows:
The first component provides the preconditions
for sustainable development, which are the Peace,
Security, Democracy and Political Governance Initiatives;
the Economic and Corporate Governance Initiative;
and the sub-regional and regional approaches to
development.
The second component provides the sectoral priorities,
which include bridging the infrastructure gap; the
Human Resource Development Initiative; the Agriculture
Initiative; the Environment Initiative; the Cultural
Initiative and Science and Technology Platforms.
The third component concerns the mobilisation of
resources, referring to the Capital Flows Initiative
and the Market Access Initiative.
Whilst the strategic focus of the CSSDCA process
is to ensure good governance in the political and
economic realm as well as to provide the framework
for development and cooperation in Africa, NEPAD
serves as the socio-economic development blueprint
for the African Union to implement its objectives.
In addition, it provides the mechanism for accelerating
implementation of the Abuja Treaty, and, at the
same time, its management structures are particularly
designed to ensure follow-up and implementation
in the transition phase from the OAU to the African
Union.
Initially it had been suggested that the CSSDCA
was a framework for the adoption of common values
for the African Union as well as benchmarks against
which successes could be measured, whilst NEPAD
was an action programme for achieving the objectives
of the African Union and the continent. As envisaged,
one of the main characteristics of the CSSDCA initiative
was its provision of a mechanism for monitoring
and facilitating the implementation of OAU/African
Union decisions. Although there is convergence and
complimentarity between the objectives of the CSSDCA
and NEPAD in the context of the African Union, there
are particular areas of overlap and possible duplication
that need to be addressed.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE CSSDCA
I. INTRODUCTION
Council will recall that the 36th Ordinary Session
of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government,
held in Lome, Togo, adopted the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration
on 11 July 2000. The main features of the Solemn
Declaration include: a Declaration of Principles,
a Plan of Action and an Implementation Mechanism.
The Implementation Mechanism provides for the establishment
of a Standing Conference, which should meet every
two years during the Ordinary Session of the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government. The leaders also
agreed to convene review meetings of the Plenipotentiaries
and Senior Officials to monitor the implementation
of the CSSDCA decisions in-between sessions of the
Standing Conference. Additionally, the Secretary-General
was requested to initiate arrangements for designating,
within the Secretariat, a Unit to coordinate CSSDCA
activities and to take necessary measures to ensure
the detailed discussions of the various Calabashes
in order to implement the CSSDCA Process. In this
regard, the Secretary-General was requested to coordinate
the consultations with a view to ensuring the convening
of the meetings on the Calabashes.
Following the Lome Summit, a number of initiatives
were taken by the General Secretariat in order to
actualize the Implementation Mechanism, including
consultations with Member States on how to operationalize
the CSSDCA in the work programme of the OAU, the
implementation of the decision to establish, within
the Secretariat, a Unit to coordinate CSSDCA activities,
and preparations for the convening and hosting of
detailed discussions at the Security, Stability,
Development and Cooperation Calabashes for submission
to a Ministerial Review Conference, prior to the
convening of the First CSSDCA Standing Conference,
as envisaged in the Implementation Plan. At the
Seventy-Third Ordinary Session of the Council of
Ministers meeting in Sirte, Libya, on 22-26 February
2001, Council was briefed on the progress made and
steps taken by the General Secretariat in this regard,
as well as the difficulties encountered, with particular
emphasis on the issue of resource constraints.
Subsequently, to ensure adequate financial provisions
for the CSSDCA Process, the Secretary-General addressed
letters to various leaders to urge them to make
contributions to sustain the CSSDCA Process. On
its own part, the Advisory Committee on Administrative,
Financial and Budgetary Matters approved the sum
of US$500,000 as programme budget for the CSSDCA
Process in the 2001- 2002 Financial Year. The funds
enabled the take-off of the CSSDCA Process. Thus
at the Seventy-Fifth Ordinary Session of the Council
Of Ministers held in Addis Ababa from 9-15 March
2002, the Secretary-General submitted a status report
on the progress made and steps taken to implement
the CSSDCA Process since the Seventy-Third Ordinary
Session of the Council of Ministers in Sirte, Libya,
on 22-25 February 2001.
Since the meeting of the Council of Ministers in
Addis Ababa in March 2002, further progress has
been made in regard of the establishment of the
CSSDCA Unit and the convening of the second Experts
meeting for detailed discussions of the Security
and Stability Calabashes of the CSSDCA. Similarly,
the programme of cooperation with international
organizations such as the United Nations and the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
has advanced further and there has been progress
in the drive to secure the provision of adequate
financial provisions for the implementation of the
CSSDCA Process.
II. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CSSDCA UNIT
Since the meeting of the Seventy-Fifth Ordinary
Session of the Council in March 2002, various steps
have been taken to implement this Decision of the
Council. The Unit has been incorporated into the
formal structure of the Secretariat and as part
of this process, two Senior Political Officers on
P-4 Grade have been recruited for Security and Stability
and Civil Society Affairs respectively, as regular
staff officers of the CSSDCA Unit within the OAU/AU
Secretariat. Arrangements are underway for the recruitment
of another officer on the same grade for the Development
and Cooperation Calabashes. Moreover, the appointment
of the Senior Coordinator and the support staff
were regularized in June 2002 in order to make the
Unit fully operational.
III. DETAILED DISCUSSIONS OF THE CALABASHES
Council will recall that the First Experts Meeting
on the Development and Cooperation Calabashes was
held in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, from 9-13
December 2001. As the Secretary-General noted in
his report to the meeting of the Council in March
2002, the First Experts meeting helped to clarify
the objectives of the CSSDCA process, within the
context of the emerging African Union, and addressed
the issue of complementarity with the New Partnership
for Africa Development (NEPAD). It adopted a Memorandum
of Understanding on the Development and Cooperation
Calabashes for submission to the Ministerial Review
Conference as part of the preparations for the First
Standing Conference of the CSSDCA, scheduled to
be held on the margins of the first Summit of the
African Union in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002.
The Memorandum of Understanding offers a pragmatic
framework for translating the general and specific
principles contained in the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration
into core values and key commitments that would
serve as a framework for action. This framework,
which is based on decisions and resolutions already
adopted by the OAU, provide a means of asserting
key targets or performance indicators that would
enable the Union to assess progress over any period
of time in the implementation of Decisions and commitments
taken by Member States.
The Experts meeting on the Security and Stability
Calabashes was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from
14 to 17 May 2002. The outcome of that meeting was
the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding on
the Security and Stability Calabashes of the CSSDCA.
With the conclusion of the two Experts meeting on
Development and Cooperation and Security and Stability
Calabashes respectively, the General Secretariat
brought to a successful conclusion the efforts to
fulfill the mandate given by the Heads of State
and Government at their 36th Ordinary Session in
Lome for a detailed discussion of the various Calabashes
of the CSSDCA. The two Memorandum of Understanding
have thus been consolidated into a general Memorandum
of Understanding on Security, Stability, Development
and Cooperation to be considered by the Ministerial
Review meeting for submission to the First Standing
Conference of the CSSDCA in Durban, South Africa
in July 2002 (Annex1).
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Security,
Stability, Development and Cooperation Calabashes
provides an all-inclusive framework for a peer review
structure within the African Union. It is important
to stress that this framework is based on resolutions,
declarations and decisions taken by the continental
organization since its establishment in 1963. The
process of developing this monitoring and evaluation
framework for the African Union has nonetheless
been dynamic and exhaustive. The complex and holistic
exercise has been underpinned at all levels by a
framework of consensus that has often resulted in
the expansion of its frontiers.
The outcome is a process and structure that the
continent can be justifiably proud of as being faithful
to the desires and wishes of the African Heads of
States who mandated its development and the hopes
and aspirations of the African people whose expectations
and welfare, it was designed to cater for. The Memorandum
of Understanding clearly enunciates the core values
that guide all undertakings in the continent in
the sphere of security, stability, development and
cooperation in an holistic context that relates
the various areas to each other as integrated elements
in the bid for African development and democratic
renewal. both of which are conceived as logical
preconditions for each other. Subsequently, it enumerates
the commitments, obligations and actions that Africans
have subscribed to as a framework for realizing
these values and goals. It also highlights common
sets of benchmarks for evaluating compliance to
ensure proper monitoring. The benchmarking criteria
and indices provide the basis for assessing performance
and the establishment of a framework for promoting
common progress through improvements in general
and/or overall standards of performance.
It should be recalled that the detailed discussion
of each Calabash was preceded by the presentation
and analysis of a policy discussion paper in which
the framework of common and existing consensus of
values, commitments, obligation, action and benchmarks
were comprehensively discussed. In the process,
Member States were offered the opportunity to explore
the legitimacy and validity of their previous commitments
in the light of contemporary developments and realities.
Significantly, the result was that Member States
reaffirmed their continued commitment to previous
obligations and in some rare cases, even sought
to expand them in the light of international decisions
taken after the original decisions and resolutions
at national, continental and international levels.
More significant still, is the fact that the obligations
and frameworks of behaviour set for values, commitments,
and actions to be taken, and key performance indicators
meet the highest comparable regional and international
standards. It is also remarkable that the Member
States in consensus did not just stop at agreeing
on standards but went on to affirm their readiness
to stand by them in very clear and unequivocal terms
by stating that " we commit ourselves to respect
and implement all this undertakings in the conformity
with Articles 9(e) and 23 (2) of the Constitutive
Act of the African Union".
This is clear demonstration that in the spirit
of the new African Union, African states and peoples
are determined to move together in the search for
democracy, development and good governance as a
continent. Capacity differences do exist but this
has simply strengthened the determination to forge
a common agenda and common purpose to bridge them.
To this end, Member States agreed on the precise
requirement of common diagnostic tools and measurement
criteria for assessing performance and cross-referencing
inputs for assessments from all stakeholders in
African states and society. The primary source of
reference will be national review mechanisms but
inputs are also required from civil society, parliamentarians
and the private sector. Thus the peer review process
is designed as a comprehensive mechanism involving
vertical and horizontal approaches.
This outcome commends the foresight and wisdom
of the African Heads of State that met in Lome in
July 2000, their adoption of the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration
and the decision to establish the CSSDCA Process.
So far, in the short period of its implementation,
the CSSDCA Process has added an urgent and vital
dynamism and vigour to the activities of the OAU/AU
Secretariat. It has provided a forum for the progressive
development and advancement of common values and
a structure that consolidates the constructive implementation
of the agendas of the Political and Community Affairs
Department by relating activities in the sphere
of security, stability, development and cooperation
more closely to each other and interfacing their
initiatives.
The CSSDCA Process has also developed a framework
of activity that would serve the monitoring and
evaluation goals of the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government as prescribed in article 9(e) of
the Constitutive Act of the African Union. It was
in recognition of the contribution and the important
role that the CSSDCA Process could play in advancing
the goals of the African Union and facilitating
their implementation that the Experts from various
Member States that met in Addis Ababa from 14-17
May 2000 proposed in the Memorandum of the Understanding
that the CSSDCA Unit as the Coordinating Mechanism,
should be strengthened, enlarged and endowed with
adequate resources and funds as well as other enabling
capacities to take initiatives within the structure
of the envisaged Commission of the African Union,
so as to perform its tasks efficiently and effectively,
particularly in respect of the implementation of
decisions adopted by Member States.
IV. INTERACTION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
As a follow-up to the joint OAU/CSSDCA-OSCE Workshop
of 7-8 February 2002, the OSCE in close coordination
with the Austrian Embassy in Addis Ababa, arranged
for a small fact finding mission by representatives
of the OAU/CSSDCA to Vienna to carry on with the
information exchange initiated by the OAU/CSSDCA-OSCE
Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The mission, who took place from 17-23 June 2002,
sustained the momentum generated by the Workshop
of February 2002 by enhancing the prospects for
consolidation of a follow up-agenda into a formal
partnership between the OAU/AU and the OSCE. It
also provided valuable information about the conduct
and operations of the OSCE and how it can be used
to enhance the operations of the CSSDCA Process
in the areas of conflict prevention, management
and resolution, the respect and promotion of human
rights and election observation. In addition, an
Officer from the Political Cooperation Division,
which focuses on human rights and democracy issues,
visited the Warsaw office of the OSCE on invitation
in late May 2002. Moreover, the CSSDCA Unit is currently
engaged in consultations with the Government of
Netherlands, which is to assume the Chairmanship
of the OSCE in October, to arrange joint workshops
on election observation, confidence-building measures
and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons
in the second half of 2002 and early 2003 respectively.
Significantly also, the Framework of Cooperation
between the United Nations and the Organization
of African Unity of the Fifty-Sixth Session of the
UN General Assembly in December 2001 took "
note of the declarations and decisions adopted by
the Heads of State and Government of the Organization
of African Unity at its Thirty-Sixth Ordinary session,
held at Lome, Togo, from 10-12 July 2000, in particular
AHG/Decl.4 (XXXVI) on the Solemn Declaration on
the Conference on Security, Stability, Development
and Cooperation n Africa" and requested "
the United Nations to extend full Cooperation and
support to the Organization of African Unity in
the Implementation of the Solemn Declaration on
the Conference on Security, Stability, Development
and Cooperation in Africa". Following this,
the Bilateral meeting between the UN and the Organization
of African Unity, co-chaired by the Deputy Directors
of Africa 1 and 11 of the UN and the Head of the
Permanent Mission to the UN, placed emphasis on
the need for strong support for the CSSDCA.
V. LINKAGE WITH AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
In furtherance of Decision CM/Dec.605, Council
was informed at its last meeting in March that the
OAU General Secretariat convened a second OAU-Civil
Society Conference on Developing Partnership between
the OAU and the African Civil Society Organizations
to be held in Addis Ababa, from 11-14 June 2002.
The purpose of the Conference was to serve as a
follow-up to the first Conference held in June 2001.
Its main objective was to establish a mechanism
that would facilitate an interface between the African
Civil Society and the African Union, as well as
to provide inputs and explore modalities for effective
engagement of Civil Society Organizations within
the framework of the CSSDCA. The Conference also
sought ways of enlisting the support of and inputs
from African Civil Society for the establishment
of African Union, with particular reference to the
New Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
VI. FUNDING OF CSSDCA
The General Secretariat is also seriously engaged
in efforts to secure adequate resources to support
the work of the CSSDCA Unit. To this end, it has
been involved in consultations with the Governments
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government
of South Africa to redeem pledges made at the inception
of the CSSDCA Process and secure more financial
support for the CSSDCA Process.
Both the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic
of South Africa have responded positively to the
request. In a joint note delivered to the Secretariat
on 23 October 2002, the two Governments confirmed
the availability of the funds for immediate transfer
to the OAU Secretariat and their readiness to release
the money as soon as the conditions for its disbursement
are agreed upon. The Governments of Nigeria and
South Africa emphasized that they " have made
this contribution as a demonstration of their commitment
to the CSSDCA initiative which they believe will
contribute immensely to the achievements of the
objective of the African Union particularly in the
areas of peace, stability, development and cooperation".
VII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Finally, the integration of the CSSDCA Process
into the work programme of the OAU/AU adds a new
dimension to the development of the Organization
and it is fortuitous that this is taking place at
precisely the same time in which the OAU is transiting
into the African Union. In offering a framework
for the adoption of common values and monitorable
targets that would enable higher standards of performance
and efficiency, the CSSDCA offers the OAU a unique
instrument for transformation into the African Union.
It utility and added value lies in its potential
to serve as a major vehicle through which the OAU
/AU can collectively translate into concrete, achievable
and measurable results, the vision and Agenda of
the Organization in the area of peace, security,
development and integration. The consolidation of
the CSSDCA Process would also have a wider impact
on decision-making processes and implementation
of decisions within the OAU/AU and Africa’s
relationship with the wider international community.
The monitoring Mechanism of the CSSDCA offers the
African Union a comprehensive peer review process
that is premised on the combination of a bottoms-up
and top-down approach. The Framework of Implementation
and monitoring performance contained in the Memorandum
of Understanding will involve Governments through
inter-Ministerial Committees, Regional Economic
Communities (RECs), Civil Society Organizations
and independent research agencies. Thus it involves
a process of interaction at various levels that
would allow for and encourage cross verification
and cross-substantiation, as well as mediation at
the same levels to promote changes.
The diagnostic tools include a series of key performance
indicators that are already agreed upon but there
is also a provision for expanding spatial and political
boundaries where the framework of consensus supports
such innovations or where other international instruments
within and outside the OAU/AU framework at the regional,
continental and international levels permits and
demands such adaptability.
The challenge confronting the CSSDCA process now
is to develop an appropriate infrastructure to ensure
proper monitoring using the agreed benchmark criteria
and indices, with targets and measurement criteria
for determining compliance. Agreed benchmark criteria
and indices requires a framework of political legitimacy
which is conferred on the CSSDCA Process by the
Solemn Declaration and the Memorandum of Understanding
agreed upon by states. The models of best practices
established by the Memorandum of Understanding provide
frameworks for measurements that are built on consensus
and devoid of national or parochial sentiments or
preferences. The Memorandum endorses mechanisms
with provisions for powers of review action. More
significantly, the peer review process offered by
the CSSDCA entails of framework of internal self-adjustment
and self-correction that is not time-bound or limited
in membership and scope or directed by external
demands. This gives it an African derived legitimacy
that should be valuable in terms of Africa’s
relationship with the outside world.
Finally, the CSSDCA Process offers a concrete tool
for facing challenges of the future. Thus it seems
appropriate, even now, to begin to examine challenges
that would follow the First Standing Conference.
If the Standing Conference uphold the validity and
substance of the undertakings thus far, the task
of the CSSDCA Process after the First Standing Conference
would be to consolidate arrangements for the implementation
of the Memorandum of Understanding, This would involve
elaborating the comprehensive work programme for
its activities, with critical emphasis on the standardization
and refinement of diagnostic tools and measurement
criteria for its operations. As part of this process,
the CSSDCA Process has an advocacy role to sensitize
the international community, civil society and Regional
Economic Communities, the UN and other international
organizations to the decisions and obligations undertaken
by African States in the spheres of security, stability
and development and to solicit technical, moral
and financial support for them.
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CSSDCA - DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON SECURITY,
STABILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION IN AFRICA
PREAMBLE
We the Member States of the OAU/AU;
Recalling the objectives and principles of the
Constitutive Act of the African Union;
Conscious of the importance of the Conference on
Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation
(CSSDCA) and New Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD), and the convergence and complementarity
of their objectives in the realization of the goals
of the Constitutive Act of the African Union;
Emphasizing the interdependence of security and
stability on the one hand and development and cooperation
on the other;
Recalling the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration adopted
by the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of
Heads of States and Government in Lome, Togo, in
July 2000;
Affirming that in the exercise of our sovereign
right to determine our laws and regulations, we
shall conform to our legal obligations under the
OAU Charter, the Treaty Establishing the African
Economic Community (AEC) and the Constitutive Act
of the African Union, having due regard to implementing
the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration;
Reaffirming our commitment to the maintenance of
security and stability on the continent;
Recognizing that this commitment, which reflects
the interests and aspirations of African peoples,
constitutes for each participating State a present
and future responsibility, heightened by experience
of the past;
Desirous to give effect and expression, by all
appropriate ways and means to the duty of ensuring
security and stability arising from the generally
recognized principles and rules of international
law and those obligations arising from treaties
or other agreements, in accordance with internationally
accepted norms, to which we are parties;
Resolved to subscribe to a set of core values and
key commitments to buttress the process of security
and stability in Africa and reflecting the common
will to act, in the application of the principles
set out in the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration;
AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
I. CORE VALUES
To respect and abide by the following core values,
all of primary importance, in guiding our relations:
-
Every African State is sovereign. Every State respects
the rights inherent in the territorial integrity
and political independence of all other African
States, without prejudice to the provisions of Article
4 of the AU Constitutive Act, sections (d) and (h)
and other relevant international instruments;
The centrality of security as a multi-dimensional
phenomenon that goes beyond military considerations
and embraces all aspects of human existence, including
economic, political and social dimensions of individual,
family, community and national life;
Peace and security are central to the realization
of development of both the state and individuals.
Thus the security of the African people, their land
and property must be safeguarded to ensure stability,
development and cooperation of African countries;
The security of each African country is inseparably
linked to that of other African countries and the
African continent as a whole;
The plight of African Refugees and Internally Displaced
Persons constitutes a scar on the conscience of
African governments and people;
Africa’s strategic and natural resources are
the property of the people of Africa and the leadership
should exploit them for the common good of the people
of the continent;
Uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons
as well as the problem of landmines, constitute
a threat to peace and security in the African continent;
Good governance including, accountability, transparency,
the rule of law, elimination of corruption and unhindered
exercise of individual rights as enshrined in the
African Charter on Human and People’s Rights
and those of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights is a pre-requisite for sustainable peace
and security in Africa as well as a necessary condition
for economic development, cooperation and integration;
A fundamental link exists between stability, human
security, development and cooperation in a manner
that each reinforces the other;
Sustainable Stability in Africa demands the establishment
and strengthening of democratic structures and good
governance based on common tenets;
The rejection of unconstitutional changes of government
in any African country as a threat to order and
stability in the African continent as a whole;
Respect and promotion of human rights, the rule
of law and equitable social order as the foundation
for national and continental stability;
The eradication of corruption, which undermines
Africa’s quest for socio-economic development
and the achievement of sustainable stability in
the continent;
No political organisation should be created on
the basis of religious, sectarian, ethnic, regional
or racial considerations. Political life should
be devoid of any extremism;
The conduct of electoral processes in a transparent
and credible manner and a concomitant obligation
by the parties and candidates to abide by the outcome
of such processes in order to enhance national and
continental stability;
Development is about expanding human freedoms.
The effort of Member States at achieving development
is aimed at the maximum expansion of the freedoms
that people enjoy;
The freedoms that Africans seek and deserve, inter
alia, include freedom from hunger, freedom from
disease, freedom from ignorance and access to the
basic necessities of life. These freedoms can best
be achieved through expansion of the economic space
including the rapid creation of wealth;
Economic development is a combined result of individual
action. Africans must be free to work and use their
creative energies to improve their well-being in
their own countries. The state’s involvement
in the activities of individual economic actors
should be supportive of individual initiatives;
Acknowledgement of the important role of the state
in economic development not only in providing regulatory
framework but also through active cooperation with
the private sector to promote economic growth;
All priorities in economic policy making shall
be geared towards eliminating poverty from the continent
and generating rapid and sustainable development
in the shortest possible time;
Cooperation and integration in Africa is key to
the continent’s socio-economic transformation
and effective integration into the world economy;
Harmonization and strengthening of the Regional
Economic Communities (RECs) in key areas as an essential
component of the integration process, through the
transfer of certain responsibilities as well as
effective reporting and communication structure
involving the RECs in continental initiatives;
Strong political commitment including the involvement
of all stakeholders, the private sector, civil society,
women and youth as a fundamental principle for the
achievement of regional economic integration and
development;
Investment in Science and Technology as a fundamental
input into the development of all sectors and raising
living standards.
II. COMMITMENTS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CORE VALUES
To give effect to the above core values, we undertake
to:
Develop a collective continental architecture for
promoting security and inter-African relations,
that goes beyond the traditional military definition
and embraces imperatives pertaining to human security,
principles relating to good governance, the promotion
of democracy and respect for human rights.
Promote a policy of good neighbourliness as a foundation
for enhancing inter-state relations.
Recommit to the adoption of a comprehensive response
for the prevention and resolution of conflict, with
emphasis on the prevention and containment of conflicts
before they erupt into violent confrontation and
the creation of an African capacity for regional
peace-support operations as a measure for conflict
resolution.
Strengthen, consolidate and sustain regional and
continental conflict management mechanisms, with
primary emphasis on the AU Mechanism for Conflict
Prevention, Management and Resolution and its early
warning system.
Establish a strong cooperation framework for security
between the Regional Economic Communities (RECs),
the AU and the United Nations (UN).
Undertake to address border problems that continue
to threaten the prospects of peace and security
in Africa.
Create and strengthen disaster management mechanisms
at national, regional and continental levels.
Implement the OAU Convention on the Prevention
and Combating of Terrorism adopted in Algiers in
1999.
Develop additional protocols, as appropriate, as
well as an Action Plan to combat the occurrence
and spread of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Develop policies to combat the illicit proliferation,
trafficking and circulation of small arms and light
weapons in Africa.
Take appropriate measures for the implementation
of relevant treaties on landmines, including the
Ottawa Treaty on anti-personnel mines and the Kempton
Park Plan of Action, as well as develop policies
pertaining to the prohibition of landmines in Africa
and strengthen the African capacity for landmine
clearance.
Implement policies and agreements designed to eliminate
Mercenarism in Africa and other forms of interventions
in the internal affairs of African states including
the illegal exploitation of the continent’s
natural resources, which contributes to the escalation
of conflicts on the continent .
Ensure the delimitation and demarcation of the
borders of Member States in a peaceful manner.
Strengthen the mechanisms for the protection of
refugees as provided for in the 1969 OAU Convention
Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems
in Africa through the full implementation of the
Comprehensive Plan of Action drawn up in Conakry
and adopted by the Council of Ministers in Lomé,
Togo, in July 2000, with the support and cooperation
of the UN and other international agencies.
Develop national, regional and continental strategies
to eradicate criminal organisations and syndicates
operating in Africa and establish joint cross-border
operations to investigate and apprehend criminal
elements and stop money laundering, drug and human
trafficking.
Adhere to the fundamental tenets of a plural democratic
society as contained in the 1990 Declaration on
the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa
and the Fundamental Changes Taking Place In the
World, the 1995 Cairo Agenda for Action, the 1999
Grand Bay (Mauritius) Declaration and Plan of Action
on Human Rights in Africa, the Lomé Declaration
on Unconstitutional Changes and the CSSDCA Solemn
Declaration of 2000, amongst others. These should
include; promulgated constitution with a Bill of
Rights’ provision; free and fair elections
at constitutionally stipulated intervals; multiparty
political systems; separation of powers; an independent
judiciary; a free press and freedom of expression
and assembly; effective military subordination to
civilian authority, and accountability and popular
participation in governance.
Uphold the principle of constitutionalism so that
the political class and civil society at all levels,
commit themselves to abiding by and respecting the
provisions of the constitutions of their states
and guarantee the rights of leaders after they vacate
office.
Ensure the independence of the judiciary through
an effective separation of powers, constitutionally
guaranteed tenure of office and adequate funding.
Accept the necessity for significant improvement
in the African electoral process including the establishment
of truly independent national electoral Commissions
and other appropriate mechanisms to ensure transparency,
fairness, and credibility of elections.
Observance, protection and promotion of the human
rights of all Africans in accordance with the provisions
of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights,
and the Grand Bay Declaration and Plan of Action
on Human Rights in Africa including the speedy establishment
of the African Court on Human and People’s
Rights by signing and/or ratification and respect
of this legal instrument as well as of all international
instruments on human rights.
Strengthen, improve and practice good governance
in public and private domains in Africa to ensure
adherence to the rule of law; strict accountability
by all and transparency in public affairs as called
for in the 1995 Cairo Agenda for Action, and other
decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and
Government.
Create conditions for economic stability devoid
of economic mismanagement with focus on human security
and poverty eradication as called for in the 1995
Cairo Agenda for Action and the Treaty Establishing
the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty).
Encourage and provide enabling conditions for popular
participation by all African people in the governance
and development of their countries as a basis of
a people’s empowerment to direct their socio-economic
transformation.
Provide appropriate conditions for effective participation
at national and continental levels by civil society
organizations, in particular women’s groups,
trade unions, the youth and professional associations
as envisaged in the Constitutive Act of the African
Union.
Develop institutional and administrative capacity
for dealing effectively with corruption and criminality,
both of which threaten the stability of Africa.
Establish impartial civil service.
Provide Central banks with the necessary autonomy
to enable them to perform their roles effectively
as vital structures for economic stability;
Develop a shared vision on development, regional
cooperation and integration;
Pursue accelerated economic development of our
countries as the centre of national policies;
Promote sustainable economic growth and development
through the diversification of the production structure
of our economies;
Create a conducive environment to encourage domestic
savings, reverse capital flight and attract foreign
savings;
Ensure popular participation, equal opportunity
and equitable access to resources for all our people
as the basis of our development objectives and strategies;
Promote partnership, trust and transparency between
leaders and citizens as critical elements of sustainable
development, based on mutual responsibilities and
a shared vision, and in particular, establish a
conducive environment for the private sector to
generate wealth;
Aim at a shared economic growth that provides opportunities
to the poor and the disadvantaged groups in society,
including women and youth;
Work out and implement the follow-up and evaluation
of reproductive health policies and programmes in
order to guarantee a better balance between population
and economic growth;
Develop and adhere to a code of conduct on good
governance aimed at establishing democratic developmental
states across the continent to foster cooperation
and integration;
Invest in human resource development, particularly
in the quality of education, and promote cooperation
between African centres of excellence and Research
and Development institutions as well as reverse
the brain drain;
Promote and protect the rights and welfare of the
African child;
Provide political support for regional integration
by making appropriate institutional arrangements,
including legislative measures, to support integration;
Provide adequate financial support for regional
integration and cooperation by incorporating in
our annual national budgets, Member States contribution
to RECs and AU, and/or putting in place a self financing
mechanism to ensure their efficient functioning;
Involve all national stakeholders in the regional
integration process including giving them an appropriate
role;
Participate fully in infrastructure development
programmes pertaining to regional integration process;
Develop and adhere to a common industrial strategy
that takes into account the need for a fair distribution
of industries within the RECs;
Put in place mechanisms for African countries that
are in a position to do so to provide additional
support to the LDCs in Africa regarding their developmental
efforts;
Consolidate the links between South–South
and North–South technical cooperation through
triangular models, within the spirit of enhancing
collective self-reliance in Africa;
Continue to present a unified voice in all international
negotiations including those on market access, debt
relief, FDI, ODA, as well as the setting up of the
World Solidarity Fund.
III. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
We also agree to adopt the following key performance
indicators to evaluate compliance with the commitments
we have undertaken in the present Memorandum of
Understanding: -
Common Definition of Security
Establish by 2005 a framework for codifying into
national laws and legislations the concept of human
security as contained in the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration,
in order to build confidence and collaborative security
regimes at national, regional and continental levels.
Non-Aggression Pacts
Conclude and ratify bilateral and regional non-aggression
pacts (where they do not yet exist) by 2006 on the
basis of commonly agreed guidelines.
Africa’s Common Defence Policy
Define by 2005, in accordance with Article 4 (d)
of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, Africa’s
common defence policy in order to strengthen Africa’s
capacity for dealing with conflicts including dealing
with external aggression.
Strengthening Africa’s Capacity for Peace-Support
Operations
Establish by 2003, the modalities or mechanisms
for implementing the provisions of Article 4(h)
and (j) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union,
with emphasis on the enhancement of the capacity
of the Peace and Security Council to deal with issues
relating to peace-support operations, including
standby arrangements that were recommended by African
Chiefs of Defence Staff.
National and Regional Crime Reduction and Prevention
Programmes
Establish by 2005 and strengthen in places where
they already exist national and regional crime reduction
and prevention programmes to deal effectively with
the scourge of criminality in Africa. Such programmes
should, through effective information sharing system,
promote, strengthen and foster joint strategies
for the management and control of all forms of crimes
within the region. The programme should incorporate
a mechanism for annual performance assessment. By
2005, establish effective monitoring of crime statistics
by policing agencies in each country.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
Take appropriate measures for the effective implementation
of the Bamako Declaration on an African Common Position
on the illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking
of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the UN Programme
of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit
trade in small arms and light weapons in all its
aspects. In particular, Member States must take
the following steps by 2003:
Establish, where they do not exist, national and
regional coordination agencies or frameworks and
institutional infrastructure for policy guidance,
research and monitoring.
Adopt the necessary legislative and other measures
to establish as criminal offences, the illicit manufacture,
possession and trade in small arms and light weapons.
Adopt appropriate national legislations or regulations
to prevent the breaching of arms embargo as decided
by the UN Security Council.
Establish at national, regional and continental
levels, a framework for regular dialogue with arms
manufacturers and suppliers with a view to checking
illicit supply of Small Arms and Light weapons.
Institute, by 2005, regional and continental conventional
arms registers.
Convene, by 2004, the Second Ministerial Conference
on the Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking
of Small Arms and Light Weapons to review the status
of implementation of the Bamako Declaration and
the UN Program of Action. Heads of RECs should also
provide status reports on the implementation of
their regional programmes.
National Institutions for Prevention and Management
of Conflicts
Establish by 2004, national institutions or mechanisms
for prevention, management and resolution of conflicts
at community and national levels with active involvement
of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community
Based Organisations (CBOs). It should include Emergency
Relief Assistance and confidence building measures
between ethnic, racial and national groups. Such
institutions could be national focal points for
regional and continental early warning.
Early Warning System
Operationalize by 2005, requisite infrastructure
and capacity for effective Early Warning System
to deal with conflicts in Africa. This should be
based on a model of indicators that provides a Vulnerability
Index of African countries, which would serve as
an objective basis for early warning action. That
mechanism should incorporate effective interlinkages
and coordination at regional, continental, and international
levels. As part of this process, Member States undertake
to facilitate early political action aimed at the
prevention of conflicts.
Resource Based Wars
Given the links between illegal exploitation of
resources and conflicts, the Peace and Security
Council should develop by 2005, a framework for
addressing the problem of illegal exploitation of
resources in Africa and combating, in a concerted
manner, all networks plundering the resources of
Africa and fuelling conflicts.
African Borders
In conformity with the Cairo Summit Decision on
borders, conclude by 2012, with the assistance of
the UN cartographic unit where required, the delineation
and demarcation of African borders, where it has
not been done, to strengthen peaceful inter-state
relations. The outcome of such exercises should
be deposited with the African Union and the United
Nations. Prior to 2012 when the process should be
completed, there should be bi-annual review of the
state of implementation.
Refugees
By 2003, all OAU/AU Member States that have not
done so, should ratify or accede to the 1969 OAU
Convention on Refugees and take appropriate measures
to adopt the necessary national legislations and/or
administrative measures to give full effect to its
provisions.
By 2005, the OAU/AU should complete the review
of the legal scope of the 1969 Convention to adapt
it to current circumstances and to strengthen the
Comprehensive Implementation Plan adopted in Conakry
2000. In particular, the supervisory mechanism and
oversight functions of the OAU/AU should be strengthened
to ensure that Member States provide the Secretariat
with information and statistics concerning the condition
of refugees, human rights protection and mechanisms
for mitigating refugee circumstances, separating
armed elements from the refugee population and devising
measures to compel rebel groups to respect the rights
of refugees, returnees and displaced persons in
territories under their control.
Confidence Building Measures
Strengthen as soon as possible, existing confidence
building measures through, among other means, annual
border post activities, joint border patrols, joint
border development and management, regular consultations
amongst security agencies operating along the borders,
joint training programmes for personnel operating
at the borders, including workshops and seminars
to educate them on regional and continental agreements
on free movement of persons, goods and services
and stabilising measures for localised crisis situations
for inter-state relations.
Terrorism
All Member States to sign and ratify the OAU Convention
on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism of
1999 so that it can enter into force by the end
of 2002 and fully implement the obligations entered
into therein by 2004.
To facilitate a comprehensive response to the problem
of terrorism in Africa, consider by 2003, an Action
Plan and a Protocol which will provide for, among
other things, national, regional and continental
strategies to eradicate criminal organisations and
syndicates operating in Africa, effective monitoring
of the movement of persons and goods across borders
by utilising crime analysis and information gathering
capability and establishment of joint border operations
to investigate and apprehend criminal elements and
to stop money laundering, drug and human trafficking.
Tenets of Democratic Society
By 2004 adopt, and in some cases recommit, to the
fundamental tenets of a democratic society as stipulated
in the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration as an African common
position, namely, a Constitution and a Bill of Rights
provision, where applicable, free and fair elections,
an independent judiciary, freedom of expression
and subordination of the military to legitimate
civilian authority; rejection of unconstitutional
changes of government; and implement these principles
by 2005, where they are not already applicable.
Democratisation and Good Governance
Elaborate by 2004 principles of good governance
based on commonly agreed set of indicators to be
included in national legislations, including decentralization
of administration and effective, transparent control
of state expenditure. By 2003, all African countries
should enact legislation to provide for the impartiality
of the public service, the independence of the judiciary
and the necessary autonomy of public institutions
such as the Central bank and the office of the Auditor-general.
Limitation to the Tenure of Political Office Holders
Adopt by 2005 a commonly derived Code of Conduct
for Political Office Holders that stipulates among
others, an inviolate constitutional limitation on
the tenure of elected political office holders based
on nationally stipulated periodic renewal of mandates
and governments should scrupulously abide by it.
Anti-Corruption Commission
Adoption, signing and ratification of the OAU Convention
on Combating Corruption and establish by 2004 in
each African country (where it is not presently
in existence) an independent anti-corruption Commission,
with an independent budget that must annually report
to the national parliament on the state of corruption
in that country.
Independent National Electoral Commissions
Establish by 2003 where they do not exist, independent
national electoral commissions and/or other appropriate
mechanisms and institutions to ensure free and fair
elections in all African countries.
Election Observation
Adopt and standardise by 2003, guidelines for independent
and effective observations of elections in AU Member
States, with the provision of an effective electoral
unit within the AU Commission. The guidelines must
include provisions for strengthening civil society
and local monitoring groups in individual African
countries and the continent as a whole to support
the process of ensuring free and fair elections.
The Commission should be gradually equipped and
funded to conduct independent election observation
by 2003. The reports of the various election observation
teams of the AU should be made public.
Campaign Finance Reforms
Conclude by 2004 appropriate arrangements for the
institution of campaign finance reform including
disclosure of campaign funding sources and for proportionate
state funding of all political parties, to ensure
transparency and accountability in electoral contests.
Inclusive Systems of Governance
Conclude by 2004 appropriate arrangements, including
electoral reforms, for the institution of more inclusive
systems of government.
Popular Participation
Implement the provisions of the Charter for Popular
Participation for development and transformation
in Africa, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government in 1990 by creating more enabling
conditions for increased participation of women,
the youth and civil society organizations.
Political Parties
Adopt by 2004 enabling legislations on the formation
and operation of political parties to ensure that
such parties are not formed and operated on the
basis of ethnic, religious, sectarian, regional
or racial extremism and establish a threshold of
voter support as criteria for public funding, without
compromising freedom of association and the principle
of multi-party democracy.
Rights of the Child
By 2003, all Member States should sign and ratify
the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of
the Child and by 2005, fully implement the obligations
entered into therein.
By 2003, all Member States to ratify the UN Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
and implement the Protocol by 2005, including effective
plans of action, in regions where they do not exist,
for the demobilization of child soldiers.
Enact Key Elements of Bill of Rights
By 2004, pending inclusion of a Bill of Rights,
where applicable, in every constitution in Africa,
all Member States should incorporate into national
codes or laws, where it does not exist, provisions
of habeas mandamus and habeas corpus to protect
every citizen of Africa from arbitrary arrest or
detention without trial and other forms of cruel
and degrading treatment and put in place mechanisms
for the monitoring and effective implementation
of these codes.
Observance, Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
By 2003, all African countries that have not done
so, should ratify all provisions of the Charter
on Human and People’s Rights, as well as all
other relevant international instruments for the
protection and promotion of human rights; and vigorously
proceed with the implementation of such requirements
including all provisions of the Charter on Peoples
and Human Rights and the Grand Bay Declaration and
Plan of Action on Human Rights in Africa, including
the provision of required resources for the work
of these bodies.
By 2004, all African countries should submit annual
reports, on the status of human and peoples’
rights within their countries, to the African Commission
of Human and Peoples Rights. The African Commission
on Human and Peoples’ Rights should be provided
with adequate resources to enable it to produce
comprehensive, independent and publicly available
annual surveys by 2006.
Status of Women
By 2005, take measures to promote equality of women,
and ensure the representation of women in all national
institutions, as well as abrogate discriminatory
laws in African countries against women. They should
also adopt, sign and ratify the Protocol to the
African Charter relating to the Rights of Women
in Africa as well as other instruments and mechanisms
to guarantee and preserve the rights of women.
By 2005, all Member States to sign, ratify and
accede to the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention
on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW).
Strengthen the Criminal Justice System
Set up by 2005 in every African country an independent
Commission to determine measures for improving prison
conditions in Africa, and set up at the same time
(where it does not exist), a Parole Board to help
reduce congestion in African prisons.
Economic Growth
Increase the rate of growth of the economies of
Africa by an average annual growth rate of 7%, which
is the minimum needed to reduce poverty as stipulated
in the International Development Goals and reaffirmed
in NEPAD and in previous agreements and commitments.
Savings and Investments
Increase the savings and investment ratio to the
level needed to achieve the 7% growth rate mentioned
above.
Capital Flight
Reduced levels of capital flight by half by 2008
through appropriate policy measures, with a view
to eliminating it by 2015.
Foreign Direct Investment
Increased Africa’s share of Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) inflows from the current 1% of
total global FDI, to a minimum of 2% in 5 years
and increase by 2% every year until it reaches 10%
of total global FDI flows.
Infrastructure
Increased investment in physical infrastructure,
(transport and telecommunications) as a ratio to
GDP to the level that obtains in middle-income countries
and social infrastructure to about 10% of GDP by
the year 2020 and the development and interconnection
of intra-African transport and communication networks
and services.
Common Standards
Development of a common system of standards and
specifications to help foster intra-African exchange
of goods and services.
Industrialization
Increased value added in manufacturing in the Continent
from the current 17% to 25% by the year 2010. For
countries that have not achieved the average African
level, to double the level of manufacturing every
10 years till it reaches the average for African
countries.
Intra-African Trade
Increased share of intra-African trade to 20% of
the total trade of Member States by 2005 in accordance
with various resolutions of OAU and RECs.
Trade
Increased Africa’s share of world trade from
its current 2% level to 4% by 2010, as well as diversified
Africa’s exports to reflect this change in
the structure of production.
Agricultural Productivity
Increased agricultural productivity at a rate twice
that of population growth.
Poverty Alleviation and Equitable Income Distribution
Attainment of the International Development Goals,
as recognized in the NEPAD, of reducing the proportion
of people living in extreme poverty by half by the
year 2015.
Customs Union and Common Market
Establishment of a firm and binding commitment
by all Member States for all the RECs to attain
full Customs Union status by 2005, and full Common
Market status by 2010, in line with AU integration
objectives and the call by the CSSDCA Solemn Declaration
to work towards a shortened timetable for the full
realization of the African Economic Community.
Policy Harmonization and Market Integration
Harmonized macroeconomic policies including comprehensive
convergence criteria and sectoral policy coordination
to be completed by 2005 in all RECs, in order to
achieve the goal of 7% GDP growth rate annually
as called for in the NEPAD – within the context
of integration arrangement.
Investment Code
Conclusion and adoption by 2005 of a single investment
code in each REC to provide a common enabling environment,
in conformity with the projected Customs Union.
Physical Integration and Infrastructure
Adoption by 2005, in regions where they do not
exist, of binding Agreements and protocols on all
the major physical integration projects that have
been identified, including priority access for landlocked
countries and the participation of all countries
in projects such as the Regional African Satellite
Communicating System (RASCOM) being one of the vital
African projects prior to the planned launching
of RASCOM by the last quarter of 2002. Similarly
the implementation by 2005 of the Yamoussoukro Declaration
concerning the Liberalization of Air Transport Markets
in Africa.
Industrial Policy
Binding agreement reached by 2005 on common industrial
policy within RECs.
Common Natural Resources
Early take off of the African Energy Commission
(AFREC) to assure the completion of the energy development
plans by 2003 bearing in mind the NEPAD target of
35% access to reliable and affordable commercial
energy supply for the African population in 20 years;
and Encouragement of all RECs to conclude plans,
binding agreements and protocols by 2003 for the
development of other projects on the utilization
of common natural resources. In this connection,
immediate steps should be taken to mobilize African
entrepreneurs to establish multinational companies
for the execution of large scale projects in Africa.
Rationalization of RECs
Complete by 2005, the harmonization and rationalization
of all RECs, in order to facilitate convergence
into the African Union.
Intra RECs Cooperation
Strengthened framework and programme for deepening
horizontal interactions among RECs starting 2002
in fulfillment of the Protocol on relations between
the AEC and the RECs, and, in line with the Lusaka
Summit decision on the establishment of the AU.
Cooperation in Health Matters
Strengthened cooperation in health matters, including
the adoption of a Health Protocol in all RECs by
2003 and implementation of the binding commitment
on allocating 15% of our national budget to the
improvement of the health sector as agreed to in
the Abuja Summit Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis
and other related Infectious Diseases.
Harmonization and Coordination of Education Policies
Attainment of set targets in the Plan of Action
on the Decade of Education as adopted by the Summit
of OAU Heads of State and Government in 1999, particularly
universal basic education by 2015.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Adoption of policy regulatory ICT frameworks that
are transparent, predictable and ensure fair competition,
and open markets, by 2005. Improvement of access
for households and firms, with a short-term objective
to double teledensity to two lines per 100 people
by 2005, with an adequate level of access for households.
Simultaneously, lowering of the cost and improvement
of reliability of service, and achievement of e-readiness
for all countries of Africa.
IV. FRAMEWORK OF IMPLEMENTATION
We further agree to the following framework of
implementation as a means of carrying out the commitments
contained in this Memorandum of Understanding;
To incorporate CSSDCA principles and guidelines
in our national institutions that would have responsibility
for helping in the monitoring of the CSSDCA activities
as prescribed in the Solemn Declaration on the CSSDCA.
To this end we shall initiate legislative, executive
or administrative actions to bring national laws
or regulations in conformity with CSSDCA.
To take all necessary measures in accordance with
the constitutional procedures, in each of our Member
States, to ensure the dissemination of such legislation
as may be necessary for the implementation of the
fundamental objectives.
T
o designate focal points within our existing national
institutions for CSSDCA programmes. The focal point
shall be responsible for coordinating and monitoring
all activities relating to the CSSDCA. In addition,
the focal point shall undertake, on annual basis,
monitoring of the country’s compliance with
the CSSDCA process.
To also establish within our existing national
institutions a national coordinating committee,
consisting of all stakeholders dealing with the
various calabashes of the CSSDCA framework, to develop
and coordinate the overall strategies and policies
towards the four calabashes of the CSSDCA.
To create favourable conditions for the development
of the African continent, in particular by harmonizing
our national strategies and policies and refrain
from any unilateral action that may hinder the attainment
of the general and specific principles of the CSSDCA
as contained in the Solemn Declaration and undertakings
derived therefrom.
To provide, within all the RECs, appropriate institutional
framework for the implementation of the CSSDCA Solemn
Declaration and the Memorandum of Understanding
on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation.
To use the monitoring process of the CSSDCA to
establish best current knowledge and practices that
would strengthen democratic practices, the protection
of human rights and the promotion of good governance
in the continent.
To strengthen and enlarge the CSSDCA Unit, including
endowing it with adequate human resources and funds,
as well as an enhanced technical analytic capacity
to take initiatives within the structure of the
envisaged Commission of the African Union and to
enable it perform its tasks efficiently and effectively,
particularly in respect of coordination and harmonization
of policies of Member States.
To ensure that the CSSDCA Process forms part and
parcel of the work programme of the Commission of
the African Union.
To consolidate and strengthen political will among
Member States as a necessary and sufficient condition
for the attainment of the goals set forth by Member
States in the CSSDCA process.
V. MONITORING PERFORMANCE
We finally agree to the following mechanisms for
measuring performance:
1. To convene, in accordance with the Solemn Declaration
on the CSSDCA, a Standing CSSDCA Conference at Summit
level every two years during ordinary sessions of
Summit, review meetings of plenipotentiaries and
senior officials in between sessions of the Standing
Conference.
The commitments entered into by Member States for
the Security and Stability Calabashes shall form
part of these reviews. These commitments will serve
as agreed benchmark criteria and indices, with key
performance indicators as instruments for measurement
of compliance in monitoring progress towards agreed
goals.
In preparing for those reviews, the national mechanisms
for monitoring the core values and commitments of
the Security and Stability Calabashes shall work
closely with the CSSDCA Unit, which will elaborate
a comprehensive work programme and time schedule
for its activities including, administrative arrangements
for overseeing the monitoring process, with diagnostic
tools and measurement criteria for assessing performance,
as well as deficiencies and capacity restraints
that impede them. All stakeholders in providing
inputs for the review process will use the diagnostic
tools and measurement criteria and highlight capacity
restraints or gaps that should be bridged to enable
higher standards of performance along with resources
that should be mobilized to support this process.
This process of peer scrutiny will facilitate the
development of best practices and suggest ways in
which they can be effectively transferred to where
they are not in operation.
The national mechanisms for evaluation will produce
country reports. However, inputs shall be obtained
from specialized agencies, the private sector, civil
society organizations, and parliamentarians as part
of a general process of evaluation. The different
inputs will be cross-referenced to provide a clear
and accurate representation.
Regional Economic Communities shall also play a
role in these reviews. The Executive Heads of Regional
Economic Communities should thus be invited to the
Review Meetings of plenipotentiaries and senior
officials.
In carrying out the tasks of monitoring performance,
the Coordinating Unit of the CSSDCA in the OAU/AU
shall coordinate closely with the national and regional
focal points. It shall seek the cooperation of regional
and international bodies in the context of the relevant
Calabashes on Security, Stability, Development and
Cooperation, as well as support and assistance from
other relevant international organizations or institutions
and other cooperation agencies especially the ECA,
ADB, UNDP, IMF, IOM and IBRD to promote the realization
of the objectives of the CSSDCA process.
The CSSDCA Process will also be supported by visitation
panels composed of eminent, reputable Africans to
carry out professional, independent and objective
on spot assessments in two-year circles as part
of the preparation for the bi-annual Standing Conferences
of the CSSDCA. Such visitation panels will raise
the visibility and credibility of the process and
augment the permanent and continuous monitoring
process.
We express our determination to respect and apply
fully the undertakings, as set forth in the present
Memorandum of Understanding in all aspects, in our
mutual relations and cooperation, in order to assure
each of our Member States the benefits resulting
from the respect and application of these undertakings
by all.
We are convinced that respect for these undertakings
will encourage the development of normal and friendly
relations and the progress of cooperation among
our countries and peoples. We are also convinced
that respect for the core values and commitments
contained in this Memorandum of Understanding will
encourage the development of contacts among our
countries, which, in time, would contribute to better
mutual understanding of our commitments. We commit
ourselves to respect and implement all the above
undertakings in conformity with Articles 9 (e) and
23 (2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
