DECISION ON THE ACTIVITY REPORT OF
THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
Doc. EX.CL/688(XIX)
The Executive Council,
1. TAKES NOTE of the very detailed Report which covers all the programmes and activities carried out by the Commission during the last six months and ENCOURAGES the Commission to continue its efforts to carry out the laid down objectives, within the framework of the implementation of the 2009-2012 Strategic Plan;
2. TAKES NOTE of all the relevant observations made by the various delegations on the Report;
3. ENDORSES the recommendations made by the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), on this Report (PRC/Rpt(XXIII));
4. STRESSES the crucial importance of the pilot projects identified by the Commission in its 2009-2012 Strategic Plan, in particular, programmes relating to the development of network infrastructures, agricultural development and food security, through the implementation of the CAADP programme; the launching of the Pan-African University and the harmonization of the human capital development programmes, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the setting up of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); and the realization of the good governance and democracy architecture, all of which are meant to accelerate the socio-economic integration of the Continent;
5. NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the theme for 2012 centred on “Boosting IntraAfrican Trade”, a topic that will be developed throughout the year 2012 and the discussion of which, at the two Summits, could create more awareness among the relevant actors to strengthen continental trade and increase the share of Africa in world trade;
6. STRESSES the need to draw lessons on the performance of the African Union (AU) in relation to the challenges faced by the Continent during the year 2011, in particular, with regard to the popular uprisings in North Africa and other conflict situations such as that of Cote d’Ivoire, and RECOMMENDS to the Assembly to consider an in-depth reflection on the ways and means of effectively strengthening and defending the principle of African solutions to African problems, both by reinforcing the effectiveness of continental instruments and strengthening the complementarity of AU and the actions of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as well as the rigorous evaluation of the functioning of strategic partnerships;
7. WELCOMES the presence, for the first time, of the delegation of the Republic of South Sudan to the Assembly;
8. ALSO NOTES WITH SATISFACTION the organization and outcomes of the Special Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in August 2011 as well as contributions made to the Horn of Africa to assist the victims of the drought and famine in this area and ENCOURAGES Member States to always respond positively to such praise-worthy initiatives;
9. URGES all Member States to effectively implement all AU decisions in the various areas, to sign and ratify all AU instruments and provide their full political, financial and other support to the Commission to support its efforts aimed at implementing these decisions, and UNDERLINES in particular the role and place of the Commission in the pursuit of all AU strategic partnerships;
10. REAFFIRMS the active solidarity of the AU towards the Palestinian People in its fight to recover its legitimate rights in a sovereign and independent state;
11. REITERATES the need for finding an equitable solution to the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) problem by the implementation of the relevant decisions of AU and the United Nations relating to the self-determination of the Saharawi People;
12. EXPRESSES its high appreciation to all the outgoing Members of the Commission, led by H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission, for their immense contribution to the AU;
13. CONGRATULATES the Republic of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea for the excellent facilities put in place in a coordinated manner in the organization of the African Cup of Nations and EXTENDS also congratulations to the African States whose teams are participating in this high level Football continental competition, from 21 January to 12 February 2012.