AUC deputy chairperson Mwencha addresses the press on outcome of 13th African Union summit
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 15, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, on Thursday 9 July 2009, addressed the press during a press conference that took place at the headquarters of the African Union, on the outcomes of the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU in Sirte, Libya, from 24 June to 3rd July 2009, under the theme: “Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”.
With regard to the theme of the Summit, Mr. Mwencha recalled the context in which Africa is finding itself today having to face the many challenges in order to enhance economic growth and ensure food security. He explained that the production of agricultural product has reduced resulting to high food prices in the markets, while the population keeps increasing. This, he said justifies the reason for choosing the theme of agriculture for the Summit, to ensure the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) amongst others. “The overall goal of CAADP is to help African countries reach a higher path of economic growth through agriculture-led development which eliminates hunger, reduces poverty and food insecurity while enabling expansion of exports “he noted, adding that CAADP framework was launched during the Maputo Summit in 2003. It is aimed at expanding upon the development of agricultural growth and help more African countries fight poverty and achieve the MDGs through transformation and improved food security.
The Deputy Chairperson highlighted that the Summit also sought to ensure that the African Heads of State respect the commitment taken in Maputo to invest 10%of their national budget to the Agriculture sector. He informed the journalists about the decision by member states to adopt a common African position on climate change at the Copenhagen Summit in December 2009.
The issue of the transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority was addressed by the Deputy Chairperson. He said the Commission will be given a new mandate with a slight change in that, particular attention will be given to the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Mr. Mwencha however indicated that the implementation of the transformation will take some time to allow the putting in place by the Commission of the legal instrument for ratification, which will to be submitted to the 14th AU Summit in January – February 2010 for consideration before referring the document to the African Parliament for ratification.
Concerning the AUC Strategic Plan 2009 – 2012, the Deputy Chairperson stressed on the major challenge for the implementation of the strategy which is the financing of some of the projects included in the plan. He said the actual budget needed to fully implement the Strategy is being evaluated at 250 million U.S. dollars.
The press conference also addressed the issue of the new flag for the African Union. Mr. Mwencha said, this flag will soon be official in conformity with the Decision taken during the 8th AU Summit which led to the organization by the AU of a competition for the selection of the new AU flag.
Answering a question on the mandate of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), Mr. Mwencha explained that the major problem is the mobilization of a larger number of troops in Somalia. He said several African countries have already indicate their interest to support the operation.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
