Ethiopia: AU, EU hold Forth Joint Consultative Meeting on Security

By Staff Writer

ADDIS ABABA---Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU PSC) and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (EU PSC) held their Fourth Annual Joint Consultative Meeting Wednesday in Addis Ababa.

The meeting was jointly chaired by the Ambassador Lungile Christian Pepani - Chairperson of the AU PSC and the Permanent Chair of the EU PSC, Ambassador Olof Skoog. This is  in line with the practice established since the first joint consultative meeting, held in Brussels, on 30 September 2008.

The converging took place against the backdrop of the series of uprisings in North Africa, which developments offer both opportunities and challenges in the areas of security, democratization, governance, accountability and inclusive socioeconomic growth to respond to the legitimate needs and expectations of people. Notably, these developments highlight the need for dialogue and coordination to facilitate joint efforts towards crisis resolution.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011) during the assembly to ensure the protection of the civilian population in Libya, in full respect of the resolutions’ provisions. They stressed the need for future actions to continue to be based on these two resolutions calling for an immediate end to all attacks on civilians and a credible and verifiable ceasefire.

They expressed serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, and called for full compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law.

Concerned also by the heavy humanitarian and security impact of the current situation on the region and beyond, the meeting recognized the EU’s humanitarian efforts and those of Libya’s African neighbours.

The need for coordinated international efforts was asserted during the meeting to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people in finding a peaceful and democratic political solution. In this respect, the two sides recognized the fact that the AU roadmap, as already presented to the Libyan parties, by the AU High Level Adhoc Committee on Libya, offers key components. They agreed to continue their efforts, in support of the UN and in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1973 (2011), which acknowledges the role of the AU High?Level Ad hoc Committee, towards a political solution to the crisis, including in view of the upcoming meeting of the UN, the AU, the EU, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Issues of concern were also raised on African states that have been experiencing instability in governance including;

Sudan, the two sides welcomed the successful referendum conducted in South Sudan in January 2011, and lauded the crucial role being played by the AU High?Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for Sudan. The two sides deeply regretted the recent violence and loss of life in Abyei, and called on both parties to desist from taking any unilateral actions. They emphasized the importance of reaching an inclusive and comprehensive solution in Darfur, based on a positive outcome of the Doha peace talks and the Darfur Political Process to be held in conducive conditions, and saluted the efforts of the African? United Nations Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

Côte d’Ivoire, both sides welcomed their common approach and cooperation, and congratulated the legitimately elected President, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, who has since assumed state power in his country. They stressed the importance of supporting the authorities in mobilizing support and resources for post conflict reconstruction and development, justice and reconciliation in the country, and called for an inclusive political dialogue.

Somali, Both sides expressed serious concern with the situation in the country. They urged the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), namely the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), to take advantage of the gains already made, with the support of AMISOM, and to ensure progress towards peace and reconciliation by, among other aspects, putting an end to wrangling among the TFIs, and to implement rapidly a political programme of action, in view of the impending end to the transition. They paid tribute to the courage and commitment of the AMISOM troops and fully supported its strengthening in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1964 (2010), including flexible and predicable funding. They also paid tribute to the AMISOM troop contributing countries, namely Burundi and Uganda, and to the substantial EU contribution in supporting AMISOM and the training of Somali soldiers by EUTM Somalia. The two sides discussed developments in the areas of maritime safety and security (MSS).

Making reference to the situations occurring in North Africa, both sides recognized the importance of the lessons, for both continents from the uprising. The AU PSC and the EU PSC then stressed the need, whenever and wherever similar situations emerge, for close consultation and coordination of initiatives between the AU and the EU, in order to maximize the chances of a common approach.

To wind up the meeting the delegation welcomed the African efforts in establishing a continental framework for an African Integrated Maritime Safety and Security Strategy and the EU initiatives, including, inter alia, operation Atalanta. They called for intensifying the AU and EU dialogue on the full range of issues and challenges related to maritime safety and security.

The next meeting was agreed to be held  in Brussels, in 2012.