Global Policy Forum

By Iyefu Adoba And Kingsley Nwezeh

African Union Chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday in Abuja announced at the end of the two-day 4th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union that a 15-man committee has been set up to fashion out a common stand for Africa on reforms in the United Nations. He said the committee comprising of foreign ministers of 15 African countries will produce the African position by March.

Earlier, while addressing his colleagues about the crucial challenge of the UN reform, Obasanjo said: "Before the commencement of the session, it was perhaps thought that the issue will prove to be divisive and rancorous." However, he noted that "during our interactive discussions, we considered the issue frankly and exhaustively in a friendly and brotherly atmosphere once again demonstrating that rare characteristic African solidarity and unity of purpose." "I should recall that the decision that we took was a reaffirmation of our collective will to find a solution to a problem through mutual understanding and consensus. In the same vein, we have also underscored the sense of urgency that the matter deserves" he added.

The committee of 15 is also to consider the two options relating to the reform of the UN security council taking into account the African common position contained in the Harare Assembly Declaration of 1997; developments on the international scene since the adoption of the Harare Declaration; and the essence of the long debate held in the Executive Council on January 28, 2005. Also, the AU Executive Council agreed that a ministerial committee of 15 members which is open-ended be set up on the basis of the AU formula for equitable geographical distribution of opportunities in the UN.

The executive council requested the various regions to urgently undertake consultations in conformity with their respective regional mechanisms and submit the names of members of the committee to the Commission. The committee is expected to meet February 20-22. Its meeting will be followed by an extraordinary session of the executive council to adopt Africa's position which will in turn be presented to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for inclusion in his report to the UN General Assembly in March.

On the ability of the AU to handle conflicts in different hot spots on the continent Obasanjo said: "If I say we cannot do it then where will we go? If I believe that we cannot, I won't be here. It is because I believe we can, and we are, that is why we are here." Citing examples of situations where the AU has solved its own problems internally, he recalled that the Union had sent troops to Liberia even before the UN. The Americans, he also added, were unable to berth in Liberia. "When they came in, they were on the sea looking at us. In Sierra Leone ditto and even in Darfur we are doing it."

The President disclosed that upon his request to the Union, a special committee has been set up to help deal with the Darfur crisis on a continuous basis. He also said he is looking forward to the reconvening of the Abuja peace talks which should resume mid February in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that similar solutions would be applied to problems in Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Eriteria where he said there is the need for reconciliation and compromise.

While noting that AU intervention is not limited to conflict resolution, on the problem of HIV/AIDS ravaging Africa, he added that, "You have heard the story of what happened in Uganda, how they dealt with the issue of HIV and here in Nigeria the prevalence rate has decreased by 1 per cent." He said further that "our food production in the last two years has increased by seven per cent, so I am positive." Leaders at the summit also agreed that the next summit will hold in July in Libya, while Sudan will host the union next January.

Annan had told newsmen on Sunday that the membership of the Security Council is to be expanded from 14 to 24 seats with six new permanent positions as part of the option A in the UN reform process. Under this option, two out of the new permanent seats will go to Africa. "Option B will also create additional semi-permanent seats. They will be elected for four years instead of the current two years. You will have those elected for four years and those elected for two years. African governments who are here are now discussing which option to support and once they have decided on that option they will decide on which countries to put forward," he added.

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