AU's peace, security commission to be officially launched on 27th of May here

Addis Ababa, May 20(ENA)-- The launching conference of the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Commission will convene here in Addis Ababa on the 27th of May. Ethiopia has been making preparations to host the conference colorfully, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Some 30 African Heads of State and Government had assembled 41 years ago here in Addis Ababa to realize the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU, the Ministry told ENA in a statement on Thursday.

Few months ago, an august and colorful event held here in Addis Ababa launched one of the main bodies of the AU, the Pan African Parliament, the ministry said.

The establishment of this body was a demonstration that Africans under the umbrella of the AU have been making strides, it said.

It said, the Peace and Security Commission of the AU will officially officially be launched on the 27th of May here.

Africa had long been distructed from the path of development due to civil strife, ethnic clashes, armed struggles, coup de etat and other problems, it said.

Ethiopia attaches huge significance to the establishment of the peace and security commission which will be instrumental in addressing the challenges, it said.

The protocol on the establishment of the commission, which was accepted during the AU founding Summit in 2002 in Durban, entered enforcement in December 2003, it said.

The need to uprooting political instability in Africa and the huge impact it has against the continent's development vision precipitated the idea of establishing the commission, it said.

The ministry said, building strong democratic institutions and ensuring human rights and the supremacy of the law are seen as determining conditions for creating sustainable peace and stability in Africa.

The commission has 15 member countries representing the continents five regions, ten of which will be elected for a two-year term and the other five for a three-year term in office, it said.

The 15 member countries for the commission were elected in March during the AU excutive committee regular session in Addis Ababa, it said.

Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Gabon were elected for the three-year term and Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, Sudan, Libya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Ghana, Senegal and Togo for a two-year term.

A national committee comprising pertinent sector organizations has been preparing for the success of the launching of the commission and the upcoming AU Summit.

Ethiopia is determined as ever for peace and stability in Africa as well as for development of the continent, it said, adding the active roles Ethiopia has been playing in the peace process in Burundi and Liberia is indicative of Ethiopia's commitments and determination.

The Ethiopian peacekeeping contingents in the two countries are discharing the lofty responsibilities entrusted to them by fellow african brothers effectively and efficiently.

(END)