Press Release: Tanzania becomes Chair of the AU's Peace and Security Council for the month of April 2013

PRESS RELEASE

THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA BECOMES CHAIR OF THE AFRICAN UNION PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL (AUPSC) FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2013

Since 1^st April 2013, the United Republic of Tanzania has become Chair of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for the entire period of one month. The United Republic of Tanzania was elected as a Member of the AUPSC in April 2012, for a two-year period. The African Union Peace and Security Council is a standing decision – making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts. The Peace and Security Council (PSC) is the sole organ with the African Union (AU) that is responsible for decision making on all issues relating to the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa. 

The PSC is composed of 15 member states of the AU elected according to the principle of equitable regional representation and rotation as stipulated in the Protocol Relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. The current Members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) are Algeria, Angola, Cameroun, Congo (Brazzaville), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guinea (Conakry), Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. It is worth noting that Algeria, Mozambique and Uganda are new members that joined the PSC in April 2013 to replace Libya, Zimbabwe and Kenya whose membership ended in March 2013.

On 5^th April 2013, In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) held its 365^th Meeting. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Amb. Joram Biswaro, Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The PSC meeting considered and subsequently adopted its monthly programme of work for the month of April 2013, which was prepared by the United Republic of Tanzania in consultation with the African Union Commission Peace and Security Department and other Union relevant organs of the African Union Commission (AUC).

In his statement as the new Chairperson of PSC for the month of April 2013, Prof. Ambassador Joram Biswaro reiterated the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania’s commitment and devotion in shouldering its responsibilities as a member and Chair of the Peace and Security Council, an important organ which has an obligation of the maintenance and promotion of peace and stability in the African continent.

The Chairperson noted that as Africa marked 50^th Anniversary of the establishment of its Organization OUA/AU this year, peace and security situation in Africa showed both positive and negative developments. On a positive note and despite the existing challenges, there have been developments in the situation between Sudan and South Sudan, in Eastern DRC, Somalia, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Madagascar in which the Peace and Security Council (PSC) in collaboration with Regional Economic Communities has been actively engaged and played a significantly role while assuming its responsibilities of maintenance of peace, security and stability in our continent. He also recognized that Peace and stability continued to consolidate in Egypt and Tunisia despite some challenges.

Similarly, the Chairperson pointed out that the recent peaceful concluded elections in Kenya and Djibouti have demonstrated that Africa has made tremendous strides in the promotion of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

However, despite these positive developments, the Chairperson deplored the recent unconstitutional change of government in Central African Republic (CAR). He therefore underscored the need for the PSC to continue to play its role to ensure that the gains so far registered are nurtured and that Africa’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent is realized as enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

In implementing its programme of work for the month of April 2013, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) will discuss and deliberate on various issues pertaining to the political and security in the Central African Republic (CAR), Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mali, Guinea Bissau and developments on the situation between Sudan and South Sudan. The Council will also organize an open debate on the operationalisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and Rapid Deployment Capacity. Accordingly, and as lessons learned, there will be briefings on the recent elections in Kenya and Djibouti, as well as upcoming ones in the continent.  

Issued on 6^th April 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TO THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATION TO THE AFRICAN UNION (AU) AND TO THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA (UNECA)