Question NW267 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
28 February 2022 - NW267
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
In light of the fact that the African Union (AU) member states have signed many declarations such as Lomé Declaration, yet they fail in implementation and application of the measures, what has she found to be the reason that the AU is failing to implement policies?
Reply:
The African Union (AU) and its member states strongly uphold the implementation of the provisions of the Lomé Declaration of July 2000 on the Framework for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) response to unconstitutional changes of Government, and the related instruments for responding to unconstitutional changes of government. The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) is the principal organ within the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) to promote peace and security on the Continent, which includes addressing unconstitutional changes of government.
The APSA also embodies the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity. The APSA relies on the respective Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) to take the lead in the regions, including in addressing coups d’états, with the PSC following up. This was done in every case where a coup occurred in the last year, including Mali, Guinea Conakry, Sudan, and Burkina Faso, which have all been suspended from the AU. At no time has the AU ever suspended four member states in one year for the same reason, that of unconstitutional changes of government.
The Report of the Peace and Security Council of the AU on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa presented at the February 2022 AU Summit, as well as the numerous interventions by Heads of State and Government in the course of the deliberations, addressed the surge in unconstitutional changes of Government. The coups were unanimously and strongly condemned. These actions demonstrate that the AU and its members are committed to implementing the provisions of the AU Constitutive Act, the Protocol Relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and the Lomé Declaration, as well as all related instruments, in the quest to promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law on the Continent.
South Africa will assume a two-year seat on the AU Peace and Security Council on 1 April 2022 and will work steadfastly for the effective use of the APSA, including the powers of the PSC.