S. Sudan to participate in AU trade summit ArticleComments (0). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Julius N. Uma January 12, 2011 (JUBA) — South Sudan will later this month participate in the 18th ordinary session of the African Union (AU) summit scheduled from January 23-30 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The event, according to an AU communiqué obtained by Sudan Tribune, will commence with the 23rd ordinary session of the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) under the theme, “Boosting Intra-African Trade”. South Sudan gained admission into the AU membership shortly after its July 9, 2011 independence necessitated by over overwhelming vote for separation during a referendum held in January. Also expected at the summit, according to the PRC agenda, will be exchange of views between ambassadors specific reports, including those of the sub-committees on structures; multilateral cooperation; contributions; economic and trade matters; the report on New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as well as that of the Special Emergency Assistance Fund for Drought and Famine in Africa (SEAF). “They will consider the working documents and draft decisions in preparation of the 20th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council,” partly reads the AU’s January 10 statement. Also expected, it adds, will be deliberations by ministers of external affairs or authorities designated by respective member states, on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organized by the AU Commission during the last six month. “They will consider the activity report of the Commission; the recommendations of the PRC on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; and the report of the ministerial committee on candidatures,” further says the statement. However, while the summit shall witness the official inauguration of the new AU conference center as one of its high moments, the assembly will also pay tribute to the late Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Prof. Wangari Maathai and Elisabeth Tankeu, the former AU Commissioner for trade and industry. At the 18th summit, the AU communiqué further stipulates, the AU heads of states and government will consider the recommendations of the Executive Council on the report of the Commission on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, including the activities of the “Panel of the Wise”. Meanwhile, at the Addis Ababa summit member states are expected to elect the chairperson and deputy of the AU commission, given that the current bureau of the African body reportedly ends its four year mandate in January 2012. The Executive Council will, in addition, elect the Commissioners of the African Union, 10 members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and one judge of the AU ad-hoc administrative tribunal. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
