•  December 2000February 2001 Local News Headlines

Friday, March 2, 2001 - Web posted at 9:09:52 AM GMT

NA backs new Union
STAFF REPORTER

THE National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously ratified legislation which provides the framework for an African Union (AU), which seeks to replace the ineffective Organisation of African Unity.

Namibian MPs, like members of parliaments of other African member states, needed to ratify the Constitutive Act of the African Union before a Heads of States and Government Summit which started in Sirte, Libya, yesterday.

The Sirte gathering, for which President Sam Nujoma left on Wednesday, is due to endorse the formation of the AU.

Namibian MPs from both sides of the House generally voiced support for the legislation, despite some articles of the Act being queried.

DTA-UDF parliamentary coalition leader Katuutire Kaura warned that the Union "should shun at all costs governments who come to power through undemocratic means.

Unelected governments should not be allowed to be part of this Union as it will legitimatise the Cold War order of dictatorship."

" Swapo MP Gerhard Totemeyer said there was an urgency to address Africa's problems in an organised and institutionalised way.

"We have to counteract Africa-Pessimism.

That is where the African Union can play a cardinal role [in] instilling new hope that Africa has a bright future.

This requires Afro realism.

We need a people-centred social justice approach as much as we need economic growth."

"The objectives of the AU embrace greater unity and solidarity between African countries and to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its member states.

It will also strive to promote peace, security and stability on the continent and the promotion of democratic principles and institutions.

The promotion and protection of human rights and peoples rights are also noted in the Act.

The Union is set to have nine organs - the Assembly of the Union, the Executive Council, the PanAfrican Parliament, the Court of Justice, the Commission, the Permanent Representatives Committee, the Specialised Technical Committees, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council and Financial institutions.

The Assembly, which will be the the supreme organ, will be composed of Heads of States and government or their duly accredited representatives.

The Office of the Chairman of the Assembly shall be held by a Head of State for one year, elected after consultations among member states.

The Constitutive Act was adopted by the 36th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Lome, Togo, on July 11 last year.

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