MAPUTO, 12 July - The 2nd Assembly of the African Union ended in Maputo adopting a declaration on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which emphasises the commitment and a common determination for poverty eradication and bringing the continent out of marginalization from global affairs.

The summit also adopted other declarations on fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and one on establishment of an African Policy on Common Defence and Security. A budget of US$32 million for the AU activities in the year 2003 was also approved as well as another US$43 million for 2004.

Addressing the closing session of the Assembly, the new AU chairperson, Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique, said African heads of state and government are in agreement that NEPAD is the driving force and principal instrument for the development of the peoples of Africa, bearing in mind that it is incumbent on Africans to be on the forefront of the continent's development endeavours.

“Thus, in each phase of NEPAD implementation, we will be faced with a challenge: the need to conceptualise and adopt more efficient strategies,” he said.

According to Chissano, a consensus was reached during the Assembly that peace and stability are basic conditions for ensuring Africa’s harmonious and sustainable development. “It is, therefore, incumbent on us to find a durable solution to the situations of tension and conflict still prevailing in our continent so as to transform Africa into a region attracting investments, and successfully implement NEPAD”.

Chissano reiterated his call for all member states that have not yet ratified the protocol on peace and security council to do so.

The AU Assembly elected Alpha Oumar Konare, of Mali, to the post of chairperson of the AU commission, and Patrick Kayumba Mazimhaka of Rwanda, as vice-chairperson.

Seven of the eight commissioners were elected for the different portfolios of the AU commission, which represent the five regions of the continent. The commissioner for the portfolio of economic issues, who should come from the SADC region, was not elected. For that matter, the SADC region should appoint the candidates for the post in elections to be held in February 2004.

The seven commissioners elected are:

Peace and Security, Mr. Said Djinnit (Algeria.)
Political Affairs, Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner (Gambia)
Infrastructure and Energy, Mr. Bernard Zoba (Congo Brazzaville)
Social Affairs, Ms. Gawanas Bience Philomina (Namibia)
Human Resources, Science and Technology, Mrs. Saida Agrebi (Tunisia)
Trade and Industry, Ms. Elisabeth Tankeu (Cameroon)
Rural Economy and Agriculture, Ms. Rosebud Kurwijila (Tanzania)
and Economic Affairs (a male to be indicated by Southern Africa)

The members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights are:
Mr. Mohamed Abdellahi Ouid BABANA (Mauritania)
Mr. Bahame Tom Mukirya NYANDUGA (Tanzania);

And the members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are: Prof. Peter Onyekwere EBIGBO (Nigeria)
Dr. Asseffa BEQUELE (Ethiopia)
Mr. Jean Baptiste ZOUNGRANA (Burkina Faso)
Ms. Nakpa POLO (Togo)

The AU Commission is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (SARDC)

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