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AU seeks end to border conflicts
2007-05-22 09:06:15
By Anaclet Rwegayura, PST, Addis Ababa
African ministers responsible for border issues will meet here from June 4 to 7, this year to revisit an issue that has been a source of inter-state conflict across the continent, the African Union (AU) Commission said here yesterday.
Aiming to transform border areas from turbulence into arenas for social interaction and regional cooperation in the next five years, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and government at their eighth ordinary session in January this year encouraged the Commission to pursue efforts towards the structural prevention of conflicts.
This includes implementation of the AU Border Programme on the delineation and demarcation of borders where such an exercise has not yet taken place.
As a component of the Commission`s 2004-2007 Plan of Action, the border programme aims at identification of trans-border areas that would serve as a basis for cross-border cooperation, consolidation of trade and free movement of people and goods.
In its Plan of Action, the Commission noted that the transformation of border areas could be achieved through effective demarcation and monitoring by way of control logistics and infrastructure capacity building at both national and regional levels.
Other objectives of the AU Border Programme include harmonisation of the integration policies of regional and sub-regional organisations, strengthening the capacity of decision makers in the area of border management and regional integration, and funding of cross-border development projects.
The forthcoming conference will be held in two stages, starting with a two-day session of governmental experts on border issues from June 4 to 5.
Ahead of the conference, the experts convened in Bamako, Mali, from 8-9 March 2007 to identify the measures for implementation of the AU Border Programme.
Borders of African states, set during the colonial era, have since independence been a recurrent source of conflicts because they were ill defined and not clearly delineated, according to the AU Commission.
As a result, African leaders have adopted a number of decisions on the issue of borders.
In addition to the solemn affirmation of the commitment of all Member States to respect the borders existing upon attainment of national independence, African leaders in July 2002 adopted the Memorandum of MPUNGA.
May 21, 2007: Understanding on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa stipulating that the delineation and demarcation of borders between African States should be concluded by 2012 at the latest.
The exercise would be carried out with the assistance
of the UN Cartographic Unit where necessary, to strengthen peaceful inter-state relations.
The outcome of such exercises should be deposited with the African Union and the United Nations, the leaders directed in the memorandum.
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