A group comprised of 21 students along with two of their lecturers from Kings University in Ontario Canada visited the African Union Headquarters today 17th February 2016 .The Canadian students were welcomed by the AG. Director of Information and Communication (DIC), Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou who said the annual visit of the students is highly welcomed by the Commission. The students, who were undertaking a study field trip to the AU, were immediately taken to Briefing Room 1, where they received key note addresses on different thematic areas by resource persons of the different departments of the AUC.

The AU Agenda 2063 was presented by the representative from the Directorate of SPPERM, Mr. Kassim M. Khamis. Mr. Kassim introduced Agenda 2063 that was adopted during the 50th anniversary of OAU - AU by the Heads of State and Government, with the view to achieve the socio economic strategy for transforming Africa in the next 50 years. Mr. Kassim enlightened the students on the key areas of focus under Agenda 2063. He said the long term plan will harmonize different development strategies with the collaboration of Regional Economics Communities (RECs) to achieve this dream and that all Africans irrespective of their class, gender and ages are urged to take part in the implementation of the development agenda.

Mr. Bright Mando, representative from the AUC Legal Office briefed the students on the   AU’s position on Universal Jurisdiction and the issue of Immunity of African leaders with respect to prosecution. He underlined that the AU is against the violation of human rights and impunity. Mr. Bright noted that member states and the AU have the responsibility to fight impunity, mainly because Jurisdiction is compulsory and that most AU member states are compliant to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Department of political affairs represented by Mr. Naba Nindia Marc, Democratic Governance Analyst and Sibongile Zondi, Communications Expert delivered briefed the  students on the African Governance Architecture (AGA), AU’s Election monitoring, role of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, unconstitutional change of government as well as  Project 2016: “African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women”. Addressing the issue of African governance architecture, Mr Marc said a forum has been created to deepen popular participation. In this regard, the Department of Political Affairs of the AUC organizes  high level dialogue held annually at continental level where Heads of State, high level personalities and academic professionals meet to exchange on ways of fostering good governance, promote African shared values,  and boost women’s participation in politics among others. On the issue of election monitoring the presenters underscored that the African Union deploys Election Observes Mission to African countries during presidential and legislative elections, to ensure that the electoral processes are fully respected and implemented for free and fair elections.

Representing the Peace and Security Department, Amb. Fred Ngoga Gateretse, Head of conflict Prevention and Early warning Division and Mr. Simon Badza addressed the students on the AU Peace and Security Architecture, the work of the panel of the wise as well as highlighted aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063. Amb. Fred noted that the AU Peace and Security department provides support to efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and stability on the continent, as well as a strategic vision of a peaceful and prosperous emerging Africa under Agenda 2063.  He added that, the AU is determined to silence the guns and strive to achieve the objective of a conflict-free continent by the year 2020.

Mr. Simon on his part further pointed out that important strides have been made towards the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). He said some of the key achievements include the establishment of structures that have enhanced the capacity of the continent to prevent crises and conflicts and to manage or resolve them whenever they occur.

Dr. Rene N’Guetia Kouassi Director of Economic Affairs of the AUC addressed the issue of economic partnerships and economic growth of the continent.  Underscoring the good economic relations that China has with AU currently in regards to infrastructure development and the foreign direct investment that manifests on the continent due to the partnerships between the two resulting into increased employment   opportunities on the continent, Dr. Kouassi underlined the continued cooperation in the oil, gas and manufacturing sector to boost economic development on the continent

The Visit ended with a guided tour of the African Union Commission where the students took souvenir photos around the historical and fascinating places within the premises of the AU. The students will be expected by their university to report on the outcome of their visit to the AU Headquarters as well as write content information about the African Union as part of their end of year study research work.

Worth noting that, the guided tours at the AU headquarters falls within the framework of the AU Communication, Advocacy and Marketing Strategy 2014-2017 aimed at providing knowledge and enlighten the diversified visitors by educating them about the AU while enhancing visibility on the activities of the Commission and promoting the image of the African Union worldwide