2015: The African Union Commission

The Africa we want is one of Unity, Prosperity, and Peace. This vision is supported and facilitated by the work of the AUC, bringing African solutions to African challenges

On Saturday 21 November, the 2015 Africa Peace Award was presented to the African Union Commission (AUC) in recognition of over fifty years of securing peace on the continent and advancing her socio-economic development. Ms Graça Machel, the Chairperson of ACCORD’s Board of Trustees presented the Africa Peace Award to the AUC. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Chairperson of the AUC, received the award on behalf of the organisation at a gala dinner in Durban, South Africa, at the same venue that witnessed the African Union’s inaugural summit in 2002. The programme included congratulatory speeches by H.E. President Jacob Zuma and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu. The event was attended by close to 800 guests from across society. At the event ACCORD made a call for the United Nations to convene a Global Conference on Peace, and announced its intention to assemble a multi-disciplinary gathering of experts from around the world to prepare for the global conference.

APA5 — Picture by Kevin Joseph of Exhibition Photos

Created by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) in 1993, the Africa Peace Award recognises individuals, communities, and nations who respect human rights, settle conflicts peacefully, and ensure the good governance of public affairs. ACCORD, one of the world’s preeminent conflict management institutions, established the Award to celebrate peace across the continent.

APA — Picture by Kevin Joseph of Exhibition Photos

The AUC was chosen as the recipient of the 2015 Africa Peace Award as an affirmation of its efforts in building a united, prosperous and peaceful continent. This Award specifically acknowledges the role of the AUC in: Africa’s long-term transformation, inclusive social and economic development, peacefully resolving violent conflicts and building good governance on the continent. The Award also recognises the work of the AUC’s predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

APA-display — Picture by Kevin Joseph of Exhibition Photos

APA — Picture by Kevin Joseph of Exhibition Photos

APA3 — Picture by Kevin Joseph of Exhibition Photos

Amongst others, there are a number of specific areas where the AUC can be acknowledged:

Agenda 2063, launched in January 2014, provides a vision for the AUC and the African continent of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena” by 2063. Agenda 2063 places fair, inclusive, transformation directly at the centre of our continent’s affairs.
For the first time, a coordinated and harmonised approach to development is being taken by African and global institutions such as NEPAD, the African Development Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. The AUC has been the driving force behind a common position on sustainable development and a common policy on prioritising agriculture.
The African Union Commission has built African rapid response capacities to address urgent collective challenges. Two examples are health and security. At the height of the Ebola crisis, the African Union Commission marshalled a comprehensive response, deploying personnel and sourcing funding from the private sector and development institutions. The 25 000-strong multinational African Standby Force will be operational in early 2016. The force consists of brigades from the five continental blocs Economic Community of West Africa States, East African Community, North African Regional Capability and Southern African Development Community. The Force will be utilised for preventative deployment and effective peacekeeping.
The multi-year efforts embedded within the African Women’s Decade 2010-2020 and the 2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Agenda 2063 highlight the AUC’s efforts as part of a continent-wide movement for gender equality. Its Campaign to End Child Marriages, has led to social and legislative changes in a number of African countries.
The AUC’s has championed dialogue and negotiation as an alternative to violence. A comprehensive regional architecture for peace and security has been designed.

These are all examples of African solutions to African problems, which the AUC, together with stakeholders and partners, has driven, coordinated and overseen in the 13 years since its inception, building on the solid foundation of previous OAU efforts. The Award celebrates the AUC’s commitment and the progress it has helped the continent achieve. We look forward to a future where Unity, Prosperity, and Peace are in our hands and the eyes of our children.

For more information on these events, please contact Wolfe Braude on wolfe@accord.org.za