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African Union (AU) and the International Relations Cooperation
Posted by Daniel Makhura on 10 July 2017 10:10 AM SAST
Relationship between the above
South Africa’s future is inherently linked to that of the rest of the African continent. The DIRCO continues to support regional and continental processes, responding to and resolving crises, strengthening regional integration, contributing to an enabling trade environment, increasing intra-Africa trade, and championing sustainable development and opportunities. Strengthening the AU and its structures is a key priority for deepening continental integration.
The department continues to make contributions to: operationalising the tripartite agreement between South Africa, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in support of the peace and security framework agreement for the Great Lakes region; deploying the Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervention brigade; and, working with the Department of Defence, operationalising the AU Peace and Security Architecture and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, which is the multinational African interventionist standby force set up in November 2013.
The AU's Agenda 2063, under the theme "The Africa We Want", seeks to chart a new development trajectory for Africa towards self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity. The frst 10-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063 identifes the key outcomes by 2023. The DIRCO will be involved in rationalising regional economic communities towards a Continental Free Trade Area, revitalising the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) on infrastruc- ture development, and promoting good governance systems through the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Among others, Agenda 2063 aspires to a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable develop- ment. It also seeks an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.
The AU Agenda includes the commitments to support railway and road infrastructure, power generation and distribution networks, industrial and technology parks and human resources development.
South Africa hosted the 25th AU Summit in Johannesburg from 7 to 15 June 2015. The primary objective of the summit was to review progress made in the attainment of continen tal objectives, with a particular focus on the 2015 theme, the "Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063". The last time South Africa hosted this important gathering was in 2002 in Durban, KwaZulu- Natal, where the then Organisation of African Unity was transformed into the AU.
