. Four African scientists received this year’s AU Kwame Nkrumah Awards
ADDIS ABABA- Newly elected Chairperson of African Union Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ElSisi said Africa needs to secure United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seats in order to better represent its interests on the global stage.
In his closing remark at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU on Monday, the Chairperson stated that the UNSC needs to undertake a reform to bring about better regional representation, whilst at the same time giving an opportunity for Africa to voice its concerns. The President noted that the Summit was concluded with AU Member States agreeing to hold common stance in global issues, and with the consensus to bid for permanent seat at UNSC through unrestricted diplomatic efforts.
According to a statement issued after the conclusion of the Assembly, AU welcomed the growing acceptance of the legitimacy of the Common African Position on the reform of the UNSC; in particular, the full endorsement as espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. A number of Interest Groups and Member States from across all regions expressed their concern that Africa should be entitled to a permanent seat in the UNSC during the Intergovernmental Negotiations at the United Nations in 2018.
The statement indicated that the full representation of Africa in the UNSC means the continent would have two Permanent seats with all the prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership, including the right of veto. Five non-permanent seats the AU reserves the right to select its representatives for election to the UNSC to act in its name and on its behalf.
Regarding AU’s institutional reform, the Chairperson stated that tangible results was gained in the two-day Summit, and agreement was reached in the furtherance of regional economic integration with more countries showing interest to sign and ratify the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement. Commendable outcomes have also been witnessed in the implementation of a single African Passport and the establishment of a Single African Air Transport Market.
Africa has been registering success in Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development and in ensuring peace and stability by its own capacity, El Sisi said, adding that the union is committed towards a sustainable mechanism for funding African-led peace support operations. Further, the Union and Member States have vowed to tackle the root causes of migration and forced displacement in a comprehensive manner and to work for the return and rehabilitation of those citizens in the bid to give them a brighter future, he noted.
AU will work with different stakeholders to the realization of the SDGs, and to diversifying energy sources so as to reduce the impact of climate change. More efforts will also take place to achieve Agenda 2063, and maximize the role and contribution of the private sector, the Chairperson remarked.
Meanwhile, the closing ceremony also saw four African scientists receiving the prestigious ‘African Union Kwame Nkrumah Awards’ for Scientific Excellence for their extraordinary achievements and valuable discoveries and findings.
Professor David Mark Richardson of South Africa became Laureate of Life and Earth Sciences Award, while Egypt’s Professor Abdel-Shafy Fahmy Obada was elected Laureate of Basic Science, Technology and Innovation Award. The two winners of the 2018 Continental Award received a cash prize of 100,000 USD, a medal and certificate from the hand of AU Chairperson and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
In the Regional Awards for Women category, Tunisia’s Professor Nazhia Atti was elected Laureate of Life and Earth Sciences Award from the Northern African region and Professor Aletta Schutte of South Africa became Laureate of the Earth Sciences Award from the Southern African region.
The two winners received a 20,000 USD cheque, a medal and certificate. As it can be recalled, AUC launched the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Awards for Scientific Excellence Program back in September 2008.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 13/2019
BY BILAL DERSO
Photo Hadush Abreha
