Africa-Press-Ethiopia
: The African Union Border Programme (AUBP) has launched a Continental Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance to enhance peace and security initiatives, bilateral cooperation as well as borderland development between and among neighboring countries.
This African Union Continental Strategy is an important milestone in the implementation of the African Union Border Programme, in line with existing political and legal instruments adopted by Member States to guide their efforts in the management of border issues. These include the AU Constitutive Act (Article 4 b and f), the 1964 Cairo Resolution [AHG/Res.16(1)], subsequent Ministerial Declarations on the AUBP (2007, 2010, 2012, and 2016), and the AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention).
The Strategy provides orientation and coordination of border policies at continental, regional, and national levels for the AU, Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to develop a shared and inclusive governance of borders that contributes to the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In addition, the Strategy aims to improve the border governance capabilities of the AU Member States and identifies opportunities and priority areas of engagement for the coming years.
During the launch, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui said, “peace and security have been fundamentally intertwined with the good governance of borders and the attainment of sustainable development of borderlands.” He also expressed appreciation to the Member States, RECs and border experts for their cooperation and contributions to the elaboration of the Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance.
About the AUBP: The African Union Border Programme (AUBP), is an initiative taken by African Heads of State and Governments in January 2007 at the 8th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government of the African Union. In June 2007, the African Ministers in charge of border issues adopted the Declaration on the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) and its Implementation Modalities.
The AUBP is one of the AU mechanisms for conflict prevention aims at prevention and resolution of border-related disputes and the promotion of regional and continental integration through cross border cooperation. Its vision is that of “a united and integrated Africa with peaceful, open and prosperous borders”.
