Diplomatist Magazine Africa Day Special 2018 | Page 19

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
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Recovery (APPER), 1985: An emergency
programme designed to address the
development crisis of the 1980s in the
wake of protracted drought and famine
that had engulfed the continent, and
the crippling effect of Africa’s external
indebtedness.
OAU Declaration on the Political and
Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and
the Fundamental Changes taking place
in the World (1990): This underscored
Africa’s resolve to seize the initiative, to
determine its own destiny and to address
the challenges to peace, democracy and
security.
The Charter on Popular Participation
adopted in 1990: A testimony to the
renewed determination of the OAU to
endeavour to place the African citizen at
the centre of development and decision-
making.
The Treaty establishing the African
Economic Community (AEC), 1991:
Commonly known as the Abuja Treaty,
this treaty sought to create the AEC in six
stages, culminating in the establishment
of an African Common Market using the
Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
as building blocks. The treaty has been in
operation since 1994.
The Mechanism for Confl ict Prevention,
Management and Resolution (1993): A
practical expression of the determination
of African leadership to fi nd solutions to
confl icts, and promote peace, security,
and stability in Africa.
Cairo Agenda for Action (1995): A
programme for re-launching Africa’s
political, economic and social
development.
African Common Position on Africa’s
External Debt Crisis (1997): A strategy
for addressing the Continent’s External
Debt Crisis.
The Algiers decision on Unconstitutional
Changes of Government (1999) and the
Lome Declaration on the framework for
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an OAU Response to Unconstitutional
Changes (2000).
The 2000 Solemn Declaration on the
Conference on Security, Stability,
Development, and Cooperation: Established
the fundamental principles for the promotion
of Democracy and Good Governance in the
Continent.
Responses to other challenges: Africa
has initiated collective action through the
OAU towards environmental protection,
fi ghting international terrorism, combating
the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
malaria, and tuberculosis, and dealing with
humanitarian issues such as the infl ux of
refugees and displaced persons, unexploded
landmines which pose a threat to civilians,
the upsurge in the sale and distribution
of small and light weapons, among many
others.
The Constitutive Act of the African Union:
Adopted in 2000 at the Lome Summit
(Togo), this entered into force in 2001.
The New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD): Adopted as a
Programme of the AU at the Lusaka Summit
in 2001. 
2018 • Africa Day Special • 15