African Diplomacy Observer

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to appoint Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria as his Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues. At this position, Ibrahim Gambari will play an important role in ensuring the coordinated support from the United Nations system with regard to the International Compact with Iraq with a view to allow the implementation of commitments made towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous Iraq. The International Compact with Iraq was launched in July 2006 to help Iraq consolidate peace and pursue political, economic and social development over the next five years.

Ibrahim Gambari has occupied top positions in his country’s Foreign Service, in the international service, as well as in the academia. In that respect, before his appointment to that position, Mr. Gambari headed the UN Department for Political Affairs (DPA) as from July 2005. He held the position of Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa and served, from September 2002 to February 2003, as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola.

Before joining the United Nations Secretariat in 1999, Mr. Gambari served as the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations.  He also served as President of the Security Council on two occasions when Nigeria was a member. Prior to his tenure as Ambassador/Permanent Representative, Mr. Gambari served as Minister for External Affairs of Nigeria.  He had served as Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.

Source: UN News Centre

Prior to the Assembly of Heads of States and Government, the Executive Council of the African Union elected to following five members of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for a three-year term as of March 2007:

- Gabon (for Central Africa)

- Ethiopia (Eastern Africa)

- Algeria (Northern Africa)

- Angola (Southern Africa)

- Nigeria (Western Africa)

The PSC of the African Union is composed of ten (10) members elected for a term of two years and five (5) members for a term of three years. Its main objectives are to:

- Promote peace, security and stability in Africa;

- Anticipate and prevent conflicts;

- Promote and implement peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction activities to consolidate peace and prevent the resurgence of violence;

- Co-ordinate and harmonize continental efforts in the prevention and combating of international terrorism in all its aspects;

- Develop a common defence policy for the Union;

- Promote and encourage democratic practices, good governance and the rule of law, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for the sanctity of human life and international humanitarian law.

So far, the PSC has become a central place where were discussed a number of situations related to conflict and crisis in some countries and addressed issues related to peace and security on the continent . The 70th meeting of the PSC was held on 12 and 13 February 2007, a meeting during which was considered the relations between Chad and the Sudan. The PSC should play an increasing role in strengthening Africa capabilities to takle on their own challenges related to the peace, security and stability of its States and populations.

During the eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Addis-Abeba (Ethiopia) on 29th January 2007, was decided the appointment for a period of three years of the following African Personalities to serve as members of the Panel of the Wise:

- Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (East Africa),

- Brigalia Bam, Chairperson of the Independant Electoral Commission of South Africa (Southern Africa),

- Ahmed Ben Bella, former Presidnet of Algeria (North Africa),

- Elisabeth K. Pognon, President of the Constitutional Court of Benin (West Africa), and

- Miguel Trovaoda, former President of Sao Tomé and Principé (Central Africa).

The creation of the Panel of the Wise has been provided by article 11 of the Protocol relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) in order to support the efforts of that organ and those of the Chairperson of the Commission of the Union, particularly in the area of conflict prevention. The Panel of the Wise has been conceived as an advisory body to the Peace and Security Council and the Chairperson of the Commission on all isues pertaining to the promotion, and maintenance of peace, security and stability in Africa.

However, the Chairperson of the Commission was requested to take all necessary steps for the speedy operationalization of the Panel of the Wise, including the finalization of the modalities for the functioning of the Paenl and the elaboration of a work programmes.

After the creation of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the Union and the effective beginning of its activities, the appoitment of the members of the Panel of the Wise represents a step forward towards setting up a complete, and we hope, efficient Council. However, the effective and efficient establishment of the Continental Early Warning System, the African Standby Force and the Special Fund, that have been conceived as supporting bodies to the work of the PSC, still remains a great challenge for establishing the institutional basis of the African Union.