COMMUNITY OF SAHEL-SAHARAN STATES CEN-SAD
Secretariat-General
REPORT OF THE
6th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Ouagadougou, 22 - 23 August 2001
At the kind invitation of the Government of Burkina Faso, the 6th
Ordinary Session of the Executive Council was held in Ouagadougou
on 22 - 23 August 2001.
2. Were present at this session the Ministers, Heads and members
of delegation of the following countries:
BURKINA FASO
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHAD
GAMBIA
GREAT JAMAHIRIYA
EGYPT
ERITREA
MALI
MOROCCO
NIGER
NIGERIA
SENEGAL
SUDAN
TUNISIA
3. The two potential members, TOGO, BENIN, were represented by
their Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
4. The CEN-SAD Secretariat-General delegation was lead by the Secretary-General
Dr. MOHAMED AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI.
5. The African Bank for Development and Trade was represented by
its Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director, M.
ALHADI MOHAMED AL-WARFALLI.
6. A complete list of delegations is attached.
OPENNING CEREMONY
7. The Guest of honour the Prime Minister, Head of Government of
Faso H.E. PARAMANGA ERNEST YONLI officially opened the sixth Ordinary
Session of the Executive Council.
8. After welcoming the Ministers and Heads of delegations, and
wishing them an enjoyable stay in Burkina Faso, His Excellency the
Prime Minister noted that this session of the Executive Council
demonstrates, once more, the firm will of the Member States to make
of CEN-SAD a model of regional integration, and to rise to the multiples
challenges they face for the benefit of present and future generations.
9. He stressed that at the political and security levels, and despite
its relative youth, the CEN-SAD has already demonstrated its efficiency
and its capacity to play the role assigned to it thanks to the support
of the guide of the Great AL-FATEH Revolution Colonel MOUAMMAR EL-KADDAFI.
10. With regard to the situation in the Sudan and Central Africa,
His Excellency YONLI, noted that these points of major concern,
require of us to speedily devise a specific mechanism for the prevention,
management and settlement of conflicts. He also expressed his hopes
that the peace process initiated in the Sudan at the initiative
of the Libyan Jamahiriya and the Arab Republic of Egypt, will succeed
in order to preserve and consolidate the territorial integrity and
sovereignty and national unity of this brotherly country.
11. Considering work accomplished at economic level, His Excellency
underscored the progress achieved in establishing cooperation in
different fields and wished that the strengthening of such cooperation
would lead to the establishment of a CEN-SAD Common Market.
12. His Excellency invited the Executive Council to consider issues
such as the establishment of an agency for technical cooperation,
of an Institute for training senior staff in the areas of Banking
and finance, the development of road infrastructures, the launching
of the activities of the African Bank for Development and Trade,
the installation of Economic Social and Cultural Council, and the
establishment of an Interparliamentary body.
13. The Prime Minister, seized this opportunity
to recall that despite the gains of which the organization can be
duly proud, the road areas remains a long one. He therefore wished
that the 6th ordinary session, in order to consolidate the foundations
of CEN-SAD, would dwell on the relevant proposal made, inter alia
by Secretary General of the Community through his Interim Report.
14. The Prime Minister concluded his address by urging all participants
to adhere to the principle of Communal Work, for a novel integration
within the framework of African Union.
15. Then at the suggestion of Dr. A. TRIKI, Head of the Libyan
delegation, Secretary of the peoples' committee for African Union,
the Ministers and Heads of delegation agreed to adopt the speech
of the Prime Minister, Head of Government of Burkina, as an official
working document of the session.
16. The Secretary General of CEN-SAD Dr. MOHAMED AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI
also made an address in which he hailed the commitment and dedication
of His Excellency BLAISE COMPAORE, President of Burkina Faso, in
the support of African regional communities, in order to achieve
the noble goal of African Union in accordance with the Sirte Declaration
of 9/9/1999.
17. The Secretary General then spoke of the increasing credibility
of the community both at international and national levels. He paid
a vibrant tribute to the Members of the Conference of Leaders and
Heads of State, especially Colonel MOUAMMAR EL-KADDAFI, whose unrelenting
political support for and dedication to the objectives have been
decisive in widening its scope and the success of its activities
and programmes.
18. The Secretary General also acknowledged the support, which
the activities of the Secretarial General has received, and particularly
singled out the constructive efforts of His Excellency OMAR HASSAN
AL-BACHIR, the incumbent Chairman of the Conference of Leaders and
Heads of State, President of the Republic of the Sudan, in the service
of the Community.
19. The Secretary General gave the gist of the activities carried
out since the meetings of Khartoum February 2001, particularly concerning
the consolidation of peace and security and the initiatives taken
in order to establish cooperation in all fields between Member States,
with technical assistance from specialized international institutions.
20. The Chairman of the Session, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Sudan, Dr MUSTAPHA OSMAN ISMAEL, outgoing Chairman
of the Executive Council addressed the Conference. He expressed
his gratitude to the authorities of Burkina Faso for their generous
and overwhelming hospitality extended to the Delegations since their
arrival.
21. He also thanked the Ministers and Heads of delegation for their
willingness to come to Ouagadougou so as to actively contribute
to the building of the CEN-SAD Community in accordance with the
guidelines provided by the Leaders and Heads of State.
22. He noted with satisfaction the dynamism gained by the CEN-SAD
Community and which was manifested at the Khartoum Summit, in joining
of new members whose membership would give a new impetus to this
organization for the establishment of a space dominated by peace,
concord, solidarity and a sharing of resources.
23. Dr MUSTAPHA urged all the third world countries, and particularly
the African Countries including the CEN-SAD Member States to close
ranks in this era of globalization.
24. After the opening ceremony, the meeting continued its proceedings
in camera and elected the Bureau of the Sixth Ordinary Session.
Dr. MUSTAPHA, the outgoing Chairman gave the floor to the Secretary-General
of the Community in order to introduce the proposed Bureau.
25. Then the following Bureau was elected by acclamation:
* Chairman: Burkina Faso
* Vice-Chairman: Sudan
* General Rapporteur: The Great Jamahiriya.
26. The Chairman of the 6th Ordinary Session, the State Minister,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, H.E. YOUSSOUF OUEDRAOGO,
after thanking the outgoing bureau invited the meeting to consider
the draft agenda drawn-up by the Secretariat-General and after some
amendments, it was adopted as follows:
I. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
I.A. Report of the outgoing President of the Executive Council.
I.B. Interim Report of the Secretary-General of the CEN-SAD. February
- August 2001.
I.C. Presentation and adoption of the Report of the CEN-SAD's Committee
of Ambassadors in Tripoli.
I.D. Presentation and adoption of the Report of Expert's Meeting.
II. POLITICAL ISSUES
II.A. Political and security situation within the CEN-SAD Space.
- Situation in the Central Africa Republic.
- Situation in Southern Sudan.
- Developments in the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
- Preliminary exchanges of view on ways and means to create a CEN-SAD's
mechanism for maintenance of peace.
- Establishing an observatory for preventing conflicts within the
CEN-SAD's Space.
II.B. Examination of the 3rd Report of Ministers in charge of the
Interior and Public Security. Bamako.
II.C. Developments in the Lockerbie case.
II.D. Proposal for the creation of a CEN-SAD interparliamentary
body.
II.E. Assessment of African Union's first steps and outlining a
CEN-SAD strategy for consolidating the African Union.
III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES
III.A. Exchanges of view on the economic integration process within
the CEN-SAD Space.
III.B. Installation of the Solidarity Fund of CEN-SAD Member States.
III.C. Presentation of the Activity Report of the African Bank
for Development and Trade - BADC-
· Increase of capital and proposal to review the Statute
of the Bank.
III.D. Economic, Social and Cultural Council.
III.E. Examination of the proposal related to the creation of a
consultation framework of organisations concerned with humanitarian
and voluntary issues.
III.F. Creation of an Agency for Technical Cooperation.
III.G. Creation of an Institute for Training of Senior Staff in
Finance and Banking.
III.H. Creation of a stock market for partnership and sub contracting.
III.I. Organisation of a CEN-SAD's International Fair.
III.J. Creation of an Authority for the development of Sahara.
III.K. Creation of a CEN-SAD Scientific Council for thinking and
exchanging scientific programs.
III.L. Development of road infrastructures.
III.M. Organisation of a Football Tournament.
III.N. Joint Health Program initiated by Libya and Nigeria.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL ISSUES
IV.A. Financial situation of the Community.
IV.B. State of arrears in contributions of Member States.
IV.C. Scale of contributions for the financial year 2001.
Examination and adoption of the Draft Budget for the year 2001.
IV.D. Examination of the accounting documents for the budgetary
years 2000 and 2001.
IV.E. Re-inforcement of human resources of the Secretariat-General.
IV.F. Reactivation of the Department in charge of Women affairs
within the Secretariat-General.
IV.G. Publishing a CEN-SAD's News Bulletin.
V. LEGAL ISSUES
V.A. State of implementation of the Decision on exemption from
visa for the holders of diplomatic and service passports and those
on official missions.
V.B. Presentation of cooperation agreements between CEN-SAD and
other intergovernmental organizations.
V.C. Observer Status of CEN-SAD within the United Nations system.
V.D. Proposal for the adoption of a draft convention of cooperation
between member States of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States against
illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
VII. DATES AND VENUE OF THE 7th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL.
The Session also adopted the following working program:
* Morning: 09 H 00 - 13 H 00
* Evening: 15 H 30 - 18 H 00.
DISCUSSIONS
27. The Chairman noted at the outset the presence of the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and African Integration of the Republic of Benin,
H.E. KOLAWOLE IDJI and that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Togo, H.E. KOFFI PANOU, both potential members of the Executive
Council, then invited the meeting to consider the items of the agenda
adopted with taking into account the work carried out by the experts
who met on 20 - 21 August 2001 and the recommendations they submit
to the Ministerial Meeting.
I. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
28. The Chairman of the Session invited the outgoing President,
the Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs to present his report.
I.A. Report of the outgoing President of the Executive Council.
29. The Honourable Minister MUSTAPHA OSMAN ISMAEL presented a report
on activities conducted during his term and in the frame of the
mandate assigned to him by the 5th Ordinary Session of the Executive
Council held in Khartoum on February 2001.
30. The honourable Minister MUSTAPHA addressed the political and
security situation in the CEN-SAD Space which is satisfactory in
the main, thanks to preventive actions undertaken jointly by the
Incumbent President, President OUMAR HASSAN EL BECHIR and the Guide
of the Great El Fatah Revolution, Colonel MUAMMAR EL KADDAFI. He
expressed satisfaction on positive evolution of some flash points
particularly in the Central African Republic.
31. He also addressed the Joint Egypt - Libya initiative aimed
at restoring national concord in the Sudan with the unreserved adherence
of the Sudanese Government to the proposals of the afore-mentioned
initiative.
32. He reviewed the program of the sectoral ministerial meetings
scheduled during this year. He wished the installation this year
of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council and implementation
of other actions at the initiative of the Executive Council and
other bodies in order to mobilize Member Sates and close ranks in
front of the multiple problems at the regional and international
levels.
33. He echoed the administrative and financial difficulties faced
by the Secretariat-General and urged Member States to pay their
contributions and arrears of contributions in the organization budget
as soon as possible.
34. The Honourable Minister presented the action plan proposed
by Sudan and aiming at strengthening the Community efficiency so
that it can achieve objectives set and satisfy the aspirations of
populations.
35. After presentation of this report, some delegations took the
floor to pay tribute and thank the outgoing Chairman, Minister MOUSTAPHA
OMAR ISMAEL, for his noticeable contribution to the consolidation
of the CEN-SAD, thanking him for his self-investment for the success
of the mission entrusted to him.
36. The Executive Council decided to adopt the report presented
by Dr MUSTAPHA OMAR ISMAEL.
I.B. Interim Report of the Secretary-General of the CEN-SAD. February
- August 2001.
37. The Secretary-General of the CEN-SAD Community, Mr. MOHAMED
AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI presented the outlines of the interim report
which he submitted to the 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive
Council and the proposals it contains.
38. The Secretary-General pointed out the actions which he had
undertaken in spite of a tense financial situation due to the failure
of some Member States to pay their contributions and recommendations
he submitted to the Executive Council.
39. At the economic level, the Secretary-General recalled the provisions
of the Abuja Treaty of 3 June 1991 and invited Member States to
agree on ways and means to establish Common Market through progressive
instauration of free trade, stabilizing tariff and non-tariff barriers
and gradually eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers hampering
intra-community trade. He expressed the wish that the next meeting
of ministries in charge of Trade to be held in Tunis in January
2001 could consider these issues and adopt relevant actions.
40. Dr. MOHAMED AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI recalled the sectoral ministerial
meetings scheduled this year in order to enable adoption of sectoral
policies and carrying out projects in CEN-SAD Member States.
41. Meetings of Ministers in charge of Transport in N'Djamena;
of Ministers of Rural Development in October 2001 in Khartoum; of
Ministers of Hydraulics and Water in Tripoli in January 2001, of
Ministers in charge of Energy; of Ministers of Public Health in
Dakar; of Ministers of Environment, etc.
42. He drew the attention of the Executive Council to the alternative
consisting in having recourse to the technical assistance of institutions
such as FAO, ECA, CCD, OSS or in signing contracts with consultants
if the financial means permit it.
43. He also briefed the Executive Council about the peace and dialogue
promotion actions which he undertook, particularly in the Central
African Republic, Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea, following the instructions
of the Incumbent Chairman of the Conference of Leader and Heads
of State, H.E. OMAR HASSAN AL BECHIR, President of the Republic
of the Sudan and of the Guide of the Revolution of the Great El
Fatah, Colonel MUAMMAR EL-KADDAFI, in the framework of the mandate
he has been entrusted with by the N'Djamena and Khartoum summits.
44. The Secretary-General wished that in addition to the security
charter, Member States considered the possibility of formally creating
a mechanism of conflict prevention, management and interposition.
45. He finally informed the Executive Council about the formal
partnership relations which he had just established with FAO, COMESA,
Council of Arab Economic Unity and the organized contacts with UNESCO,
IGAD, ECOWAS, WHO, OSS, OIF.
46. The State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina
Faso, H.E. YOUSSOUF OUEDRAOGO has, at the end of this presentation,
opened the discussions on interim report of the Secretary-General.
47. The interim report of the Secretary-General was followed by
many interventions in which Ministers, Heads of delegations pointed
out the completeness in form and content as well as the exhaustiveness
of the report presented by the Secretary-General, Dr MOHAMED AL-MADANI
AL-AZHARI.
48. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council expressed
satisfaction on the success recorded in several areas and the increasing
credibility of CEN-SAD, and greeted the role played by the Secretary-General
in stimulating the Community.
49. The members of the Executive Council paid tribute to the Secretary-General
for his clear vision of the medium and long-term objectives of the
CEN-SAD Community and total commitment to the mission entrusted
to him by Leaders and Heads of State. The Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Chad, Mr. MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF seized the opportunity to raise
the issue of the filling up of Lake Chad through the transfer of
water from the OUBANGUI River and enquired from the Secretary-General
the measures he had taken on this issue. The CEN-SAD Secretary-General
informed Council of the ongoing consultation particularly with the
Lake Chad River Basin Community (CBLT) and the discussions he had
on this subject with the Director General of FAO, Mr. JACQUES DIOUF
at the FAO Headquarters in Rome. In particular, he drew the attention
of Council to the excessively high cost of this project.
50. The Executive Council after pointing out the relevance of the
actions proposed and recommendations made by the Secretary-General,
decided to adopt the interim report.
I.C. Presentation and adoption of the Report of the CEN-SAD's Committee
of Ambassadors in Tripoli.
51. The Chairman of the CEN-SAD's Committee of Ambassadors in Tripoli,
Ambassador OSMAN DIRAR presented to the Council the report of the
Committee in which Ambassadors of the Community Member States in
Tripoli noted availability of the Secretary-General Dr. MOHAMED
AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI and take the opportunity of the 6th Ordinary
Session of the Executive Council to express gratitude to him and
his collaborators. The Ambassadors Committee expressed its high
appreciation to the Secretary-General who supported their activities
by making available facilities and staff of the Secretariat-General
despite insufficiency of personnel.
52. The CEN-SAD Ambassadors Committee pointed out to the Executive
Council the unfavourable constrains in human and financial resources
that handicap the Secretariat-General and hamper launching of some
actions; it wished that the Executive Council intercede with concerned
Member States in order that they effectively pay their contributions
in due time or settle their arrears.
53. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, after expressing
satisfaction on the commencement of the activities of this consultative
body, adopted the report, and requested this committee, in prevision
of next meetings, to prepare more elaborate presentation notes for
some of the recommendations and proposals made.
I.D. Presentation and adoption of the Report of Expert's Meeting.
54. The Chairman of the Session invited the Chairman of the Expert's
Meeting, Ambassador ABOUZEID HASSAN of Sudan, to present the report
of the preparatory meeting that experts of Member States had on
20 and 21 August 2001.
55. The Executive Council was then informed that experts have addressed
items III (Economic and Social issue), IV (Financial and Administrative
issue), V (Legal issue), VI (Miscellaneous) and submitted them for
consideration and possible adoption of the Economic Council some
remarks and proposals.
56. The State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina
Faso, H.E. YOUSSOUF OUEDRAOGO, Chairman of the 6TH Ordinary Session
of the Executive Council on behalf of the Executive Council thanked
the experts for the remarkable work done, the thorough discussions
they had on these issues and the proposals they submitted for possible
adoption by the Executive Council.
57. The Chairman of the Session invited his colleagues members
of the Executive Council to consider item II.
II. POLITICAL ISSUES
II.A. Political and Security Situation in the CEN-SAD Space
58. In introducing this item, the Secretary-General of the Community
recalled the particular attention devoted to this issue and to that
of Peace and Security, as evidenced by the provisions of the treaty
of 4 February 1998 establishing the community, by those of the Security
Charter as well as by this eloquent decision entrusting the Guide
of the Great EL FATEH Revolution with the mandate to cultivate and
/ or promote peace within the CEN-SAD's Space. He pointed out that
thanks to this, the CEN-SAD's Community is rather well endowed to
cope with any crisis in member States.
59. The Executive Council has initiated exchanges on ways and means
of strengthening peace, concord, tolerance and stability of democratic
institutions in some punctual trouble spots particularly.
The situation in the Central African Republic
60. The Head of Delegation of the Central African Republic, H.E.
BOUCHER VICTOR Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, informed the
Executive Council about the positive evolution of the situation,
since the events of 27 and 28 May 2001 when stray elements tried
to overthrow the democratically established institutions. He stressed
the efforts expended by the President ANGE FELIX PATASSE and the
Central African Republic Government in order to forestall the political
situation through constructive dialogue with all the Central Africans
really patriots and concerned with a better future of the Central
African Republic.
61. The Head of Delegation of the Central African Republic expressed
on behalf of The President, the Government and the people of Central
Africa, his gratitude to all the Leaders and Heads of State of the
Community, and particularly to the Guide of the Great EL FATEH Revolution,
Colonel MUAMMAR EL KADDAFI whose vigorous and opportune reaction
has been saving. He pointed out that the 36th OAU Summit held in
Lusaka, Zambia welcomed this commendable attitude of the Member
States and the Secretariat of the Community of the Sahel-Saharan
States.
62. Minister BOUCHER also presented the Minimum Plan Action aimed
at social and economic stimulation and invited the countries as
well as the Community to contribute to that end.
63. Finally, Minister BOUCHER, proposed that a telegram or a special
motion be transmitted to the Guide of the Great AL FATEH Revolution
for his redeeming action in the Central African Republic.
64. Following the speeches in which the Ministers and Heads of
Delegations in substance expressed their concern and their wish
for rapid return of peace in this country which has other urgencies,
particularly in the economic area, the Executive Council adopted
a resolution in which it appreciates the considerable efforts made
by the Guide of the Great EL FATEH Revolution, Colonel MUAMMAR EL
KADDAFI and by the incumbent Chairman of the Community, President
OUMAR HASSAN EL BESHIR in order to bring back peace and concord
to the Central African Republic.
65. The sixth ordinary session of the Executive Council also noted
the decision by the President ANGE FELIX PATASSE to make henceforth
available to possible detachments of security forces of CEN-SAD,
the military camp of BOUAR.
66. The Head of Chadian Delegation H.E. MAHAMAT SALEH ANNADIF took
the floor and pointed out that lessons must be drawn from these
events. For there are still within the Continent some persons and
forces who believe that they can take over power by force, and no
country is shielded. So, member countries of the CEN-SAD have to
remain united and vigilant.
67. The Executive Council called upon the International Community
so that it brings appropriate political, material and financial
support to the legal Central African Government in its efforts to
restore peace through dialogue and decided on its own to send an
evaluation mission to the Republic of Central Africa.
68. The Secretary-General of the CEN-SAD has been entrusted with
the task of following up this issue with Libyan authorities and
sending a mission to Bangui so that a mission Report could be presented
to the next meetings of the organs.
The situation in Southern Sudan
69. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, Dr
MUSTAPA OUMAR ISMAEL enlightened the Council about the evolution
of the armed conflict in Sudan and the peaceful and non-military
actions undertaken by President EL BESHIR and the whole Government
so as to find a happy and definite solution to this conflict stirred
up from outside.
70. The Libyan and Egyptian Delegations briefed the Council on
efforts made with a view to reach a general political settlement
of conflict in Sudan. They on this occasion highlighted the principles
contained in the joint Egyptian - Libyan initiative which met consent
of all parties concerned - Government and opposition - and aimed
at reaching a peaceful settlement of the conflict, taking into account
the Unity of Sudan and the integrity of its territory.
71. The Executive Council adopted a resolution reaffirming the
strong support of the whole Community to the Sudanese authorities
and congratulates particularly President OUMAR HASSAN EL BESHIR
for all the compromises and concessions he accepted to make with
the armed opposition, which, henceforth, has no sincere and serious
reason to refuse constructive dialogue.
72. The Council also requested that the CEN-SAD member states and
their delegations in the various international fora show active
solidarity with the Sudanese delegations and obstruct the media
smear campaign orchestrated by the enemies of the integrity and
unity of Sudan.
Developments in the ETHIOPIA - ERITREA Conflict
73. The Heads of the delegation of the Eritrea State, general MUSSA
M. HAMID, informed the Executive Council about the evolution of
the situation since the cessation of the armed hostilities.
74. The session Chairman, the State Minister YOUSSOUF OUEDRAOGO
presented the synthesis of the debates after which the Executive
Council urged the parties to comply with the provisions of the Peace
Agreement of 18 June 2001 and requested in the same line the OAU
and the UN to continue seeing to it through the ad hoc systems set
up.
- Preliminary exchanges on the ways and means for the creation
of a CEN-SAD peacekeeping mechanism.
- Creation of an Observatory of conflicts in the CEN-SAD space.
75. The Secretary General of the Community drew the attention of
the Executive Council to the possibilities offered by the United
Nation Charters (Chap.VIII) relating to local settlement of conflicts.
He wished that the Community could be endowed with a permanent or
punctually mobilizable system to cope with serious crisis situations
jeopardizing the life of populations.
76. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council has been
informed by the Tunisian State Minister in charge of Maghreb and
Africa's Affairs H.E. SADOK FAYALA of proposal of establishing an
Observatory of Conflicts; the Council decided to reopen debates
on this relevant proposal on the occasion of the 7th Ordinary Session
and on the basis of a memorandum prepared by Tunisia and which the
Secretariat-General will send to the member States in due course.
77. The Executive Council took good note of the proposal and suggested
re-examining it and later entering into a thorough debate at the
light of the experiences developed in other regions of the Continent
and the memorandum, which the Tunisian Republic will work out.
II.B. Examination of the 3rd meeting of the Ministers in charge
of Interior and Public Security - Bamako.
78. The 6th ordinary session of the Executive Council examined
and endorsed the report of the 3rd ordinary session of the Ministers
in charge of Security held in Bamako on 23 and 24 July 2001 and
recommends it for adoption by the 4th ordinary session of the Conference
of Leaders and Heads of State scheduled to take place in Tripoli
in February 2002.
II.C. Developments in the Lockerbie Case
79. The Executive Council followed with attention and great interest
the briefing by the Secretary of the General People's Committee
for African Unity of the Great Jamahiriya, Dr ALI ABDELSSALEM TRIKI
about the Lockerbie case.
80. The 6th ordinary session of the Executive Council, after recalling
the resolution adopted by the 3rd CEN-SAD Summit held in Khartoum
and opportunely endorsed by the OAU Summit held in SIRTE, expressed
its concern about the non compliance with the commitments by the
other party after the Great Jamahiriya has respected the conditions
imposed.
81. The Executive Council, after having paid tribute to the President
NELSON MANDELA for his action aimed at reaching a fair solution,
decided then to set up an Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Nigeria and
comprising Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Great Jamahiriya and
the Secretary-General of the Community, in order to follow up this
issue. The Ad Hoc Committee of the Five and the Arab League's Committee
of the Seven.
82. The Secretary-General of the General People's Committee for
African Unity, Dr ABDELSSALAM TRIKI informed the Executive Council
of actions undertaken relating to the situation in Sierra Leone
and of establishing a Committee to follow up the construction and
rehabilitation process in this country.
II.D Proposal for the Creation of a CEN-SAD Interparliamentary
organ
83. The Secretary General of the Community informed the Executive
Council about the proposal made by the members of parliament of
the CEN-SAD member States to set up a framework for consultation
and exchanges.
84. Considering the multiple implications of the creation of this
organ, which would require a review of the texts of the Community,
the Council was of the view that it was necessary to avoid the dissipation
of efforts through the creation of bodies which would constitute
a duplication of existing structures.
85. The Executive Council took in the same line good note of the
proposal of the Great Jamahiriya through brother ALI ABDELSSALEM
ALI TRIKI to host on a date to be agreed upon a meeting of contact
and exchanges for the members of parliament of the CEN-SAD member
countries.
II.E Assessment of the first steps of the African Union and Outlining
the
CEN-SAD strategy for the Consolidation of African Union.
86. The Executive Council welcomed the advent of the African Union
and the perfect harmony and strong commitment of the CEN-SAD member
states. It stressed the need for the Community to continue serving
as a locomotive and to remain in the vanguard. To this purpose,
it decided to create an Ad Hoc coordinating Committee including
members of the Bureau of the 6th Ordinary Session, namely Burkina
Faso, Sudan and the Great Jamahiriya as well as the Secretary-General
of the Community.
III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES
87. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council finally expressed
its concern relating to the worsening situation in Middle East,
particularly in the occupied Palestine and decided to address a
message of support to the President YASSER ARAFAT and through him
to all the Palestinian People.
III.A. Exchanges of views on the Economic Integration process within
the CEN-SAD Space.
88. The Executive Council exchanged views on ways and means to
enable the Community to have a general integration policy, with
Community sectorial policies, to develop and make concrete actions
specially in some priority sectors such as infrastructures, food
security, desertification control, promotion and facilitation of
intra CEN-SAD trade.
89. The Council considered that the step taken by CEN-SAD should
be based on long term global strategic plan, taking into consideration
the aims and objectives assigned to the Community in the Constituent
Treaty and the general objectives of the Abuja Treaty of 3 June
1991. The Economic, Social and Cultural Council the installation
of which should be accelerated, should be notified of the content
of this general plan, as well as of some important programs and
important sectoral projects.
90. The Council considered that the general plan should take into
consideration priorities and needs of Member states and take into
account the possibilities of integration of respective projects
of goods and services production, as well as the financial resources.
The sectoral ministerial meetings will set the operational modalities
of this general plan.
91. The Executive Council also held the view that in order to guarantee
the success of sectoral meetings, it would be judicious to limit
them at the initial stages to the priorities identified by the high
authorities of the Community, and give preference to meetings of
experts and senior officials.
III.B. Installation of the Special Solidarity Fund of CEN-SAD Member
States
92. The Secretariat-General of the Community informed the Executive
Council about actions and steps undertaken specially toward the
Executive Secretariat of the United Nations Convention for Desertification
Control to refine the Special Fund draft statutes.
93. The Executive Council requested that provisions should be made
to operationalize as soon as possible this Fund aimed at emergency
assistance of Member States by organizing during the next session
of the high authorities of the Community, a session of announcement
of voluntary contributions and recommended that the African Bank
for Development and Trade provide a substantial assistance to this
Fund.
94. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council requested
that Article VII of the Draft Statutes elaborated by the Secretariat
be more explicit concerning revision procedures and possible amendment
of the mentioned statutes.
III.C. Exchanges of view on the activities of the African Bank
for Development and Trade - BADC-
95. The Chairman and Managing Director of the African Bank for
Development and Trade, M. ALHADI MOHAMED AL-WARFALI informed the
meeting on the situation and operational prospects of the Institution
following the General Assembly meeting held in Tripoli on 12 August
2001.
96. After pointing out the particular importance of such a financing
instrument, the Executive Council expressed satisfaction about efforts
made to set up the Bank structures and the quality of the report
presented by the Chairman and Managing Director of the African Bank
for Development and Trade, Mr. ALHADI MOHAMED AL-WARFALLI. He urged
the General Directorate of the Bank to take more initiatives and
to have close relations with administrations and institutions of
the Member States and with international financial institutions.
97. The Executive Council adopts the report presented by the Chairman
and Managing Director and invites all Member States to provide strong
support to this institution through effective liberation of subscription
in the Capital and participation by new members.
III.D. Installation of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council
98. The Secretariat-General of the Community informed the meeting
that the Government of Mali provided it with a building to house
the permanent services of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council.
The CEN-SAD Secretariat-General also pointed out two obstacles to
the installation of this statutory body, namely extra financial
means and non-communication by some member States of the list of
their respective ten representatives.
99. The Executive Council recommended to the Conference of Leaders
and Heads of State to provide an exceptional financial grant to
enable the installation of ESCC.
100. The Executive Council invites Member States concerned to communicate
as soon as possible the list of their respective representatives.
101. The Secretariat-General of the Community was invited to integrate
in its 2002 budget proposals, operating costs of this organ and
to consider staff recruitment for the Permanent Secretariat taken
inspiration from the experience of other organizations, especially
WAEMU.
III.E. Examination of the proposal related to the creation of a
framework for cooperation between organizations concerned with humanitarian
and voluntary issues.
102. The delegations of Sudan and Tunisia highlighted the meeting
on the sense and modalities of implementation of this framework
of consultation for organization concerned on humanitarian and voluntary
issues, the creation of which has already been adopted in principle
by the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads
of State of the Community.
103. The meeting recommended to the Secretariat-General to prepare
and dispatch to the Member States the relevant documents before
the 7th Session of the Executive Council.
III.F. Creation of an Agency for Technical Cooperation.
III.G. Creation of a Training Institute for Senior Officers in Finance
and Banking.
III.H. Creation of a stock market for partnership and sub contracting.
III.I. Organization of a CEN-SAD's International Fair
104. The head of the Tunisian delegation Minister SADOK FAYALA
presented these items to the meeting and observed that the explanatory
notes would be sent to Member States through the CEN-SAD Secretariat-General.
III.J. Creation of an Authority for the development of Sahara
III.K. Creation of a Scientific Council
105. The head of delegation of Senegal introduced these two items
and submitted to the Secretariat-General a presentation note of
this item in French version for translation and transmission to
Member States.
III.L. Development of road infrastructures.
106. After recalling the proposal it made during the 3rd Ordinary
Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State held in
Khartoum, the delegation from Senegal stressed the necessity to
take into account the New African Initiative adopted at the Lusaka
OAU Summit in the preparation of the presentation note on the development
of infrastructures, within the CEN-SAD Space.
III.M. Organization of a Football Tournament
107. The out-going Chairman of Council, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Sudan, Dr. MUSTAPHA reminded the Council of his proposal,
which was accepted, for the organisation of a CEN-SAD Member States
tournament.
The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council took note of the
offer by the Great Jamahiriya to host this Football Tournament in
February 2002. The Council instructed the Secretariat-General to
follow up this issue to ensure it is materialised.
III.N. Joint Health Program launched by Libya and Nigeria.
108. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council was informed
of the imminent commencement of a Health Program initiated jointly
by Libya and Nigeria in collaboration with Cuba.
109. The Executive Council expressed satisfaction at the noble
intentions of these two member States and instructed the Community
Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of this program.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL ISSUES
IV.A. Financial situation of the Community.
110. Experts and representatives of ministries of finance of member
States were invited to consider in the framework of an Ad Hoc Committee
chaired by M. ABDERHMAN A.K. SHARFI, financial documents presented
by the Secretary-General of the Community.
111. The following observations and proposals were adopted by the
Executive Council:
General observations:
· Show greater care for the technical aspects in the presentation
of the budget items.
· Indicate clearly and systematically exchange losses and
gains resulting from banking operations.
· Use only one currency in the accounts.
· Ensure the harmonization of the method of preparation and
allocation by chapter using the nomenclature and norms in this field
in accordance with practices in similar organizations.
· Send, at least one month before the Executive Council meeting,
all accounting documents.
· Invite systematically not only the Accountant but also
the Auditor of the Community during sessions where accounting documents
are examined.
IV.B. State of arrears of contributions by Member States
112. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council expressed
concern over the accumulation of arrears by some Member countries
and urged all member countries to show particular interest in the
Community of Sahel-Saharan States during this critical phase of
institutional deployment.
113. The head of the Nigerian delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
H.E. ELHADJ SULE LAMIDO informed the Executive Council of the imminent
payment by his country of its contribution for the financial year
2001 and urged all member States to do the same to enable the Secretariat-General
have adequate financial and human resources.
114. The Niger head of delegation, H.E. ALI BADJO GAMATIE, Niger
Finance Minister informed the 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive
Council that Niger has just made bank transfer to pay-up its contribution.
IV.C. Contributions scale for the financial year 2001
115. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, considering
that some member countries had already paid their contributions
for year 2001 on the basis of the scale prepared and sent to them
by the Secretariat-General of the Community:
· Formally adopted the proposed scale sent to Member States
by the Secretariat-General;
· Invited all Member States to take necessary steps to pay
their contributions as soon as possible to avoid accumulation of
arrears.
IV.D. Examination of accounting documents in respect of the financial
year 2000 and 2001 budget
116. The Executive Council after expressing its gratitude to the
Great Jamahiriya for its continuous support to the Community adopted
the Report on this issue submitted by the Experts meeting and the
Ad Hoc Committee.
117. The Meeting also congratulated the Secretary-General for his
efforts and the steps taken to enable the Community to function
and overcome financial and other constrains.
IV.E. Enhancement of the human resources of the Secretariat-General
118. Considering the growth and expansion of the Community and
the increase in the number of tasks in the political, economic,
social and cultural areas and to enable the Secretariat-General
carry out the assignments entrusted to it by the Community decision-making
bodies particularly with respect to the preparation of plans and
programs and their implementation, the Executive Council urged Member
States to pay their contributions to enable the Secretary-General
to do relevant recruitment.
IV.F. Reactivation of the Department in charge of Women affairs
of the Secretariat-General
119. The meeting recommended to the Secretariat-General to ensure
that the post in question was filled.
IV.G. Publication of a CEN-SAD News Bulletin
120. The Secretariat-General of the Community informed the meeting
of the existence of a Community publication and its desire for administrations
and Press Organs of all Member States to contribute to it by sending
articles.
V. LEGAL ISSUES
V.A. State of implementation of the Decision on exemption from
visa for the holders of diplomatic and service passports and persons
on official missions
121. The Experts Meeting was informed by the Secretariat-General
of CEN-SAD of the list of countries already implementing this exemption
decision and took note of new implementations announced.
122. The Executive Council supported the appeal of the 3rd Ordinary
Session of Ministers in charge of Security held in Bamako, 23 -
24 July 2001, for Member States to take the appropriate measures
for the implementation of this decision in Member States as soon
as possible.
123. The Meeting also recommended that the Secretariat-General
should take the initiative to convene technical meetings to prepare
the implementation modalities of the principles of free movement
of people and goods in Member States of the Community.
V.B. Partnership with other intergovernmental organizations
124. The Executive Council Meeting took note of the cooperation
and partnership agreements signed by the Secretary-General of the
Community and congratulated him for this policy of openness, which
is to the benefit of the Community.
V.C. Observer Status of CEN-SAD in the United Nations system
125. The delegation of the Republic of Sudan informed the meeting
about the steps taken by the Sudan Permanent Representation in New-York,
in its capacity as representative of the incumbent Chair Country,
for this issue to be placed on the agenda of the next United Nations
Organization General Assembly.
126. The Executive Council invited all Member States to direct
their respective representations in New York to formally support
this action taken by the Sudanese Representation.
V.D. Adoption of a draft convention of cooperation against illicit
traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
127. The Secretary-General of the Community informed the Meeting
of the receipt from the competent authorities of the Great Jamahiriya
in accordance with the mandate entrusted to them by the 2nd Meeting
of Ministers of Public Security and Interior held in Tripoli, of
the text of the draft convention of cooperation against illicit
traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
128. After highlighting the relevance and importance of such a
convention, the Executive Council requested the Secretariat-General
to transmit it to Member States for further consideration and possible
amendments for its adoption during the next ordinary session of
the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State.
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
129. The Executive Council endorsed the proposal made by the Kingdom
of Morocco for the organisation of a meeting of Experts of CEN-SAD
member States on the theme: "Training of Man". This meeting
would focus on ways and means of consolidating the cooperation between
CEN-SAD member States in the area of exchange of students, inter-university
cooperation and exchange of experience in the area of professional
training.
130. On the proposal of the Moroccan delegation, the 6th Ordinary
Session of the Executive Council also agreed to initiate joint reflection
for the establishment of a CEN-SAD Cultural Fund. One of the functions
of this Fund would be granting of scholarships to students from
CEN-SAD member States for post-graduate studies and / or professional
training in the schools of Member States.
131. The meeting pointed out the difficulty of convening the Executive
Council as constituted statutorily and recommended that the issue
be discussed for the reconfiguration of this organ. In any event,
the 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council urged all member
States to ensure that they were effectively represented at the appropriate
level in the meeting and activities undertaken within the Community.
132. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council also recommended
that member States forward, at least two months in advance, to the
Secretariat-General of the Community any proposal to include an
item on the agenda of the Executive Council (one month for sectoral
meetings) with an explanatory note of the proposed item and, if
possible, a draft resolution or decision.
VII. DATES AND VENUE OF THE 7th ORDINARY SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL
133. In accordance with the Constituent Treaty and following the
invitation by the authorities of the Great Jamahiriya, the 7th Ordinary
Session will take place in Tripoli in February 2002.
134. At the end of their deliberations, the Ministers and Heads
of delegation were granted audience by the President of Faso, H.E.
BLAISE COMPAORE, during which a report on the deliberations was
presented. The President of Faso expressed satisfaction at the work
accomplished by the Executive Council and recommended to each delegation
to ensure that what had been agreed upon was implemented in its
country.
CLOSING CEREMONY
135. Before the official closing ceremony, the 6th Ordinary Session
of the Executive Council considered and adopted its report, which
shall be submitted to the 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference
of Leaders and Heads of State.
136. The State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina
Faso delivered the closing speech in which he expressed satisfaction
at the success of this session because of the depth and fruitful
nature of the discussion that augured well for other achievements
in the all embracing integration process, decided by the Leaders
and Heads of State and by the populations. He made the commitment
to execute fully the mandate entrusted to him and to support the
Secretariat-General in its activities. He concluded his address
by wishing a safe home returning journey to his colleagues, Ministers,
Heads and members of delegations.
Done at Ouagadougou, 23rd August 2001.
The Chairman of the Executive Council Rapporteur
H.E. YOUSSOUF OUEDRAOGO Dr ALI ABDULSALAM TRIKI
The Secretary-General of CEN-SAD Community
MOHAMED AL-MADANI AL-AZHARI
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