AU Conducts Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa
African Union (AU) is conducting “A Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) in Africa” in Accra, Ghana, from 15 to 17 March 2022.
The Forum was organized by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace & Security of the AU Commission. The 3-day Reflection Forum is aimed at reflecting on the challenges of Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG) and its structural triggers on the Continent, and how to strengthen the AU and Regional Economic Communities/ Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) normative frameworks, decisions and actions to vigorously and systematically check the current surge of UCG in the continent.
The Official Opening of the Forum was made on 15 March 2022 by H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, who is also Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The outcome of the Forum will feed into the AU Extraordinary Summit, scheduled to take place from 27-28 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea and is anticipated to propose strategies and content for the drafting of an additional protocol to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).
The Forum will also produce a comprehensive document that would take into account the gaps and issues not covered in the current African Union instruments and policy actions (including REC/RM instruments) on unconstitutional changes of government.
Participants of the Forum include Members of the Peace & Security Council, Representatives of AU Member States, relevant AU organs/institutions (APRM; ACHPR, AUDA-NEPAD), RECs/RMs, security practitioners, civil society, African think tanks/academia youth/women groups and professional organizations. The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has been represented in the Forum by the Ag. Head of Peace Operations Department, Dr. Tesfaye Tolu Feyissa, and the Liaison Officer to AU, Col John N. Njenga.
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