Addis Ababa, 29 November 2013: Following consultations with the relevant Tanzanian authorities, the 5^th annual African Union (AU) Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability will be held in the United Republic of Tanzania, in early September 2014. The Retreat brings together senior representatives of the AU, the Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, the United Nations, the European Union (EU), the League of Arab States, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and representatives of AU’s bilateral partners. A number of academics and researchers will also participate in the Retreat.

The first Retreat of this kind was held in Cairo, from 26 to 28 August 2010, as part of the celebration of the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, with the theme "Making Peace Happen in Africa in 2010 and Beyond: Developing common strategies and enhancing coordination". The second and third Retreats were, again, held in Cairo, from 4 to 5 September 2011 and 5 to 6 November 2012, respectively, on the following topics: "Strengthening Political Governance for Peace, Security and Stability in Africa" and "Transforming the African Peace and Security Landscape in the next decade: Appraisal and Opportunities". The fourth Retreat took place in Abidjan, from 29 to 30 October 2013, in the context of the 50^th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/AU. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the OAU/AU’s trajectory and the contribution of international partners in the area of peace and security, in order to draw lessons on the action taken to date and to identify ways of enhancing the efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace, security and stability in Africa.  

The Retreat provides a unique opportunity to facilitate in-depth and informal exchange of views among the various actors working on peace and security issues in the continent, as well as between practitioners and academic and researchers. It has become one of the key forum on peace and security issues on the continent. 

The Commission expresses its appreciation to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for having accepted to host the 5^th Retreat, and looks forward to working closely with it towards the successful holding of this event.

 

COMMENTS