INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA What: High-Level Side Event at the 5th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to Launch the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) When: 15 July 2023 | 12:30 – 13:30 HRS Where: Tribe Hotel | Nairobi, Kenya Who: The African Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Why: The African Union (AU), through its existing normative frameworks on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG), specifically the Declaration on the Framework for the OAU Response to UCG (referred to as “the Lomé Declaration”), and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance among others, has continued to address and denounce the proliferation of UCG within AU Member States systematically and consistently. In May 2022, African Heads of Government, during the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, adopted the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa (Malabo Declaration). The Declaration, preceded by the Accra Declaration on UCG (March 2020), collectively articulated the zero-tolerance for UCG and indicated renewed efforts toward tackling its resurgence on the continent. In response to the call in the Malabo Declaration for collective action and solidarity in developing robust responses, deepening democracy and collective security, the African Union Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have jointly embarked on an initiative to launch the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), a Facility aimed at providing integrated political enabling and programmatic support to countries undergoing complex political transitions including countries experiencing or at risk of unconstitutional changes of government (UCG). Objectives: As reiterated by the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council; the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) seeks to provide timely support to inclusive, and legitimate transition roadmaps, mechanisms and institutions, with the view to foster the expedient return to constitutional order, peace and stability within the AU Member States. The Facility will coordinate and complement (and not duplicate, replace or consolidate) existing AU, RECs and UN instruments, as well as other development partners’ efforts and initiatives in support of inclusive transitions. It seeks to swiftly pre-empt, respond and address demands from countries undergoing complex political transitions and countries at risk. In support of the AU, RECs and affected AU Member States, the facility aims to deploy rapid technical, human and financial resources. Through such investments, prevention and mitigation of risks associated with complex political transitions could be advanced. Expected Outcome: The launch will announce financial and technical support to AFSIT to commence implementation to support African countries through complex political transitions as a pathway for restoring or consolidating constitutional order. Participants: Participants shall comprise AU Member States, including members of the Peace and Security Council, Representatives from the United Nations, African Union, Regional Economic Communities / Regional Mechanisms, as well as respective bilateral and multilateral stakeholders. Media representatives are invited to attend and cover the High-Level Side Event on the Launch of the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) For media inquiries, please contact: Ms. Limi Mohammed | Communication Focal Point & Web Administrator | Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, African Union Commission | E-mail: shashlm@africa-union.org Ms. Michelle Mendi Muita | Regional Communications Specialist | Regional Programme for Africa, United Nations Development Programme | E-mail: michellemendi.muita@undp.org   Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I Email: DIC@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int, & peaceau.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube