INSPIRED by the noble ideals of Pan-Africanism and the determination to promote unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African states;
DETERMINED to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD);
DETERMINED to promote and protect human and peoples' rights, consolidate democratic institutions and culture, and to enhance democratic governance and the rule of law;
ENCOURAGED by the emerging democratic practices in Africa and the concomitant determination among African leaders to relinquish power upon the expiry of their term of office and committed to the promotion of popular participation in development;
NOW THEREFORE we, former African Heads of State and Government, decide to establish a forum called the AFRICA FORUM and to adopt the following Statute: |
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Article I
Purposes, objectives and principles
- To harness the experience, moral authority and good offices of former African Heads of State and Government to advance African development, particularly the promotion, enhancement and sustenance of democratic governance in Africa, as well as the promotion and protection of human rights;
- To contribute to the promotion of peace, security, stability and development in Africa;
- To assist in the mobilization of resources for African development and the integration of African economies;
- To provide and promote an interface between governments, civil society and the private sector.
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Article II
Membership
- Membership is open to former Heads of State and Government with democratic credentials. Membership is also open to former African Secretaries Generals of the United Nations (UN), former Secretaries General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), former chairpersons of the African Union, former Presidents of the African Development Bank (ADB), former Executive Secretaries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
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Article III
Principal Organs
- The principal organs of the Africa Forum are the General Assembly and the Executive Secretariat.
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Article IV
General Assembly
- (i) The General Assembly is the highest organ of the Africa Forum.
(ii) The General Assembly shall consist of all members of the Africa Forum.
(iii) Each member shall participate in all meetings of the General Assembly and shall have one vote.
(iv) The General Assembly shall:
(a) Determine the general policies;
(b) Approve the programme and budget;
(c) Elect the Chairperson, and the Vice- Chairperson.
- The General Assembly shall meet once a year. In case of emergency, the General Assembly shall convene in extraordinary session.
- Decisions of the General Assembly shall be by consensus and where appropriate by a simple majority.
- The General Assembly shall determine its own rules of procedure. It shall receive and consider annual as well as special reports.
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Article V
Adhoc Committee/Working Groups
- The Chairperson shall constitute, after consultations, adhoc committees and or working groups to address specific issues as deemed appropriate.
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Article VI
The Secretariat
- The Secretariat shall comprise the Executive Secretary and such staff that the Forum will require. The Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the General Assembly.
- The Executive Secretary shall be the chief administrative officer of the Forum.
- The Executive Secretary shall be appointed to a five-year term renewable for one term only.
- The staff of the Forum shall be appointed by the Executive Secretary, under regulations to be established by the General Assembly.
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Article VII
The Principal Officers
- The Principal Officers of the Forum will be:
(a) The Chairperson
(b) The Vice- Chairperson
(c) The Executive Secretary
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Article VIII
Meetings
- The General Assembly shall elect the Chairperson , and the Vice- Chairperson . The Chairman shall convene the meeting of the General Assembly and the Executive Secretariat.
- In the absence of the Chairperson , the Vice- Chairperson of the Forum shall preside over meetings of the General Assembly.
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Article IX
Finance
- The Africa Forum shall raise its own funds. It shall establish the Africa Forum Fund for its activities. It shall accept donations and contributions as and when appropriate.
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Article X
Amendments and Revisions
- This Statute of the Africa Forum shall be amended by a two thirds (2/3) majority of the members of the Forum.
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Article XI
Dissolution
- The dissolution of the Africa Forum shall be by two thirds (2/3) of members.
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Article XII
Entering into Force
- This statute shall come into force on adoption on 11 th January 2006.
Done in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique on 11 th January 2006
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