Seychelles advocates for AU institutional reforms that hinge around greater fiscal discipline and promote the blue economy in Africa |06 July 2019

Speaking at the 35th ordinary session of the African Union in Niamey, Niger, secretary of state of the department of foreign affairs and the blue economy, Ambassador Barry Faure, called for the African Union to implement reforms that address the deep fiscal weakness in the AU Commission that have become inherent in the system.  

Intervening on the proposed African Union Commission Departmental Structure, Ambassador Faure said: “Considering that my country is championing the blue economy for Africa, my delegation strongly stresses on the need for the commission to provide an adequate structure and human resources to deliver on the blue economy mandate.”

Ambassador Faure also spoke on the theme for 2020 which is on ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive conditions for Africa’s development’. He stressed on the need for the conditions that contribute to violence and instability to be addressed, namely development, governance, the abuse of fundamental human rights and the respect of fundamental values and principles of our charter, such as self-determination and the rule of law.

During the session, ministers prepared for the 12th extraordinary session of the Assembly which is to meet in Niamey tomorrow to formally launch the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into force on May 30, 2019. The council also approved the commission’s recommendation for Ghana to host the secretariat of the AfCFTA.

The Seychelles delegation to the council session also comprised Ambassador David Pierre, permanent representative for Seychelles to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Cillia Mangroo, principal secretary for trade; and Johnette Stephen, principal counsellor, embassy of Seychelles in Addis Ababa.