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October 19, 2010
Closing the gap between continental promises and reality
The State of the Union Coalition will on 20 October 2010, have an engagement with the Pan African Parliament at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, South Africa. This meeting follows the launch of the continental report of the State of the Union project that took place in July 2010.The project tracks the performance of African governments and urges compliance with fourteen policies and laws adopted by the African Union (AU). These policies and laws offer the greatest promise for overcoming poverty, discrimination and injustice.
Unless there is a change in conduct on both African Union Organs and member states, the many decisions being taken at continental level risk the danger of not being implemented at national level. As a result, Pan African Institutions face a serious credibility challenge. This will continue to have devastating consequences on African citizens who are denied good governance, fundamental freedom and basic human rights.
"A barometer is required by the African citizens to monitor and evaluate the performance of all member states against legal instruments. Currently, there is disjuncture between what is in agreed and what is being practiced on the ground" says Themba Mhlongo, Head of Programmes at the Southern Africa Trust.
Urgent action is required to enforce compliance with the agreed AU legal instruments that should take precedence over the varying national instruments followed by the AU member states.
In 2009, fourteen organisations in Africa came together to do research, hold community hearings and national consultations towards this initiative. The continental report launched in July 2010 and national reports on selected countries are outcomes of this work.
Members of the media are encouraged to attend.
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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Mpho Kgosidintsi
Tel: +27 11 318 1012
Mobile: +27 78 459 0152
Email: communications@southernafricatrust.org
Posted by StaffWriter at October 19, 2010 7:43 AM


