The
vision of a peaceful, united and prosperous Africa set out in Agenda 2063 could
be achieved through sound planning and result-oriented policies and actions.
“Agenda
2063 has been adopted by our Heads of State and Governments as the continent’s
new long-term vision for the next 50 years,” said Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Dr
Dlamini Zuma’s statement was read on her behalf by Dr Aisha Abdullahi,
Commissioner for Political Affairs at the African Union, at the International
Human Rights Conference held in Banjul in the ongoing 59th ordinary session of
the African Commission.
The
International Human Rights Conference was attended by justice and foreign
ministers from across the African continent and international human rights
institutions.
“The
realisation of our common vision of a united and prosperous Africa anchored on
a culture of human rights as envisaged by Agenda 2063 requires our common
resolve,” she said.
The
gathering was evidence of their collective dedication and commitment to this
goal,” Dr Dlamini Zuma added.
The
59th ordinary session is a joint-session as the African Year of Human Rights,
with particular focus on the Rights of Women, on the theme: “Women Rights Our
Collective Responsibility.”
The
AU Chairperson added that the African Human Rights system is structured in such
a way that it protects human and the collective rights of people.
Whereas
civil and political rights remain a challenge in Africa, by far the biggest
challenge relates to the promotion and protection of the second generational
rights (socio-economic and cultural rights).
“This
requires us to focus our eyes on how best to advance rights that address
underdevelopment, poverty, inequality, marginalisation and exclusion on our
continent as we make concerted efforts towards effective implementation of
Agenda 2063,” she noted.
She
maintained that they have to redouble their efforts to ensure African people
enjoy the right to food, the right to safe water and sanitation, the right to
housing, the right to education, the right to health, the right to decent
clothing, the right to clean environment, among others.
“These
are the basic requirements for a decent standard of living, even before they
could think of the right to vote, she continued.
She
asked how on earth could an elderly woman, who is impoverished and living in a
remote rural area, feel when compelled to take a long journey to a polling
station on an empty stomach and cast her ballot in an election.
Socio-economic
rights are as important as the political rights, she declared.
“In
order to promote gender equality as we advance these socio-economic rights, we
need to make deliberate efforts to empower African women socio-culturally,
politically and economically.”
Ms
Zuma said the African continent has witnessed decades of numerous human rights
challenges resulting from a diverse range of factors, which include, among
other things, war, poverty, corruption, autocratic governance and exclusion of
women.
It
was against this background, she noted, that the AU member states of the then
Organization of African Unity (OAU) solemnly resolved to promote and safeguard
freedom, justice, equality and human dignity in Africa by putting in place
instruments and mechanisms to enforce these values.
