The African Union Border Programme (AUBP) held, on 6 October 2016, a Meeting of Ministers on African Border Issues at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa to review the progress made on the implementation of the AUBP and to discuss measures for its further consolidation.

The Meeting, which was preceded by a Preparatory Meeting of Governmental Experts from 3 to 5 October 2016, adopted the Addis Ababa Declaration on the AUBP which calls on all Member States to delimitate and demarcate their borders by 2022.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Smail Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security, underscored the need to the principle of peaceful settlement of border disputes and the commitment to delimit and demarcate African boundaries as factors of peace, security, and economic and social progress.

“We must reflect on ways and means to find lasting and sustainable solutions to the ongoing border disputes in our continent,” he said. “This meeting comes at a crucial time when we are facing major challenges on terrorism, cross -border crime, illegal trafficking and illegal migration that calls for joint efforts for management of our borders,” he further  stated.

The Ministers highlighted the significant progress made by the AUBP on the national, regional and continental levels in the areas of delimitation and demarcation, cross-border cooperation and capacity building. They also noted the challenges in the implementation of the AUBP, which reflect the need for continued efforts to strengthen African capacities regarding border issues.

The Ministers recommended for the extension of the deadline of 2017 set by the Assembly of the Union in July 2011 in Malabo for the Delimitation and Demarcation of all African boundaries from 2017 to 2022. They further recommended the establishment of an annual review mechanism on the African Border Day (June 7), to facilitate regular assessment of the AUBP’s progress and identify and manage challenges as they arise. Further, they stressed the importance of ratifying the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation in order to foster regional integration and the harmonization of policies across the African continent.

The Meeting was organized in the spirit of aspiration four (4) of the AU Agenda 2063 for, “A Peaceful and Secure Africa”, and brought together Ministers from 46 AU Member States, representatives from the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), as well as representatives from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), the Federal Republic of Germany, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Union (EU) and staff from the AU Commission.

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Addis Ababa Declaration on the African Union Border Programme and measures for its consolidation

Preamble

We, the Ministers of Member States of the African Union responsible for inter-state borders held our Meeting on African Border Issues in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 6 October 2016 to review the implementation of the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), based on the presentation and assessment of the achievements made by the African Union Commission (AUC) and on the report of the national experts, who met from 3-5 October 2016;

Taking note of the progress made by the AUBP at the continental, regional and national levels, as well as the ever-increasing interest in the Program from Member States of the African Union (AU) since its launch in 2007;

Acknowledging the outcomes of previous meetings held in Addis Ababa on 7 June 2007 and 25 March 2010, as well as on 17 May 2012 in Niamey;

Reiterating our determination to address the challenges in the implementation of the AUBP, including resource constraints, the slow ratification of the Niamey Convention by Member States and the 2017 deadline for the delimitation and demarcation of inter-state borders;

Reaffirming the important role AUBP plays with regard to its contribution to the structural prevention of conflicts, the promotion of regional and continental integration, the strengthening of economic and social development in Africa;

Recommitting to the principles upon which the AUBP is based, as stated in the relevant instruments of the AU, particularly the principle of the respect of borders existing at the time of accession of our countries to independence (Cairo 1964: AHG/Res.16(1)); the principle of peaceful settlement of border disputes; and the commitment to delimit and demarcate African inter-state borders, where this exercise has not yet taken place, as pillars of peace, security, economic and social progress;

Taking note of the need to provide sensitization and training on border issues to decision-makers, border professionals and communities in the border lands;

Acknowledging the challenges in conducting a clear assessment of current African borders, which would allow for a better evaluation of the needs in terms of demarcation, and to define – more accurately – a strategy for the implementation of the AUBP.

Hereby adopt the following:

1. Encourage all Member States to accelerate the delimitation and demarcation of their inter-state borders, where this exercise has not yet taken place.

2. Recognize that the deadline of 2017, set by the Assembly of the Union in July 2011 in Malabo, for the delimitation and demarcation of all African inter-state borders will not be achieved.

3. Recommend the extension of the deadline for the delimitation and demarcation of the inter-state borders of Africa from 2017 to 2022.

4. Appeal to the AUC to conduct an assessment of the status and all activities conducted within the framework of the AUBP, as well as an annual review on the African Border Day (June 7) based on annual reports by Member States – submitted jointly or individually – in order to monitor the progress and challenges of implementation.

5. Take note that the Niamey Declaration recommended finalizing the Draft Integrated Border Management Strategy, which is now titled the Draft AU Border Governance Strategy. We agree that the Draft should be sent to Member States for thorough review ahead of a validation meeting suggested to take place in the first quarter of 2017.

6. Urge the Member States to develop and implement a national policy on borders and to set up and sustain a national body responsible for border issues, if not yet done, and reiterate the importance of Member States to jointly request the AUC’s assistance in the implementation of AUBP activities.

7. Appeal to the AUC to facilitate possible access by Member States to historical, legal and cartographic documents and technical instruments to facilitate the delimitation and demarcation of their inter-state borders.

8. Recommend that Member States strive to make use of diplomatic means in settling their differences and disputes on the course of their boundary lines before taking recourse to judicial mechanisms.

9. Strongly encourage Member States to accelerate the ratification and implementation of the African Union Convention on Cross-border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) and to develop and implement programs aimed at cross-border cooperation, including the joint management of resources, in order to develop borderlands, while engaging the local authorities and communities.

10. Request effective coordination between the AUC and RECs regarding the implementation of activities together with Member States and partners; and encourage the full respect for the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity in order to avoid duplication of efforts.

11. Request the AUC to commission research, facilitate the publication of good practices, and coordinate the development of training curricula and the organization of regional trainings.

12. Call on the Member States to allocate national budget lines to fund their delimitation, demarcation and cross-border cooperation programs, and recommend to the AUC to strengthen the structure of the AUBP Unit with the necessary financial and human resources with the required competence.

13. Reaffirm our appreciation to Germany and all international partners for the support provided towards the implementation of AUBP and appeal to them to sustain their support.

14. Encourage all Member States to hold an annual celebration commemorating the Border Day on the 7 June.

15. Reiterating our adherence to the respect of the principle of the inviolability of borders as stated in the pertinent legal instruments of the AU, the Charter of the OAU – adopted during the Assembly of the Heads of States and Government in Cairo 1963, as well as the AU Constitutive Act.

16. Call upon the Chairperson of the AUC, after endorsement of the present Declaration by the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense and Safety and Security, the Executive Council and the Assembly, to take all the necessary measures for the consolidation of the AUBP and keep the competent bodies of the African Union and its Member States regularly informed on the progress made in its implementation.