[allAfrica.com] [Bill_Sutherland_Institute] AU Launches PSC With a Call "Africa By Africans Solution" The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa) NEWS May 27, 2004 Posted to the web May 27, 2004 By Dagnachew Teklu Addis Ababa African Peace and Security Council (PSC) was formally launched on Tuesday in Addis Ababa aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the continent. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of AU Commission said that the decisions expected of the PSC must be strictly implemented by all the states concerned. The 15 member states of the African Union PSC, has a new mandate than the previous OAU to interfere in member states whenever genocide, mass destruction and human rights violations are committed. "It is with this consideration that the present ceremony of the solemn launching of PSC has been designed to be a strong signal to the African peoples and the international community of our determination to put an end to the conflict and wars which have ravaged the continent for too long," Konare said. He said that member states must absolutely break off from external assistance, and must demonstrate their remarkable political will to free the tool they have established from crushing external dependence. "Let us have more confidence in ourselves and in our institutions. If we feel they are weak, let us strengthen them. Our partners must move in the same direction instead of holding out institutions in defense. Nobody will build Africa in our place. Nobody will establish lasting peace in Africa in the peace of Africans," Konare added. He also indicated that it is time to give an urgent need to find a solution to the disputes between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Cote D'Ivoire, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi and other countries in conflict. "There is an urgent need to find a solution to the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea without calling into question the ruling pronounced on the case. There must be a dialogue to definitively resolve the conflict," he added. The 15 member states also issued a statement of commitment where they vowed to speedily implement Africa's common security and defence policy, and strengthen the common values underpinning peace and security in the continent. President Olusegun Obasanjo on his part expressed his opinion on how honoured Nigeria feels to occupy the chair of PSC. "I am sure that not only those of us who are current members of the PSC, but also members of the AU who at one time or the other will become members of the council, would subscribe to the undertaking which will thus remain valid for all times," Obasanjo said. The member states also expressed their commitment to the building of an African continent that is not only at peace with itself but is also at peace with the rest of the world. The protocol establishing the PSC was adopted and opened for signature in July 2002 at Durban in South Africa. It entered into force on 27 December, 2003 and became fully operational on 16 March, 2004. Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, The Sudan, Algeria, Libya, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Togo are the 15 member countries in the PSC that have a three and two years term.   =============================================================================   Copyright © 2004 The Daily Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================