Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides) - A Protocol of agreement for cooperation between the Community of S. Egidio and the Commission of the African Union was signed on Thursday 15 July at the African Union head offices in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). According to a statement sent to Fides, the agreement confirms and consolidates collaboration which has united these two organisations for years, particularly in the areas of peace making and the fight against poverty. Since the African Union's constitution, as an official Observer S. Egidio has participated at AU summit meetings. The agreement recognises the important part played by the Community of S. Egidio in promoting peace and dialogue in Africa.
Jean Ping - President of the Union African Commission - during the signing ceremony, said he was happy "to have the Community of S. Egidio as a partner" on the continent. He emphasised the positive role in mediation played in recent years by S. Egidio (starting with Mozambique and more recently an agreement reached for Guinea Conakry) and which it continues to play in many situations of crisis. Ping said: “S. Egidio has one thing at heart, the good of the poor and good of Africa: it is a resource for the continent ”. The AU President continued, indicating other areas for possible common intervention in the future.
The agreement reached between the AU and S. Egidio includes: extensive collaboration in the promotion of peace and stability in Africa, in the prevention and mediation of conflict, by means of the conferral of the status of facilitator and the faculty to act as co-mediators. Promotion of joint initiatives to confirm the untouchable respect for life and for the human person, human dignity and human rights and the human rights in Africa. Collaboration in intercultural and interreligious dialogue in Africa. During the meeting, the S. Egidio Community illustrated the positive results of its programmes initiated in Africa to fight AIDS (DREAM) and for civil registration (BRAVO!). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/7/2010)
