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URI vice-chair works with former African heads of state |
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Written by Mussie Hailu
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Wednesday, 01 March 2006 |
URI
Vice-Chair Mussie Hailu is working to create a forum in which former African
heads of state could play an effective role in pursuing peace, development and
reconciliation, and in supporting peaceful power transitions in nations across
the continent.
 The Sub-Saharan Informer (SSI) did on exclusive interview on different initiatives to engage the Former Heads of State in the peace and development process of Africa with Honorable Mussie Hailu, on initiative to engage the Former Heads of State in the peace and development process of Africa. Mussie has been working with the framework of forming Council of Former African Heads of State for Peace, Development and Reconciliation along with H.E. Dr Kenneth Kaunda and other Former Heads of State. Hon. Mussie Hailu is Representative of World Federation of United Nations Associations to ECA & AU and Vice Chairperson of United Religions Initiative which is a global organization to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the earth and all living beings.
SSI: - First of all would you please tell us what is the prerogative of the Africa Forum and the aim to engage former heads of state of Africa in peace and development work?
Mussie: As you know good governance is expanding across the continent and democracy is starting to prevail and spreading in Africa. As a result of this there are increasing numbers of peaceful power transition in many African countries which leads us to see a number of former heads of state who clearly demonstrated their commitment to good leadership and who still have rich experience and wisdom to offer their countries and the continent as a whole. Some have taken initiative to establish their own foundations or are actively involved in activities that help their people. However, there was not existing mechanism or a forum for them to come together and collectively contribute to the well being of the continent. As I strongly believe on their reach experience, wisdom and the role they can play as a driving force to bring people of diverse nations and cultures together to address our common issues and to find solutions and better ways to live peacefully on the continent we all share and as these solutions must come from Africans themselves, as the future of Africa depends on Africans. This is one of the reasons why I came up with the initiative of The Council of Former African Heads of State. The other reason is from my experience working in the area of peace, interfaith harmony, development issues, dialogue and reconciliation, I have come to realize the important role respected former African heads of state like Mandela of South Africa, Kaunda of Zambia, Chissano of Mozambique, Nujoma of Namibia, Rawlings of Ghana, Mancham of Seychelles, Soglo of Benin, Masire of Botswana and others could play in pursuing peace, development and reconciliation across the continent. Then I share my idea with H.E. Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, the first President of the Republic of Zambia. He immediately endorsed my idea and since then I am working with him and other Former Heads of State of Africa who endorsed the initiative. I also wrote and share my idea with H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations and to H.E. Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the African Union. As you know Prof. Konare himself is Former President of Mali.
SSI: -What is the Mission of this Council?
Mussie: -The mission of this council is to fully engage in a positive, and constructive way former heads of state of Africa to share their rich experience and wisdom to pursue the work of peace, development and reconciliation across the continent and to inspire peaceful leadership transitions in Africa and create good image for our continent internationally.
SSI: - What are the Objectives of the Council?
Mussie: - The aims and objectives of the Council are to: -
1) Promote Reconciliation and Build a Culture of Peace 2) Play a mediation role in conflict zones 3) Encourage nations in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals 4) Create further awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS and stop the stigma attached to it 5) Share their rich experience with the young generation of leaders to inspire good governance 6) Engage Africans in Diaspora in the over all development of the continent 7) Act as a resource to the African Union and the United Nations in times of crisis and promote the aims and objectives of these institutions 8) serve as a plat-form where former and current leaders can work together for the overall good of their respective countries and the continent 9) Ensure peaceful transitions of power 10) Provide a forum where former heads of state can remain engaged in constructive works for the betterment of Africans 11) Lobby for African issues to be given due attention on the international agenda and build the image of Africa international 12)Provide an opportunity for leaders to transition to civilian life by offering a forum which values and utilize their experience and expertise.
The council will address these and other pressing issues as well as harness the collective energy that exemplary former leaders have to offer. A number of former heads of state of Africa already demonstrated their ongoing commitment to peace, security, democracy and prosperity.
SSI: - Do you have guiding principles of the council?
Mussie: Yes, we do. Among the guiding principles some of them are a) to be a non profit making organization free from any political motivation, ideology or partiality b) Engage only those former African Heads of State that have clearly demonstrated good leadership during their term of office and commitment in service of their notion. c) Commit to serve the entire continent d) Respect unity in diversity and stand for all human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights e) Respecting the Constitution of their respective counters, Be democratic, open and transparent f) Act solely for the good of all Africans and respect the Golden Rule.
SSI: - Is there a criteria as who should be the member of the Council?
Mussie: - Yes there is a criteria as who should be admitted to the Council and only those who fulfill the criteria will be the members.
SSI: - Is there such an Initiatives on the former Heads of State apart from this one?
Mussie: - Yes, there are three initiatives that I know and they are 1) African Presidential Archives and Research center. 2) The Africa Statesmen Initiative 3) Africa Forum
The African Presidential Archives and Research center (APARC), which is based at Boston University, in USA, is studying democratization and free market reform in Africa. Through a residency program for former democratically elected African leaders and access to their papers and through access to present democratically elected leaders, the center provides a forum for them to share and a venue for others to benefit from their insights and expertise. The center is providing a necessary and credible forum for these leaders to continue to contribute to the improvement of Africa and the broadening of the world's understanding of Africa's problems and potential.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank on behalf of all Africans to Boston University, Ambassador Charles R. Stith who is dynamic Director of APRC, and all those who help one way or the other for the establishment of such a center for our former Heads of state to play a constructive role in Africa and the rest of the World. Here I must say that APRC did a tremendous job in creating awareness on the role of Former African Heads of State internationally. If it were not for the active involvement of APRC the issue of former African Heads of state wouldn't reach to the stage where it is now. Once again I want to acknowledge the great work of Ambassador Charles R. Stith. As African American he has a great interest in Africa issue and Africa is in his heart
The second and very recently established is The African Statesmen Initiative, a project of the National Democratic Institute, which aims to A) encourage democratic former heads of state to continue to play a constructive role in democratization efforts in their countries and the continent as a whole B) highlight their accomplishments and willingness to leave power as positive examples and an incentive for other African leaders who have become an impediment to further democratization in their respective countries C) provide a forum for there select leaders to share experiences on democratization and conflict management initiatives that they have undertaken since leaving office. My thanks also goes to National Democratic Institute and the Club of Madrid for their partnership with Africa in this endeavor and for providing a forum where former heads of state of Africa can remain engaged in constructive works for the betterment of Africans and also network with other regions former Heads of State to work on global issue that affect all humanity and nature
3) Africa Forum, a forum of African former heads of state and government, is initiated by the former president of Mozambican H.E. Joaquim Chissano and it is launched on January 11,2006 in Maputo.
SSI: - What is the basic different of these initiatives?
Mussie: - There is no difference as such among the three initiative as three of them are aiming to engaged the Former Heads of State of Africa in a constructive way. We all are working toward the same goal and as such one compliment the other. The only difference could be The Council is the first initiative of its kind to come up with the idea of creating a forum for the former heads of State in Africa where they could collectively engage themselves for the betterment of their continent and share their wisdom.
SSI: - Is there any effort in building partnerships with other Institutions?
Mussie: - Yes. It is part of our strategic planning. We already informed Multilateral Organizations, Foundations, NGOs and Interfaith organizations who are our potential collaborating institutions about the initiative of the Council. We believe that their input, recommendation, and involvement will help to fulfill the aims and objectives of the council. In addition to this a number of prominent international individuals who have demonstrated great interest and commitment to Africa have been identified. Those individual will serve as international advisors and resource persons for the council. Here I'd like to acknowledge the Ambassadors of Sierra-Leon and Zambia to Ethiopia and AU for their valuable advice.
SSI: How about the role of Traditional Rulers in Africa?
Mussie: - Well, you raise a very important question. In order to see more development and move Africa forward, it is not something which we should leave to the African Union, Former Heads of State, United Nations and Government alone but it should be a collective concern of all Africans including that of Traditional Rulers and African Royal members. As you know much of the current analysis of democratization in Africa, which is copied from western countries, has focused mostly on issues concerning the state and its institutions rather than society based on cultural and traditional values. However, in order to be legitimate and meet its societal responsibilities, the democratic state ultimately needs to be founded on indigenous social and traditional values. With this context I am working now with His Majesty King Kigeli V of Rwanda and H.I.H Prince Ermias Shale-Selassie Haile-Selassie of Ethiopia to set up a Forum free from any Political and ideology for African Traditional Rulers and Royal Society to come together to work in close partnership with African Union for the African Renaissance, preserve the historical and cultural heritage and to promote a culture of peace in Africa and build the image of Africa internationally. They could also work in partnership with all the initiative of Former heads of Africa.
SSI: -What do you see forthcoming for Africa out of these initiatives?
Mussie: - All I want to say is active involvement of Former African Heads of State will be a catalyst in the process of making Africa more peaceful and developed continent. Africa will continue to rise up only when we Africans from all walks of life including Former African Heads of State, The Traditional Rulers and others who are at home and abroad work together, side by side, to give unconditional service to the overall development of our beloved Continent under the banner of African Union. It is a time of the Africa Renaissance.
As it is stated in the new African Union Anthem "Let us all unite and celebrate together the victories won for our liberation. Let us dedicate our self to rise together to defend our liberty and Unity. O Sons and Daughters of Africa. Let us make Africa the Tree of Life" May Peace Prevail in Africa and May Peace Prevail on Earth
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 March 2006 )
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