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AU maritime security draft charter under review

Xinhua, October 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) of the African Union on Tuesday started meeting to review the draft charter on maritime security and safety as well as on development in Africa, in Togolese capital Lome.

The draft charter will be submitted for adoption to about 30 Heads of States and governments who are expected on October 15 at an extraordinary session in Lome.

"The draft charter under review marks further milestone aiming at providing African continent with legal and technical framework for the prevention and the fight against threats on African maritime spaces", Cherif Mohamat Zene, PRC chairman and permanent representative of Chad to the AU said.

Furthermore, he said that the document sets the concept of blue economy, defines climate change effects mitigation measures as well as maritime risks and disaster management measures.

Once passed, the expected Lome Charter will enable African countries to coordinate their actions, harmonize legal instruments and to strengthen their means of surveillance and control in the African maritime spaces.

The PRC members will debate report of the specialized technical committee on justice and legal issues relating to the charter.

In addition, they will examine the draft agenda and the proposed work program of the executive council and of the assembly of Heads of States and governments.

The African continent has been facing maritime insecurity in Aden and Guinea gulfs. According to economic figures, this results in a total shortfall of roughly 7 billion U.S. dollars per year for the continent. Endit