Notice and Information for CSOs and Diaspora

on the Special AU Summit of 25 May 2013

The Citizens and Diaspora Organization Directorate of the African Union Commission (CIDO) has the honor to inform African Civil Society and Diaspora Community that the AU Assembly decided on 16 July 2012 that the theme of the 20^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union will be on “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance”.

25^th May 2013: Special Summit of the African Union for the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the OAU/AU.

It is important to underline that our emphasis is on having a people-driven organization and as per the established tradition, members of the African Civil Society Community and Diaspora whose presence and contribution would be of a great relevance and value addition vis-à-vis the theme being discussed are kindly invited to apply for Observer Status at the AU Special Summit. It is important to note that access to AU meetings is based on rules and procedures of the AU as authorized by the Chairperson of the Commission in accordance with the Statutes of the Commission. It should be noted that AU Observers and Guests would only be invited for the Special Summit on 25 May 2013 and that the AU Ordinary Summit will be held in a closed sessions on 26 and 27 May 2013.

As you may be aware, CIDO has to submit a list of CSOs for accreditation to the Secretary General of the Commission by 10 March 2013 and we therefore insist that all interested applicants must submit their application before this date, in order to enable us collage properly and send the list in time for processing and for the Commission to release the invitations in time before the Summit. No application will be considered after the deadline mentioned above.

The Office of the Chairperson and the Secretary General of the Commission will direct CIDO on the number of accreditation vacancies available to CSOs. However, we have been informed that due to the limited space and accommodation constraints and the serious inconveniences faced during the previous Summits with the ever-expanding lists of observers and invitees beyond the Commission’s capacities to accommodate them, only those observers / invited guests whose presence and contribution would be of great relevance and value addition vis-à-vis the theme of the Summit could be accommodated. In addition, we shall have to make choices based on the timing of application, role envisaged in Summit, activities related to the theme of the Summit and carried out by the organization during the last two years, history of association with AU etc. The bottom line is that not all applicants can be accredited. We shall however, do our utmost to ensure that we can get accreditation for as many CSOs as possible. We urge a sense of realism among willing participants in this regard.

It is important to note that the AU will bear no responsibility for travel and maintenance costs of CSOs accredited through our Office. CIDO remains available to assist CSOs or Diaspora representations with seeking appropriate facilities.

It is our expectation that this short notice will assist the African Civil Society Community in preparation for the Summit. Accreditation for the Summit is open to both local and international NGOs, with preference given to relevant grassroot organizations, where required.

                           Citizens and Diaspora Organization Directorate (CIDO)

 African Union Commission

Email: CIDO@africa-union.org / TsebaotA@africa-union.org

File: 

Application Form- En

Application Form-Fr

CSOs Notice - En

CSOs Notice - Fr