SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR AFRICAN UNION BORDER DEMARCATION EFFORTS,

IN MESSAGE TO SEMINAR ON IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL PROGRAMME

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Seminar on the Implementation of the African Union Border Programme, held in Djibouti, 1 December:

I am delighted to send warm greetings to all participants in the Seminar on the Implementation of the African Union Border Programme.  I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Djibouti for hosting this event.

The theme of the seminar -- “Preventing Conflicts, Promoting Integration” -- underscores the importance of addressing border issues as part of efforts to build a more peaceful, prosperous Africa.

Since African countries gained independence, the borders -- drawn during the colonial period in a context of rivalries between European countries -- have been a recurrent source of conflict.  More than a century after the Berlin Conference, the delineation and demarcation of the borders charted during colonization still present major problems.

The situation is particularly challenging in cases where strategic or natural resources are located in cross-border areas.  Demarcation of all borders between States before they become a source of conflict is thus an important preventive measure.

I congratulate the African Union on the steps taken to address this critically important issue.  Earlier this year, African ministers in charge of border issues adopted a landmark Declaration on the African Union Border Programme and its Implementation Modalities.  The main objective of the Programme is to conclude the delimitation and demarcation of African borders, so that they may cease to be potential sources of problems.

The Declaration can serve as a powerful instrument for the structural prevention of conflicts.  It can also help strengthen cross-border cooperation and advance efforts towards continental and regional integration.

The holding of this Seminar is timely, as its main objective is to fine-tune the host of proposals contained in the African Union Border Programme.  It should also set timelines and propose budgets for delineation and demarcation of all borders between African States.

I trust that your deliberations will assist the African Union to determine the nature and scope of the resources required for such a venture.  I am convinced that the international community should assist the African Union in this endeavour.

The United Nations will continue to strongly support the Africa Union in these crucial efforts.  In that spirit, I wish you a most productive and successful seminar.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record