ASS/AU/Dec.1 (I) Page 1 DECISION ON THE INTERIM PERIOD The Assembly of the African Union: 1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Secretary General; 2. DECIDES: i. TO ADOPT the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the Statutes of the Commission; ii. THAT THE TRANSITION PERIOD shall come to an end with the convening of the Inaugural Session of the Assembly; iii. TO PROVIDE for an interim period with effect from 9 July 2002 for a duration of one (1) year after which the second ordinary session of the Assembly shall appoint the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson as well as the Commissioners through the Executive Council. iv. TO DESIGNATE the Secretary General, the Assistant Secretaries General and the Staff of the General Secretariat of the OAU as the Interim Commission in accordance with Article 33 (4) of the Constitutive Act; v. THAT THE SECRETARY GENERAL shall be the Interim Chairperson of the Commission and the Assistant Secretaries General shall be acting Commissioners and AUTHORISES him to allocate the portfolios as appropriate; vi. TO AUTHORISE the Interim Commission to complete its proposals on structure of the Commission for submission to Member States and undertake all the necessary measures to facilitate the election and appointment of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the Commissioners in July 2003; vii. TO AUTHORISE the Interim Chairperson to prepare the financial implications of the structure of the Commission and undertake the necessary consultations with Member States prior to submitting them to the Executive Council and ultimately to the Assembly in July 2003;