PSC/AHG/2(CCL) Annex 4 Page 1 PROGRESS REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRIPOLI DECLARATION ON THE ELIMINATION OF CONFLICTS IN AFRICA AND THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND ON THE TRIPOLI PLAN OF ACTION An update on the Achievements to date and the Challenges ahead I. INTRODUCTION 1. During the Special Session on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa, held in Tripoli, Libya, on 31 August 2009, the Assembly of the Union, having reviewed the state of peace and security on the continent, adopted two key documents: the Tripoli Declaration and Plan of Action. 2. This report provides an update on the status of implementation of these two documents, which falls within the framework of the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, nearly 15 months after their adoption. The report concludes with recommendations on the challenges that lie ahead and the measures that should be taken in this regard. II. TRIPOLI DECLARATION 3. In the Tripoli Declaration, the Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their commitment to redouble efforts to promote sustainable peace, security and stability on the continent. Significantly, in paragraph 9 of the Declaration, they stated their "... determination to deal once and for all with the scourge of conflicts and violence on our continent, acknowledging our shortcomings and errors, committing our resources and our best people, and missing no opportunity to push forward the agenda of conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. We, as leaders, simply cannot bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans”. 4. More specifically, the Declaration covers a number of aspects relating to both the institutional capacity of the AU, as well as the structural prevention of conflicts, postconflict reconstruction and development, terrorism, strengthening of the capacity of African universities, the role of civil society, resource mobilization in support of AU peace efforts, partnership and Africa’s leadership. The Declaration concludes with the decision to declare 2010 the Year of Peace and Security in Africa. The following paragraphs provide a brief overview of progress made and difficulties encountered in the implementation of each of the components of the Tripoli Declaration. (a) Operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) 5. In the Tripoli Declaration, the Heads of State and Government recommitted themselves to accelerate the full operationalization of the APSA, including the further refinement of existing provisions, where necessary, to facilitate their implementation.