Assembly/AU/3(XIV) Page 18 66. In the meantime, there has been some escalation of tension in the Territory between the Moroccan authorities and the Sahrawi human rights and pro-selfdetermination activists. The situation of Ms Aminatou Haidar, who went on a thirtytwo day protest hunger strike in Lanzarote, the Canary Islands, to where she had been deported, provoking sympathetic worldwide concerns on her plight, is a vivid case in point. XII. CONCLUSION 67. The past six months have been characterised by intensified efforts at promoting peace, security and stability. Several crucial initiatives were taken to monitor and follow up on the situation, thus ensuring that the decisions adopted are effectively translated into concrete actions. In this regard, the Year of Peace and Security proclaimed by the Tripoli Special Session offers a unique opportunity to infuse fresh impetus into the endeavours aimed at extricating the Continent from the scourge of war, violence and instability. The year 2010 will also be of special significance as it will see the start of implementation of two fundamental instruments of the African Union which entered into force in 2009, namely: the Pelindaba Treaty on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and the African Union Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact. It is hoped that 2010 will also usher in the entry into force of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, adherence to which will in no small measure contribute to structural prevention of conflicts in the Continent. 68. One crucial element of the peace initiatives relates to partnership with the rest of the international community. Experience these past years has shown that, to attain the goal of a Continent at peace not only with itself, but also with the rest of the world, it is of critical importance that Africa continues to consolidate its relations with its key partners. I take this opportunity to once again express AU’s gratitude to our bilateral and multilateral partners for their assistance. At the same time, as was rightly underscored by the Special Session of the Assembly of the Union on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa, “we reiterate our determination to ensure that these partnerships are fully based on Africa’s leadership, because without such leadership, there will be no ownership and sustainability; because we understand the problems far better than those who come from far away; because we know which solutions will work, and how we can get there; and because, fundamentally, these problems are ours, and we will live with their consequences”.