AU Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting
In a landmark decision, the African Union Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs has selected Uganda as the host country for the African Humanitarian Agency (AHA). The announcement was made on July 19, 2024, during the 45th Session of the Executive Council in Accra, Ghana.
The AHA is a specialized technical agency of the African Union, mandated to coordinate and provide humanitarian responses in coordination with affected member states. The agency’s establishment is a key component of the African Union’s vision to strengthen its humanitarian architecture.
Uganda’s successful bid to host the AHA is a testament to the country’s experience and expertise in humanitarian response. With over 1.5 million refugees, Uganda is the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. The country has established robust legal and institutional frameworks for managing humanitarian crises, making it an ideal location for the AHA.
The selection process was rigorous and transparent, involving an independent technical evaluation report by the African Union Commission. Four countries – Uganda, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria – submitted their proposals to host the agency, which were assessed based on various criteria.
Uganda’s proposal stood out, with the country scoring 85.66% in the evaluation. Equatorial Guinea followed closely with 76.70%, while Kenya and Nigeria scored 76.13% and 74.50%, respectively.
The Executive Council’s decision was welcomed by the Ugandan government, with Permanent Representative to the African Union, Amb. Rebecca Otengo, expressing excitement and gratitude. “This is a historic moment for Uganda, and we are honored to host the African Humanitarian Agency,” she said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, attributed Uganda’s success to its experience in managing humanitarian crises and its commitment to African Union principles. “Uganda’s selection is a testament to our country’s dedication to humanitarian work and our ability to provide a conducive environment for the agency’s operations,” he said.
The establishment of the AHA in Uganda is expected to enhance the country’s humanitarian response capacity and provide a platform for African Union member states to coordinate their humanitarian efforts.
In a related development, Uganda also secured a significant victory with the election of Justice Duncan Gaswaga to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for a six-year term. Justice Gaswaga’s election was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of 46 member states, a testament to Uganda’s growing influence in African Union affairs.
The Ugandan delegation to the 45th Executive Council session included Amb. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Permanent Representative of Uganda to the AU, Justice Duncan Gaswaga, Justice of the High Court of Uganda, Lira, Mr. Michael Wamai, Counsellor, and Ms. Daphine Teddy Nyanduri, First Secretary, Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa.
The operationalization of the AHA in Uganda is expected to commence soon, with the approval of the budget to recruit top management staff during the 2025/2026 financial year. The agency’s establishment is a significant milestone in the African Union’s efforts to strengthen its humanitarian response capacity and provide a more effective and coordinated response to humanitarian crises on the continent.
