CILL&STURMAN.PDF

This report, published by the Institute for Security Studies in July 2002, provides a comprehensive summary of commitments made by African Heads of State and Government during Organization of African Unity (OAU) Summit Meetings. It outlines agreed-upon standards for democratic governance, human rights, the protection of vulnerable groups, and collective security measures to combat terrorism, mercenarism, and the proliferation of small arms.

• African leaders have established a common concept of democracy based on several minimum values, including the necessity of a democratic constitution, separation of powers, independence of the judiciary, and the organization of free, open, and regular elections. They assert that democracy and development are mutually reinforcing and that good governance is a prerequisite for the continent's security and stability.
• The OAU has formally rejected unconstitutional changes of government, specifically defining them as military coups d'etat against democratically elected governments, intervention by mercenaries, replacement by armed dissident groups, or the refusal of an incumbent to relinquish power after fair elections. Governments taking power through these means are barred from African Union activities and face public condemnation, suspension from decision-making structures, and targeted sanctions such as visa denials and trade restrictions.
• African Heads of State have committed to a comprehensive set of individual rights, including equality before the law, freedom from torture and slavery, and the right to a fair trial. These rights are balanced against individual duties to the state and society, such as the duty to preserve national independence, territorial integrity, and the promotion of African unity.
• Extensive protections for children have been agreed upon, including the prohibition of the death sentence for crimes committed by persons under 18 and the requirement that children be separated from adults in detention. Leaders also committed to preventing the recruitment of children into hostilities and protecting them from sexual exploitation and harmful practices like child marriage and female circumcision.
• Regarding refugees and asylum, African leaders recognize the fundamental right of refugees to return to their country of origin voluntarily and without penalty. They have agreed that granting asylum is a humanitarian act and not an unfriendly act, while emphasizing that refugees must not engage in subversive activities against any state.
• African states have committed to the total eradication of mercenarism, stating that those who commit the crime will face the severest penalties, including capital punishment. Mercenaries are explicitly denied the status of combatants or prisoners of war.
• To combat terrorism, African leaders have pledged to review national laws to establish criminal offences for terrorist acts and to cooperate internationally through the conclusion of a Global International Convention for the Prevention and Control of Terrorism. They have agreed to exchange information on terrorist groups, funding, and arms to prevent their territories from being used as bases for terrorist activities.
• The document establishes that the use of force or the threat thereof is prohibited among African Union Member States, except when mandated by the UN Security Council. However, the African Union reserves the right to intervene in a Member State in cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
• African leaders seek to maintain the continent as a nuclear-free zone, restricting nuclear research to peaceful uses and prohibiting the development, stockpiling, or testing of nuclear explosive devices, as well as the dumping of radioactive waste.
• A comprehensive strategy to combat the illicit proliferation of small arms, light weapons, and landmines has been adopted, including the creation of a Regional Register on the transfer of Conventional Arms. Leaders identified anti-personnel mines as a major public health threat and called for the total eradication of such weapons.
• A Plan of Action (1997-2001) was agreed upon to eradicate drug abuse and illicit trafficking. This includes integrating drug control into national policies, establishing focal points for coordination, and providing treatment and social reintegration for drug addicts.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). CILL&STURMAN.PDF. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/CILL&STURMAN2.PDF

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. CILL&STURMAN.PDF. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/CILL&STURMAN2.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=CILL&STURMAN.PDF |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/CILL&STURMAN2.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndcillsturmanpdf, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{CILL\&STURMAN.PDF}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/CILL&STURMAN2.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }