ICRC President, Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, Expected at the African Union Headquarters

27 April 2011
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African Union (Addis Ababa)
press release

Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will be on an official visit to the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Thursday 28 April 2011.

During his visit, Dr. Kellenberger will meet Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AUC, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra and the AU Partners' Group to discuss a range of matters of common concern dealing with situations of armed conflict and internal violence on the continent and their humanitarian consequences.

During his visit, Dr. Kellenberger will participate in a special session of the AU Peace and Security Council in order to brief its 15 member states' representatives on ICRC activities and discuss humanitarian issues and challenges in Africa.

Discussions will provide the opportunity to take stock of ICRC contributions to AU initiatives in the field of conflict prevention as for instance, in relation with the incorporation of international humanitarian law rules and principles in peace support operations and in the construction of the African Standby Force.

Talks are also expected to examine how the African Union can contribute to a better compliance of the rules of international humanitarian law by states and armed actors in conflict situations, and on the ways to strengthen the cooperation between the AU and the ICRC in this respect.

Dr. Kellenberger will underline the added value of independent and neutral humanitarian action in today's armed conflicts as well as on the challenge of assisting and ensure protection of the civilian populations in conflict zones, in particular internally displaced persons, women and children.

For further information, please contact:

Marsema Tariku, Communication Officer ICRC/AU - Addis Ababa, tel.: +251 11 647 83 20 / 21 / 22

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