ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AFRICAN UNION SUB-COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS GENERAL OF CUSTOMS

Background

For some years, African countries have displayed a keen interest in increasing their integration efforts. This is partly motivated by increasing globalization,and the realization of the fact that gradual integration allows for the minimization of costs related to the inter-linkage of markets. Indeed in a very competitive global environment, international trade and investment flow to countries that offer greater efficiency, assistance and Customs facilities. Consequently, the reality of globalization imposes the challenge of close cooperation between the various Customs Administrations and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Fortunately, there is already in place a continental body, the African Union, established to:

-accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent;

-promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;

-establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;

-promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;

-coordinate and harmonize the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union.

Genesis of the Sub-Committee of Directors-General of Customs

The first continental meeting of Directors General of Customs, the All Africa Customs Conference (AACC) was held in 2003 in Johannesburg South Africa. The participants at that meeting identified an urgent need for a common strategic vision and a clear program of action for Customs Administrations;

They committed themselves to:

-concretely contribute to the implementation of the NEPAD programme of the African Union;

-to create a new cohesion and cooperation among the Customs Administrations of Africa;

-to seek strategic convergence on key challenges facing Customs Administrations;

-to develop an action programme to enhance trade facilitation through operational cooperation and the institutional development of African Customs Administrations;

-to promote integrity and a new ethical foundation for partnership between Customs Administrations and the private sector;

-to work closely with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and other International Organisations to realize set goals and objectives.

In Algeria, the following year, the 2nd Session of the AACC reiterated the commitments made in 2003 and put forward proposals;

-for a better coordination of Customs activities between the RECs;

-establish a powerful Customs network; and

-create an AfricanCenter for Customs Training.

It further proposed that the Conference be incorporated into the official organs of the AU. This proposal which received a very favrouable response and support of the Commission was promptly channeled to the Conference of Trade Ministers in Kigali in May 2004, and thereafter to the Permanent Representatives Council (PRC) and the Executive Council for endorsement. The body subsequently officially became known as AU Sub-committee of Directors General of Customs, a sub-committee of the Specialised Technical committee of Trade, Customs and Immigration.

The inaugural meeting of the Sub-Committee was held in KigaliRwanda in 2005 under the able leadership of Mrs Mary Baine, the then Commissioner for Customs at the Rwandan Revenue Authority. One of the landmarks of that meeting was the adoption of its Rules of Procedure which, since then regulates the functioning of the Sub-committee.

The 2nd meeting was held in 2006 in Harare, Zimbabwe and Commissioner General Gershem T. Pasi took up the torch from the hands of Mrs. Baine. At the Harare Conference, it was decided unanimously that the 3rd meeting be hosted by Nigeria.