,,iii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #aff ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #aj1 #bjac ,mr4 ,coons 7for himself and ,mr4 ,flake7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,june #be1 #bjac ,reported by ,mr4 ,menendez1 without amendment ,june #bf1 #bjac ,considered and agreed to ,,resolution ,commemorating the #ejth anniversary of the founding of the ,organization of ,african ,unity 7,,oau7 and commending its successor1 the ,african ,union4 ,whereas1 on ,may #be1 #aifc1 #cb newly independent ,african countries signed the ,charter of the ,organization of ,african ,unity 7,,oau7 to promote unity1 solidarity1 and political and economic cooperation among themselves1 and to defend member states' sovereignty1 territorial integrity1 and independence2 ,whereas upon its inception1 the ,,oau embraced the principles of the ,universal ,declaration of ,human ,rights1 including freedom of association1 free expression1 and political participation2 ,whereas such efforts to encourage ,african unity1 advance human rights1 and promote economic development on the continent were undermined by regional conflicts1 military coups1 and civil wars1 as well as large foreign debts1 increasing trade imbalances1 food insecurity1 and weak institutions2 ,whereas a decision declaring the establishment of the ,african ,union 7,,au7 as a successor organization to the ,,oau to promote democratic principles and institutions1 encourage economic growth1 and develop new tools for the collective promotion of regional stability was adopted in ,sirte1 ,libya1 on ,march #a1 #bjja1 and ,march #b1 #bjja2 ,whereas the vision of the ,african ,union is that of an integrated1 prosperous and peaceful ,africa1 driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena2 ,whereas the ,african ,union expresses commitment to the essential values of transparency and accountability and promotes democratic processes across the continent of ,africa2 ,whereas the ,african ,union departed from the ,,oau's abiding doctrine of nonintervention in the internal affairs of member states in favor of a new policy establishing the right of the ,,au to intervene in a member state under grave circumstances1 including with respect to war crimes1 genocide1 and crimes against humanity2 ,whereas the ,african ,union continues to build more robust ,african regional institutions in order to address the myriad challenges facing the continent1 and has established an ,african peace and security architecture1 the ,new ,partnership for ,africa's ,development1 a strategic framework for regional socioeconomic development1 the ,comprehensive ,africa ,agriculture ,development ,program1 and the ,african ,peer ,review ,mechanism1 which seeks to help advance good governance1 among other institutions2 ,whereas the ,african ,union has contributed to regional peace and security by mobilizing peacekeeping or intervention forces to protect civilians or support political mediation missions and peace-building processes in ,burundi1 ,comoros1 ,sudan1 ,somalia1 and ,mali2 ,whereas efforts to end conflicts on the continent of ,africa1 which continue to destabilize states1 undermine democracy1 stifle economic growth and investment1 and rob young ,africans of the opportunity for an education and a better life1 are a key ,united ,states objective2 ,whereas it is critical to the interests of the ,united ,states that the ,african ,union be capable of effectively addressing current conflicts and preventing future ones1 advancing economic growth and broad-based and sustainable economic development1 and consolidating democracy and good governance2 ,whereas the ,united ,states ,government demonstrated its strong commitment to working closely with the ,,au by establishing a ,mission to the ,african ,union in #bjjf2 ,whereas1 on ,august #c1 #bjaj1 the ,united ,states and the ,african ,union signed a #e1hjj1jjj multi-year assistance agreement to achieve common policy objectives2 ,whereas1 on ,june #ad1 #bjab1 ,president ,barack ,obama announced a ,united ,states ,strategy ,toward ,sub-,saharan ,africa1 which calls on the ,united ,states to deepen its partnership with ,african countries and regional organizations by supporting efforts to advance accountable1 democratic governance and adherence to human rights norms and the rule of law1 particularly by supporting the ,african ,union ,african ,charter on ,democracy1 ,elections1 and ,governance and other multilateral standards2 ,whereas key goals also supported by the ,african ,union include fostering peace and security1 spurring economic growth1 trade1 and investment1 and promoting opportunity and development2 ,whereas1 on ,february #a1 #bjac1 a ,memorandum of ,understanding was signed between the ,united ,states and the ,african ,union to cement cooperation on peace and security1 democracy and governance1 economic growth1 trade1 and investment1 and promotion of opportunity and development2 ,whereas the ,african ,union serves as a preeminent dialogue and policy-making forum for leaders in ,africa seeking to advance a wide range of regional political1 security1 social1 and economic objectives1 including sub-regional integration1 and is a key interlocutor for and representative of the people of ,africa in international political and policy forums1 including the ,united ,nations2 and ,whereas close relations between the ,united ,states and the ,african ,union mutually benefit the people of the ,united ,states and ,africa and the political1 security1 economic1 and cultural relations that link them3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 extends warm congratulations to the former member states of the ,organization of ,african ,unity on the #ejth year anniversary of its founding1 in particular its original #cb member states2 7#b7 commends member states of the ,african ,union for their strong and determined joint efforts to promote democratic societies1 sustainable development1 and sound economic practices1 and peace1 security1 and stability on the continent2 7#c7 urges the ,president to continue to strongly support efforts to advance and strengthen ,united ,states-,african ,union cooperation1 including through ,united ,states programs to help build the capacities of the ,african ,union2 7#d7 encourages the ,president to expedite and expand ,united ,states efforts to achieve the goals and objectives of his ,united ,states ,strategy ,toward ,sub-,saharan ,africa2 and 7#e7 emphasizes the rule of law1 good governance1 respect for human rights1 open markets1 and broad-based and sustainable economic growth and development as key pillars for long-term stability and security in ,africa and ,united ,states engagement with the continent4