IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 751 

Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the African Union 

and recognizing the importance of diplomatic, security, and trade relations. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 9, 2019 

Ms. BASS (for herself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. GRIJALVA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and 

the African Union and recognizing the importance of 

diplomatic, security, and trade relations. 

Whereas President George W. Bush formally recognized the 

African Union as an international organization in 2005, 

and initiated the United States Mission to the African 

Union in 2006, making the United States the first nonAfrican country to establish a diplomatic mission to the 

African Union; 

Whereas President Barack Obama was the first sitting President of the United States to visit the African Union 

headquarters and deliver an address to the assembly in 

July 2015; 


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•HRES 751 IH 

Whereas the pillars for the partnership between the United 

States and the African Union Commission are peace and 

security; economic growth, trade, and investment; democracy and governance; and promoting investment opportunities and development, which are aligned with the African Union’s strategic development framework, referred to 

as Agenda 2063; 

Whereas the United States supports the African Union 

through assessed contributions to the United Nations 

Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Office to the African Union, and other United Nations organs and agencies that provide technical support and capacity enhancement to the African Union; 

Whereas the African Union participates in the African 

Growth and Opportunity Act, which boosts economic cooperation and trade with 40 sub-Saharan African countries and whose benefits have been extended to 2025; 

Whereas during the sixth annual High-Level Dialogue between the United States and the African Union Commission in November 2018, the United States affirmed its 

support to the African Continental Free Trade Area, acknowledged the progress attained on its establishment, 

and pledged to enhance discussion on how to complement 

and support the agreement; 

Whereas the United States has provided technical assistance 

to support the launch of the Democracy and Electoral 

Assistance Unit, which coordinates the African Union’s 

participation in election observation and implements the 

African Union Commission’s program for the promotion 

of democracy on the continent; 


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Whereas the United States has provided logistical and financial assistance to past and current African Union peace 

support operations in Somalia, the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan, and in the Lake Chad Basin; 

Whereas the United States provides multiyear technical support to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which emerged from the United States decision 

to provide $10 million to the African Union to deploy African health workers and deliver medical equipment to 

address the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa; 

and 

Whereas with the assistance of the United States, the African 

Union has positively influenced its member states by advancing rule of law, accountable governance, and respect 

for human rights: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of the partner3 ship between the United States and the African 

4 Union and remains committed to advancing this 

5 strategic partnership in the future; 

6 (2) reaffirms the mutually beneficial ties be7 tween the United States and the African Union, 

8 based on a strong desire for regional security, inclu9 sive development, and stronger trade relations; 

10 (3) acknowledges that the African Union recog11 nizes the African diaspora as the ‘‘sixth region’’ of 

12 the continent, and celebrates the contributions of 47 


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•HRES 751 IH 

1 million Americans of African descent to the culture 

2 and society of the United States; and 

3 (4) encourages greater collaboration with the 

4 African Union to achieve the goals of socioeconomic 

5 transformation of the continent over the next 50 

6 years, as articulated in Agenda 2063. 

Æ 


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