Title: Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the African Union and recognizing the importance of diplomatic, security, and trade relations.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the bilateral relationship between the United States and the African Union and encourages greater collaboration with the African Union to ensure socioeconomic transformation across the continent. The resolution also acknowledges the cultural and social contributions of Americans of African descent to the United States.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 751 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 
        non-African 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;
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;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of the partnership between 
        the United States and the African Union and remains committed 
        to advancing this strategic partnership in the future;
            (2) reaffirms the mutually beneficial ties between the 
        United States and the African Union, based on a strong desire 
        for regional security, inclusive development, and stronger 
        trade relations;
            (3) acknowledges that the African Union recognizes the 
        African diaspora as the ``sixth region'' of the continent, and 
        celebrates the contributions of 47 million Americans of African 
        descent to the culture and society of the United States; and
            (4) encourages greater collaboration with the African Union 
        to achieve the goals of socioeconomic transformation of the 
        continent over the next 50 years, as articulated in Agenda 
        2063.
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