High-Level Solidarity Seminar and Photo Exhibition on Western Sahara

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: A High Level Solidarity Seminar and the photo Exhibition at the AU Headquarters under the theme: "40 FACES, 40 YEARS — A Lifetime in Exile." — The events are aimed at highlighting the humanitarian socio-economic and human rights tragedy of the Sahrawi people living in exile for the last 40 years.

WHEN: Seminar - Monday, 25 April 2016

Exhibition — Monday 25 April 2016 to Thursday 28 April 2016

Closing Ceremony (Diplomatic Cocktail) - Thursday 28 April 2016

TIME: Seminar from 09:00hrs — 14:00hrs

Exhibition from 09.00hrs- 17:00hrs every day

Closing Ceremony (Diplomatic Cocktail) —17:00hrs — 18:00hrs

WHO: African Union Commission and Oxfam

WHERE: Seminar - Medium Hall, New Conference Centre, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Exhibition — Lobby Area A&B, New Conference Centre, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

WHY: Over the last four decades, the OAU/AU has made numerous calls to the international community and initiated efforts to resolve the Sahrawi crisis. This has included the appointment in June 2014 of former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique as AU Special Envoy to consult with the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Spain, as well as with the UN Secretariat, on how best the AU can support international efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Western Sahara — also calling for renewed international engagement towards the resolution of the conflict. The African Union's efforts are within its mandate as Guarantor of the Peace Plan endorsed in resolution AHG/Res.104(XIX) of the 19th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa from 6 to 12 June 1983, which essentially served as the basis of the August 1988 Settlement Proposals that set into motion the peace process for Western Sahara.

The Event is open to the Public.

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EXHIBITION