Yacin Elmi Bouh

Early life and education

Bouh was born in the city of Djibouti. He studied primary and secondary schools in Djibouti, culminating in a Higher Leaving Certificate Series B – Economical.

Education

• MA in Public Law (1987) |BA in Public Law (1986) |Law Diploma (1983- 1985) at the Law University of Nantes • Baccalauréat (A level), with major in Economics at the Djibouti High School in 1982

Training

• Development of legal texts at the Institut de l’Administration Publique in Paris between 2 January 1988 and 31 March 1988

• Planning projects and public finances at the University of Pittsburgh between 1 June and 31 August 1990

Career

Official address of the candidature for the post of Vice-President of the Commission of the African Union

To the attention of the Heads of State and Government members of the African Union Conference

I would be honoured to serve this august institution and to devote myself fully to building what is not a utopia but rather a reality that is slowly making headway, the United African States. The continent enjoys numerous assets for taking its proper place among the major communities that dominate this world.

The economic performances of its members (5% growth within the past 10 years), its strong demographic potential (1.2 billion in 2015 and 3 billion in 2065), its numerous and abundant natural resources (gold, gas, bauxite, titanium, copper, uranium, diamonds) and its vast expanses of arable land (60% of the planet’s arable land) confers on it the place of an unrivalled actor on the international stage. Despite this progress, the continent is deficient in many aspects which unfortunately relegate it to this marginal role (1% of the world’s GDP and international investment and 1.8% of world exports in 2002).

As future Vice-Chairman of the African Union Commission, I would strive more than ever to lighten the enormous load that is dragging down the continent. In fact, the continent holds the track record for poverty (34 of the 54 African countries figure among the LDC), the highest youth unemployment rate (60% of African unemployed), and the greatest number of regions suffering from democracy deficit where there is social unrest; all ingredients of a nature to weaken the country and stability on its soil. Moreover, the absence of the processing industry and the enormous illicit leaks of capital (50 to 60 billion $ per year) that afflict it, compromise any chance of inclusive growth necessary to its development.

These adversities are not irreversible. They constitute negligible obstacles along the way that can but be cleared in the face of what is unstoppable emerging African determination. The 2063 agenda adopted by the Heads of State and the Government in total synergy with the African aspirations previously recorded by the African Union Commission, on 15 January 2015, bears witness to this ardent determination to overcome all obstacles for the establishment of a continental government in 2030.

Through this invaluable document, the African leaders have put forth their vision of “build an Africa at once integrated, prosperous, supported and managed by its own citizens and constituting a dynamic force in the global arena”. And to be able to play its leadership role, the African Union must be a model of good governance. I am passionate about the idea of contributing to the implementation of this noble road map. Motivated by a spirit of reform and initiative, I will work to enrich the commission with all proposals in view of transforming it into a veritable breeding ground of ideas and actions, liable to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063. I know full well that the success of this agenda is no small matter as it requires a real organisation for the execution of a fifty-year plan and for fifty four different States. The challenges to be met for the success of this Agenda are many. What comes to mind, among others, is mastering statistics, the effective installation of an African architecture of peace, the endogenous financing of programs, the respective skills of the various State-level stakeholders, regional and continental, the implementation of instruments for monitoring, rectification and sanction and, finally, the collectivisation, at regional or continental level, of efforts in scientific research with a view to improving African competitiveness.

In the past, I was able to prove my struggle to promote and protect African dignity. For over 20 years, I work ceaselessly to ensure that the values of freedom, justice and equality are respected. The adoption of the African Union’s 2014-2017 strategic Plan establishes, as a priority, the promotion of human and peoples’ rights, peace and stability, democracy and good governance as the backbone of sustainable development and stable societies in Africa hence takes on its full meaning. My duty, our duty and our collective responsibilities are to perpetuate and deploy this strategic plan in perfect synergy and coordination, to extend the concretisation of African unity as a social, political and economic living space, the implementation of good governance for peace and stability, and globalisation, by preventing the marginalisation of the Continent within the framework of development that is sustainable and environment-friendly.

My ongoing efforts for, and permanent dedication to, the promotion of human rights and peoples’ rights on the continent, have strengthened my conviction that I would make an excellent spokesman for the execution of the major decisions made by the summits of the Heads of African States. My negotiation skills and tenacity resulted in the success of a number of major actions of which I am proud. As a member of the government delegation for ending the 4-year civil war in Djibouti, I contributed to the development, negotiation and the conclusion of the historical agreement called the ABAA agreement of 26 December 1994, that restored fraternity between the people of Djibouti and brought renewed peace and stability to the country. Moreover, I contributed to the development of two structural adjustment programs to restore the economic health of my country, notably at the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Planning, where I negotiated with the IMF and the World Bank with the aim of reducing poverty, thus allowing the Djibouti Republic to revive growth and good budgetary and economic governance.

As Vice-Chairman of the Commission in charge of the administrative and financial management of the AU, I drew on my experience, experience that taught me an invaluable truth: inertia is not king. An administration that is supposed to be competitive must evolve and adhere to an ongoing quest of modernity. The quality of its performance depends on the level of its technicity. The calling into question of its manner of serving and the plan for its organisation is the key to success. But to establish its credibility and inspire trust in others, an administration must prove efficient in its work and adhere to equally important values. It must opt for a good governance regime. And good governance requires the establishment or implementation of standards both rigorous and transparent, and rules offering more fluidity and traceability in their means of application. And this dual preoccupation will haunt me during the fulfilment of my duties which I will willingly place under the aegis of the cult of reporting and assessment. Hence, I will ensure that the Heads of State and Government are aware that their taxpayers’ money served honestly and efficiently the cause for which they were dedicated. I will do what it takes for each outcome to be assessed based on its objective and that each action undertaken remains true to the aims of Agenda 2063. No diversion of resources will be tolerated and hereafter any hindrance to the principles of good governance will be prohibited. Thus, it would be with great enthusiasm and dignity that I modestly participate in the realisation of the Pan-African dream and a just cause for which a number of our valorous brothers and sisters have been known to give up their lives. To this end, please accept the assurances of my highest esteem,

Yours respectfully,

Yacin Elmi Bouh