AFRICAN UNION NON-AGGRESSION AND COMMON DEFENCE PACT | PREAMBLE | We, the Heads of State of the African Union; | | CONSCIOUS of the gravity of the impact of conflicts both within and among African States, on peace, security and stability in the Continent, and their devastating impact on socio-economic development; | and Government of the Member States COMMITTED to our common vision of a united and strong Africa, based on respect for the principles of peaceful co-existence, nonaggression, non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States, mutual respect for individual sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State; | DETERMINED to put an end to conflicts of any kind within and among States in Africa, in order to create propitious conditions for socio-economic development and integration of the Continent, as well as the fulfilment of the aspirations of our peoples; REAFFIRMING that appropriate development institutions and promotion of a strong democratic culture through organization of honest and regular elections, respect for human rights and the rule of law, combating corruption and impunity and formulation of sustainable development policies are vital to collective security, peace and stability; CONSIDERING | Treaty the Establishing Constitutive the African Charter of the United Nations; Act of the Economic African Union, Community and the the CONSIDERING ALSO the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union adopted in Durban, South Africa, on 10 July 2002, particularly its Article 7(h) on the implementation of the Common Defence Policy of the Union;