A/RES/55/77 the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its seventy-second ordinary session, 6 Commending the First Ministerial Conference on Human Rights in Africa of the Organization of African Unity, held at Grand-Baie, Mauritius, from 12 to 16 April 1999, and recalling the attention paid to issues relevant to refugees and displaced persons in the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the Conference, Recalling the sixth Seminar on International Humanitarian Law, convened by the Organization of African Unity and the International Committee of the Red Cross at Addis Ababa on 15 and 16 May 2000, and noting the endorsement of the recommendations of the Seminar by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its seventy-second ordinary session,6 Recognizing the contributions made by African States to the development of regional standards for the protection of refugees and returnees, and noting with appreciation that countries of asylum are hosting refugees in a humanitarian spirit and in a spirit of African solidarity and brotherhood, Recognizing also the need for States to address resolutely the root causes of forced displacement and to create conditions that facilitate durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons, and stressing in this regard the need for States to foster peace, stability and prosperity throughout the African continent, Convinced of the need to strengthen the capacity of States to provide assistance and protection for refugees, returnees and displaced persons and of the need for the international community, within the context of burden-sharing, to increase its material, financial and technical assistance to the countries affected by refugees, returnees and displaced persons, Acknowledging with appreciation that some assistance is already rendered by the international community to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and host countries in Africa, Noting with great concern that, despite all the efforts deployed so far by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and others, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa, especially in the West African and Great Lakes regions and in the Horn of Africa, remains precarious, Stressing that the provision of relief and assistance to African refugees by the international community should be on an equitable, non-discriminatory basis, Considering that, among refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, women and children are the majority of the population affected by conflict and bear the brunt of atrocities and other consequences of conflict, 1. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General 7 and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 8 2. Notes with concern that the declining socio-economic situation, compounded by political instability, internal strife, human rights violations and natural disasters, has led to increased numbers of refugees and displaced persons in some countries of Africa, and remains particularly concerned about the impact of 6 Ibid., decision CM/Dec.531 (LXXII), para. 8. A/55/471. 8 Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/55/12). 7 2