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ensuring the involvement of young people in the developmental agenda of their countries.

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 AAYCSTATUTE2015

NAME AND PURPOSE

Article 1: Name and character:
1) The organization shall be known as African & Arab Youth Council or Afro-Arab Youth Council,
with the acronym AAYC. It is a body corporate with power to sue or be sued in its
independent capacity
2) The AAYC will be the Inter-Continental Platform for youth and Youth Organizations of Africa
and the Arab World.

Article 2: The symbols of the Arab-African Youth Council:

2.1 The Emblem of the Afro-Arab Youth Council;
The emblem of the Afro-Arab Youth Council is the Map of Africa and the Arab World. It has a yellow
background, supported by an Arc and four Youth all crossed by a vertically centered torch. The flame
is red and the black handle, under which are the acronym and the motto with a green branch arising
from the country of the headquarters
2.2The flag of the Afro-Arab Youth Council;
The flag is the representation of the emblem on cloth or appropriate material.
2.3 The motto of the Afro-Arab Youth Council;
The motto of the Afro-Arab Youth Council is: UNITY, PEACE and DEVELOPMENT
2.4 The anthem of the Afro-Arab Youth Council.
1) The AAYC shall compose its Anthem(s)
2) The anthems of the African Union and the Arab League shall be acceptable anthems of the
AAYC.

Article 3: Goals of the AAYC:

1) The Afro-Arab Youth Council “AAYC” works for the realization of the ideals and strategies of
the African Union (AU) and the Arab League, including Peace, Democracy, Human Rights,
Unity, Solidarity, Sustainable Development, Globalization of African Arab World.
2) AAYC plays the role of specialized agency in the field of youth with the African Union and the
Arab League and shall enjoy consultative status.
3) The AAYC shall enjoy consultative, observer or other status with the AU, AL and UN as the
case maybe.

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Article 4: Objectives of the Council:

1. To sensitize, inform, mobilize young people, to supervise, promote, stimulate and coordinate
the activities of African and Arab Youth as part of its participation in the economic, social and
cultural development of the world Arab and African.
2. To contribute to the development, deepening and consolidation of the democratic process in
Africa and the Arab world.
3. To ensure the proper application of the principles contained in the African Youth Charter as well
as other instruments developed by the African Union and the Arab League, particularly those in
favour of youth;
4. To work towards the realization and fulfilment of the goals and aspirations of African and Arab
youth;
5. To act as interlocutor with the Regional Economic Communities, the African Union Commission,
the Arab League and the United Nations Agencies as well as other partners on issues related to
African and Arab Youth.
6. To support data collection processes related to youth issues at the national, international and
continental levels for the promotion of youth issues and interests.
7. To serve as a legitimate representative and communication link of youth organizations at the
regional, continental and international levels.
8. To create synergies between African and Arab Youth Organizations for the promotion and
popularization of the African youth Charter and the Arab Youth Charter;
9. To participate, in connection with the Member States, the Regional Economic Communities, the
African Union Commission, the Arab League, the United Nations Agencies and other
International Organizations, in the formulation, implementation monitoring and evaluation of
national youth policies in the member states of the African Union and the Arab League;
10. To re-energize and develop the partnership with National, Regional, Continental and
International NGOs as well as with African and Arab civil society in general in accordance with
the principles of the AAYC.
11. Strengthen, diversify and consolidate partnership and international cooperation within the
youth associations and institutions working for youth.
12. Work with existing youth and other international organisations to fight poverty, ignorance
diseases as major problems hindering the progress of the African and Arab youth.
13. Promote unity of the youth and people of the African and Arab world through the natural
historical and cultural linkages between African and Arab world.
14. Promote exchange of opportunity between youth of member countries for business,
employment and investment in order to attract benefit of the youth of African and Arab world.

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15. Create platforms and alliances from regular intervention, meetings, discussions for the youth of
member countries to be able to appreciate the opportunities.
16. Promote exchange of study and scholarly opportunities for youth of member countries for
different institutions of higher learning.
17. Address the issue of immigration and the root cause of displacements, refugees, homelessness
with the help of national and international organisations and governments.
18. Play a role in the diplomatic sphere ability to bring issues of young people to the discussion tables
of the international organisation such as AU, Arab league, UN, ECOWAS, etc.

LOCATION
Article 5: Head Quarters and Secretariat.
1. The permanent headquarters of the Afro-Arab Youth Council “AAYC” shall be
located in Uganda
2. The headquarters can be transferred to any other place in Africa or the Arab
world by decision of 2/3 members of the AAYC General Assembly.
3. A protocol of headquarters hosting agreement shall be signed between the
host country and the Afro-Arab Youth Council.
4. Different member countries may have AAYC offices / secretariates separately
or under the youth organisation office of the host country but all will be subject
to the headquarters.

MEMBERSHIP - RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Article 6: Membership
The membership of the Afro-Arab Youth Council shall be divided into; Full, Associate
and Honorary membership.

6.1 Full membership.

This shall be enjoyed by;
1. National youth Platforms, movements, associations, Federations, councils,
unions and the likes in different member states, where they are official
organisations in charge of youth.
2. Youth non-governmental organisations recognised in member countries.
3. Full membership shall be enjoyed after the organisation has fully paid up
membership and other relevant fees.
4. The AAYC coordination mechanism of the country hosting the headquarters

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6.2 Associate Membership

This shall be enjoyed by;
1. Ministries responsible for youth in member countries.
2. State / government structures other than ministries doing youth work in member countries.
3. Each Member State will have only one Associate Member.
4. Regional and international youth organisations whose objectives are similar to those of
AAYC, and have membership in AAYC member countries.
6.3 Honorary Members
This shall be enjoyed by;
1. International Organizations engaged in youth work in at least 10 African countries or 5 Arab
countries.
2. Organisations such as African Union, Arab League and United Nations and other similar
organisations.
3. All organisations where the AAYC may have membership as observer or affiliate or other such
membership.
4. Former president of AAYC, Secretary General and patron are honorary members of AAYC.

Article 7: How to be a member of AAYC

1. Youth organisations or Organisations wishing to join the AAYC must first recognize it and
comply with its objectives.
2. Any intended member shall then send an Application for Membership to the General
Secretariat of the AAYC, together with the necessary justifications (Accreditation, Status and
Program of Action), in a form set out in these statutes.
3. The secretariat shall vet such an application for the suitability of the applicant to be a
member of the AAYC
4. In vetting applications for membership, the secretariat may among others solicit
recommendation from AAYC members familiar with the applicant including the government
hosting the applicant
5. A report shall be drafted by the secretariat to the General Council with a comment on
whether the applicant qualifies or not
6. The General Council shall make a final recommendation to the General Assembly regarding
the membership of the applicant.
7. The General Assembly may be moved by the executive to award honorary membership to
any qualifying individual or organizations.

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Article 8: RIGHTS
1. The full members of the Afro-Arab Youth Council shall have the right to elect and be elected in
the bodies and organs of the AAYC.
2. Honorary Members have the right to participate in the activities discussions and programs of
the Council without the right to vote or be voted.
3. Honorary members are more advisory and they are selected to carry the AAYC flag high.
4. The Patron in exercising his/her duties may rely on the advisory board composed of honorary
member.
5. Associate Members have the right to participate in the activities and programs of the Council
without the right to vote
6. Only the members who are paid up-to-date of their statutory obligations have the right to vote
or be voted in the bodies and organs of the AAYC.

C – DUTIES
All members of the AAYC have the duty to;
1. Participate in its activities, development and outreach.

2. Regularly pay their statutory contributions.

3. Develop and reinforce cohesion and unity of action with in AAYC.

4. Communicate to the General Secretariat of the AAYC any change affecting their
organic statutes.
5. Promote the cultural, historical, economic ties that bond the members of the
AAYC.

STRUCTURES AND ORGANS OF THE AFRO-ARAB YOUTH

COUNCIL
Article 10: Structures and Organs.
In exercise of its mandate and performance of its duties the Afro-Arab Youth
Council shall have the following organs.
1. The General Assembly
2. The General Council
3. The Executive Committee
4. The Secretariat
5. The Audit and Disciplinary Committee
6. The Patron
7. The regional Coordinators

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10.1 The General Assembly

1. The General Assembly is the highest authority of the Afro-Arab Youth Council. It
is the General Assembly of all the Members of the Afro-Arab Youth Council.
2. Every member country or organisation shall nominate three members
(including a female) to the General Assembly.
3. Honorary and Associate members of the AAYC may be invited to the General
Assembly for particular roles.
4. Other than full members of the General Assembly, other members participating in the
General Assembly will play a largely guidance and advisory role.
5. The Representatives of the African Union, the Arab League, United Nations, Eminent
Personalities, Resource Persons, Experts, Friendly Youth Organizations, Organizations of the
United Nations System may be invited to the General Assembly by the president AAYC.
10.1.1 Functions of the General Assembly
The General Assembly is responsible for:
1. The definition of the general policy and the Program of Action of the AAYC.
2. Examination and approval of the Reports of the Executive Committee and the Audit and
Discipline Committee and take necessary action.
3. Ratification of membership, suspension or exclusion of Members.
4. The approval or amendment of the statutory documents of the AAYC.
5. The decision on location of the Headquarters.
6. Approval of the 8 regional coordinators to the executive.
7. Approval of the budget and resource mobilization strategies of the council.
8. The election of the Executive Committee.
9. Approval of the strategic plan.
10. The confirmation of the structure of the Secretariat of the AAYC.
11. Consideration of any other matters necessary for the proper functioning and achievement of the
objectives of AAYC.
10.1.2 Meetings of General Assembly
1. The General Assembly shall meet once (01) every two (02) years in Ordinary Session.
2. The General assembly can meet in Extraordinary Session at the request 2/3 majority of its
Members, or at the request of 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee.
3. The General Assembly takes decisions by simple majority, and the president has the casting vote.

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10.1.3 Convening of the General assembly

1. The General assembly shall be convened by the Secretary General in liaison with the
President of the AAYC, and in consultation with the Patron of the AAYC.
2. The invitation for the General Assembly shall always specify the purpose for which
it is convened.
3. Invitations to the General Assembly and working papers must reach participants at
least thirty (30) days before the meeting.
4. Invitations shall include details of the venue of the General Assembly chosen
in consultation with the host Country and or venue shall be the headquarters.
5. A General Assembly convened to consider
i. A decision on the transfer of the Headquarters,
ii. The dissolution of the Organization and
iii. Changes to the Statutes, shall only be called with support from 2/3 of
the membership of the AAYC, and the decision taken by the two-thirds
majority of the of the members present.
10.2 THE GENERAL COUNCIL
10.2.1 Composition of the General Council consists of the following members:
1. Members of the Executive Committee
2. Members of the Audit and the disciplinary committee
3. Regional coordinators
4. Members of the Advisory Committee
10.2.2 Meetings of the General Council.
1. General Council holds its first meeting during the session of the General
Assembly.
2. General Council holds its regular meetings at the headquarters of the Council
and can hold the meeting in a Member State with the consent of the President
and the Secretary-General, in consultation with the members of the Executive
Committee and
3. Takes decisions by consensus or by simple majority (50 +1) in case of a vote.
4. President of the Arab and African youth Council in the case of a tie shall give a
tilting vote

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10.2.3 Functions of the General Council.

1. Following up the implementation of the decisions and directives of the
General Assembly
2. Approve various annual activities and work plans on the proposal of the
Executive Committee.
3. Endorses the projects, programs and plans established annually.
4. Approval of the annual budget.
5. Sets subscription and membership fees.
6. Consider applications to host the Festival of Arab and African youth.

10.2.4 Proceedings of General Assembly.

1. The General Assembly shall be chaired by the President of the AAYC in whose
absence the Vice President preside as chair
2. All matters to be presented in the General Assembly shall be raised through the
chair and be given fair discussions.
3. In the General Assembly, appoint of order, point of information, point of
procedure, point of clarification and point of privilege shall be used as defined in
their statutes.
4. Decisions of the General Assembly shall always be arrived at through consensus,
but in case consensus is not possible to generate, then the General Assembly
shall have the casting vote.
5. A decision to change headquarters shall be taken in a General Assembly where
2/3 of the membership home attended and 2/3 of those attending support the
motion to shift the headquarters.
6. The chair of the General Assembly shall always have the casting vote.
7. A decision to change headquarters shall be taken in a General Assembly where
2/3 of the membership home attended and 2/3 of those attending support the
motion to shift the headquarters
8. For a decision in (v) above, the patron’s authority shall be sought first before
the 2/3 majority of attendants.
9. Decision in (iv) not with-standing a decision to amend those statutes shall be
taken by 2/3 majority of attendants.

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10. Formal, cultural, decent language shall be used in the deliberations with
mutual respect between the members.
11. Deliberations shall take into account political relations and sensitivities of the
issues being viewed.
10.2.5 Proceedings of the General Council
Proceedings of the General Council shall be similar to those of the General Assembly.
10.3.0 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
10.3.1 Composition of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the AAYC is composed of Eleven (11) Members:
1. The President
2. The Secretary General: (From the Headquarters hosting country)
3. The Deputy Secretary General: (Non- National but Resident)
4. Two Vice Presidents
5. Eight Regional Coordinators for;
i. North Africa
ii. West African
iii. Central Africa
iv. Southern African
v. Eastern Africa
vi. Gulf and Yemen
vii. Arab (Middle East)
viii. And Diaspora
6. The positions of president and two vice presidents shall be shared between the
three language blocks i.e. Arabic, French and English.

10.3.2 Functions of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee has the following functions:
1. The implementation and monitoring of the Program of Action of the Afro-Arab Youth Council
between two General Assemblies.
2. Receiving and approving reports from the secretariat.

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3. The sanction of the Secretariat Reports.

4. The adoption of the By-Laws of the AAYC.
5. The adoption of the budget of the AAYC and the fixing of the statutory contributions and any
other contributions that it deems necessary.
6. The election of the Audit and Discipline Committee responsible for the verification of the
accounts of the AAYC.
7. The replacement of an elected Member absent for more than three months without just
cause.
8. In case of incapacity of the Secretary General the executive will meet to nominate an interim
Secretary General until the General assembly.
9. The President and the Secretary General form the official spokesperson of the AAYC and
represent it.
10. In liaison with the Secretariat, manage, supervise and monitor the day -to-day activities of the
Secretariat.
11. Officially represent and speak for the AAYC in different regional and international forums.
12. Do anything deemed necessary to represent the AAYC at any time

10.3.3 Meetings of the Executive Committee.

1. The Executive Committee meets four (04) times a year in Ordinary Session.
2. The Executive Committee Meetings in Ordinary are convened by the Secretary General, in
liaison with the President.
3. The Executive Committee may meet in an Extraordinary Session convened by the President
with support of a simple majority of its Members.
4. The Executive Committee adopts its decisions by consensus.
5. In the event of a vote, decisions are taken by a simple majority of its voting Members up to
date of their contributions.

10.4.0 THE GENERAL SECRETARIAT

10.4.1 The secretariat is a permanent administrative organ of the AAYC. Responsible for the day to
day running of the affairs of the AAYC and shall be kept up to date in the structuring of the
organisation.
10.4.2 It is headed by the Secretary General nominated by the host country and approved by the
General Assembly.

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10.4.3 Functions of The General Secretariat.

1. Implementation of the decisions of the executive committee, the General Council, and the
General Assembly.
2. The Secretariat shall act as coordinator of all activities of Member Organizations and Regional
Organizations.
3. It is responsible for diversifying, developing and strengthening the partnership for the promotion
of projects initiated by young people. It has the following specific attributions
4. The implementation of the Program of Action adopted by the General Assembly as well as the
recommendations of the Executive Committee;
5. Strengthening collaboration with Members to participate in the implementation of the decisions
of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee;
6. Shall be responsible for the safe custody of the emblem, sieve, and all property of the AAYC in
the host country.
7. It is also in charge of the management and preservation of the heritage of the AAYC, as well as
the secretariat’s daily work.
8. The financial management of the AAYC as well as the maintenance of sound accounting;
9. The practical accomplishment of the tasks arising from its responsibilities such as the
preparation of the Meetings of the bodies and organs of the AAYC, the design and publication
of information on the AAYC, its members and their activities, the design and production of all
support materials.
10.4.4 The Staff Of The General Secretariat
1. The secretariat shall be headed by the Secretary General and shall have such a number of staff
as may be required for the implementation of the mandate of AAYC and approved by the
General Council.
2. The staff of the secretariat shall include the Deputy Secretary General elected by the General
Assembly and not a national of the Headquarters hosting country.
3. The staff at the secretariat shall be well qualified in different fields relevant to achieving the
objectives of the AAYC.
4. The staff of the Secretariat shall be paid salaries and allowances as may be determined by the
executive committee in liaison with the Patron or custodian of the AAYC as the case maybe.
5. The staff of the Secretariat shall serve the following contractual terms renewable on
performance.
1. Secretary General 5 years
2. Deputy Secretary General 3 years
3. Other staff 2 years

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4. The above terms maybe modified depending on the circumstances of the employment
and the laws of the host country.
5. Similar terms maybe adopted for staff at the regional coordinator offices.

10.5.0 The Audit and Discipline Committee

The Audit and Discipline Committee is the body responsible for auditing the accounts and
maintaining discipline within the AAYC. It is composed of 7 members thus distributed:
1. Full Members 2
2. Associate Members 2
3. Honorary Member 1
4. And two members selected by the president.

10.6.1 The Patron of the AAYC

There shall be a patron for the AAYC selected from among the heads of state of the AAYC member
countries.

10.6.1 (a) Functions of the Patron

The Patron shall;
1. Be responsible for the functioning of the Headquarters and support the secretariat to perform
its duties.
2. Offer regular guidance and advice in to the AAYC leadership in the performance of their duties.
3. Be the chief fundraiser of the AAYC and guide to possible source of funds for the council.
4. Hold regular meetings with the executive committee of the AAYC to follow the performance of
their roles.
5. Consent to the countries selected to host the AAYC bi-annual festivals.
6. Consent to the country selected to host the headquarters and or secretariat in case of change
of headquarters location.
7. Chair of the advisory board composed of fellow heads of state of AAYC member countries and
other eminent persons nominated by the AAYC executive committee.
8. Do any other thing deemed necessary for the furtherance of the AAYC agenda.

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10.6.2 The Custodian of the AAYC

There shall be the office of the custodian of the AAYC who shall be the Head of state of the AAYC
member country hosting the Office of the Regional coordinator of the AAYC in that particular region.

10.6.2 (a) Functions of the Custodian

1. Be responsible for the secretariat and support the secretariat to perform its duties.
2. Offer regular guidance and advice to the AAYC leadership in the performance of their duties.
3. Be the lead fundraiser of the AAYC and guide to possible source of funds for the council.
4. Hold regular meetings with the executive committee of the AAYC to follow the performance of
their roles.
5. Be a member of the AAYC advisory board comprised of fellow heads of state to plan for and
guide the operations and future of the AAYC.
6. Do any other thing deemed necessary for the furtherance of the AAYC agenda.
10.6.3 Co-Patron and Co-Custodian
10.6.3 (a) Co-Patron
1. There shall be a co-patron selected by the patron and the AAYC executive committee to
support the work of the AAYC interchangeably between the African and Arab world.
2. The co-patron shall be qualified to be patron and shall play the same roles as the patron.
10.6.3 (b) Co-Custodian
1. There shall be a co-custodian selected by the patron, custodian and AAYC executive
committee in the same region as the custodian to support the work of the AAYC in that
region.
2. The co-custodian shall be qualified to be custodian and shall play the same roles as the
custodian.
10.7.0 REGIONAL COORDINATORS
1. The Regional Coordinators are decentralized Structures of the AAYC.
2. They are composed of Platforms of national coordination of the Youth of the Countries in that
particular Region.
3. They are effective relays for decentralizing the work of the AAYC and its influence.
4. The Regional Coordinators are semi-autonomous, and can establish their own offices, operated
with the authority of the Headquarters and executive committee, while liaising with the
Secretary General.

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10.7.1 The Regional Coordinators have the following functions:

1. Maintaining contact between the General Secretariat and the Member Organizations.
2. The follow-up of proposals, recommendations and decisions of the General Assembly and the
Executive Committee, in close collaboration with the General Secretariat.
3. Receive and disseminate regular information from the General Secretariat of the AAYC on the
activities, initiatives, concerns and proposals of the Member Organizations.
4. The promotion of the partnership with the regional thematic organizations of Youth.
5. The International Representation of the AAYC to the States of the said Region.

Article 11: RESOURCES

The resources of the AAYC are constituted by:
1. Grants from the African Union and the Arab League for Youth.
2. The statutory contributions of its Members. The amount of the contributions will be fixed by
the Internal Regulations of the AAYC.
3. Voluntary contributions by its Members.
4. Donations, legacies, voluntary subscriptions and other subsidies from African, Arab and
International States, Organizations and or Organizations whose objectives are compatible with
those of the AAYC.
5. Proceeds from events organized by AAYC or its Members.
6. Resources from the provision of services of the AAYC in the execution of projects and programs
initiated by NGOs, Agencies and Specialized Agencies.
7. Resources from the co-management of micro-enterprises and youth projects in partnership with
the AAYC.
8. Donations from Heads of state and governments.
9. No contribution paid may be withdrawn except payment due.
10. The Secretary General of the AAYC is the Authorizing Officer of Finance/principal signatory to
all accounts

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Article 12: AAYC AWARDS OF HONOUR

There is established within the AAYC a merit procedure for awards and distinctions
including
12.1 The AAYC honor of excellence award.
12.2 The AAYC honor of Peace award
12.3 The AAYC honor of merit award
12.4 The AAYC signature award.
12.5 These awards maybe renamed in consultation with the patron
12.6 The procedure setup by AAYC shall be followed in selecting the candidates these
awards of awarding the various distinctions shall be decided by the Executive
Committee

Article 13 DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

The non-observance of the spirit of the Statutes of the AAYC or its Rules of Procedure
shall be liable for disciplinary action.
1. All the disciplinary procedures of the AAYC shall be handled through the audit
and disciplinary committee except for the appeal to the president and executive.
2. Choice of disciplinary action for elected leaders of AAYC may range from
dismissal and replacement, Caution, restraint, Temporary Suspension in
accordance with the AAYC’s By-Laws, Activity Exclusion/omission, Complete
expulsion depending on the gravity of the case.
3. Disciplinary measures for the staff of the AAYC shall be detailed in the staff HR
manual.

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MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Article 14 Working Languages

The official working languages of the Afro-Arab Youth Council “AAYC” are Arabic,
English, and French.

Article 15: Interpretations and Amendments

Any dispute or difference of interpretation arising in the application of these Statutes
shall be settled by negotiation by the General Secretariat or by the Executive
Committee or by the Congress.
15.1 These Statutes shall be supplemented by the Rules of Procedure of the Afro-
Arab Youth Council “AAYC”.

Article 16: Modification of the Statutes

The Statutes can only be modified by the General Assembly on proposal of the Executive
Committee or at the request of a simple majority of the members of the Executive
Committee. The amendment text must be communicated to all Members thirty (30)
days prior to the General Assembly meeting.

Article 17: Dissolution

The Afro-Arab Youth Council “AAYC” is constituted for an unlimited duration. It can only
be dissolved by a favorable vote of ¾ (three quarters) of its Members in General
assembly. In the event of dissolution, the Congress decides on the allocation of its
patrimony and rules on its engagements.

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