The Conference of Presidents
The President-in-Office
The Executive Secretariat
A- The Conference of Presidents
1 - Composition
The Conference of Presidents is the supreme body of RIARC. It enjoys full powers enabling it to achieve its objectives.
It is composed of the Presidents of the RIARC member institutions.
If one of the Presidents of a member institution cannot attend the meeting, they may appoint a member of their institution to represent them.
2 - Sessions
The Conference of Presidents meets every two years in ordinary session, convened by the Chairperson in the country designated by the previous session of the Conference of Presidents. However, the venue may be changed by the Chairperson in exceptional circumstances, after consultation with their peers.
Notices of meetings must be sent to the Chairpersons of the Member Bodies at least ninety (90) days before the date of the session.
A thematic symposium may be organized alongside the Conference of Presidents in ordinary session.
The Conference of Presidents may also meet in extraordinary session, convened by its Chairperson or at the request of an absolute majority of the Member Bodies.
Introductory reports for the discussions are sent to the Chairpersons of the Member Bodies no later than thirty (30) days before the session.
3 - Responsibilities
The Conference of Presidents:
- Discusses all matters relating to its objectives and resources proposed by the current President in conjunction with the Executive Secretary, as well as any other matters submitted by at least one-third of the member bodies, no later than thirty (30) days before the session;
- Adopts the biennial program of activities of the Network of African Communication Regulatory Bodies;
- Reviews the President's activity report and the Executive Secretary's financial report;
- Sets the amount of membership fees and other contributions from member bodies to the operation of the statutory bodies;
- Adopts a biennial budget forecast;
- Decides on the admission of new members and acknowledges withdrawals from RIARC.
The Conference of Presidents has sole authority to amend the Convention.
It adopts and amends the Rules of Procedure.
It examines any agreement concluded between RIARC and international organizations for ratification.
It decides on nominations for the Presidency of the Conference of Presidents.
To further its deliberations and studies on matters of concern, it appoints, as needed, one or more committees of experts. It decides on the reports of the committee(s) of experts.
4 - Adoption of decisions
Subject to the provisions of Articles 13, paragraph 2, and 14, paragraph 2, decisions are taken by consensus or by a simple majority vote. Each delegation has one vote.
B - The President in Office
The presidency of RIARC is held for a term of two (2) years by the President of a member body to whom it has been assigned by the Conference of Presidents (CIRCAF).
The President in Office:
- Ensures the implementation of the decisions of the Conference of Presidents, whose powers he exercises by delegation;
- Oversees the implementation of the recommendations issued and the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Presidents and, in this regard, takes any decision he deems necessary;
- Represents RIARC in all legal matters;
- Convenes the sessions of the Conference of Presidents, sets the draft agenda, and selects, in conjunction with the Executive Secretary, the topics for thematic colloquia.
The President in Office is responsible for the RIARC budget. He delegates his signature to the Executive Secretariat for routine administrative and management matters.
C- The Executive Secretariat
1 - Headquarters
The headquarters of the Executive Secretariat is located in Cotonou, Benin.
If circumstances require, it may be transferred to any other location by the Conference of Presidents voting by an absolute majority of its members.
The Executive Secretariat is provided by the RIARC Country Body.
The President of the RIARC Country Body serves as the Executive Secretary of RIARC.
2 - Responsibilities
The Executive Secretary, in conjunction with the current President, is responsible for:
1- The day-to-day administration and management of RIARC;
2- The implementation of decisions made by the Conference of Presidents;
3- The organization of sessions of the Conference of Presidents;
4- The creation of databases, the collection and processing of information and documentation, and their dissemination to member bodies;
5- Ensuring the proper receipt of this data by member bodies;
6- The publication of the RIARC newsletter.
By delegation from the current President, the Executive Secretary authorizes RIARC expenditures and oversees the collection of revenues.
He is authorized to manage the RIARC's bank accounts.
Each year, in conjunction with the current President, he prepares a separate financial statement and a projected budget for submission to the Conference of Presidents for review.
