AU Summit opens in Addis Ababa

From: George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Special Correspondent; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 31, GNA - The 14th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) on the theme: "Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Prospects and Challenges for Development" opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Jean Ping, Chairperson of AU Commission (AUC), condemned the engagement of African countries in wars, coup d'=E9tats and conflicts, saying that they had remained a perpetual setback to the growth of the Continent.

He said; "positive development on the Continent will remain fragile and elusive if member countries continue to engage in such negative and unprofitable practices".

Mr Ping said in this respect, the AU has adopted a firm attitude against coup d'=E9tats and called for vigilance in protecting the peace processesin Africa. He also appealed for vigilance against human and drug trafficking, and organised crime Mr Ping's account of the activities of the AUC was fashioned after the four pillars of the Commission - peace and security; development, integration and cooperation; shared values and institution and capacity building.

He gave an overview of the successes, challenges and setbacks that characterised 2009. The Chairperson noted that the situation on the Continent was mixed. There had been notable successes and also some challenges. Among the successes in peace and security, Mr Ping highlighted that t= he peace architecture was now operational. He noted the establishment of governments of national unity in Kenya and Zimbabwe during 2009. He applauded the move to democratic rule in Guinea, where elections are due to take place. In Somalia, Mr Ping noted a new dynamism towards peace. He also expres= sed gratitude to Burundi and Uganda for their commitment to peace by sending troops to Somalia. The Chairperson appealed to AU Member States to contribute further by sending troops to support the 5500 that are now in Somalia to protect its=

institutions, which have not existed for the past 20 years. He applauded the resumption of relations between Chad and Sudan. The Chairperson also recalled that 2010 was declared year of Peace and Security in Africa. Under the pillar of shared values, the Chairperson observed that legislative elections in some countries are consistent with values that h= ave been adopted by the African Union. He went further to report on the adoption of the African Convention fo= r Assistance and Protection of Displaced persons in December 2009, which wi= ll help protect displaced people. This is the first such instrument in the world. Under the pillar of development, cooperation and integration, Mr. Ping=

highlighted that Africa has consolidated its position with the G8 and G20=

and that the Commission has already started preparations for its participation in the upcoming meetings. There has also been a marked increase in interest in Africa among development partners and the international community. Other notable achievements under this pillar include the Afro-Arab cooperation. Chairperson Ping announced the Afro Arab summit to be held t= his year in Tripoli, Libya. AUC has also taken moves to strengthen the positi= on of Africa at the WTO and in other international forums. One of the key achievements of Africa in the last year was the fact th= at the continent spoke with one voice at the Copenhagen Summit, thereby maki= ng sure that its voice was heard. Mr Ping highlighted that concrete projects have been launched in infrastructure, energy, ICT, agriculture and education. The Inga dam in Central Africa, the Kafue Gorge in Southern Africa were given as examples= of satisfactory projects. In education, the Pan African University project is underway and this will help to attain the MDGs. In agricultural development, NEPAD and the Regional Economic Communities (RECS) have moved the CAADP compact forward= .. He reported that 13 states have so far signed up to the compact and he called upon other member states to do the same. The AUC has also made progress in driving the science, technology and information society; and in this regard, Mr. Ping gave the example of the=

telemedicine facility, which was inaugurated at the AU clinic on 28 Janua= ry through collaboration with the Indian government. Under shared values, Mr. Ping reported that architecture for good governance has been worked out for Africa. He reiterated that the AUC promotes shared values and is working in areas such as human rights, good=

governance, protection of refugees and displaced persons among others. Th= e Chairperson said the AU continues to promote gender equality through the Solemn Declaration on Gender and Equality in Africa and other instruments= .. The policy on gender is being translated into deeds, he added. Culture is also being promoted as a major axis of action for the AUC. The 2nd Pan African Congress held in 2009 was an opportunity to celebrate one= of Africa's sons, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkurumah, First President of the Republi= c of Ghana. With regard to civil society participation in Africa's development, Mr= .. Ping said it was being included through the work of the Economic Social a= nd Cultural Council (ECOSSOC), an organ of the AU. Under the institution and capacity building pillar, the Chairperson reported improvements in internal governance, human resources and financi= al management Mr Ping reminded the Heads of State and Government and other delegates= of two major events taking place in Africa this year - the African Cup, whic= h is taking place in Angola and the FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament to be held in South Africa in June and July. He condemned the attack on the Togolese national soccer team in which three people were killed as the team was on its way to the African Cup tournament. He also announced that many African countries had pledged support to t= he victims of the earthquake in Haiti, saying a special account for Haiti ha= s been launched with the African Development Bank. He extended his condolences to the UN and families of those UN members= , who perished in the disaster

The UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon in his speech thanked Africa for its assistance to Haiti. He also announced the creation of the MDG advocacy group composed of eminent persons from all walks of life, who would raise= awareness and emphasised Africa's MDG priorities.

He commended Africa for declaring the year of Peace and Security in Africa and pledged the UN's full support.

The Spanish President Mr Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapattero commended the A= U's search for peace, and its efforts to reduce conflict. He reiterated his country's firm commitment to peace and security and to the fight against human and drug trafficking. He said his country has greatly strengthened its cooperation with Africa and that a lot of that assistance had been channe= led to education, health and agricultural development. Delivering the Assembly's opening statement, Brother Leader Muammar El=

Gaddafi, Leader of the Libyan Revolution, Great Socialist People's Libyan=

Jamahiriya and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union, encouraged Afri= ca to unite and fight for its development as a single entity. President Gaddafi said speaking as one will help Africa to resolve man= y of its challenges. A minute silence was observed for the victims of the Ethiopian Airline=

that crashed off Beirut, Lebanon on January 25, 2010. Earlier the Ghanaian African Peer Review Panel of Eminent Persons (APR= M) Delegation, currently attending the APRM Summit in Addis Ababa, called on=

Vice President John Mahama, who is also in Addis Ababa for the Summit.