African Leaders Wrapped up First Summit of Newly-born African Union

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 10, 2002

African Leaders Wrapped up First Summit of Newly-born African Union

African leaders Wednesday wrapped up the first summit of the newly-born African Union (AU) after setting a new chart for the advance in African continent in the new century.

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African leaders Wednesday wrapped up the first summit of the newly-born African Union (AU) after setting a new chart for the advance in African continent in the new century.

The 52 heads of state and government and their representatives of African countries, who participated the two-day meeting, vowed at the end of the summit that they are determined to take a giant step forward to realize their dream of renaissance by launching second revolution of economic development.

Political observers said that the most important achievement of the summit is the successful replacement of the 39-year-old Organization of African Unity (OAU) by the AU with a new generation of African state leaders.

Another big achievement would be the shift in the continental policy from political struggle against imperialism, colonialism and apartheid system in the last century to peace, development, democracy and prosperity in the new century, they added.

As South African President Thabo Mbeki, the first chairman of the AU, said at a press conference held shortly after the closure of the summit, the first AU summit presented a clear objective of peace, security and development while the OAU did not achieve these goals.

Specialists said that the strategic decision taken by the African leaders at the summit will produce far-reaching political,economic and cultural impact upon the lives of more than 810 million Africans in the continent.

To achieve their dream of the new century, African leaders launched the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in abid to obtain an annual economic growth rate of seven percent in the continent in the next 15 years.

The African leaders have realized that the economic developmentneeds a peaceful environment. They come to understand that there can be no sustainable development without peace, security and stability.

Thus, the first task for the AU is to achieve unity, solidarity, cohesion, cooperation among peoples of Africa and African states.

Mbeki and other heads of state said that they are resolved to build all the institutions necessary to deepen political, economicand social integration of the African continent. They will also deepen the culture of collective action in Africa and in their relations with the rest of the world.

The second task is to develop new forms of partnerships at all levels and segments of the societies, between segments of their societies and their governments and between governments.

Mbeki said at the closing ceremony of the summit that the African leaders must mobilize all segments of civil society, including women, youth, labor and the private sector, to act together to maximize their impact and change the continent for thebetter, adding "people's expectations are high and we should not disappoint them."

As for the newly-born AU, he said "the AU is a new baby and it will grow to be a strong person. There must not be a moment for itto die. We African leaders should work together to produce decisions."

Although the birth of the AU has heightened the hope of the African people, AU's 53 member states are still challenged with many problems. There are arduous tasks ahead of the African leaders.

Mozambique President Joaquim Alberto Chissano reminded the African people in the grand celebration ceremony of the stern situation in the continent, saying that the African continent is currently faced with multiple problems, including underdevelopment,absolute poverty, conflicts, heavy external debts, refugees and displaced persons, poor infrastructure as well as the high level of HIV/AIDS infection, that affect negatively the welfare of its people.

As a matter of fact, he said, Africa remains the only region inthe world where poverty is rising, with 70 percent of poor people living in the rural areas who are more exposed to natural disasters, wars and conflicts.

Furthermore, they are the most affected by the scourge of disease, including malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, he added.

However, he spoke highly of the summit, saying "we now have a very clear vision of what we are going to do in the new century."

The OAU/AU summit was convened at three levels of experts, ministers and heads of state in South African eastern coastal cityof Durban on July 8-10.

Shortly after the launching of the AU, the African leaders approved the rules of procedure of four key AU organs, which include the Assembly, the Executive Council, the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Commission.

It also decided to set up the Peace and Security Council, whichwill be mandated to intervene in the affairs of member states of the AU to help stem wars, conflicts and other human right abuses.

The summit approved the Declaration of the Assembly of Heads ofState and Government on the African Union, proclaiming a decade of capacity building in Africa.

It also adopted Memorandum on the Establishment of One Single African Army and some decisions and declarations of the first session of the AU Assembly including the Durban Declaration.

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