The forthcoming Banjul summit due to be held in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, early July could be a watershed in Africa, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said Friday.

"The summit could be a watershed because it will focus mainly on the rationalization of the regional economic communities (RECs) and harmonization of relationships between RECs and other organs," said Konare, when meeting Swaziland's ambassador to Ethiopia, Carlton Mthunzi Dhlamini, at the AU headquarters.

Dhlamini had come to present his credentials to Konare as his country's permanent representative to the pan-Africa body.

"The integration of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) will also be an important topic for discussion, as well as the different conflicts on the continent, particularly Darfur," said the AU boss.

"Other conflicts that may come under discussion include those in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cote d'Ivoire and Somalia."

Konare expressed the hope that after the Banjul Summit, some progress will be achieved in resolving them.

He told his guest that he expected Swaziland to continue making an important contribution in AU summits.

Source: Xinhua