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AU Authority for a Stronger Africa says Ghaddafi
The 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union ended on Friday 3 July 2009, in the Ouagadougou Conference Center in Sirte, Libya and for three days, (1st to 3rd July 2009), the African Union Heads of States brainstormed on a number of issues under the chairmanship of Leader Mouammar Ghaddafi, Leader of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union(AU) topmost of which was the agreement for the establishment of the African Union Authority (AUA) from the present African Union Commission (AUC).
Speaking while chairing the closing ceremony of the 13th AU Summit in the presence notably of Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, AU Commissioners and representatives of AU organs and regional offices, AU Leader Ghaddafi expressed satisfaction with regard to the outcome of the Summit which he said is another milestone for a united and stronger Africa, particularly with the hot debate that successfully culminated in a consensus to establish the African Union Authority to replace the African Union Commission.
He kindly paid tribute to the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in “recognition of the vital role they collectively and individually played in Africa’s liberation” he noted.
The AU Leader, however commended his peers, i.e. African Heads of State and Government for their responsibility and readiness to work for the African people by accepting during this Summit, to accelerate the transition process from the African Union Commission to the AU Authority which he said will bring stability in Africa as Africa will be speaking with one voice, defending common positions in international negotiations and contributing to the global economy.
The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma who spoke on behalf of his collegue Heads of States, expressed appreciation to what he described as highly demonstrated spirit of unity during the Summit. “We will never betray the course of African advancement and African Unity”, he said, adding that Africa has to face the many challenges in its way through the collective powers of all the AU Member States.
President Zuma explained that, the theme of the Summit took the continent a step forward in finding a suitable solution for poverty eradication.
He further reiterated the commitment of African leaders to consolidate peace and avoid conflict in their respective regions by resorting to peaceful talks between parties. “Let us reflect on conflict situations in the continent as there is no development without peace”, he emphasised. |
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