The 14th Summit of the Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) has today opened at the Africa Union headquarters in Addis Ababa with a commendation by the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union H.E Jean Ping to Uganda for her peace keeping role in war torn Somalia. Mr. Ping singled out Burundi and Uganda for their commitment to peace in Somalia describing the men and women there as having commendable courage. He appealed to the AU member states to contribute further by sending troops to support the 5,500 that are now in Somalia to protect that country’s institutions, which have not existed for the past 20 years. “We have been abandoned by one and all for now, AU is acting alone. I appeal to member states to support UNISOM,” he said. He expressed concern at the persistence of conflicts and return of coup d’etats, as they affect stability on the continent. Ping reminded heads of state and delegates about the African Cup which is taking place in Angola and the FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament to be held in South Africa in June and July this year and condemned the attacks on the Togolese national soccer team and announced that a special account for Haiti has been launched with the African Development Bank to support the victims of the earthquake in the Caribbean country. 

He appreciated the resolve by Africa to speak with one voice on common challenges like climate change, poverty and security adding that this is venture to effect a positive change in the continent.

President Museveni is one of the leaders attending the summit being held under the theme “Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Prospects and Challenges for Development”. He is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sam Kutesa and that of ICT Mr. Aggrey Awori.

Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon who reaffirmed the United Nations’ special relationship with the Africa Union, saying Africa’s future is one of his top priorities and that they come together to build peace and prosperity for all Africans; gather in solidarity and sorrow, he said, referring to the tragedy of Haiti and that of the Ethiopian plane crash in recent times.

 

Mr. Ban Ki Moon elaborated on various challenges facing the continent including that of tackling extreme poverty, promoting development, saving the planet from catastrophic climate change and focusing on the priorities and needs of Africa but added while they have made great strides towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), there is not much time to the 2015 deadline with issues like the global recession, energy crisis, food insecurity, climate change making development more difficult and yet more urgent.

The Secretary General called on the African leaders to strengthen the International Criminal Court (ICC), the foundation stone of our system of international justice.

“It is there to support the common values of the African Union and the United Nations. Peace cannot be sustained without justice. Our challenges are linked, our solutions must be as well,” he said.

The President of Spain, Mr. Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapattero, who is a special guest at the summit called for the strengthening of the African Union saying it has guaranteed advancement in democracy, peace and freedoms on the African continent. He also called for the strengthening of the political and social pluralism.

“We will be next to Africa, we are with Africa…,” President Zapattero, who is also the president of the European Union (EU) said.

Traditional leaders have their say….

The AU meeting in Addis Ababa was, for the first time, addressed by a traditional leader of the Kings Forum, Tchiffi Zif Jean Gervais, from the Ivory Coast who clarified that the traditional leaders are not a political tool but are there to intervene where there is conflict to try and avoid chaos by asking their children to avoid conflict.

“I commend the leader of Uganda for his support and he has also pledged to come up with an African dictionary to help Africans speak with one voice. He is a great leader indeed,” he said. 

He said traditional leaders are there to cause social cohesion and focus, given the continent’s diverse cultural background. 

“Politicians cannot change our lives. They have destroyed us. We need our independence. We need to be united and strong, take your responsibility in your own hands. It’s time to unite and question the West and its influence on Africa. We are at your disposal and by your side to help you,” he said.

He thanked President Muammar el Gaddafi of Libya, who is also the outgoing Chairman of the AU, for his support towards traditional leaders and for recognizing their role in African society. He also praised President Museveni for his support towards this institution in Uganda and for his cooperation.

The AU outgoing Chairman Brother Leader Muammar Gaddafi said he was happy that the role of traditional leaders and that of heads of state has been clarified.

“I’m happy that our brother Museveni changed his mind once he met them and has now become an honorary king,” he said.

Happy moments…..

The highlights of the official opening ceremony including the launching of the new African Union Flag by Libyan leader Gaddafi accompanied by heads of state and government and their delegations as well as the inauguration of the ICT exhibition.

Later, Malawi’s President, Mr. Bingu wa Mutharika, assumed the Chairmanship of the African Union. Bingu wa Mutharika succeeds Libya's Muammar Gaddafi. African leaders unanimously chose Malawi’s President to succeed him. The Chairmanship is usually decided on a regional, rotating basis and this year was the turn of Southern Africa.

Gaddafi used his farewell speech to again urge African leaders to begin the process of political unification.

“The world’s engine is turning into 7 or 10 countries and we are not aware of that,” Gaddafi said. “The EU is becoming one country and we are not aware of it. We have to get united to be united. Let’s be united today,” he said.