President Kabbah Returns From African Union Summit

The President, Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, returned to Freetown Thursday 8th July, 2003 from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where he attended the Third Ordinary session of The Assembly Of the African Union.

The President was among over fifty heads of State, their representatives and heads of bilateral and multilateral organisations who graced this year's summit.

President Joaquin Chissano of the Republic of Mozambique, Chairperson of the 2nd Ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union in his statement paid tribute to African Leaders for establishing the African Union and strengthening it with new organs such as the Pan-African Parliament, the Peace and Security Council and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council.

He welcomed the consolidation of peace in Sierra Leone, demonstrated in the conduct of free, fair and peaceful democratic elections in the country and other recent political developments such as the holding of countrywide local government elections.

He noted that conflict situations still prevailed in parts of the Continent, adding that they constituted major obstacles to development and reiterated the need for Member States to contribute to the Peace fund.

The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, President Alpha Omar Konare, recounted successes recorded in managing conflicts on the Continent and in particular, called on Member States to support the Sudanese Government and the opposition to restore peace and security in Darfur.

He said the time has come for Africa to convince itself that it must go beyond poverty and produce wealth. But to change this strategy, he said, means drawing inspiration from the brilliant victories of our peoples in the great battles of the last century against colonisation and apartheid and also implementing a strategy of visibility, self-assertion and responsibility, which would require, as in the times past, strong unity. In this regard he said there was need to forge unfailing solidarity and to make a lot of sacrifice, and build new alliances with the peoples and governments of the world.
He spoke of the need to explore new ways of mobilising resources such as taxation and international financial transactions and taxation on arms sale.

Prof. Konare later presented the Union's strategic vision, which outlined strategies and programmes the union plans to undertake which would eventually lead to a One-Africa. Though some thought the vision was too ambitious, especially regarding the financial implications, many believed that with commitment it could be achievable.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, on his part, commended African Leaders for the role they played in stabilizing Liberia, Burundi and the Comoros, and their determination to bring about peace and security on the Continent.

He welcomed the establishment of the Peace and Security Council as a landmark effort for which the United Nations would continue to assist with information, training, expertise and resources so as to accelerate the process of putting in place the African Standby Force. He was, however, concerned about the persistence of deadly conflicts in Africa with particular reference to the situation in Darfur, in Western Sudan.

Mr Annan said the United Nations would fully support the African Union's efforts to address the root causes of the conflict to achieve a political settlement but was also greatly concerned by the recent upsurge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the continued instability in Cote d'Ivoire, and by the continued tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He spoke of the need for all to work together to fight poverty, disease, ignorance and lack of life-sustaining services which afflict the lives of millions every day.

The UN Secretary-General described the Peer Review Mechanism as a uniquely African approach to the challenges of African governance but that its promise will only be realized with the political will to make the mechanism work, as a tool to strengthen democratic governance throughout Africa.

Mr Annan was pleased to note that today, more African states have democratically-elected governments than ever before and that in many African countries, like Sierra Leone, new governments have come to power in multi-party elections with voters turning out in large numbers, reflecting their commitment to exercising their rights as citizens.

He pointed out that there "is no truer wisdom, and no clearer mark of statesmanship, than knowing when to pass the torch to a new generation"' and called on all to remember that constitutions are for the long term benefit of society, not the short term goals of the ruler.
"Democracy is not perfect, and democratisation is not easy. But the more accountable governments are, the more likely they are to be responsive to the needs of their people-whether that need is to prevent famine, fight poverty, or halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, Mr Annan told the gathering of African leaders.

He gave the assurance that the UN would support efforts to build the institutions of accountability and participation in each country and in the African Union itself, and would spare no effort to ensure that development partners keep their solemn promises-including those they made in the Millennium Declaration on trade, debt relief, and overseas development assistance.

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo was, after consultation by ambassadors of the AU, unanimously elected chairman of the assembly, with fourteen Vice Chairmen from different regions of the continent.
In receiving the symbol of authority from outgoing chairman, President Chissano of Mozambique, President Obasanjo said Nigeria was highly honoured to be given the chair of the assembly and promised to discharge his duties with utmost commitment and diligence.
He said Nigeria would strive at all times to promote unity and solidarity and Africa's independence, and solicited the support of member countries to promote sustainable development. He said political stability and peace are necessary conditions for socio-economic development. He said therefore that they must strive to address conflicts in the region. President Obasanjo also promised to work to strengthen Africa's relationship with the rest of the world.

He thanked the government of Mozambique for its sustained interest in the Union and paid tribute to President Alpha Konare for the able manner he had been conducting the affairs of the commission, describing him as a visionary leader.

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