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AU Chairman Kufuor achieves first
diplomatic success
From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Cannes,
France
Cannes, Feb. 16, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on
Thursday achieved his first diplomatic success as Chairman
of the African Union (AU)
with the landmark signing of a peace pact to ease political
tension between Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic
(CAR).
Relations between the three neighbouring countries had
deteriorated
as a result of the Darfur conflict with each accusing the
other of supporting armed rebels seeking to destabilise
their respective countries.
At the instance of President Kufuor and with the support of
French President Jacque Chirac, the Sudanese President Omar
Hassan Ahmed al Bashir, Chadian President Idriss Deby and
CAR President Francois Bozize met on the sidelines of the
24th France-African Heads of State Summit to resolve their
differences.
A declaration issued at the end of the meeting said the
three leaders committed themselves to respect each other
country's sovereignty and not to support armed movements
across their frontiers.
They in addition, pledged to actively engage in a political
dialogue
to ease tension.
They would also continue to work with the United Nations
(UN) and the
AU to bring lasting peace, strengthen regional stability and
foster good neighbourliness.
President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, President El Hadj
Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon, and Mr Denis Sasssou Nguesso of
Congo, were the other African leaders present at the
meeting.
The Summit which was designed to help promote increased
political and economic development partnership between
France and Africa would end on Friday.
It was held under the theme: "Africa and the Global
balance."
GNA
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