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Africa must not turn its back on Zimbabwe
From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, Ghanadot/GNA
Special Correspondent, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El-Sheikh, July 01, GNA - The 11th Summit of the
African Union (AU) opened in the Egyptian Red Sea Resort of
Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday with a call on the Continent's
political leaders not to turn their backs on Zimbabwe.
Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission, said Africa
must assume its responsibilities and do all within its power
to help the Zimbabwean parties to find a common ground and
work together in the supreme interest of their country to
overcome the current challenges.
The call comes just a day after President Robert Mugabe had
been sworn-in for another term following his sweeping
victory of the internationally discredited presidential
run-off.
Mr Ping said the election crises that continued to haunt the
democratic process on the continent should compel "us to
exert more sustained efforts to entrench the democratic
culture in each of our countries and challenge our ability
to face up to the electoral crises and disputes on the
continent."
President John Agyekum Kufuor is among the leaders of the
53-member Pan-African Regional bloc attending the two-day
meeting, which is being held under the theme: "Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) on Water and Sanitation."
The year 2008 is the mid-point of the path towards achieving
the MDGs but there is growing anxiety that many African
nations are off track in realising the goals.
The leaders are also discussing regional political and
economic integration as well as Africa's response to the
global emergency caused by the food and crude oil price
hike.
The AU Commission Chairperson, pledged his determination to
introduce the needed reforms to enhance the performance of
the Commission and build its initiative and implementation
capacity.
The exercise entailed putting premium on competence,
experience, efficiency and strengthening measures to render
transparent and credible management of financial and
material resources provided by the member states and
partners of the AU.
He said the objective was to create an efficient structure
commensurate with the clear visibility and strong
credibility achieved by the Union within a short period of
time.
President Jikaya Kikwete, Tanzanian President and
Chairman of the AU, also made reference to the Zimbabwean
situation and urged the international community to work with
the South African Development Cooperation (SADC) to return
political normalcy to the country.
Africans, he said, had suffered a lot of conflicts and were
tired of this. The leaders therefore have a responsibility
to end the suffering.
Dr. Asha Rose Migro, Deputy United Nations (UN) Secretary
General, said Africa's partnership with the world body was
as crucial as its regional integration.
"We must act together and act quickly. Our work in helping
Kenya to resolve its political crisis, shows that when
political leaders are willing, the AU and the UN can form a
powerful coalition to live up to our founding ideals."
Host President Hosni Mubarak, said there was the need for
increased solidarity and cooperation among Africans, adding
that, they should speak with one voice to defend the
interests of the continent.
GNA
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