The
plan becomes elusive vision
By Tesfu Telahoun
Time, Newsweek, The Economist and other high circulation periodicals
such as The New York Times almost regularly feature a section profiling
the country that is commissioning the special advertisement. In
my capacity as an unauthorized representative of my generation (I
am nearly as old as the Charter of African Unity) I often feel wistful
and envious. Whenever I come across such national profiles, wishing
for the day when my country became confident enough as to tell the
whole world about itself in a global publication.
My father’s generation (they who witnessed Africa’s
independence) had better luck as they witnessed a brief decade often
described as ‘The Golden Age’, when Ethiopia took huge
strides in social, political and economic development and was able
to have had published
“Nation of Vast Potential and Great Opportunities” in
a special section of the Dec. 1, 1963 issue of The New York Times.
Capital has obtained a rare original copy of the fortyfive year
old special section and has taken the liberty to treat the historic
contents, especially in the context of African unity with a pictorial
profile of the Founding Fathers of the African body politic. Looming
larger than life among the leaders of the 30 then independent nations
of Africa was of course, Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Sellasie
I, a towering figure when alive and in death, an everlasting beacon
of African Unity. Nearly all of the leaders came from newly independent
nations, which attained sovereignty between 1956 and 1963, with
the exceptions of Liberia(1889) and Ethiopia, which though invaded
on countless occasions, held on to its independence---a fact of
history from which Africa’s liberation movements and independence
heroes drew inspiration.
The atmosphere most have been electrifying in Africa Hall at midnight
of May 25, 1963 as thirty African leaders signed the most important
document on the continent. The writer of the article must have entered
a journalistic trance, as he observed the excited faces of free
Africa-joyous in their declaration to create one entity out of many.
The intensity of the conviction and the spirit behind the very wording
of the Charter of African Unity makes it clear to us today, forty
five years on, that the Charter was more of a plan than a distant
vision. It is apparent that the Founding Fathers, even in their
worst nightmares of possible failure, did not imagine African unity
would not happen within their lifetime, much less almost never,
as we have been unfortunate enough to live to tell .
All hope is not gone however, as at the very least, the African
Union has not dropped the issue of continental unity altogether.
As we write this, the A.U. ministerial pre-summit has put the goal
of a pan-Africa government high on the agenda of the Heads of State.
It is a bold step and commendable mostly for the spirit of the initiative.
Somehow though, at this point in African reality, a union-government
sounds more like a vision and less like a plan of action.
Capital extends its appreciation to W/o Tsedale (Moki) Zewdineh
for providing a copy of the December 1, 1963 The New York Times
that published an advertorial headlined ‘Ethiopia, Nation
of Vast Potential and Great Opportunities,’ for our AU special
coverage.
Crises dominate
“Industrial Development of Africa”
The transformation of the OAU to the African Union in 2002 was greeted
with much fanfare and optimism. Though there was some scepticisim,
even die hard Afro-pessimists conceded that the AU marked a significant
paradigm shift with regards to conflict prevention and management,
thus providing the continent with a plausible chance of solving
its myriad problems.
As Heads of State and Government convened here in Addis Ababa from
31st January to 2nd of February 2008 for the 10th AU Ordinary Summit,
the organization is at a critical juncture. Almost seven years down
the road, the organization has registered mixed results. While the
desirability of the organization is not in dispute, its structure
and operation have come under intense scrutiny over the years.
While there is consensus that the AU has made plausible steps in
enhancing human security on the continent, the persistence of conflict
in Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia and the recent political crisis
in Kenya seems to suggest that the AU is still grappling with how
to solve the continent’s recurring crisis. This demands introspection
from the AU in order to reposition itself if it wants to deal with
the turbulence of 2008 and of the years to come. Within this context,
one is tempted to ask: Is there a need to re-organize and re-energize
the AU, given contemporary African and global political and economic
realities?
The 10th AU summit was conducted under the general theme of Industrial
Development of Africa. As a point of departure to engage the issues
and assess what impact the 10th AU summit will have on the continent’s
peace and security agenda, it is imperative that an even more pressing
matter be addressed: the question of whether the AU is the panacea
to conflict on the continent? Does the AU mandate provide it with
the necessary leverage and operational mechanisms to play such a
role? The aim here is not to dampen expectation about the AU nor
to downplay its achievements.
While the AU states that one of its principal objectives is to promote
peace, security, and stability on the continent (Article 3 (f) of
the Constitutive Act), this should not be interpreted to mean that
the AU is a panacea to conflict on the continent, even despite groundbreaking
innovations like Article 4 (h) which reserves to the AU the right
to intervene in a member State pursuant to a decision of the Assembly
in respect of grave circumstances such as war crimes, genocide and
crimes against humanity.
Instead, given the AU’s mandate and governing principle, it
seems more appropriate to view the organization as a secondary means
of crafting solutions to crises on the continent. There is no doubt
that the principal responsibility for peace and security rests within
domestic political institutions and leadership. As a consequence,
should the AU perhaps prioritize strengthening domestic political
institutions, structural conflict prevention strategies, sustain
economic integration and robust implementation of its conventions
and decisions?
The leaders also discussed peacekeeping missions in Somalia and
Sudan’s Darfur region.
Other urgent issues such as Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic
of Congo also remain to be tackled at the summit, which is being
attended by more than 40 leaders. Political analysts say that while
Africa is attempting to take the lead in solving its own conflicts,
it remains constrained by a lack of experience and equipment. The
UN Security Council’s permanent members are also reluctant
to relinquish control over missions they largely fund. Ban Ki-Moon’s
call for greater cooperation between the United Nations and African
Union in his inaugural speech is relevant in this context.
So far seven domains of competence have been identified: peace and
security, environment and pandemics, trans-national crime, communication/infrastructure,
global trade and research/university. There remains disagreement
on defense and foreign policy. No agreement has been reached on
the institutional implications of these areas of competence. The
Ministerial Committee also explored the nature of the relationship
between a future Union Government and the Regional Economic Communities
(RECs). The Committee did reach agreement on the closer involvement
of RECs in AU affairs, with the AU Commission and RECs signing a
Protocol governing their relations. The AU assuming responsibility
for the external representation and participation of RECs in major
global events. Five proposals were made on an appropriate time-frame
for a road map without agreement. A similar situation emerged in
discussions around alternative and sustainable financing for the
Union.
The most critical issue to be tackled by the Summit was the AU Audit
Report but the summit postponed the issue. Mandated by the Heads
of States during the July Summit, the Audit sought to review the
performance of AU organs and RECs in accelerating continental integration.
Between September and December, the 14 person High Level Panel held
several hearings, studied AU documents and interviewed AU staff,
African and non-African embassies. It is expected that the Audit
will provide a comprehensive analysis of the performance to date.
But the big question is how the AU will act on the Audit Report
and how the report will impact on the future of the AU. Does the
AU have the capacity and political will to implement the recommendation
of the report?
AU experts have also made major cuts on the budget proposals introduced
by the organization’s organs, while suggesting that the 2008
budget be maintained at the level of 2007.The situation of refugees,
repatriated and displaced persons in Africa will be examined in
light of the reports produced by the Commission and the PRC sub-committee
on refugees.
Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary
of ECA, briefed the Executive Council on the economic situation
in Africa, discussed the critical importance of the theme of this
Summit, and informed the steps that have been taken to deepen collaboration
between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). He also
highlighted how the partnership framework, which both parties agreed,
is providing impetus to substantially advance their mutual agenda
in several areas, including those encapsulated by the theme of this
Summit. Additionally, he briefed the council on how the UN family
in Africa, are now working to improve coherence of their activities
in support of the AU and its NEPAD program.
On African Economic Performance
The under-secretary-general said in his speech, “I am glad
to report that African economies continue to sustain the growth
momentum, which has built up in recent years. In 2006, overall real
GDP growth rate accelerated from 5.2 percent recorded in 2005 to
5.7 percent. This momentum continues to be underpinned by two main
factors. One, the improvement in macroeconomic management in many
countries; and two, the strong global demand for key African export
commodities, that resulted in high export prices, especially for
crude oil, metals and minerals. We are expecting growth in 2007
to continue on this same path and to reach around 5.8 percent”.
He added “However, I should stress that despite this trend
in economic growth, evidence shows that Africa is unlikely to meet
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 unless new and vigorous
approaches are adopted. This is why the ECA Conference of Ministers
of Finance, Planning and Economic Development scheduled from 29
March to 3 April this year is devoted to the theme of: “Accelerating
Africa’s Growth and Development to meet the Millennium Development
Goals: Emerging Challenges and the Way Forward”.
The under Secretary General said that he had recently the opportunity
to discuss the stalled Doha Round of trade talks with Mr. Pascal
Lamy, Director-General of the WTO. Abdoulie Janneh said that he
agreed on the need for the speedy resumption of the talks as Africa
stands to gain the most from the achievement of a fair and equitable
global trading system. With regard to natural resources, a Big Table
is to be organized jointly with the African Development Bank (AfDB)
immediately after the meeting of the AU Assembly this week. The
theme of the Big Table is “Managing Africa’s Natural
Resources for Growth and Poverty Reduction”.
On Science and Technology
He further told the gathering that it is therefore clear that for
Africa to accelerate its development and achieve the MDGs, African
countries have to scale-up their investments in science and technology.
And, for this very reason, NEPAD has made science and technology
a priority sector for the advancement of the continental agenda.
In spite of the tremendous challenges, there is still hope if Africa
could take advantage of its great potential. This would require
us to:
• Undertake a major Science and Technology Capacity Building
Initiative to generate, revamp and deploy large numbers of scientists,
engineers and technicians;
• Establish strong linkages between technology-based industry,
academia and government needs so that technologies appropriate to
national needs are developed; and
• Promote public-private-partnerships in modern science and
technology research. Added the secretary general of the UNECA.
AU-China
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said
Tuesday Jan, 2008 that the AU has always attached importance to
its cooperation with China. During his talks with visiting Chinese
envoy Zhai Jun, Konare spoke highly of the friendly cooperative
relations between China and AU and African countries. He said such
ties have been developed vigorously following the Beijing Summit
of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, held in November 2006
and stated the AU will work together with China to further develop
Africa-China ties. Zhai, also assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs,
extended greetings to Konare from President Hu Jintao and other
Chinese leaders.
Zhai hailed the significant role that the AU has played in various
aspects, including the maintenance of Africa’s peace and security
and the promotion of Africa’s integration process. The Chinese
government will continue to support the AU in playing a bigger role
in regional and international affairs, he said. Zhai also said the
Chinese government will enhance the traditional friendship with
Africa and make sure the Chinese and African people will benefit
from the results of the China-Africa cooperation. Zhai and his entourage
arrived here on Monday. The Chinese delegation, led by Zhai, is
attending the 10th AU summit as observer.
On Kenyan crisis
The African Union summit, opened on Thursday, with the UN chief
and the AU chairman calling for efforts to find a peaceful way out
of the post-election unrest in Kenya that has claimed hundreds of
lives. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila
Odinga have a special responsibility to solve the crisis peacefully,
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his opening address. “I
call on the Kenyan people: stop the killings and end the violence
now before it’s too late,” he said.
Later, he announced in a press conference that he would meet with
both the political rivals in a bid to bolster mediation efforts
led by the former UN chief Kofi Annan. Ban is in Nairobi having
talks with “Odinga and some representatives of civil society”
after meeting Kibaki in Addis Ababa. Addressing the summit, African
Union commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare said the African leaders
could not just sit by without being involved in finding a way out
of the crisis in Kenya. “If Kenya burns, there will be nothing
for tomorrow,” he said. “Tragically, Kenya was the country
that always gave to others, offered shelter to others, and talked
to them so that they made peace, a country of hope for our continent.”
Japan’s former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who attended the
summit as a special guest, voiced his country’s concern over
the spiraling crisis, and urged the rival leaders to work together
with the African Union and the international community to find a
peaceful solution. He pledged 4.1 million dollars in aid to Kenya,
where at least a quarter of a million people have been displaced
by the violence. Kenyan President Kibaki is attending the summit
along with Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula. Wetangula said the
continental body has accepted Kibaki as the country’s sole
representative at the meeting. ODM Secretary General Anyang Nyongo
had urged AU member states not to recognize what he called “the
illegitimate and illegal government of Kibaki.”
Darfur
The AU and U.N. have pledged to send a 26,000-strong peacekeeping
force to Darfur to replace an undermanned, under-equipped AU force.
About a third of that force, which largely incorporates the previous
African peacekeepers, has been on the ground since Jan. 1 and has
begun to secure the refugee camps. Full deployment of the so-called
hybrid force has been delayed because the Sudanese government has
been reluctant to accept non-African troops, and the United Nations
has not been able to get governments to supply helicopters, which
it says are essential for the mission to succeed.The future of the
joint force, slated to become the largest peacekeeping operation
in the world, is among topics that were discussed at the AU Summit.
Nawal Hassan, 45, one of a handful of Darfuri women calling on the
African Union to come to their region’s aid, said more soldiers
won’t solve the problem. “We need protection, especially
for the women,” she said. “We need troops with a strong
mandate. We want an international force. What we really need are
neutral forces who have no interest with the Sudanese government.”
Other activists complained about soldiers who were unfamiliar with
the language and culture, and about the lack of female soldiers
and police officers.
Sudan, UN, AU on Darfur
In the other related news, a technical consultative meeting involving
the Sudanese government, the United Nations and the African Union
(AU) was held here Sunday to discuss ways to complete elements of
the UN-AU hybrid peacekeeping operation in Darfur. The meeting,
which also discussed the required arrangements for implementation
of the operation in the time set, was attended by delegations of
the three parties headed by the Undersecretary of the Sudanese Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mutrif Siddiq, UN Under-Secretary General
for Peacekeeping Jean-Marie Guehenno and AU Peace and Security Council
Commissioner Saeed Djinnit. As well as by the UN-AU Joint Special
Representative for Darfur, Rodolphe Adada, and the UNAMID Force
Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai.
Sudan’s Envoy to the United Nations, Abdul-Mahmoud Abdul-Halim,
said the meeting appreciated the co-operation shown by the Sudanese
government and the state authorities in Darfur concerning the implementation
of the hybrid operation. He added that the meeting was informed
on the implementation of the hybrid operation and the efforts made
so far for its success. Abdul-Halim said the tripartite consultative
meeting also reviewed pending issues pertinent to the bases for
existence of the hybrid operation troops in Sudanese territory and
the operation’s action plan. These issues would include the
political track, which also covered the political negotiations and
the efforts of the UN and the AU in this regard, the track of peace-keeping
and deployment of troops, the track of the Sudanese government’s
efforts to convey humanitarian aid to the needy citizens and the
fourth track of rehabilitation and development.
Kadhafi
Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi on Tuesday January 29, 2008 warned
that Libya could withdraw its investments in Africa and direct them
to the Mediterranean if the continent engaged in ‘a racist
policy’ or if it decided to ‘neglect its future’.
Addressing the international press in his home country, the Libyan
leader said if his country injected between 5 billion dollars and
10 billion dollars in the Mediterranean region, it would become
the most influential country in that area. After examining Libya’s
current investments in Africa, Kadhafi noted that Libyan company,
Africa for Investments, had put in about 1 billion dollars while
the Libyan national oil company had invested up to 750 million dollars
in several African countries. He said that all the monies invested
were Libyan funds injected into Africa and given without any strings
attached.
“These funds are invested to generate interests for Libyans
instead of using them to purchase useless things such as firecrackers,
Pepsi Cola or card games,” said the mercurial leader. Members
again rejected Moammar Kadhafi’s grand plan to transform the
union into a United States of Africa.
The veteran leader of the North African oil exporting nation has
long campaigned for a federal African government that can meet the
challenges of globalization, fight poverty and resolve conflicts
on the continent without interference from the West. Kadhafi lobbied
hard for a United States of Africa during an African Union (AU)
summit in Ghana last July but the meeting ended with only an agreement
to study how it might be created. All 53 AU member countries agree
with the goal of African integration but some led by South Africa,
a leading power on the continent, say it must be a gradual process.
Disagreements have already emerged over an official language, betraying
the scale of the challenges ahead.
Rotating Presidency
Later in the afternoon, Tanzania elected for the rotating presidency
at the African Union, announced the outgoing president of Ghana
John Kufour in the first day of the meeting of the African Union.
‘I would like to invite our new president, Mr. Jakaya Kikwete,’
said Kufour at the end of the counting of votes. Tanzanian President
Jakaya Kikwete won the rotating chairmanship of the African Union
on Thursday, succeeding Ghana’s John Kufuor.
An East African country was due to take the AU’s rotating
presidency this year. Sudan has failed in its bid assume presidency
of the AU for the years 2006 and 2007 after intense international
pressure because of human rights abuses by the Sudanese military
in the Darfur region and a threat from Chad to withdraw if the nomination
was endorsed by AU members. Before this week’s summit, Sudanese
delegates said they would support Kikwete for the top job. Women
from Darfur and across Africa met ahead of the African Union summit
to craft a plan of action for peace in the conflict-torn Darfur
region of Sudan.
Assesment of the Union
The Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi presented a summary of the Report
of the high ranking team formed by the AU president to assess the
union.
A high-level panel named last year to study the African Union’s
operations has concluded that the organization is plagued by waste,
corruption, weak leadership and an unhealthy organizational culture.
African leaders asked for the high-level audit report last July
at their meeting in Accra, Ghana, and named a 13-member panel led
by former U.N. Undersecretary-General Adebayo Adedeji of Nigeria.
The panel’s 200-page report was distributed this week. A copy
obtained by media is scathingly critical of the organization’s
top leadership. It describes the relationship between Commission
Chairperson Alpha Omar Konare and other commissioners as ‘dysfunctional’.
The team recommended a haul up of the union’s institutions.
The authors are critical of what they call an ‘unhealthy organizational
culture’, crippled by inadequate leadership and weak management
systems.
The panel found serious flaws in the operation of several A.U. bodies,
and concluded that the overall management of financial resources
is in need of a complete overhaul. The report singles out the African
Commission on Human and People’s Rights for special criticism,
saying that out of a 1.1 million dollar allocation for 2006, only
47,000 dollars was spent on its core mandate.
The audit report was also critical of the A.U. dependency on foreign
financing for its operations. Foreign governments currently contribute
a substantial amount of the A.U. budget. The panel recommends a
tax on airline tickets to finance operations, and urges tough measures
against member states who fail to pay their assessed contributions.
Twenty one of the 50-plus A.U. member states are currently in arrears
on their dues.
The team underlined the ineffectiveness of the summit conference
because it is held for two days only, the first is ceremonial and
the next delegates start to leave, leaving behind the job to employees.
The team recommended that the executive council be made up of all
competences not just foreign ministers. “Therefore an executive
council should be formed in Addis Ababa of all competences, and
the foreign competence just a member”, the Libyan leader said.
The report notes that states and regions unilaterally form partnerships
with Europe and foreign countries.
The team disclosed the poor performance of the African Parliament
meaning that it has no role.
The report stressed the inability of regions to achieve any of their
objectives, and that their memberships overlap.
The team also recommended to review the authorities and functions
of representative committee which include a number of Ambassadors
in Addis Ababa and which currently consists of un qualifying people
and created problems with the commission.
The report underlined that the authorities of the technical committee
and its function is not clear and it recommended to depend on ministerial
council and not on such vague committee.
The Leader has called for the cancellation of these technical committees
and to be replaced by the ministerial council.
The teams report affirmed the incompetence of the commission which
has no authorities and there is a miss understanding of responsibilities
and that its relation with the committee of representative is characterising
with tensing and mutual distrust.
Qaddafi said that this confirms that there is no reason for the
commission.
The team noted in its report the lack of interest of member countries
in ratifying the union resolution.
In its report, the team believes the spread of NEPAD systems created
a predicament that needs to be solved, it demanded it be integrated
in the EU in accordance with Maputo Summit resolutions of 2003,
which called for the integration of NEPAD in the AU. Nevertheless
some are still enjoying NEPAD and do not want to integrate it, either
for personal whims, interest or a conspiracy.
Chairperson
The Summit has also elected a new Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson
and Commissioners. Six candidates were vying for the Chairperson’s
position, 2 candidates for the Deputy Chairperson’s position,
and 58 for Commissioners’ positions. While these individuals
operate within an institutional framework there is no doubt that
the individual personalities of those elected will have a huge impact
on the future of peace and security on the continent. The Summit
has also appointed new members of the Peace and Security Council
with a two year mandate.
Ghanaian President John Kufuor is the current chairperson of the
AU and was elected into the position at the 8th Ordinary Session
in January 2007 to serve for the 2007 to 2008 period. Representing
Africa’s central eastern region is Antoinette Batumubwira,
the current Burundian Minister of External Relations and Cooperation.
The South African Development Community (SADC) region has two candidates
put forward for the top job of the AU. Former Prime Minister of
Swaziland Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini - who is currently advisor to
King Mswati III - served as the country’s finance minister
from 1984 to 1993, where after he became an executive director of
the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Beginning her career as a
lecturer and professor of education at the University of Zambia,
Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, daughter of King Lewanika II of Barotseland,
is one of Zambia’s senior politicians.
Ms Mbikusita-Lewanika, who was elected to parliament in 1991 for
the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), even stood as a presidential
candidate in 2001.
Princess Mbikusita-Lewanika served as a regional advisor for Africa
in UNICEF, later becoming Zambia’s Ambassador to the United
States in 2003 where she currently serves.
Also in the running and representing the Islands of Africa is former
President of Mauritius Cassam Uteem. Following Mr Uteem’s
long history of involvement in politics as both a youth leader and
social worker, he was nominated as Councillor of the City of Port
Louis in 1969 where he remained for several years becoming Lord
Mayor in 1986.
Mr Uteem was elected president in 1992 and served out two five year
terms until his resignation in 2002. The former president is also
a member of the exclusive Club of Madrid, an independent organisation
promoting the global process of democratisation.
From Africa’s western tip, Dr Abdulai Osman Conteh - who has
served as vice-president, minister of foreign affairs and finance,
as well as Attorney-General and minister of justice - is representing
Sierra Leone.
Possessing a multitude of degrees in law and international affairs,
Dr Conteh has over 10 years of practice in law as both a private
practitioner and a government lawyer, served for over 10 years as
minister of foreign affairs and diplomacy. The last of the six candidates
for chairperson, Jean Ping, has been the Foreign Minister of Gabon
since 1999 and has served in various portfolios of government minister
of information, mines and hydrocarbons, finance, environment and
tourism, amongst others. A highlight of Mr Ping’s extensive
political career was his election as president of the 59th Session
of the UN General Assembly in 2004. Dr Deng, a Pretoria-based researcher,
highlighted that it is apparent the AU is moving from its days of
philosophical governance to an organization based on a more “hands-on”
managerial approach to oversight.
“[The former chairperson] Prof Konaré would argue that
it is not the organs of the AU that fail to function but the mandate
of the AU itself.
“Konaré did not stay in office for a second term because
he argued that the chairperson does not have the mandate to control
the commission, and therefore that the AU needs to revisit the structures
of the Union itself.
Gabon’s Foreign Minister Jean Ping was elected to a four-year
term as chairperson of the African Union Commission Friday, replacing
the charismatic former president of Mali, Alpha Oumar Konare. Ping
is a career civil servant who previously served as President of
the United Nations General Assembly.
African diplomats say Ping’s election, and the choice a day
earlier of Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete to fill the rotating
A.U presidency is aimed at giving a fresh start to an organization
criticized in a recent internal audit as being riven by weak leadership,
and an unhealthy organizational structure.
After his election, the new chairperson stood in the jam-packed
assembly hall alongside an obviously proud Gabonese President Omar
Bongo, Africa’s longest serving head of state, who helped
to engineer the election.
Elected vice-chairperson was Kenyan Erastus Mwencha, the secretary-general
of COMESA, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Despite
the political turmoil gripping his country, Kenyan president Mwai
Kibaki stayed to see through Mwencha’s candidacy.
The summit also turned its attention Friday to another crisis brewing
in Africa, this one in Chad. Several delegates voiced fears that
an offensive underway by rebels around the Chadian capital, Ndjamena,
could damage efforts to end fighting in neighboring Sudan.
Day two of the summit also dealt a fresh blow to a proposal by Libyan
leader Moammar Gaddafi to immediately establish a union government
that would lead to creation of a United States of Africa.
The Gaddafi proposal received a cool reception when it was introduced
at last July’s A.U. summit in Accra, Ghana. Delegates at this
gathering decided to send the plan to committee for further study.
But Mr. Gaddafi said afterward he is not giving up hope.
Many African leaders attending the summit say they agree the Gaddafi
proposal has merit, and is likely to win eventual approval.
Leaders also delayed action on the controversial internal audit.
Diplomats say a meeting of foreign ministers is likely in a few
months take up the questions of institutional reform.
The three-day summit wraps up Saturday with a final brief session
and issuance of a joint communiqué.
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