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AU Commissioner expresses confidence
in Africa’s prospects
Accra July 2, Ghanadot/GNA – Professor Alpha Omar Konare,
Chairman of the Commission of the African Union has
expressed confidence in the prospects that lie ahead of the
African continent which he said was of great importance to
the future of the African Union.
A statement issued on his behalf and signed by Romano Prodi
at the Ninth African Union Summit currently in Accra said:
“While I am well aware of the critical factors, I am
nevertheless a staunch believer in your capacity to pool
your internal efforts with those of your other partners to
jointly address the challenges that lie ahead.”
He said the gradual integration of the New Partnership for
African Development (NEPAD) into the union and the
strengthening of the African Peer Review Mechanism were
major goals for the increasingly closer and efficient
institutional integration of the continent.
“Positive signs are also emerging from the complex crisis
that has been played out for too long already in Darfur. The
United Nations (UN) and the African Union are beginning to
cooperate effectively under the chapter VIII of the UN
charter.”
The statement however pointed out that against the
background of those positive signals were many challenges
which still loomed over Africa and asked for the adoption of
a common strategy to enable African countries effectively
share common values and principles which were essential to
addressing challenges facing Africa.
In a related development, Mr. Wen Jiabao Premier of the
State Council of the People’s Republic of China has
congratulated the African Union for its important role in
upholding peace and stability in Africa and promoting
African integration as well as coordinating the position of
African countries on international issues.
A statement signed by Mr Jiabao, noted that this year held
great opportunities for China–Africa relations as it was the
first year to implement decision for the Beijing Summit of
the forum on China-Africa cooperation.
It reassured Africa of China’s commitment to carry forward
the China-Africa relationship and boost cooperation with
African countries and the AU.
GNA
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