• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Africa

AU challenged to put more effort in uniting Africa

30 January 2017, 9:55 PM  |
News Publisher News Publisher |  @SABCNews
Sustainable development, peace and security are some of the issues that were discussed at the AU Summit in Ethiopia.  Picture:REUTERS

Sustainable development, peace and security are some of the issues that were discussed at the AU Summit in Ethiopia. Picture:REUTERS

Sustainable development, peace and security are some of the issues that were discussed at the AU Summit in Ethiopia. Picture:REUTERS

The African Union (AU) has been challenged to put more effort in uniting the continent by ending conflicts. It has to continue its efforts towards sustainable development, peace and security.

These were some of the messages delivered during the opening session of the 28th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Messages of support came from as far as the Middle East and America.

It was a befitting tribute for outgoing AU Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. She has been praised for being the first woman to lead the continental body and with success.

In her opening address, Dlamini Zuma called for leaders to work together in silencing the guns as stipulated in the continent’s developmental footprint, Agenda 2063.

“We must just continue the fight; terrorism remains a challenge, and we must continue to fight until we defeat this scourge. It is with much concern that we learn that sporadic fighting continues in South Sudan. The people of Sudan want peace. We again call on all parties to honour the agreement in order to promote, peace, healing and justice. Excellences it is very clear that globally we are entering very turbulent times. For an example, the very country to whom our own people were taken as slaves during the trans-Atlantic slave trade has now decided to ban refugees from some of our countries. What do we do about this; indeed this is one of the greatest tests to our unity and solidarity.”

The AU has thanked the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) group under the leadership of the Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson in resolving the Gambian conflict. The country almost plunged into civil conflict after then President Yahya Jamme refused to leave office despite losing power to Adama Barrow. Jammeh has since went into exile in Equatorial Guinea under diplomatic pressure and after troops from Ecowas crossed into Gambia.
“On behalf of all of us, a heartfelt gratitude to Ecowas who under your leadership made us all proud, as you stood with your colleagues in Ecowas, Mauritania and many others with the people of the Gambia and defended the values and principles of our union. We thank all those who participated and we are particularly proud that it was under your stewardship.”
This is a message echoed by the outgoing chair of the AU, Chad’s President Idriss Deby. He said conflicts across the world are triggered by resources which lead to violent extremism. The United Nations (UN) new Secretary General Antonio de Oliveira Guterres was also afforded an opportunity address African leaders under one roof, for the first time in his new capacity. He says the UN will work hand in hand with the AU where conflict threatens peace and stability. Guterres said the UN was proud to be Africa’s partner and has a lot to learn from Africa.
“We will be by your side to fight extremism. Africa needs international solidarity and Africa deserves international solidarity, look forward to how best we work together.”

One of the issues which was under discussion during the retreat of heads of state and government is the financing of the AU. South African President Jacob Zuma has given the discussions a thumbs up.
“I think it was a very important treat in a manner that it helped us to look at the organisation, turn it inside out and say what is best for the continent. Among other things we discussed is the question of how the AU must work on a system where it is going to be independent in terms financial dependency.”
Meanwhile, the incoming chair of the AU Guinea’s President Alpha C’onde has thanked member states for giving him a new responsibility in the AU and also called for unity. A message welcomed by other heads of state.
There were also messages of support from Cuba and Palestine. The two commended the AU’s efforts to stabilise the continent.

The AU also welcomed new heads of state who were elected during recent elections.

Click below for more on Chad’s foreign minister Moussa Faki who is the new AU chairperson:

– By Amos Phago

Share article
Tags: Jacob ZumaNkosazana Dlamini-ZumaAUAmos PhagoEthiopiaUNAddis AbabaAlpha CondeConflicts
Previous Post

Chad’s Foreign Minister secures top post at African Union

Next Post

UN will work hand in hand with the AU: Guterres

Related Posts

Actress Viola Davis at an event

Actress Viola Davis to join US African diaspora council

26 September 2023, 8:47 PM
A supporter of Ghana's presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds a party flag as she reacts at party's headquaters in Accra, Ghana December 8, 2016.

Ghana’s former trade minister quits ruling party to run for president

26 September 2023, 10:31 AM
Kidnappings of students, once a notorious tactic by militants to intimidate the population, have become a money-spinning industry for armed gangs demanding ransom payments. 

Sixteen people freed after kidnapping at Nigerian university

25 September 2023, 5:00 PM
Supporters participate in a demonstration called by Yerewolo Debout sur les remparts, an anti-France political movement, in Bamako, Mali.

Mali junta expects delay to February elections

25 September 2023, 3:54 PM
Colonel Ibro Amadou delivers a message as he stands with other Nigerien junta leaders while Nigeriens gather one month since coup, in support of the putschist soldiers and to demand French ambassador to leave, in the capital Niamey, Niger.

France to pull troops out of Niger following coup

25 September 2023, 6:52 AM
Militants

‘Gunmen kill 8, kidnap 60 in northwest Nigeria’

24 September 2023, 9:14 PM
Next Post
Antonio Guterres says the UN will work hand in hand with the AU where conflict threatens peace and stability.  Picture:REUTERS

UN will work hand in hand with the AU: Guterres

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Concern over exclusion of foreign nationals from Road Accident Fund
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • ANC building up in flames in Port St Johns
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Several roads closed in the Western Cape amid flooding
  • Zoleka Mandela passes away
  • Residents resort to illegal water connections at Mpumalanga village
  • Six beaches in Durban flagged with high levels of E.coli
  • PODCAST | Consumers warned of expected poultry price hike

LATEST

Logo of the 9th BRICS Parliamentary Forum ahead of a media briefing in this image captured on 26 September 2023.
  • Politics

BRICS Parliamentary Forum Assembly aims to foster stronger ties among member states


Inside a Magistrates' Court
  • South Africa

Trial of nine accused in university of Fort Hare murder case resumes


  • South Africa

Eskom to prioritise electricity restoration in flood-ravaged Western and Eastern Cape


Flooding in the Western Cape following heavy rains.
  • South Africa

Rescue efforts to resume on Wednesday for learners trapped at Oudtshoorn resort


The NMB metro
  • Politics

DA wants special inquiry into state capture in Nelson Mandela Bay


Actress Viola Davis at an event
  • Africa

Actress Viola Davis to join US African diaspora council


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Chad’s Foreign Minister secures top post at African Union
Next UN will work hand in hand with the AU: Guterres