by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton
10 Jul 03
MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE. African heads of state and government have a busy few days ahead of them, as they meet for the second summit of the African Union in Maputo, Mozambique, from 10-12 July.
All week, the foreign ministerial Executive Council has been drawing up the agenda and recommendations that the African leaders will debate, endorse or reject during their 3-day summit.
With some devastating crises afflicting the continent, their citizens look to them for the leadership to end Africa's armed conflicts and address problems like drought and famine, as well as speed up development, promote democracy and strengthen regional integration and trade.
But there are already blots on the continental copybook.
One of the top items on the summit agenda is the creation of the Peace and Security Council, the organ envisaged to help resolve wars in Africa, through direct intervention.
Yet barely a dozen countries have ratified the protocol that will establish the Council, broadly based on the United Nations Security Council. Ratification by half of the AU's 53 member states is required to bring the Peace and Security Council into being. [allAfrica.com]
7:59:30 AM Google It! 
|
