The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Daily Observer
10 July 2009
The recently concluded African heads of state summit, held in the Libyan resort of Sirte, culminated in a continental expression for a common position on Agriculture, a very pertinent subject.
African leaders agreed on a solid framework for food security as they concluded their three-day 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union heads of state and government summit. The leaders also undertook to promote inter-trade relations and transform the commission into an authority to enable it meet more effectively the aspirations and dreams of a union government.
The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, was proactive in these proceedings which set to re-evaluate the role of the continental body in decision making on the continent.
The theme of the summit, 'Investment in agriculture for economic growth and food security', set the agenda clearly; it emphasises the establishment of a common market to enhance agricultural performance in member states. It also reminds African leaders of their commitment to invest 10% of their budget into their agricultural sectors.
Opening the session, the reigning chairman of the African Union and president of Libya, Muamar Gaddafi, called for joined efforts in the drive to attain unity and a common position in key issues affecting the continent. The most crucial problem facing the continental body is designing a uniform approach in negotiating peaceful end to conflicts and tackling poverty in the most effective way.
Jean Ping, chairperson of the African Union Commission, said achieving meaningful development is a challenge that African leaders should tackle head on with vital policies and more resolute steps to improving on agricultural production. The deputy secretary general of the United Nations, Dr. Asha Magiro, representing the UN secretary general, urged African leaders to use the platform of the Assembly to mobilize efforts to protect the poorest and most vulnerable given that more than half of all Africans currently live in extreme poverty. Empowering women small holder farmers, she stressed, should be part of a broader commitment in ensuring that women play leadership role across the economic, political and social development fields.
The Sirte summit also saw in attendance a number of dignified personalities, among them the Brazilian leader - Ignacio Lula Da Silva, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Althani - Emir of Qatar, and Amur Moussa - secretary general, League of Arab States, all of whom addressed the summit. The summit ended on Friday with the adoption of some key decisions, among them the transformation of the commission into an authority to give it more weight and clout in coordinating efforts towards the 'United States of Africa.' African leaders also took a unanimous position on the indictment issued by the pre-trial chamber of the ICC against the Sudanese leader, President Omar El Bashir. It was decided that the African Union will not cooperate in the arrest of Bashir in view of the fact that its request to the UN to defer the case has not been acted upon. The leaders feel a sense of injustice as all those indicted by the ICC are Africans, and not even a single sitting Western head of state has been charged for crimes for which these Africans have been indicted.
They further reiterated their conviction on the need to review and handle complaints arising out of abuse of universal jurisdiction by individual states. On the side lines, it was noticed that only 16 out of the 53 member states of the Union have paid their contributions for the 2009 fiscal year, among them The Gambia. This can to a large extent hamper the Union's progress.
The leaders raised concern over recent unconstitutional changes of governments across the continent, calling for the speeding up of processes to return those countries to democratic rule. The closing was in defiance of colonialism and interference in African politics. A continent of more than 50 countries, Africa continues to be denied a permanent seat at the United Nations which will give it the right to veto decisions. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa delivered the closing remarks in his maiden speech, after receiving solidarity from his counterparts in the hosting of the 2010 World Cup.
The Gambian leader later received at his residence, the president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikweteh. Bilateral meetings are common in such summits; the two, however, displayed a great amount of warmth and friendship towards each other, during recess of proceedings at the Ouagadougou Hall, where the summit was being held.
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