The United Nations will not sit and watch as Africa turns into a hub for conflicts and criminals, the Special Adviser of the UN Secretary General on the prevention of genocide, Mr Francis Deng, has said.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted in honour of African ministers currently in Kampala attending the African Union special summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced people, Mr Deng said African states were hiding under the guise of sovereignty to act "irresponsibly" consequently escalating conflicts and forced displacements on the continent.

"We need to distinguish between the responsibility of the state and the responsibility of the International Community," Mr Denga said. "My advice to states is that the best way to protect your sovereignty is to discharge your duties responsibly. If people are dying, the international community will always intervene.

The ministers from at least 20 African nations were meeting to discuss the political and humanitarian challenges facing the Continent ahead of today's opening of the Summits Heads of State Meeting.

Mugabe jets in

African Presidents began jetting into the country yesterday and by press time, Presidents Mohammed Abdelaziz (Western Sahara), Rupiah Banda (Zambia) and Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) had arrived for the summit.

At least 20 African leaders have been invited for the summit although it is still not clear how many will eventually make the trip for today's opening. Current AU Chairman and Libyan leader Col, Muammar Gaddafi is expected to officiate at today's opening but Ugandan Foreign Affairs officials could not confirm his attendance.

Mr Deng said conflict on the continent is primarily caused by the behaviour of State agents in denying citizens their right of citizenship, by prohibiting them from taking charge of their affairs.

His comments come at a time when several African nations are going through rough patches of political turmoil with the contest for power at the centre of the conflicts. Like no other continent, Africa has witnessed the least smooth transitions of power between governments.

The tally of coups on the continent took a notch higher in 2008 after Captain Mousa Camara wrestled his way to the presidency of Guinea, following the death of the country's democratic president, Lasana Conte.