After what seemed to be uncertainty over the new leadership of the African Union (AU), the organisation has shown maturity.

African leaders have at an AU summit elected a new chairman without any incident. Prophets of doom had predicted that the continental body will be dragged into the mud as the out-going AU chairman Muammar Gaddafi of Libya was supposedly going to refuse to step down when his term ended. Whatever the source of these negative predictions were, we cannot be bothered. The good thing is that African leaders have shown the maturity that we all expect from them and they have ensured a peaceful transformation. Gaddafi himself has not shown any inkling or willingness to cling to power of the AU leadership.

Because of the rotation system, the AU leadership is now in the hands of Southern Africa president. As a representative of the region, we want Malawi's Bingu wa Mutharika to succeed in his position. His success will not only be Southern Africa's but will be for the advancement of Africa.

We notice that Mutharika has set food security as the theme and focus of his tenure. There could be no better focus than this. Many parts of Africa are afflicted by hunger. Thousands of children die of hunger every year due to massive food shortages. Due to drought and other harsh weather conditions, cereals and staple food production is going down annually, thus pushing millions of poor people into starvation and suffering.

African countries, generally spend millions of dollars to import basic foodstuff. Unfortunately, most of these foods are bought in hard to find foreign currencies. The call by Mutharika to focus the continent energies on food production and food self-sufficiency is a timely one and should be supported by all. With the skills and expansive lands that Africa has, the AU could devise means in which the continent could be self-sufficient in food. There is no reason why Africa at this stage should be dependent on other continents for its food needs. If African countries cooperate among themselves, food security can be achieved.

However, we will encourage African governments and its people to be more forward looking and encourage partnerships between African countries. A lot could be achieved if African countries work together other than merely running to international organisations. Africans must work together and cooperate as neighbours and nations that have a lot in common. The idea of an African United States mooted by Gaddafi is not necessarily a bad one but needs building blocks such as regional organisations to be functional before the continental superstructure is put in place. It will be disingenuous to throw the idea into the dustbin because it is currently impractical. The aim is to improve relationships between countries at all times.

Today's thought

"We thought democracy was holding on in Africa, but I think we celebrated too early." - Botswana

- Vice-President Mompati Merafhe