Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides) – The conflict in Somalia, the peacekeeping operation in Sudan, and the political crisis in Madagascar were the main themes of the African Union Summit which ended yesterday, February 2, in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
According to the chairman of the AU Commission, Jean Ping, in Sudan "considerable progress has been made in the implementation of the inclusive Peace Agreement of 2005, but the challenges of an unprecedented magnitude require constant attention from the international community.” Sudan is preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections in April this year, while in 2011 the referendum on the independence of South Sudan is expected. It is precisely the possibility of a victory for supporters of independence south Sudan that worries international observers. "We must work with the Sudanese leaders to promote peace in the country," said the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, Ramtane Lamamra, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed support for maintaining the unity of Sudan. "We do this by fully respecting the will of the Sudanese people, but we must in any case make the unity of the country attractive," said Ban. From statements to the press by Sudanese leaders emerge, however, the reality that South Sudan is now moving towards independence. According to an official from Sudan, the international community's role should be to to ensure a peaceful period after the referendum.
The AU has called for "the illegal regime of Madagascar to put an end to attempts to impose unilateral solutions to the crisis," threatening the imposition of sanctions. The strong man of the island, Andry Rajoelina, has unilaterally declared legislative elections next March, putting an end to negotiations with other political movements in Madagascar (see Fides 17/12/2009).
With regard to Somalia, during the Summit of the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority for Development, which includes 6 countries of Eastern Africa), issued a statement in which it expressed concern about the extension of the actions of terrorist groups in Somalia into relatively stable regions of Somaliland and Puntland (see Fides 1/2/2010).
The President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, was elected President of the AU, in place of Libyan leader Gaddafi. The new President of the AU said that among the priorities of his mandate will be the continent's food security, infrastructure development, and energy. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/2/2010)
