Calls for co-operation between AU, UN

There has been calls for co-operation between AU and the UN to ensure peace in conflict areas

July 01, 2006, 14:45

Alpha Omar Konare, the African Union (AU) commission chairperson, has called for co-operation between the AU and the United Nations (UN) to ensure peace in conflict areas such as Somalia, Chad and Sudan. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the AU Heads of State Summit under way in the Gambian capital Banjul.

The summit has brought together the majority of Africa's leaders to debate pressing issues on the continent's agenda. However, issues expected to dominate the agenda include the human and people's rights court, fighting unemployment and eradicating poverty.

In 2003, a decision was taken to establish an African court of justice on human rights. The following year, the decision was reversed. It was then agreed to merge a court of justice and a human rights court. This was in the wake of an increase in human rights violations.

Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are some of the countries listed in the report on human rights abuses. At previous AU summits, the issue of human rights abuses was hardly given the attention it deserved.

War torn Sudan expected to dominate AU agenda
The war in Sudan's western region of Darfur is also on the agenda. African leaders are expected to reiterate calls for Sudan to accept UN peacekeepers to replace an overtaxed AU force.

Focus will also be on the possible sideline meeting between President Thabo Mbeki, Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president, and Kofi Annan, the UN secretary-general.