African Leaders have expressed hope for socio and economic development, reduction of poverty and prevention of diseases in Africa as the African Union (AU)was launched in Durban on Tuesday 9 July, 2002.

In his speech, the President of South Africa and the chairman of the newly launched Union, Mr Thabo Mbeki said Africans have to come to understand that there can be no sustainable development without peace, security and stability in the continent.

He said the Constitutive Act of the AU provides for mechanisms to address this change, which stands between the people of Africa and their ability and capacity to defeat of poverty, disease and ignorance.

“Together we must work for peace, security and stability for the people of this continent” he added.

Mr Mbeki said Africans must end the senseless conflicts and wars of the continent, which have caused so much pain and suffering of the people, which have also turned many of them into refugees, while displacing and forcing others into exile.

He said in the spirit of the Constitutive Act of the Union, Africans must work for a continent characterized by democratic principles and institutions which guarantee popular participation and provide for good governance.

“Through our actions, let us proclaim to the world that this is a continent of democracy, a continent of democratic institutions and culture” he added.

The President of South Africa called upon all to re-dedicate themselves to the fundamentals of human and people’s rights, of gender equality, of worker’s rights and the rights of children.

Other speakers were the Presidents of Kenya, representing East Africa, of Gabon, representing Central Africa, of Togo, representing West Africa and Zambia, representing Southern Africa and of the Sahara Democratic Republic, representing North Africa. All of these speakers committed their regions on working together in liberating Africa from its current problems that include poverty and diseases.

The President of Zambia, Mr Levy Mwanawasa said all Africans should take advantage of the Union to improve their lives. He said Africa should start now to claim its place in the global market and should first work towards economic recovery.

President Gadaffi also delivered a few words to fellow Africans, saying Africa is now a free and strong continent, adding that the days of slavery have passed. The president of Lybia reminded Africans that Africa is a land of Africans and must be masters of their own land.

The ceremony was graced by the performance of police and military march, cultural dances and display by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) air force. The Hymn of the African renaissance was also sung for the first time.

Meanwhile, the first conference of  Heads of State and government of the African Union continued into the evening of Tuesday and Wednesday morning to discuss the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) and items proposed by member states that include the establishment of one single African army proposed by Lybia.

09 July, 2002