The African Union’s 22nd Annual Summit gets underway in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa at a time when the AU is grappling with conflict in several member countries
In 2013, delegates at the African Union summit were preparing to celebrate the 50th birthday of the organization and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity. At this summit, there may be rather less to celebrate as it has been facing some major challenges.
Ahead of the summit, we had asked some Africans their hopes and expectations for this year. Here’s what they had to say:
This year’s summit will see agriculture take centre stage. African leaders will deliberate on the future of the continent’s agricultural industry as well as food security. In South Africa, CCTV’s Travers Andrews takes a look at a micro-enterprise in Cape Town, where unemployed women are operating community gardens to provide food across the city.
Meanwhile the 24th executive council of the African Union meeting has began at the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Members of the council and foreign affairs ministers will be deliberate on the fragile security situation in Africa, issues to do with the International Criminal Court as well as agriculture and food security. The council will elect the ten-member peace and security council as well as adopting agenda for the African heads of state to discuss.
The troubles in South Sudan and the Central African Republic threaten to overshadow the African Union’s planned agenda this week. One top official says the security situation across the continent is in jeopardy. And delegates are calling for urgent solutions to conflicts
