Banjul, Gambia, July 4 (Angola Press) – The 7th ordinary African Union (AU) summit in Banjul has reaffirmed support to transition government in Somalia, and called for a dialogue to be initiated with belligerent forces there in order to restore peace in the country, said Denis Sassou Nguesso, current chairman of the AU.
Sassou Nguesso told a press conference here Sunday that AU heads of State and government called on the international community to get involved in efforts directed at solving the crisis in Somalia.
On international migrations, Sassou Nguesso said AU leaders were disturbed by the tragic images of young Africans storming the coasts of Spain, and expected breakthroughs from the negotiations with the European Union, scheduled in this month.
Meanwhile, Sassou Nguesso disclosed that an appeal had been launched to the African Union and the Arab League to get involved in the search for solutions to both poverty and the social divide, which are the causes fuelling the massive exodus of African youths to the West.
Concerning Hissène Habré (former Chadian head of State currently exiled in Senegal), President Sassou Nguesso noted that all necessary legal measures would be taken to ensure that Habré is guaranteed a fair trial.
It is recalled that the AU summit decided that the former Chadian president would be judged in Senegal, a decision accepted by the president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade.
On Western Sahara conflict, Sassou Nguesso declared that the international community made a simple reference to the Sahara`s self-determination.
Regarding Sudan, he said the African Union supports the transition government and reaffirms its position in the sense of an extension of the African forces` mandate until September this year.
The African Union does not exclude the possibility for African forces to participate in the UN forces that are expected to take over peacekeeping duties in Darfur as discussions on this matter have been initiated UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.
On the United States of Africa project, sources indicate that the summit has decided that the report produced by a committee of experts would be submitted to the extraordinary ministerial council slated to convene in the months to come, at a date to be specified.
Source: Angola Press, July 4, 2006
