Malawi president takes over AU rotating presidency

Addis Ababa:  Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has taken over the African Union (AU)'s rotating presidency from Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi here on Sunday at the pan-African body's 14th summit.  The new AU chairperson, upon election, called for collective efforts on the continent's agriculture development and food security.

In his acceptance speech, Mutharika noted the enormous challenges facing Africa, including poverty, hunger, wars and conflicts, disease, climate change, gender imbalance and capacity constrains. In the regard, Africa must look into the future to confront these challenges, he said.  "The way forward is for the AU Assembly to recognize that Africa is not a poor continent, but the people of Africa are poor, "which is a crucial paradigm in determining the future of Africa, said Mutharika.

The new AU head appealed to member states to go beyond decisions, resolutions and declarations, and begin to act and implement the decisions.  "Although Africa faces enormous challenges, I believe that if we tackle them collectively, rather than individually, we can overcome them," he said.

Referring to the problems of poverty, hunger and malnutrition of large African populations, Mutharika called for special attention to the continent's agriculture and food security, and requested the AU Assembly to "share the dream that five years from now no child in Africa should die of hunger and malnutrition. No child should go to bed hungry."

"Africa is endowed with vast fertile soils, favorable climates, vast water basins and perennial rivers that could be utilized for irrigation farming and lead to the Green Revolution, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change," said Mutharika, adding that "we can therefore grow enough food to feed everyone in Africa. "

Mutharika proposed that the AU embark on extensive regional food security programmes, such as extensive irrigation, to achieve the goal.  Moreover, efforts should be made to transform Africa's agriculture and food production by injecting adequate amounts of financial resources in science and technology, human capacity and on essential inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds, herbicides and pesticides.

Mutharika pointed out the situation where Africa produce and export food to the rest of the world while its people are starving, saying that "we need to encourage Africans to invest in food production in other African countries as a way of ensuring food security at the regional and continental levels. Africa must feed Africa."

Meanwhile, confronting climate change, developing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, improving transport and infrastructure are also needed to effectively promote agriculture and food security, Mutharika said, adding that ICT can play a major role in the development pursuit.  The utilization of ICT would enable farmers to access important information on agricultural products, advanced technologies, research findings as well as markets, said Mutharika.

Referring to the situation of peace and security of Africa, Mutharika said he was saddened that armed conflicts remain one of the biggest obstacles towards achieving economic prosperity and development, while unconstitutional changes of government in some countries is a serious concern.  He pledged to continue to encourage the AU to remain committed to the promotion of peace and security, democracy and good governance.

"The AU will redouble efforts to eliminate the current conflicts, prevent the occurrence of new ones, and continue to condemn, frustrate and isolate those who seek to rise to power through unconstitutional means," Mutharika said.

On the overall development of Africa, Mutharika pledged to strengthen the foundations for socioeconomic growth for African countries to become competitive in the global market, and promote Africa's trade and economic development.  The AU will also seek new and innovative ways to increase collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and its specialized agencies, Mutharika said.

The three-day AU summit gathered heads of state and government of more than 50 AU members to assess the achievements and challenges of Africa's ICTs sector, and map out relevant development strategies.  The leaders will also discuss issues of major concern in the continent, including regional conflicts, Africa's political and economic integration, climate change and Africa's stance on UN reforms.

Source: Xinhua