President Jacob Zuma has welcomed the outcome of the 26th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), in Addis Ababa, the Presidency said on Sunday. 

The summit was scheduled for two days, and started on Saturday.

This year’s theme was “African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women”.

“We leave Addis feeling very satisfied following successful deliberations at the summit on all the substantive issues”, Zuma said.

The summit considered efforts already under way to realise the continental vision for the next 50 years of the existence of the AU, known as Agenda 2063. 

It also considered the status of peace and security in the continent, financing and governance of the AU and its programmes, as well as AU programmes such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development projects and the African Peer Review Mechanis. 

Zuma, as chair of the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative presented a report on the progress made in infrastructure development.

He said he was pleased with the re-election of South Africa as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council for a two year term.

“We welcome the decision to revive the AU High Level Panel on Libya which had worked effectively a few years ago,” he said. 

“We are also pleased with the appointment of former president of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete as the AU Special Envoy to Libya. With such interventions the AU will be able to make an impact with regards to getting the parties in Libya to resolve matters and work towards normalcy in the country."

Zuma said he was also pleased with AU decisions on Burundi. 

“The decision to send a delegation to Burundi to assess the political and security situation and to discuss the proposed deployment of the AU peacekeeping force with the government of Burundi is a step in the right direction,’' he added.  

During the Summit, the country achieved an award for meeting the Millennium Development Goals targets for fighting malaria successfully, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Award. 

It was also recognised along with a number of countries for its contribution to the successful fight against Ebola.

News24.com