The eighth session of the African Union (AU) Summit ended on
Tuesday in Addis Ababa, with the continent's peace and security
issues taking center stage.
Peace and security problems amounting to genocide have continued
to plague parts of the continent. AU Commission Chairman Alpha
Oumar Konare called on all Africans to strengthen their solidarity
and create a strong and responsible Africa whose voice is
heard.
Attending the AU summit in Ethiopia, United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the world organization
is ready to assist Africa's development, particularly in working
with governments to reach the UN's Millennium Development
Goals.
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How the continent fares in reaching these goals for building a
better world is a matter of life and death for millions of
Africans. It is truly a test of the UN's ability as to whether it
will be able to carry out its mandate.
Not just the UN but China has made a commitment to Africa.
President Hu Jintao's current Africa trip shows African countries
and the world that China is as good as its word.
By 2009, China will double its 2006 assistance to Africa in an
effort to forge a new type of strategic partnership and strengthen
cooperation in more areas and at higher levels.
Such assistance is extended with no strings attached.
On Monday, the day before Hu began his Africa visit, the
Ministry of Commerce announced that by the end of this year, China
will forgive 168 interest-free loans that matured at the end of
2005 to 33 African countries. The cancellation of debts owed by
these countries, among the most indebted and most underdeveloped
nations in the world, is evidence of China's commitment to the
continent.
Another dimension of expanding China-Africa relations, China
will host the 2007 annual general meeting of the African
Development Bank Group. The meeting presents an opportunity to
further explore growing economic relations between Africa and
Asia.
Hopefully, China's growing cooperation with the continent will
improve African prospects for peace and stability.
(China Daily February 1, 2007)
