Annan tells AU leaders of the need for "urgent action" on Darfur

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday said he was greatly concerned over conflicts in Africa, warning the continent’s leaders that these could jeopardise their development plans.

Speaking at the opening session of the African Union (AU) summit being held at the UN Conference Centre in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, he said the real fight must be that against poverty, disease and ignorance. "We must not let the achievements of recent years be rubbed out by a return to an Africa in which millions are plagued by terrible violence," he said.

Some 40 heads of state are attending the summit, including Sudanese President Umar Hasan al-Bashir and South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Annan referred to the "horrific" situation in Sudan's western region of Darfur, where, during a recent visit, he had witnessed "sick and hungry" women and children and seen "fear in the eyes of people".

He warned that unless urgent action was taken in Darfur, the crisis could spiral out of control, destabilise the region and spark "an even greater humanitarian catastrophe". "Without action, the brutalities already inflicted on the civilian population in Darfur could be a prelude to an even greater humanitarian catastrophe – a catastrophe that could destabilise the region," Annan said. "But the threat of further brutal violence and massive civilian suffering will only recede if the crisis is dealt with in a comprehensive way," he stressed.

Annan also told of grave concerns over human rights abuses in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, instability in Cote d’Ivoire and tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The AU estimates that since the 1960s, Africa has witnessed some 30 conflicts, claiming a total of seven million lives and costing US $250 billion.

Annan asserted that good governance lay at the heart of any broad and sustainable development strategy endorsed by the AU, praising its shift towards democracy. "Democracy is not perfect, and democratisation is not easy," he said. "But the more accountable governments are, the more likely they are to be responsive to the needs of their people, whether that need is to prevent famine, fight poverty or halt the spread of HIV/AIDS."

He said governments must not manipulate their constitutions to extend their terms of office, and must allow free and fair elections, a credible opposition and a free press. "Let us always remember that constitutions are for the long-term benefit of society, not the short-term goals of the ruler," Annan added. "Let us pledge that the days of the indefinite one-man or one-party governments are behind us."

Earlier, AU Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare spelt out his vision for the continent, calling for a Marshall Plan like the US project to rebuild war-ravaged Europe after 1945. He said, however, that even if rich nations doubled aid and wiped out existing debts, the continent would still face a shortfall of $19 billion to implement its development strategies.

Konare said Africa was way off target in reaching anti-poverty goals set for 2015. He predicted that it would take at least another century to achieve universal primary education and the halving of poverty. But he noted that greater integration, new alliances and the support of rich nations would help towards heralding a new Africa.