PRETORIA, Feb 4 (NNN-BUANEWS) — President Jacob Zuma is heading back to South Africa after attending the 14th African Union (AU) Summit which concluded in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

President Zuma and International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi and Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda attended the summit which was held under the theme of “Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects for the Future”.

During the summit, President Zuma encouraged African leaders to harness the potential of ICT for greater integration of African governance structures.

“We meet here in Addis Ababa with the objective of advancing our vision of a united Africa. Information and communication technology can help us to realise that vision. It can help us to advance economic growth and development,” he said.

He pledged South Africa’s support of the resolutions taken by the summit that include the draft decision on Madagascar wherein the Assembly underscored the leading role played by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the mediation process in that country.

The AU Assembly of heads of state and government also expressed support to former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, the SADC mediator and his mediation team for their endeavours towards re-establishing constitutional normalcy in Madagascar.

The AU also took note of the election of the Peace and Security Council of the AU by the Executive Council for a three-year term with effect from April 1, 2010. South Africa was also elected a member for a two-year term with effect from April 1, 2010.

President Zuma also attended the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee meeting and the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government meeting.

He also met Malawian President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, who has assumed the Chair of the AU. President Zuma pledged South Africa’s support to his leadership of the organization. Malawi takes over the chairmanship from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

President Zuma also invited all African Heads of State and Government to attend the FIFA 2010 World Cup in June as South Africa views it as an African World Cup. — NNN-BUANEWS

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