The Theme For AU Summit Is Timely

The theme for the 13th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government currently taking place in Sirte in the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, dubbed "Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security" is indeed timely and relevant. The relevance of the theme cannot be over-emphasised. As Africans, we must be able to feed ourselves in order to be fully independent.

It's disputable for one to call yourself independent when almost all what you consume as a country is being imported from Europe or elsewhere.

It is said that many people in the world go to bed hungry, most of whom, are believed to be Africans. Thus, there is a need for the continent to put in place tangible mechanisms to move her people from hunger. We must grow what we eat.

It's hoped that at the end of the summit our leaders would come up with concrete solutions to pave the way forward for more agricultural productivity, and to ensure food security.

Apart from discussing the theme of the Summit: "Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security",the 13th Ordinary Session of the Assembly Heads of State and Government of the African Union will also consider the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, including the report of the Panel of the Wise on strengthening the role of the African Union in the prevention, management and resolution of election disputes and conflicts in Africa.

The Heads of State will consider the report of the Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee; the Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms; the Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms; the report of the Commission on the new African Union Flag.

They will also brainstorm on the progress report of the Commission on the Implementation of the Assembly's decision on the Hissene Habre Case as adopted by the Twelfth Ordinary Session of the Assembly; and the report of the Commission on the meeting of African State Parties to the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court (ICC), amongst others.

On political matters, the PRC will consider the report on the situation of refugees, returnees and internally- displaced persons in Africa; the report of the Commission on the Durban Review Conference (Geneva, Switzerland, 20-24 April 2009) on the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa in 2001 and the report of the Commission on the activities of the Multilateral Cooperation Sub-Committee.

With regards to economic, social and cultural matters, they would exchange views on the report of the Commission on the setting up of the Pan-African Media Observatory; the Progress Report of the Commission on the Implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Dialogue  Strategy and its Action Plan; the report of the Commission on the Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the Progress Report of the Commission on the Integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union.

This is indeed a high-level meeting and we do hope that the deliberations will bear incredible fruition for the benefit of all African people.

Meanwhile, political observers also believe that the issue of continental integration will also be discussed, as some countries in Africa are very much ready and pushing for immediate African unity. The likes of Libyan leader Col. Maummar Ghadafi who happens to be the current AU Chairman is showing no sign of abating in his struggle for African integration.

At this juncture, we must commend him for sending tractors to many African countries, including the Gambia.

We do hope that our leaders will fanatically listen to the popular dream of African people for an eventual continental integration. As the saying goes unity is strength.

This summit is happening at the time when farmers in most parts of Africa are busied working on their farms.