AU summit ends with resolution on food crisis, Zimbabwe, MDGs

SHARM EL-SHEIKH - The 11th African Union (AU) summit closed here Tuesday after African leaders discussed the impact of soaring food prices, the situation in Zimbabwe, and how to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Africa.

The AU leaders have shown great concern on the impact of soaring food prices on Africa.

"This sharp increase (in basic food prices) has had a particularly negative effect on African countries," Jean Ping, chairman of the AU Commission, told a meeting of AU foreign ministers.

The World Bank has estimated that high food prices and climate change together could drive more than 100 million people into extreme poverty. And the world's poorest continent Africa, could be hit the hardest, analysts say.

On Zimbabwe, the 53-member AU adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a unity government in Zimbabwe through dialogue. The resolution encouraged both sides to live up to pledges to start dialogue to promote peace and stability.

The resolution said AU leaders are deeply concerned over the situation in Zimbabwe and mediation efforts by the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) should be continued.

AU leaders are convinced that the Zimbabwean people "will be able to resolve their differences and work together once again as one nation, provided they receive undivided support from SADC, the AU and the world at large," said the resolution.

The summit did not back a US push for United Nations sanctions against Zimbabwe, including an arms embargo.

On the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), African leaders said that although great strides have been made in some countries especially in increasing school enrolment, improving access to clean water and expanding HIV/AIDS treatment, progress in many countries is not yet on track to meet MDGs.

The AU summit was held from Monday to Tuesday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The AU, headquartered in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, groups all African countries except Morocco.

The bloc was founded in July 2002 to replace the Organization for African Unity established in 1963, and is aimed at promoting cooperation, development and integration on the African continent.