The Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo paid a visit to the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa today, where he had talks with the leadership of the AU Commission before addressing many delegates from the international community and the diplomatic corps. Mr. Obasanjo, who was termed a “Great African” by AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare, arrived to cheers and waving from the gathered AU members of staff.

Mr. Obasanjo spoke of his admiration for the accomplishments of the African Union since its formation in 2003. He hailed the formation of NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism and the moves towards the formation of a United States of Africa. He commended the AU’s interventions in peacekeeping and conflict prevention, and thanked the international community for its support.

President Obasanjo outlined 5 key areas, which he said are crucial if Africa is to be an integral part of global development and progress. These factors are: ridding the continent of famine; promoting education, science and technology; creating a sustainable environment; maintaining peace; and security and fighting diseases, especially HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. All these factors are interconnected, he observed, and they are underlined by poverty.

The President observed that a number of conferences have been held to try and find solution to some of the challenges. These conferences served the great purpose of raising awareness and focusing the attention of decision makers on the critical areas identified at continental level.

Calling on African leaders to recommit to sustainable development, President Obasanjo said African leaders should create climates conducive to investment in their countries. He also called on the international community to consider total cancellation of Africa’s debt, make markets accessible to African goods, remove agricultural subsidies, stop the sale of small weapons to non state parties in Africa and encourage the return of looted state funds stashed in foreign banks so as to release money for development. The President encouraged more unity among Africans and in this respect he singled out the cooperation between the African Union, the United Nations Economic Community for Africa and the African Development Bank.

AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare paid tribute to the work done by President Obasanjo, in the promotion of good governance, accountability and democracy; advocacy for African positions at major fora; hosting important summits; fighting against famine; fighting against major diseases and spearheading technological advancement on the continent. Mr. Obasanjo did this work in his various capacities, which have included; being Chairperson of the African Union; Chairperson of the Commonwealth; and Chairperson of the Group of 77 among others.

President Konare pointed out the Bakassi frontier agreement as an example of how states can use dialogue to resolve conflict without resorting to war. He also applauded Nigeria for its commitment to the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

Mr. Obasanjo’s visit to the AU took place in the context of a state visit to Ethiopia.