African Ministers Reach Consensus on Setup of African UnionAfrican ministers meeting here have reached general consensus that there is need to prioritize the organs of the African Union, a spokesman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) said Sunday afternoon in Lusaka.These will be the assembly, the executive council which will replace the council of ministers and the commission which will replace the general secretariat, said Desmond Orjiako, OAU head of communication and publicity. Orjiako told journalists that the ministers have discussed a number of issues during the Council of Ministers meeting which began on Thursday. He said the ministers have resolved that the African Union should therefore have all the necessary facilities that will enable it to be a success. The ministers also agreed that there is need to put in place modalities of funding the African Union during the transitional period, Orjiako said, explaining that this arises out of the fact that the OAU has been dogged by financial problems throughout most of its existence. Orjiako disclosed that due to the need to involve the majority of Africans and to popularize the Union, the ministers also considered the establishment of an African parliament. This will be constituted of elected representatives even from the grassroots and non-governmental organizations, the spokesman said. He said "these are all going to be involved in the running of the African Union." The 37th OAU summit is to open here on Monday and by press time over 20 heads of state and government have arrived for the three- day meeting. |
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