ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- African Heads of State and Government on Sunday underscored anti-corruption, peace and security issues towards the betterment of Africa's future.
African leaders made the call during the opening session of their two-day meeting as part of the 30th AU summit at the headquarters of the pan-African body in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Officially opening the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that terrorism continues to ravage the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa.
Mahamat, who indicated the dangerous migration trends, urged African leaders to create opportunities so as to end irregular migration.
"We need to create prospects for the youth who are embarking on adventures to cross deserts and oceans in search of an elusive paradise in the other side of Mediterranean," he said.
According to Mahamat, the situation in South Sudan, where the long-term civil war is affecting the South Sudanese people, is critical. He further warned South Sudanese parties of a possible sanction for violating their agreement.
Noting the repatriation of more than 12,000 African migrants from Libya recently, Mahamat further called on strengthening efforts in responding to the crisis in Libya.
Peace and security situations in South Sudan, the Sahel region, the horn of African region were also said to be the core targets of Africa for the year 2018 together with the fight against organized crime and the realization of AU's target of silencing the guns by 2020.
The fight against illicit financial flow, in line with corruption and mal-administration, is also stressed as a major factor in Africa, as an impediment to the continent's development.
Strengthening Africa's partnership with the Arab world, China and Japan, among other partners, is also underscored as the continent's priority area during 2018 and beyond.
The 30th AU summit will also select Rwandan President Paul Kagame as the new Chairperson of the AU succeeding Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea.
Noting African countries' contribution to UN's peacekeeping missions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that peace and security is one of the major partnership areas among UN and Africa.
The secretary general further called on Africa's contribution in the fight against corruption and climate change and investment in youth so as to create a better Africa.
Guterres indicated that avoiding the negative impacts of migration, which includes slavery, needs to be a major target of Africa and the rest of the world.
Guterres also commended African countries' achievements in counter-terrorism and operations against human trafficking.
The two-day session of the African Heads of State and Government is expected to deliberate on the different agendas including the consideration of the report of the Executive Council, the Annual report of the Chairperson of the Commission for 2017, and the report on the implementation of the Assembly Declaration that include the Solemn Commitment on the Single African Air Transport Market.
