African Union must ensure peace is restored in Sudan

I wish to add my voice to the sentiments expressed by Wangari Maathai in the article “AU Summit: A critical moment to support Sudan” (The EastAfrican, February 1-7).

The Nobel Laureate called on African leaders to demonstrate a type of leadership that is relevant to the continent by giving African solutions to African problems.

She hailed former South African president Thabo Mbeki and his team consisting of former African heads of state, ministers and prominent Sudan specialists, for their attempts at resolving the conflict between North and Southern Sudan.

Unlike previous international and regional attempts, this one was quite promising because the team sought to listen to the people, and thereby achieve credibility.

As African leaders met in Addis recently for the 14th African Union Summit, peace and security featured prominently as a secondary theme of the Assembly, with leaders declaring 2010 the year of peace and security in Africa. The Sudan crisis is an acid test for our leaders.

They must rally behind Mbeki and his team to ensure that the work begun comes to fruitful completion.

The continent and the world are watching keenly.

Thousands of innocent people in Sudan, victims of the war, are looking forward to the restoration of peace.

Our leaders must prove their mettle by setting the example.

But they must understand that unity in purpose is key to achieving their stated objectives.

There is, therefore, a need for a single voice; one that will foster the integration of the continent so that it emerges stronger to push for change and offer Sudan the support it requires.

All efforts towards integration must therefore be encouraged. I pray our leaders will not renege on this.

Celine Munyoki
Eldoret