Kofi Annan speaks, at a summit of African Union leaders in Banjul, Gambia:
In his speech, Mr Annan painted a mixed picture of Africa’s progress as a continent.
He praised what he called its inexorable and unstoppable progress on development, but said much remained to be done.
“Overall, the number of Africans living in extreme poverty continues to increase,” he said.
“The spread of HIV/Aids continues to outpace our efforts to halt it.
“The conflicts in Darfur, Ivory Coast, Somalia and northern Uganda continue to outrun efforts for a solution.
“Many governments continue to suppress opposition parties and a free press… Many continue to practise or tolerate large-scale corruption.”
He called for a fresh strategy to build development, security and human rights.
Somalia, Ivory Coast, and the impending trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor are also on the agenda at the summit.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are also attending the summit as invited guests.
Fifty-two villas and a huge hotel and conference centre have been built in just under six months just outside Banjul, to accommodate the delegates.
They don’t have a great record at looking after their fellow Africans, these leaders, but they certainly know how to look after themselves.
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