Sahel, Sahara declaration: eliminating wars and poverty
Regional, Politics, 2/14/2001

The Khartoum declaration issued late Tuesday marking the conclusion of the 3rd Sahel and Sahara summit, underlined the need for reaching final solution to regional wars and conflicts.

Cited by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mostafa Osman Ismail, which doubles as the executive chairman of the grouping's council, the declaration called on parties concerned to respond to effort exerted by members of the gathering on means to settle regional disputes.

The declaration reiterated commitment, by the grouping leaders, to human rights principles, justice, equality as well as their honoring of pluralism and transparency.

It reaffirmed adherence to combating poverty and achieving sustainable development.

The declaration recommended the implementation of Sirte declaration on the establishment of the "United States of Africa."

The President of the Central African Republic commended the Sudanese efforts in organizing the third summit of the Sahel and Sahara Presidential Council.

President Omar El-Bashir, on his part, pledged to work on implementing the recommended plans and programmes which, according to him, would help realize the grouping's objectives.

Bashir was elected President of the third session of the gathering's Presidential Council. The summit issued a resolution calling countries that have not signed for the establishment of the "United States of Africa" to speed up the move.

The summit empowered the grouping's executive council chief and secretary general to embark on a tour for that end.

The summit also issued a resolution on setting up a solidarity fund to provide assistance when necessary.

In another resolution, the summit called on the UN Security Council to immediately lift sanctions imposed on Libya.

It called on regional and international organizations to press for lifting the sanctions and the release of Abdel Basset El-Megrahi, a Libyan national who was sentenced to life in prison by a Scottish court over charges of involvement in the blowing up of a Pan-Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.

The summit also empowered leader of Libyan Revolution Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to continue efforts for peace and stability in the gathering.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa in his word before the summit said that accepting the membership of Egypt in the 3rd Sahel and Sahara summit underlines the depth of relations.

He added that coordinating of African stances is necessary to face the challenges imposed by globalization and the world trade organizations' policies.

Moussa pointed that mastering efforts achieves integration between the gathering countries to reach the joint aims.

Previous Stories:
  Egypt, a full member of Sahel and Sahara Grouping   (2/13/2001)
  Morocco voices wish to see Maghreban union revived   (2/13/2001)
  Morocco officially adheres to COMESSA   (2/13/2001)

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