The Vice President, Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, has said that Information, Communication Technologies (ICTs) constitute a tool that Africa cannot go without, and that despite the numerous opportunities that ICTs avail, African states have not been able to make a significant breakthrough to harness these opportunities for the betterment of the citizenry, and the performance of their economies.

Mrs. Njie-Saidy made this statement in a speech she delivered at the 14th Ordinary Summit of the African Union, which took place in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa from 31st January to 2nd February 2010. The Summit's theme was "Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Prospects and Challenges for Development".

She continued: "The challenges manifest themselves in the general lack of infrastructure, the problem of bandwidth availability, the high cost of ICT products and services, the presence of cyber security threats, and the huge financial and human resources challenges". She added that she is aware that several initiatives have been undertaken, or are at an advanced stage of being implemented to address the ICT infrastructural needs in Africa.

Mrs. Njie-Saidy applauded the efforts pioneered through NEPAD, in this direction, especially in eastern Africa, and similar efforts that are underway in West Africa. This, she added involves an important partnership with the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) Consortium in implementing what has become known as the ACE project.

"The RASCOM project," she went on," another proud African initiative that requires the unrelenting support and patronage by all governments, is proving itself as a worthy intervention towards providing indigenous ICT infrastructure". The Vice President then reiterated the call she made at the recently concluded RASCOM Assembly of Parties meeting held in The Gambia in December last year, for concerted efforts to support all on-going initiatives that are unfolding in the continent in order to advance the spirit in ICT development.

Mrs. Njie-Saidy challenged other African Heads of State and Government to be committed in helping RASCOM to meet its immediate as well as future obligations and plans, including plans to launch a second satellite. "This commitment" she emphasised, "should be demonstrated by timely payment of contributions, and the possible augmentation of the share capital of RASCOM signatories".

VP Njie-saidy called on the AU in collaboration with ITU, UNECA, the entire United Nations family, multinational companies, other international bodies, and true friends of Africa to further consolidate the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Connect Africa Summit through collaborative initiatives to support the development, rehabilitation, enhancement and upgrading of national and international infrastructure to next generation networks.

"Through enhanced south-south, and intra-regional cooperation and partnership", she went on, "I am confident that Africa and all countries and regions of this great continent will before the timeline to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) succeed to leapfrog into the global information society, bridge the digital divide, and match the developed world in virtually every sphere of development and globalisation".

Finally, Mrs. Njie-Saidy pointed out that the aspirations for the African continent cannot be attained or be beneficial in the absence of peace and security and called for more concerted efforts towards conflict prevention and peaceful resolution where conflict exists.

Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, gave an account of the activities of the Commission based on the four pillars, i.e. peace and security; development, integration and cooperation; shared values and institution; and capacity building.

He presented an overview of the successes, challenges and setbacks that characterized 2009. He said the situation on the continent was mixed because there had been notable successes as well as some challenges.

Among the successes in peace and security, Mr. Ping highlighted the peace architecture which, he said is now operational, citing the establishment of governments of national unity in Kenya and Zimbabwe during 2009. He also applauded the move towards democratic rule in Guinea , where elections are due to take place later this year.

On Somalia , Mr. Ping said he was optimistic towards achieving peace and expressed gratitude to Burundi and Uganda for their commitment to peace by sending troops to Somalia . The Chairperson appealed to AU member states to send more troops to support the 5500 troops that are presently in Somalia to protect institutions which have not existed for the past 20 years.

Mr. Ping further applauded the resumption of relations between Chad and Sudan and reminded all present that 2010 has been declared Year of Peace and Security in Africa .

On challenges, Mr. Ping expressed concern at the persistence of conflicts and the return of coup d'états, as they affect stability on the continent. He said the AU has adopted a firm attitude against coup d'états and called for vigilance in protecting the peace processes in Africa . He also appealed for vigilance against human and drug trafficking and organized crime.

On the issue of shared values, the Chairperson reported on the adoption of the African Convention for Assistance and Protection of Displaced persons in December 2009, which, he said, will help protect displaced people. "This", he revealed, "is the first such instrument in the world".

He highlighted that concrete projects have been launched in infrastructure, energy, ICT, agriculture and education, citing as examples, the Inga dam in Central Africa, the Kafue Gorge in Southern Africa of satisfactory projects. In education, Mr. Ping pointed out that the Pan African University project is underway and this will help attain the MDGs.

In his speech, the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, thanked Africa for its assistance to Haiti . He announced the creation of the MDG advocacy group composed of eminent persons from all walks of life who will raise awareness and emphasize Africa's MDG priorities and commended Africa for declaring 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security. He pledged the UN's full support.

In his opening statement, the out-going Chairperson of the African Union, Brother Leader Muammar El Gaddafi, leader of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Jamahiriya encouraged Africans to unite and fight for its development as a single entity, adding that speaking as one will help Africa resolve many of its challenges.

After the opening ceremony, the AU unveiled its new flag. The flag was hoisted by the Brother Leader Gaddafi. It could be recalled that during the 8 th AU Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2007, the Heads of State and Government decided to launch a competition for the selection of a new flag for the Union . A green background was selected for the flag, symbolizing hope for Africa and stars to represent Member States. The flag is now part of the paraphernalia of the AU and replaces the old one.

The President of Malawi, Bingu Wa Mutharika was also elected Chairperson of AU.

By Aisha Davis-Ann in Addis Ababa