1st LD-Writethru: 28th AU summit opens, hails progress in Africa

The 28th African Union (AU) Summit opened on Monday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa with a recognition of many socio-economic gains on the continent.

The two-day summit is held under the theme "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investments in Youth."

Speaking at the opening of the summit, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, hailed progress on areas from free movement of persons to railway development to ending child marriage.

The chairperson hailed the fastest economic growth being registered by African countries including Ethiopia, DR Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Rwanda, which are also amongst the fastest-growing economies in the world.

She commended 13 African countries for making commitment to lead in launching the single African aviation market in 2017.

Dlamini-Zuma noted that countries such as Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa have started to open their skies for fellow African countries, while urging more countries to join in.

She also hailed progress on gender equality and women's empowerment, improvements in their representation in the public spheres, reduction of maternal and infant mortality, the push for financial inclusion and economic participation, and for land rights.

Noting with concern that fighting broke out again in South Sudan, she urged the parties involved to honor the agreement to ensure peace, reconciliation and justice. Endit