Zuma hails United States of Africa

Tripoli- Libya (PANA) -- South African Foreign Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council meeting in Tripoli, has described the Union as a product of compromise and paid glowing tributes to Libya for accelerating the process.
Opening the second extra-ordinary session of the Council in the Libyan capital Monday, she recalled that initially there were "those seeking to achieve the goal directly and the others, who preferred to get there progressively.
But we all shared the same ideas for the advent of the United States of Africa.
" She said the Union was working hard to free Africans from poverty, diseases and debts, adding: "we should provide it with specialised units and institutions capable of implementing its decisions.
" The South African official stressed the need to examine proposed amendments to the AU's Constitutive Act in a "fraternal atmosphere" so as to consolidate the Union, stressing that continental institutions should be established progressively.
She expressed satisfaction with the ratification of the Peace Council agreement which, she said, "will give fresh impetus to efforts deployed in the management and resolution of conflicts, which continue to wreck parts of the continent, such as Sudan and DR Congo.
" Zuma said she was also pleased with Africa's commitment to contribute in the fight against terrorism and "encouraged by the Algiers anti-terrorism Declaration.
" She further said the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has been accepted as a plan of the Union.
"Today, the African Union and NEPAD can work together to ensure that Africa's single voice is heard around the world," she added.