Africa Leaders Debate Union

LUSAKA, Tuesday - African leaders met behind closed doors on Tuesday to chart the future of a new pan-African body to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) after electing the man to take charge of it. After much haggling the presidents settled on Ivory Coast's veteran former foreign minister, Amara Essy, as the interim secretary-general of the OAU. He will play a pivotal role in the 38-year-old OAU's transition into the African Union (AU). U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who comes from Ivory Coast's neighbour Ghana, hailed Essy as a seasoned diplomat who brought a wealth of experience to the pan-African body. "Mr Essy brings to the OAU his extensive regional and international diplomatic experience. He facilitated the resolution of many conflicts in Africa," Annan said in a speech to the summit in reference to Essy's time as foreign minister. The Union is modelled on powerful groupings in Europe and North America. Leaders must agree on Tuesday at their talks in Lusaka on the nature and form of AU institutions such as a parliament, executive commission, court and central bank. The AU's executive commission will be based in Ethiopia, the home of the OAU. Tuesday's talks will focus on horse-trading about where to site its other institutions. Some leaders like Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi want the many ills afflicting Africa, such as endless conflicts, to be addressed if the union is to be a success. "It is useless to talk about an African Union without resolving most of the conflicts," Moi said in prepared remarks. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was warmly acknowledged at the summit as the main architect of the AU project. "Viva Muammar Gaddafi! Viva!" cheered 500 Zambian students at a meeting with him. "I admire your awareness about the cause of Africa," he said, igniting even more applause. Ends