wfn.org | SA Archbishop calls for African economic unit

[Theo and Ruth Coggin <coggin@sn.apc.org>]

^From Theo Coggin, Quo Vadis Communications on behalf of the Archbishop
of Cape Town, e-mail: coggin@sn.apc.org
Sunday, January 18, 1998

A call has been made on African heads of state who will meet in Kampala,
Uganda, later this week to give serious consideration to the
establishment of an economic unit comprising the states of Africa.

The call was made today (Sunday, 18 January) in an address in the town
of Kabale in the African Great Lakes region, bordering northern Rwanda,
by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, the Most Rev
Njongonkulu Ndungane.

He was speaking at the enthronement of the new bishop of the Anglican
Diocese of Kigezi, the Right Rev George Katwesigye.

A number of executive and other senior Ugandan government officials,
parliamentarians, and the vice-president of the country, Dr S Kazibwe,
attended the colourful ceremony.

In an address punctuated repeatedly by applause from the several
thousand members of the congregation, Archbishop Ndungane praised the
Uganda president, Yoweri Museveni, for convening the meeting of several
African heads of state to discuss poverty and strategies to improve
economic conditions for the people of central and southern Africa.

Describing poverty as “the greatest scourge of our time”, Archbishop
Ndungane urged the leaders to look beyond mere regional economic
co-operation.

“These leaders should look at reviving an economic unit that comprises a
united states of Africa, so that everyone in this great continent can
benefit economically. Such a step would be a giant leap towards the
eradication of poverty. It would also enable Africa to deal more
realistically with other economic alliances in the world,” he said.

It was also important for the political leaders attending the summit to
recognise the value of strategic partnerships between governments,
business and civil society, in order “to generate creative initiatives
for the good of all people”, Archbishop Ndungane added.

“We live in a continent and in a region [the Great Lakes region] that
has been troubled, but not destroyed,” he said. Referring specifically
to the Great Lakes region, he said there was a need for people to show
forgiveness and reconciliation, and for the Church to bring its ministry
of grace.

Noting that the summit convened by President Museveni was to be held at
a time when other political leaders, such as South African
vice-president Thabo Mbeki were speaking of an African renaissance,
Archbishop Ndungane said there were strong suggestions that “the giant
of Africa is awakening from a deep and long sleep”.

“The possibilities are breathtaking, yet realisable,” he argued.

Note to editors: Reports in the Uganda media say that up to sixteen
African heads of states will be hosted by President Museveni at the
summit in Kampala to start on January 23.

ends statement

For more information,
contact Theo Coggin: 09256-486-23336/7/8 (ask for Room 7).

Issued by Quo Vadis Communications
on behalf of the Archbishop of Cape Town

The homepage address of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa is:
http://www.cpsa.org.za/

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Tel: (+2711) 648-5461/1093; Fax: (+2711) 487-1994
Cell: 27-82-900-0168
e-mail: coggin@sn.apc.org

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Tel: (011) 648-5461/1093; Fax: (011) 487-1994
Cell: 082-900-0168
e-mail: coggin@sn.apc.org

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