German Chancellor Merkel On First African Tour
German
Chancellor Angela Merkel who is on a five-day tour of Africa,
has offered to help Ethiopia and Eritrea resolve a long-running
border dispute.
At a meeting with Ethiopian Primie Minister, Meles Zenawi,
Merkel said transparency, respecting human rights and freedom of
the press were all ingredients that not only helped to stabilise
nations but also helped economic development.
Merkel described the talks with Zenawi as "constructive," and
the chancellor added that she was confident the acrimonious
border dispute between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea would be
peacefully settled since Ethiopia had accepted the ruling of an
impartial border commission. She also pledged Germany's help in
achieving stability in the region.
"It seems that the problems are mainly in the implementation [of
the border commission's recommendations],"..."Wherever we can be
of any assistance, Germany will certainly be ready to do so."
She pledged.
Key
Focus
Human rights were a key issue on her agenda as she visited Addis
Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.
Ethiopia has been criticised by human rights organisations
monitoring events there since the 2005 elections, when unrest
broke out over suspected vote rigging. A number of people were
killed and many more arrested. Amnesty International estimated
the number of political prisoners at 200.
President Zenawi on his part, pledged renewed efforts and said
his government was working toward a separation of powers between
the government, parliament and judiciary.
European Support
The German leader called for stronger European efforts for
Africa. Saying that "Europe must do more," Merkel conceded that
Europeans had neglected Africa in recent years, but Europe had
done some introspection, she added self-critically. It was "in
Europe's own best interest to intensify relations," she said.
Merkel gave reassurances that promises to increase development
aid by 2015 would be kept. As current president of the Group of
Eight leading industrial nations, Merkel explained that for the
promises to be kept industrial nations would have to donate 0.7
percent of their economic power.
Joint AU - UN Force In Dafur
Merkel said she saw Africa as a whole "in motion." One trend,
she said, had been clear for years: "Fewer conflicts, more
democratic elections and peaceful transitions of power. Economic
growth has increased significantly," Merkel said in an address
to the African Union.
She also spoke of a "reform partnership" with Africa based on
"shared values, such as the respect for universal human rights,
democracy and constitutionalism."
The German leader reiterated her recent appeal for a "common
spirit" between Africa and the developed world to reduce
poverty, ensure respect for human rights, fight disease and
improve education.
The chancellor concluded by calling for the rapid deployment of
a joint peacekeeping force to war-ravaged Sudan. Logistical and
financial hurdles must be overcome, she said, in a bid to send a
joint African Union-United Nations force into Darfur.
"The UNAMID mission must come to action quickly and will
hopefully lead to the desired success," she said, while
emphasising "the central responsibility for peace, stability and
security lies within Africa itself."
Merkel traveled on to Johannesburg, South Africa and she
concludes her visit with a short stop-over in Liberia on Sunday
before returning to Berlin.
DW/MIA
