MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and Int ernational Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, bade farewell to his colleagues in the African Union

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and Int ernational Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, bade farewell to his colleagues in the African Union Ministerial Executive Council on Friday, after concluding a preparatory meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday, for the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was expected to arrive here yesterday for the Summit, which opens today, and will focus on the African migration crisis, xenophobia and issues of governance.

Mr Membe, who was invited by the Chair of the Executive Council and Zimbabwe Foreign Minister, Mr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, to address his colleagues yesterday, said he was encouraged that despite the challenges, Africa is on the rise.

“Security reigns in most parts of our continent and most countries continue to record economic growth (while) democracy has taken root across the continent. These achievements are a result of our collective efforts,” he said.

He urged continued unity of purpose and action among African countries to keep up the momentum.

Continental efforts at development should be anchored around empowerment of women and youth, he said. “We must invest in research, science and technology; we must fight corruption; we must promote good governance and we must continue addressing existing and emerging peace and security challenges,” said Mr Membe.

The AU summit will receive a number of reports, including on the crisis and the state of peace and security in Africa, including terrorism and radical extremism.

Meanwhile, the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria is expected to be busier than ever. Over 50 African Heads of State will be touching down at the highly guarded airport as the final countdown to the 25th African Union Summit, in Johannesburg, begins.

This year, Zimbabwe is sitting in the chairperson’s seat and President Robert Mugabe is expected to preside over a very tough programme.

The crisis in Burundi which is set to dominate the summit; has been on everyone’s lips at the Sandton Convention Centre this week.

The issue is will African leaders solve the political turmoil in Burundi and how will they convince President Pierre Nkurunziza to reconsider his intention to stand for a third term, despite the fact that the constitution limits him to two. But Burundi will not be the only headache for the AU leaders as they prepare to sit for their ordinary assembly.

The AU is expected to emerge with a strong campaign against terrorist groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and Kenyan based al-Shabaab. The terrorist groups have killed hundreds of people, displaced thousands and destroyed many families.

In Nigeria, Boko Haram took credit for the disappearance of hundreds of schoolgirls, who it is feared are to be used as suicide bombers.

Perhaps the intensity of these militant groups will finally push the AU to speed up the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, a continental force which should have been in place many years ago.

There will also be lighter issues on the agenda, like the finalisation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) which the AU wants in place by 2017.

The 2012 summit in Addis Ababa under the theme, “Boosting intra-African trade”, endorsed a plan to set up the structure by 2017.

The proposed CFTA is reportedly a key component of the AU’s strategy to boost trade within the region by at least 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the next decade