(Sabratha, Libya-May 30, 2009):  The 11^th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State, ended Saturday in the Libyan ancient coastal region of Sabratha, with leaders resolving to promote and support the actions initiated by Libyan Leader Muammer Al Kaddafi, to improve the incomes of rural populations – especially women -, agricultural yields and ensure animal and plant protection.  The measures pertain specifically to micro-credit schemes, farming mechanization, combating Agricultural plights and human and animal immunization campaigns.

The Conference directed the General Secretariat to organize the 4^th meeting of Ministers in charge of Agriculture, environment and water resources, in order to define an action plan to implement the Rural Development and Natural Resource Management Strategy in the CEN-SAD region. The Conference has also directed the General Secretariat to arrange a meeting of Ministers in charge of health, to develop Community action plans, aimed at combating diseases and organization of vaccination campaigns.

An Executive Mansion dispatch quoting conclusions of the 11^th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State, says the leaders reasserted the compelling need to do their best to turn the African Union into a political and institutional reality, paying tribute to Libyan leader, Kaddafi, for his constant commitment since the Sirte Summit in September ten years ago, and his solid determination which helped achieve remarkable progress towards the exercise.

The Conference expressed appreciation over progress achieved in the debate with the adoption last January, in Addis Ababa, of a decision transforming the Commission into an Authority and the Commissioners into Secretaries, with their re-focused responsibilities and powers becoming gradually supranational.

On the situation in Somalia, the 11^th ordinary Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State, expressed its deep concern as to the persistence of violence and the rejection of the State authority by rebel groups, resisting dialogue, a factor which complicates the task of the Transitional Federal Government and the Peace Keeping Forces.

The Conference encouraged President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed Sharif, the Government and the transitional Parliament, to continue the efforts with a view to stabilizing the political and security situation, assuring him of CEN-SAD’s support for the legitimate institutions.

Leaders and Heads of State expressed their sympathy for Somali children, women and elderly victims of indiscriminate violence.

The leaders also discussed the political situations in other African countries including relations between Chad and Sudan, Mauritania, Guinea, Eritrea and Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic and the situation in the Comoros Islands.

They expressed strong condemnation of the events that took place in Guinea Bissau on March 2, 2009, that led to the assassination of President Joao Bernardo Vieira and the Armed Forces Chief of Staff.

The conference welcomed mediation and other political initiatives to find  lasting solutions to the political situations in CEN-SAD member countries and encouraged a continuation of the efforts.

The Conference retained the principle of the armies of CEN-SAD member states’ organizing joint military maneuvers and exercises. It adopted a decision on the joint maneuvers and exercises and another decision on the issue of security in the Sahel Sahara strip.

The Conference further urged member States to ratify the convention on the Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution Mechanism.

Leaders and Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to peace, concord and solidarity values for a harmonious economic development in conformity with the Treaty dated February 4^th, 1998, on the creation of the Community, the CEN-SAD security Charter, the Cooperation convention in security and the Niamey Declaration on crises and conflicts.

The 11^th Conference of Leaders and Heads of State decided, as recommended by the 18^th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, to allocate to the General Secretariat a budget of nine million-three hundred thousand US dollars (USD 9,300,000) for the financial year beginning April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010.

The Conference commended the Great Jamahiriya which has paid up its contribution and which provides in addition, support of all forms to the General Secretary.  The Conference also commended the other States that are displaying goodwill in paying the contribution and invited others to join the effort.

The President of Chad, HE Idriss Deby Itno, has meanwhile, extended an invitation to his counterparts to meet in their upcoming Session of the Conference of Leaders and Heads of State in N’Djamena.  The Conference welcomed the invitation.

Source: Executive Mansion - Monrovia

President Sirleaf and Libyan leader Kadaffi sharing light moments following the conference

Liberian president Sirleaf and Libyan leader Kadaffi in discussion at the conference

President Sirleaf of liberia and Yayi of Benin taking a cart ride to their respective villas

All photos by Executive Mansion Press crew

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