the continent will not live up to its development goals and objectives when women who are the face of the continent remain in poverty.”

“The Summit is now over. We must make issues concerning them (women) not just issues for 2015, but years to come. We must all see the need to work for the empowerment and development of women wherever they may be across the continent,” she stressed.

Other issues handled on the final day of the summit included discussions on the work of the Peace and Security Council, the outcome of the Dakar Summit on Higher Education, the adoption of Decisions, Declarations, Reports, Resolutions and Outcome of the 25th AU Summit.

President Sirleaf provided briefings on the current state of affairs of the Ebola crisis and outlined measures being taken to avoid a recurrence of the virus in Liberia, including regional collaboration and common interventions along the borders.

She reflected on the incredible and outstanding role of the AU Ebola mission (ASEOWA) and thanked the continent for standing with Liberia through ASEOWA and other interventions, including financial, logistical, human, technical and other forms of support.

She said the Liberian Government and people will remain grateful to the AU for the assistance.

According to a dispatch from Johannesburg, South Africa, she thanked President Jacob Zuma and the South African people for hosting the Summit and paid tribute to President Robert Mugabe for his leadership, wisdom and skills demonstrated as Chair of the AU Authority of Heads of State.

The Summit further considered the report of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AIDS Watch Africa (AWA), Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn; Heads of State and Government Action Committee before proceeding with the appointment of some elected officials.

The election also includes six members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) and three members of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).
LINA GDJ/PTK