Participants attending the 30th heads of state and government summit of the African Union (AU) pose for photo at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa Womens Jaleel Johnson Jersey , capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 28, 2018. The 30th heads of state and government summit of the African Union (AU) opened Sunday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, under the theme of anti-corruption. (XinhuaLyu Shuai)
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- African Heads of State and Government on Sunday underscored anti-corruption, peace and security issues towards the betterment of Africa's future.
African leaders made the call during the opening session of their two-day meeting as part of the 30th AU summit at the headquarters of the pan-African body in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Officially opening the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that terrorism continues to ravage the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa.
Mahamat, who indicated the dangerous migration trends, urged African leaders to create opportunities so as to end irregular migration.
"We need to create prospects for the youth who are embarking on adventures to cross deserts and oceans in search of an elusive paradise in the other side of Mediterranean," he said.
According to Mahamat, the situation in South Sudan, where the long-term civil war is affecting the South Sudanese people, is critical. He further warned South Sudanese parties of a possible sanction for violating their agreement.
Noting the repatriation of more than 12,000 African migrants from Libya recently, Mahamat further called on strengthening efforts in responding to the crisis in Libya.
Peace and security situations in South Sudan, the Sahel region, the horn of African region were also said to be the core targets of Africa for the year 2018 together with the fight against organized crime and the realization of AU's target of silencing the guns by 2020.
The fight against illicit financial flow, in line with corruption and mal-administration, is also stressed as a major factor in Africa, as an impediment to the continent's development.
Strengthening Africa's partnership with the Arab world, China and Japan, among other partners, is also underscored as the continent's priority area during 2018 and beyond.
The 30th AU summit will also select Rwandan President Paul Kagame as the new Chairperson of the AU succeeding Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea.
Noting African countries' contribution to UN's peacekeeping missions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that peace and security is one of the major partnership areas among UN and Africa.
The secretary general further called on Africa's contribution in the fight against corruption and climate change and investment in youth so as to create a better Africa.
Guterres indicated that avoiding the negative impacts of migration, which includes slavery, needs to be a major target of Africa and the rest of the world.
Guterres also commended African countries' achievements in counter-terrorism and operations against human trafficking.
The two-day session of the African Heads of State and Government is expected to deliberate on the different agendas including the consideration of the report of the Executive Council, the Annual report of the Chairperson of the Commission for 2017, and the report on the implementation of the Assembly Declaration that include the Solemn Commitment on the Single African Air Transport Market.
In the thrilling final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, China’s Li Haotong edged out Rory McIlroy by a single stroke to claim the second European Tour title of his career.
Li put on a late burst to card 69 and finish on 23-under for the tournament with a total of 265, setting a new record to par at Emirates Golf Club in the process by overhauling the mark of 22-under set by Thomas Bjorn in 2001.
The 22-year-old, who claimed his first European Tour title at the 2016 China Open, started the day a stroke ahead of McIlroy, but relinquished the lead in short order with a bogey on the first hole.
“Especially the first few holes, I was quite nervous,” Li said. “The first hole I made bogey and got to come back really quick, which was good.”
Li Haotong of China plays during the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club on Jan. 28, 2018 in Dubai. VCG Photo
The duo then matched each other with birdies on the third and seventh, but McIlroy forged a two-stroke lead after the turn with a birdie on the par-five 10th as Li registered his second bogey of the afternoon.
The Northern Irishman was briefly pegged back after landing in the sand on the par-three 11th, but his two-shot advantage was restored when Li made his third and final bogey on the next hole.
The Chinese reacted with supreme composure in the clutch situation, going on to birdie four of his last six holes, including sinking a 25-foot putt on the 15th to draw level with McIlroy.
“The last four holes was some of the best shots in my life so far,” he said. “Happy to see I can hold a trophy here. I‘m looking forward to my first Masters.”
McIlroy, a two-time winner in Dubai, went a long way right off the 16th tee and his failure to save par gave Li the outright lead. Both men closed with a pair of birdies apiece as the Chinese held his nerve to emerge victorious.
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton finished three shots behind the leader to claim third place, with Frenchman Alexander Levy a shot behind him in fourth and another Englishman, Chris Paisley, two shots further back in fifth on 17-under.(Agencies)
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