This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8489724.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UN chief appeals for Sudan unity Malawi takes over AU presidency
(about 2 hours later)
The UN secretary general has urged African leaders to work for national unity in Sudan to prevent the south of the country seceding from the north. Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika has taken over as head of the African Union, replacing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at a summit in Addis Ababa.
Ban Ki-moon's appeal comes as the African Union begins its summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Malawi was the choice of southern African nations, but Libya had wanted to extend its one-year term.
Mr Gaddafi used his farewell speech to call for political unity in Africa.
Earlier UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged African leaders to work for national unity in Sudan to prevent the south seceding from the north.
Mr Ban said both the UN and AU had a big responsibility "to maintain peace in Sudan and make unity attractive".Mr Ban said both the UN and AU had a big responsibility "to maintain peace in Sudan and make unity attractive".
A referendum is due next year on whether the oil-rich south should become independent.A referendum is due next year on whether the oil-rich south should become independent.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said he will accept the result of the poll even if the south voted for independence. Renewed efforts
Col Gaddafi said he would continue to promote his vision of a "United States of Africa", adding that he did not need to keep the title of AU head.
"My brother president of the Republic of Malawi will replace me and take over," he said.
"There is no need for any title, I'll remain in the front struggling."
The theme of the three-day AU summit in Addis Ababa is information and technology.The theme of the three-day AU summit in Addis Ababa is information and technology.
Mr wa Mutharika was backed by southern African nations
In an opening speech to the African leaders, Mr Ban called for renewed efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals, which include reducing poverty, disease and child mortality, ahead of their target date of 2015.In an opening speech to the African leaders, Mr Ban called for renewed efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals, which include reducing poverty, disease and child mortality, ahead of their target date of 2015.
"We have seen a sharp decrease in malaria and measles deaths across the continent, virtual gains in primary school enrolment, marked improvement in child health," he said."We have seen a sharp decrease in malaria and measles deaths across the continent, virtual gains in primary school enrolment, marked improvement in child health," he said.
"We must build on these successes and help spread them around the world.""We must build on these successes and help spread them around the world."
Heads of states will also be discussing, among other issues, the escalating violence in Somalia and who will take over the AU chairmanship from Libya. Heads of states will also be discussing, among other issues, the escalating violence in Somalia.
The position should go to Malawi, the choice of the southern African regional grouping, SADC.
But Libya wants to extend its one-year term and has Tunisia's support.
With eastern and southern African countries apparently solidly behind Malawi, it could be a bruising contest for the AU chairmanship, writes the BBC's Uduak Amimo.
High tensionsHigh tensions
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said he will accept the result of a referendum even if the south voted for independence.
Critical year ahead for SudanCritical year ahead for Sudan
"Whatever the result of the [southern Sudan's] referendum we have to think how to manage the outcome," Mr Ban said in a joint interview with AFP and RFI radio."Whatever the result of the [southern Sudan's] referendum we have to think how to manage the outcome," Mr Ban said in a joint interview with AFP and RFI radio.
"It is very important for Sudan but also for the region. We'll work hard to avoid a possible secession," he added."It is very important for Sudan but also for the region. We'll work hard to avoid a possible secession," he added.
Sudan's mainly Muslim north and the Animist and Christian South ended their two-decade war in 2005 and joined a unity government. Sudan's mainly Muslim north and the animist and Christian south ended a two-decade war in 2005 and joined a unity government.
But tensions remain high as in April the country holds its first genuine multi-party national elections since 1986. But tensions remain high ahead of the country's first genuine multi-party national elections since 1986, due in April.
The south, which has a semi-autonomous government, is likely to vote to secede from the north in the 2011 referendum, correspondents say.The south, which has a semi-autonomous government, is likely to vote to secede from the north in the 2011 referendum, correspondents say.