ADDIS ABABA, Tuesday (2 February 2010)

African leaders today wrapped up their annual summit less divided and looking at brighter economic prospects but still facing a raft of conflicts, including Sudan’s predicted break-up.

One of the resolutions adopted was one that dissolved was the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and agreed to replace it by a new agency.

Nepad disbandment comes after a very sharp criticism against the body which couldn’t deliver a single project during the last one decade.

Nepad was established in July 2001 as a programme of the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the mandate was given leaders of Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa to steer it.

Ethiopian prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been the chairman of Nepad for the last one decade.

Leaders approved the establishment of the Nepad Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) to replace Nepad.

Nepad’s primary objective was to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity and to halt the marginalization of Africa In the globalisation process. The new agency will be a body of African Union and mandated to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of continental and regional priority programmes and mobilise resources and partners in support of their implementation.

The summit allocated $3 million as start up funding for the new office.

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