16 African Heads of State at "Africa's Summit"

DEVELOPMENT

16 African Heads of State will be in attendance for the 9^th Leon H. Sullivan Summit, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from August 20-24, 2012. As a sign of solidarity with the Sullivan Summit, which is hosted by President Obiang, the Heads of State will be present for what is being now known as Africa's Summit.

"The 9^th Sullivan Summit is a gathering of Africa, its leaders, its citizens, its believers and its followers. It is being hailed as the bridge between Africa and the African diaspora. It is Africa's Summit, for the continent and its people," declared former Ghanain President John Kufuor, who is also Co-Chairman of the Summit.

The 16 African Heads of Government include newly democratically elected H.E. President Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, H.E. President Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola, H.E. President Ikililou Dhoinine of Comoros, H.E. Abdurrahim El-Keib Interim President of Libya, H.E. President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, H.E. Macky Sall of Senegal, H.E. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz Mauritania, H.E. President Manuel Pinto da Costa of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E. President Morena Letapata Makhaola of Lesotho, H.E. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland, and H.E. Vice President Ali Osman Taha of Sudan.

Other heads of government include leaders from Mauritius, Nigeria, Jamaica and Ethiopia, which will be in attendance. At least 15 more Heads of Government are expected to confirm attendance in the days preceding the Summit.  

Hope Sullivan Masters, President of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, declared, "this Summit, Africa's Summit, will be one to remember – a true demonstration of the significance of what the continent is, Africa Rising!"

She went on to say that "Africa today is becoming more democratic. Its public institutions and increasing financial strength is a testimony to its aggregate presence as a continent that is shifting the dynamic of geo-political and economic relations worldwide. If the West understood more about the continent, the West would realize that Africa will not be taken advantage of. We need to build the lasting partnerships and resolutions that are absolutely necessary in the process of ensuring that the African people realize the full benefits of their beautiful land."

This year, President Obiang, the honorary host of the 9^th Sullivan Summit, will showcase the modernization and social change taking place in Equatorial Guinea, as well as its economic and infrastructure development achievements. The President will also discuss the country's role in the development of Africa as a unified continent.

Discussion topics at the Summit will address continental issues related to Economic Development, Food Security and Agricultural Sustainability in Africa, Trade and Regional Integration, Health and Human Development, and Governance. In addition, a Youth Forum will be held in concurrence of the Summit, which will address topics related to Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership. 

Historically, the Summit has brought heads of state and world leaders to address matters of concern for Africa. Since 1991, more than 20,000 people from the United States and across Africa have attended the Summits and more than USD180 billion of debt relief from developed nations has been forgiven through the work of the Summits. the Summits have been the only international forums on the continent in which former U.S. Presidents such as President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush, have attended.