Introductory Note by the OAU Secretary-General, H.E. Mr Salim Ahmed Salim before the 55th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers
"This is the first session [of] your council taking place after the historic signing of the treaty establishing the African Economic Community in Abuja, in June, 1991. Indeed, economic integration and development within the framework of the African economic community and the perennial issue of conflict situations on the continent and their attendant human suffering are two of the major challenges facing our organization and our continent. This session is, therefore, crucial as I believe it will provide an opportunity to seriously address these challenges and to maintain the momentum created by the declaration of the 26th Assembly of Heads of State and government, in Addis Ababa, on the political and economic situation of Africa and the fundamental changes taking place in the world and the signing of the treaty, in Abuja, during the last summit."
