All’s well as AU starts peaceful year

• African leaders can finally sit down for serious development talks this time round

Gaddafi also attempted to mediate between Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders, but his attempt to arrange face-to-face talks never took off.
On the positive side though, Gaddafi increased the salaries of AU staff.

This is the year Africa makes history by hosting the World Cup. The continent is at its most peaceful ever. The only major hot spot is Somalia where the government of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is hanging on a precipice as forces of the radical al-Shabaab and Hizbu Islam advance on the president’s palace while pirates continue to skim millions of dollars from ship-owners off shore.

Henry Owuor is Foreign and Diplomatic Writer, Daily Nation