Sarkozy: Africa to have stronger voice

NICE, France, June 1 (UPI) -- At a summit of African leaders in France, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Africa will have an important role in economic growth in the upcoming decades.

Sarkozy told the gathering of 38 African leaders in Nice their continent must have a stronger voice in global affairs, Radio France Internationale reported Monday.

"Absolutely none of the problems that the world faces today can be resolved without the active participation of the African continent," Sarkozy said.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also called for a greater African role in world affairs.

"We want to end at all cost the marginalization of the African continent, so that it can participate with a clear and strong voice in political and economic decision-making at the international level," Mubarak said.

South African President Jacob Zuma outlined an approach for the prevention, resolution and management of conflicts that would include the input of the African Union Peace and Security Council, an African Standby Force for peace support missions, the Panel of the Wise for mediating conflict situations, and a Continental Early Warning Systems for pre-empting and preventing conflicts.