World Bulletin / News Desk

An African Union summit focusing on empowering women opened on Sunday in South African capital Pretoria.

Terrorism, migration and the development of the continent are the other issues topping the agenda.

“If we empower our women, we shall have empowered the continent by 50 percent,” the union’s Deputy Chairman Erastus Mwencha told delegates.

This year’s summit is being held under banner Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Mwencha said the union had drawn up a 10-year plan to develop the continent over the next two decades, with infrastructure and information and communications technology at the fore.

The Kenyan diplomat added that the union aspired to end conflict on the continent by 2020, issue an African passport and reverse the illicit flow of capital from the continent.

“We also want to enhance Africa’s voice in global negotiations,” he said.