What's on the AU agenda For its 25th Summit In South Africa? By Ray Hartley

Expect former president Thabo Mbeki to be back in his element. His report on illicit financial flows, which basically found that Africa was a money-laundering paradise, will open the door for him to return to the stage on which he was most comfortable when president.  Imageby: Nicolene Olckers

The meeting is likely to be attended by heads of state (South Africa says there is no truth to rumours of a boycott by some).
The summit will focus on something called Agenda 2063, a somewhat vague call "to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny"
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The AU is to spend some time looking at how to raise money. Membership dues are unreliable and there is a growing bureaucracy to fund. President Jacob Zuma will start the ball rolling with a fund-raising dinner and a golf day "to encourage private companies to donate money to the AU Foundation".
The meeting will discuss Africa's plan for the "transformation of the UN Security Council". It currently has 15 member states, five permanent and 10 "non-permanent". Africa wants a permanent seat;

Africa is also keen to establish something called the African Standby Force, drawn from across the continent to head military interventions and to stop the embarrassing reliance on France and other Western countries to send in paratroopers when there is a coup;
Tied to the above will be a focus on the threat of terrorism in Kenya, Nigeria and other countries. An effort will be made to commit more countries to fighting the terror threat, or at least supporting those caught up in fierce fighting; and

Expect former president Thabo Mbeki to be back in his element. His report on illicit financial flows, which basically found that Africa was a money-laundering paradise, will open the door for him to return to the stage on which he was most comfortable when president.