Central African leaders were urged at a summit here yesterday to pursue economic and political reforms and correct a precarious food situation that threatens at least one-third of the region's people with famine.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, the current head of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (Cemac), urged his fellow leaders at the summit to "keep your sights set on reforms and reinforcing Cemac".

"We can and must look towards the future with optimism," said Sassou Nguesso, adding that his "most cherished wish is to be able to build a peaceful, stable, secure and dynamic community".

Presidents Omar Bongo of Gabon - who is poised to take over as Cemac chairperson from Sassou Nguesso at the end of the summit; Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic were attending the six-nation summit.

Cameroon was represented by the head of its economic and social council, Luc Ayang, while Chadian Prime Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat was attending for Ndjamena.

Those six central African states are fully fledged members of Cemac, while the tiny island nation of Sao Tome and Principe has observer status in the grouping, and was attending the summit in that capacity.

The same seven countries, together with Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda form the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), which on Tuesday ended its own two-day summit meeting in Brazzaville.

Earlier, the summiteers were urged by the head the UN's Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Jacques Diouf, to take steps to fight famine in the region, which threatens at least one-third of central Africans.

"Fifty-seven per cent of the population of CEEAC and 30% of the population of Cemacsuffer hunger and nutritional deficiencies," said Diouf.

Some 113-million people live in the region covered by both groupings, but that number is set to nearly treble by 2050, said Diouf, worsening the already difficult food situation.

"Growth of agricultural production in CEEAC is only at 1,2% against demographic growth of 2,5%," said Diouf.

The picture was better in Cemac, where agricultural production was growing more quickly, at 3,1% a year, than the population, gaining 2,7% annually, said Diouf.

"Central Africa must rise to numerous challenges, including increasing and diversifying agricultural production. Governments must also improve rural roads and develop agricultural markets," he said.

CEEAC and Cemac member states have "the capacity to achieve food security in the next five years," said Diouf, basing his optimistic outlook on the region's climate, abundant rainfall and vast tracts of forestland.

The summiteers will during their two-day meeting discuss a regional non-aggression pact, mutual aid between member states, extradition and legal cooperation pacts, and will debate a proposed text outlining the rules that will govern a future regional parliament.

They are also expected to discuss financial issues, including the creation of a regional development fund and the workings of a central bank, and the setting up of a regional airline and passport for Cemac nationals.

Cemac Executive Secretary Jean Nkuete said yesterday that "a free trade accord will be adopted this year between the community and Sao Tome and Principe". – Sapa-AFP.