Hello, and welcome to  Reports from Developing Countries on China Radio International.

I'm Qi Zhi in Beijing.

2008 was a year that witnessed encouraging progress in Africa's efforts to achieve national reconciliation. The successful power sharing-deals to end the protracted political stalemate in Kenya and Zimbabwe were two examples. Today, we'll be looking at how African politicians are endeavouring to realize their dreams of finding African solutions to African problems.

Please stay tuned.

Report:

That was former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, speaking in his capacity as head of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, the key mediator in the political turbulence which stemmed from post-election violence early this year in Kenya.

In September, a power-sharing deal was reached in Zimbabwe under the mediation of then South African President Thabo Mbeki, ending months-long political and economic crises in the country.

The two successful cases of national reconciliation marked an important development in African political efforts to find African solutions to their own problems. Lumumba Mumma Kaluma is a lawyer with the Supreme Court of Kenya.

The African Union is a key player in the process. Its involvement in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Somalia and Sudan has demonstrated a resolve to achieve peace and stability on the African continent. Nicolas Bwakira, the African Union's envoy to Somalia, shares his thoughts.

In achieving African development, the international community can help. But according to Aneneas Chuma, representative of the United Nations Development Program in Kenya, such help should focus on improving Africa's capability to resolve its own problems.

While making progress on finding African solutions to African problems, the continent still faces many challenges. Patrick Maluki, a professor on International Relations at the University of Nairobi, says the developments in 2008 have brought hope to Africa, and to the world.

That's it for this edition of  Reports from Developing Countries brought to you by China Radio International. For more news and in-depth reports please visit us online at www.crienglish.com. This is Qi Zhi in Beijing, thanks for listening.