Abuja (WorldStage Newsonline)-- President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday challenged African leaders on the need to work closely together to confront the huge developmental challenges facing the continent.

Speaking when he received Special Envoys of President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, chairman of the Southern African Development Community, at State House, Jonathan said African leaders must look at the collective interests of the entire people of the continent, especially considering the huge challenges of hunger, unemployment, terrorism, political and economic stability and development..

The Special Envoys are Mr. Rui Jorge Carneiro Mangueira, Secretary of State of External Relations Ministry, Angola, Hon. Utoni Nujoma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Namibia, and Dr. Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of State Security, South Africa.

The President said Nigeria would continue to sustain her tradition of robustly supporting the growth and development of the continent, like she did during the liberation struggle of Southern African nations. He further said issues of leadership positions in the African Union should not divide the continent, but urged concerted efforts and focus on finding solutions to the major challenges affecting the livelihoods of people.

He also said Nigeria remains committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the African union, and would continue efforts towards achieving those ideals.

Earlier, the Special Envoys had briefed President Jonathan on the Southern African Development Community’s desire for a resolution of the stalemate in the choice of a substantive chairman for the African Union Commission.