For years, we have been hearing African leaders calling for "African solutions to African problems." And for many more years, we have been waiting to see our leaders rise to the occasion and demonstrate strong leadership to resolve the many conflicts that plague our continent.

Today, we are starting to see results. African leaders recently took their boldest steps yet to confront one of the most persistent and deadly conflicts: Sudan.

Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai has warned that if Kenyans are not insistent in protecting forests, the country will only have a third of the water it currently has by 2012.

Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, has urged African leaders to use the rule of law in protecting the environment. Wangari says Africa can protect its natural resources and environment by drafting laws that will deter leaders in power from misusing the privilege and exploiting the natural resources for selfish gains. Wangari was speaking today in Nairobi after meeting High Court of Brazil-Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), commission on environmental law Sheila Abed from Paraguay. The meeting was aimed at creating a working relationship between Green Belt Movement lead by Wangari Maathai and IUCN in creating awareness for the important of rule of law in environment conservation.