The group of African ambassadors at the UN has asked the incumbent Secretary General and fellow African, Kofi Annan, to seek a second term of office.

Djibouti's ambassador Roble Olhaye, accompanied by six of his colleagues from the continent, told UN reporters Thursday that their assessment of the mood at the world body shows a strong support for Annan continuing in office. Annan's first five-year term ends at the end of this year.

In 1997, he was the first Sub-Saharan African to assume the top UN post.

Olhaye said representatives of the African Group of ambassadors had met with Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat, 7 March to encourage him to run for another term.

At that meeting, he said, the Secretary General indicated that he would make his decision public on the matter by the end of March.

The African ambassadors have followed up on that meeting with a letter dated 13 March to Annan, reiterating their request on him for a second term.

The African envoys said their support for a second term for Annan is based on his achievements and the satisfaction that leaders from all over the world have expressed about him and his programmes.

Among Annan's achievements, they said, included his UN reform programme whose implementation he needs to continue, his close interaction with members of the Organisation, the public and the business community, and his efforts to overhaul UN peacekeeping.

The ambassadors also said Annan has been able to bring critical issues to prominence and given special attention to conflict resolution around the world.

Asked if the African Group has consulted with other regional groups about their decision, particularly the Asian group that is expected to occupy the seat after Annan, Djibouti's ambassador said such consultations have not taken place.

He, however, said the Africans would consult with all other groups as soon as Annan agreed with their position.

Even as they propose Annan for a second term, the African ambassadors noted that they were not precluding candidates from other regions from seeking to occupy the position.

While previous UN Secretaries Generals had traditionally occupied the position for two terms, Annan's case has been made complex by the fact that his first term is the second for Africa.

The first African Secretary General, Boutrus Boutrus-Ghali of Egypt was denied a second term in 1996, making way for Annan, who has worked for much of his life for the UN.

Annan has, however, been very popular with member-States and has led unprecedented efforts to bring the global body closer to the people.

The ambassadors of Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Gabon, Mauritius and Algeria were also present at Thursday's press conference.