25th July, 2015
A group under the aegis of African Ambassadors Forum, has called on Africans to unite in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
The Dean of the group, Mr Oubi Bachir, who is the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic ambassador to Nigeria, made the call Friday night in Abuja on the occasion of Africa and Mandela Day.
According to him terrorism and insurgency had become monumental threats to the growth of the continent.
Bachir said the group was committed to pooling resources to support the international community in its quest to combat terrorism in Africa.
Also speaking, Mr Abdou Abarry, Head, AU Liaison office to ECOWAS, said that African countries had made lots of progress democratic governance given the high number of democratically elected governments in the continent.
“We have to consider this day as a call to action, to free our continent from poverty, insecurity, terrorism and extremism in order to achieve the AU goals.
“Like Nelson Mandela who fought for 67 years, we Africans have to continue the fight individually and collectively to honour his memory,” he said.
Also speaking, Amb. Bulus Lolo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said peace and security remained Africa’s major challenge.
Lolo, who was represented by Director, Africa Bilateral Affairs in the ministry, Amb. Ozo Nwobu , said the situation had been exacerbated by the purveyors of hatred and extremism.
“I commend and endorse the AU initiative, ‘silence the guns in Africa by 2020’, among other numerous other initiatives.
“They are structured to institute political dialogue and tolerance in Africa’s governing processes as a necessary step towards the long journey to our political and economic freedom,” Lolo said.
He said to achieve the aforementioned objective, Africa should commit to the ethos of democratic governance and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
He said that Africa’s dream for a sustainable economic renaissance should transcend being tagged the fastest growing economy and include a substantial capacity for self-reliance.
The Day commemorates Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to serve, not only his country or African continent but humanity.