United Nation (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has urged African leaders to work closely to ensure peace in Africa. Warning that “violence breeds violence”, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has also called for politicians to work for the good of Africans.
United Nation (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon has urged African leaders and heads of states gathered in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa for the 16th African Union (AU) Summit to highlight the disturbing security situation in Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt and Tunisia.
Côte d’Ivoire
Ban urged the summit to appoint a high level panel to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Cote d’Ivoire by recognising the people’s voice.
Laurent Gbagbo’s continued refusal to hand over power to Alassane Ouattara, the recognised winner of the West African country’s November 28 presidential elections, has led the AU to suspended the country’s membership.
And even though, the African Union has made considerable peace efforts while assuring that the country’s democratic situation prevails, Ban underscored the United Nation’s concern over the situation and called upon African leaders to give it due emphasis by appointing a high level panel.
Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan
Regarding Egypt, Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon urged the African Union to play its role to ensure that Egypt respects fundamental rights, freedom and, more importantly, the voice of its people.
The importance of establishing an Interim Government in Tunisia, which recently saw the ousting of longtime dictator Ben Ali, should also be highlighted, Ban suggested to African delegates at the ongoing African Union Summit.
The secretary general also praised the peaceful completion of South Sudan’s independence referendum.
Violence breeds violence
But, French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s speech, unlike the United Nations Secretary General, did not highlight any specific country’s peace or security situation.
However, Sarkozy called upon African leaders to work in the name of good governance and democracy for the future benefit of the African people.
“Violence only breeds violence,” president Sarkozy said, while advising the leaders to give more emphasis to dialogue.
