President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concern at the famine in Somalia and the horn of Africa, pledging that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would make appropriate responses at the forthcoming Pledging Conference scheduled for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 25, 2011.
Mr Jonathan was speaking when former Ghanaian president, Jerry John Rawlings, who is African Union High Representative for Somalia, came to brief him on the situation in Somalia, and to seek a response to the conference.
“Famine in the Horn of Africa is worrisome, and African leaders must take action to help this unfortunate situation”, Mr Jonathan said, adding that ECOWAS would discuss the matter during its next meetings of the ministerial council and of the authority of the heads of state and government, next month.
The president agreed with Mr Rawlings that African leaders must show a commitment to helping the people of Somalia at this most critical time.
Earlier, the former Ghanaian leader said the Somalia situation was a catastrophe that had to be remedied through concerted action by African leaders and corporate organisations. He stated that the chairman of the African Union, President Obiang Nguema Mbassogo of Equatorial Guinea, expected political and corporate leaders in the continent to show a commitment to seeking a solution to this problem.
“I cannot be calling on the international community without showing that the African leaders are also trying to assist their own brothers. That is what brought me here. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that we are capable of helping ourselves in Africa.” Mr Rawlings said.
The AU High Representative said August 15, 2011 would be declared Somalia Day, while a Pledging Conference on Somalia was being planned for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 25, 2011.
Test ground
Mr Rawlings, who later spoke to journalists on the Somali humanitarian situation, said it has become a test ground for the continent, adding that the image of the continent is at stake as the whole African countries must rise up to the challenge.
The AU special envoy further noted that the appeal was imperative judging from the current inhuman predicaments faced by the citizens of that country.
The situation, where children have had to carry children to walk 50 miles to food centres, has been described as heartbreaking by former international model, Iman.
The former president, who acknowledged the efforts of AU troops in Somalia, thanked Mr Jonathan and advocated for their continuous stay, as their works cannot be separated from the ongoing humanitarian efforts undertaken in his mission, as the Shabazz sect continue their criminal activities in the area.
