Afrique en ligne
Monday, August 08, 2011
Rawlings said a medium- to long-term programme had to be put in place to prevent the recurrence of the devastating famine in the Horn of Africa region. A statement from his office on Sunday said he was speaking at separate meetings with the South African High Commissioner and the Cuban and Japanese ambassadors in Accra.
Rawlings also reiterated his calls for the examination and creation of a political solution to the Somali conflict and urged all factions to open corridors to allow for the transportation of relief items to affected persons in the famine areas.
The AU High Representative, who is now also the AU Ambassador on the Horn Africa Humanitarian Crises, said the debilitating effect of the famine on human life, particularly women and children, was frightening.
He requested for assistance for the construction of wells as well as educational facilities for the re-establishment of schools as a lack of proper education has contributed to the easy drafting of children and young adults by some of the factions in the Somali conflict.
Rawlings also called for a strong African response to the humanitarian crises to encourage others to also contribute.
He said the African Union force in Somalia was poorly equipped and needed equipment such as speedboats and helicopters to allow for easy reconnaissance.
The scourge of piracy in the region, the former President said, could only to stopped, if the root causes of the conflict were identified and a peaceful solution found.
“Uganda and Burundi soldiers are doing a good job in an ill-equipped situation and in a difficult and dangerous environment. Arms are brought in from the sea but they are unable to prevent that due to the lack of patrol boats.
“I believe we should create room for a political solution to the crises. The famine is most unfortunate but we can use it as an opportunity to mould a peace solution from all sides. The transitional government cannot be in place indefinitely. We need peace so there can be a national election and a national government.'
Rawlings said the African Union had planned a pledging conference in Addis Ababa on 25 August where African governments, the international community, aid agencies and corporate institutions would be invited to participate and pledge their support to alleviate the famine in Somalia.