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Africa Focus: UN chief pledges solidarity with African leaders in combating terrorism, Ebola

Xinhua, January 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Friday pledged solidarity with African countries to rejuvenate the fight against Ebola, terrorism and civil strife.

During his address to the 24th summit of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ban said that Ebola and terrorism remained mortal threat to Africa's stability and progress.

"Terrorism knows no boundaries and affects African countries in the Horn, the Sahel and elsewhere. No grievance or cause justifies terror," Ban told African leaders.

Security challenges and Ebola were dominant themes during the biannual event.

Ban decried extremism that has fuelled violence against innocent civilians in Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Libya and Niger.

"In Nigeria and beyond, we are all appalled by the brutality of Boko Haram which poses clear danger to national, regional and global security," Ban said.

African leaders will discuss the possibility of sending a continental standby force to root out Boko Haram in northern Nigeria at the two-day gathering.

The militant group is behind a wave of killings and kidnapping of civilians in Nigeria and neighboring countries like Cameroon and Chad.

Ban called for a concerted effort to combat Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Africa, saying that the UN will support the quest for peace, security and development in Africa.

Ban said the global body will partner with regional blocs to restore peace in trouble spots like Somalia, the great lakes region, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya.

"In Somalia, our joint efforts to attain lasting peace are making some headway. In Central African Republic, our collaboration to protect civilians and combat impunity remains critical," remarked the secretary general.

He added the UN and AU will support dialogue to resolve conflict in South Sudan.

"I urge South Sudan leaders to reach an immediate and inclusive power sharing arrangement with a transitional government. They must implement the agreement to end this man made tragedy," said Ban.

There is need for global solidarity to combat Ebola and other contagious diseases wreaking havoc in Africa.

The UN chief hailed African governments for their collective response to Ebola pandemic in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

"Last month, I travelled to Ebola affected countries and witnessed progress in combating the pandemic. I thank African governments and people for their solidarity in this battle," Ban noted.

He urged the international community to commit more resources to strengthen the fight against Ebola.

"This outbreak confirmed the risks that fragile health systems pose for our interconnected World," Ban added. Endi