Coronavirus: Senior Rwandan official calls for solidarity among African states in fight against COVID-19
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Rwandan Foreign Affairs minister, Dr Vincent Biruta, on Monday called for global solidarity to fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and stressed the need for African countries to strengthen collaboration and harmonize [our] responses.
The senior Rwandan Government official was speaking at the occasion of Africa Day celebration which, according to him, gives the continent an opportunity to ensure that the spirit that the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) had in 1963 is not lost.
Africa Day is observed annually on 25 May, to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was created on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The day provides an opportunity to recite the political and socio-economic achievements of African governments and African citizens. This year’s theme for Africa Day, “Silencing the Guns in the context of the COVID19”, corresponds with the African Union theme of the year – ‘Silencing the Guns: creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development’ - to reinforce African Union’s efforts to silence the continent’s guns - focusing in particular, on addressing the underlying root-causes of conflict and facilitating socio-economic development.
According to Dr Biruta, "the spirit that led to the indomitable and irresistible surge of our people for political independence should be manifested today in addressing the current challenges,which still negatively impact on the development and integration of our continent."
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across the continent, Dr Biruta insisted on the need to "strengthen our collaboration and harmonize our responses" at the continental level to win this fight.
This year’s theme for the AU is: “Silencing the guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development."
Reacting to this year's theme, the top Rwandan official said the theme is indeed relevant given the need to end and prevent conflicts in Africa, especially in the current context of the COVID19 pandemic which is having a serious toll on African populations and economies.
"The liberation struggle that continues today is aimed at dealing with the challenge of poverty and integration of our continent, which cannot be realized without dealing with and ending conflicts in Africa," he said.
According to him, there is experience in Africa that points to the fact that the absence of favourable conditions for socio-economic development generates more than often situations conducive to instability and insecurity.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 25May2020
