By Kuzeeko Tjitemisa
WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba says all acts of terrorism must be condemned and concerted efforts should be made to deal with terror activities.
Pohamba said this while bidding farewell to the African Union at the 24th Summit of the African (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week Friday.
“Armed conflicts and terrorist attacks constitute grave threats to the stability and socio-economic development on the continent,” he said.
He said although Africa is endowed with abundant resources, many Africans live in dire poverty as resources are not shared equally amongst its people.
According to him, this forces some Africans to risk their lives by “crossing oceans” to other countries in the hope of finding better opportunities on other continents.
Pohamba said it is incomprehensible that the Kingdom of Morocco continues to occupy the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, which renders the total liberation of Africa incomplete.
Pohamba urged African leaders to remain united in support for the realization of the right to self-determination by the Saharawi people.
“In the same vein, our support for the people of Palestine in their legitimate struggle for self-determination and independence should remain consistent,” he said.
The President further said it was his conviction that in order to achieve the continent’s development goals and objectives, African leaders must act boldly and in unity to further consolidate peace and security; defeat terrorism; eradicate poverty; expand infrastructure development; improve food security; and modernize education and health systems.
“It will be recalled that, in order to popularize the African Union and instill a sense of Pan-Africanism among our people, the last summit of the OAU in Lusaka in 2001 unanimously adopted a decision that all our countries shall hoist the OAU flag on all public buildings alongside our national flags, and sing the OAU anthem in public schools and at official functions. However, to date only Namibia has fully implemented the decision,” he said.