President Lazarus Chakwera has called on Africans to unite to effectively deal with their challenges.

He said this at the end of the 15th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of the Assembly on Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference in Equatorial Guinea.

Chakwera scrutinises documents during the conference in Equatorial Guinea

“I would also like to echo the need for member States to accede to conventions, protocols and legal instruments on humanitarian matters,” said Chakwera, who is also Southern African Development Community chairperson.

The President stressed the need to develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system so that African leaders do not discuss issues they already resolved in previous summits.

Speaking earlier, Equatorial Guinea President Theodore Obiang Nguema Basogo said Africa should look at its development without any international interference.

“Our AU founding fathers knew that Africa should not be divided by any challenges; hence, the need to work together. Solutions to issues affecting Africa lie in the hands of African leaders themselves,” he said.

On his part, AU Commission President Moussa Faki Muhamat stressed the need to support people suffering on the continent.

“The presence of the heads of State at this summit signifies their commitment in dealing with humanitarian challenges,” he said.

In his remarks, AU chairperson, who is also Senegalese President Macky Sall, said terrorism and conflicts have made many Africans homeless.

“I appeal to all member States to embrace the culture of dialogue regardless of the situation because that is the only way peace can be achieved in Africa. Prevention is better than cure,” he said.

The meeting observed that 130 million people are in need of emergency humanitarian support in Africa due to the Covid-19 pandemic, floods and other challenges.

The last pledging conference was held in 2011.

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