Development Lenders Pledge Commitment To Peace İn Horn Of Africa

The United Nations, World Bank and other international development lenders have pledged commitment to restoring peace and stability in the troubled Horn of Africa region.



"I pay tribute to the World Bank and other development partners for working with the United Nations towards peace and stability in the Horn of Africa," U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a press briefing held following a meeting with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday.



The international development lenders who attended the Nairobi meeting were the World Bank, African Union, Islamic Development Bank, African Development Bank, the U.N. and the European Union.



The agenda of the meeting was dominated by terrorism in Somalia and Kenya, South Sudan's conflict and Ebola outbreak.



Attendees hailed Kenya for spearheading efforts for establishing peace in the region.



"Kenya is showing courage and real determination to fight terror," Ban said.



"I was humbled by what I saw when I visited Dadaab refugee camp. I commend Kenya for offering refuge to so many people" he added



The international lenders have already pledged $8.3 billion for peace and development in the Horn of Africa countries – Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti.



Kenyatta, for his part, said Kenya remains committed to fighting terror in the region despite challenges.



"Kenya is glad to see this coordination by U.N., World Bank and IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development]," he said.



"Leaders of these international bodies have taken time to better understand the condition on the ground. Our work as a government is to restore peace and further economic development," he added.



Meanwhile, the U.N. chief said that regional partnership was needed in dealing with the Ebola virus, which has killed more than 5,000 people in West Africa.



"We discussed also about the outbreak of Ebola and the determination to beat the virus. This is why regional cooperation is important. Ebola is a global problem," Ban said.



He went on to call for more financial assistance in fighting Ebola.



He, however, criticized countries that have put to quarantine volunteers who have returned from Ebola-stricken countries.



By Yassin Juma



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Nayrobi