Mr. President,

      Fifty years ago, in 1957, the then British Prime Minister Mr. Harold Macmillan issued his famous statement in contemporary history in which he said: “The winds of change are blowing on Africa.” The winds of change were actually blowing on Africa when its countries started to get their independence. But the winds of change sometimes turned into winds of destruction when the states of the continent suffered the difficulties and pains of independence and faced the challenges and troubles of progress as well as many other problems that filled the continent with conflicts and disputes. In order not to be negligent towards Africa, we have to address seriously and frankly the causes that hampered advancement, and led to the problems from which it suffers, and in sometimes to the waging of civil wars and armed conflicts which brought in armies of mercenaries that raise worries. This has led one of the richest continents of the world to be lagging behind all continents; which is a real tragedy both on the human and modern level. The donor countries and the United Nations have not shown slackness in supporting Africa. To be fruitful, this support should be associated with two conditions, namely good and enlightened governance and an effective international will guaranteed by collective action to be undertaken by the United Nations. We are not being arbitrary, if we say that in order to make real change new mechanisms must be introduced for providing aid to Africa to be of benefit to its people.

      Thank you and May the Peace, the Mercy and Blessings of God be upon you.