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XENOPHOBIA: Jonathan calls for peaceful living, unity in Africa
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has said Africans had to learn how to live together in love and unity for a meaningful development in the continent.
He spoke on Thursday on the heels of citizens of South Africa’s xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other non-indigenes in their country.
Jonathan, in a keynote address he presented at the International Peace Summit in Sao Tome and Principe, said, “To make meaningful progress, Africans must be encouraged to treat one another as brothers and sisters, in love and unity.
“Relations within and between nations should never be allowed to degenerate to a level where citizens will resort to self-help by visiting violence on fellow Africans and their legitimate business interests.
“Growth and development can only be cultivated and sustained when leaders ensure that the rights and freedoms of citizens, as well as migrants, are respected and protected.”
READ ALSO: Boycott South African goods, services, Oshiomhole tells Nigerians
Serving and former African leaders at the event include Sao Tome President Evaristo Carvalho, Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus, former President of Niger Mahamane Ousmane and former President of Guinea Bissau, Manuel Serifo Nhamadjo.
The former Nigerian President, who is the chairman of the African chapter of the International Summit Council for Peace, (ISCP) went further to say:
“For peace to thrive, we must first build hope in the lives of the people because hope inspires love, love promotes peace, peace engenders justice while justice guarantees freedom and trust.
“These universal virtues are central to our quest for a peaceful and prosperous continent.
“I believe that the theme, ‘Building a Peaceful and Prosperous Africa Centered on Universal Values: Interdependence, mutual prosperity, and Universal Values’, speaks directly to the need for a concerted effort towards healing a troubled world.
“I will continue to state that the dream of the ISCP is consistent with my ideals and that of my Foundation. The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) is committed to the principles that strengthen democracy, good governance, peace, and stability while promoting prosperity through youth empowerment in Africa.”
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