By Alice Chisanga
United Nations has heard from President of Senegal Macky Sall that Africa can not be allowed to be turned into a haven for terrorism.
Giving his Speech to the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, President Sall says terrorist groups in the Sahel has been waging attacks and engaging in deadly lootings.
He advocated for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) to be vested with a strong mandate.
Mr. Sall noted that a crucial need existed for the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) to receive support in their fight against terrorism.
He went on to reiterate the call for Palestinians to enjoy their right to a viable State coexisting in peace through secure and recognized borders.
Turning to COVID-19, President Sall says, Senegal has engaged in transparent management of the COVID-19 Pandemic and has since been publishing daily reports and deploying an economic and USD$2 billion social resilience programme.
He mentions that, so far, his country has significantly expanded medical resources, provided free tests and care and given free vaccines.
He applauded the surge of support his country is receiving from the COVAX initiative.
Having said that, Mr. Sall explains that there has been a continued widening division between vaccinated countries in the North and non-vaccinated ones in the South.
He gives free advise that the mentality of each one for himself will not end the pandemic as what is likely to end the global scourge is response and facilitating access to vaccines for all people across the world.
