From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Jul 13 2010 - 12:42:48 EDT
http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=65247 Ministers in efforts to restore
peace in Horn of AfricaWritten By:Rose Kamau/KNA , Posted: Tue, Jul 13,
2010
*Ministers drawn from the seven countries in the framework of the Horn of
Africa Initiative (HOAI) have agreed to work together towards attaining
sustainable peace and security in the region.*
This is part of recommendations made by the HOAI senior officials last year
in a bid to address the common challenges facing member states.
HOAI member-states are Kenya, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia
and Sudan.
Speaking Tuesday during a meeting convened to approve the recommendations,
Kenya's energy minister Kiraitu Murungi said the region faced both natural
and man-made challenges which can be effectively addressed through joint
efforts.
The ministers also agreed to harmonize the Horn of Africa projects with
national and regional priorities by supporting the transpiration of related
regional commitments into national policies, programs and budgets.
Kiraitu who issued a joint statement signed by the other ministers said
influx of refugees in member states as a result of political conflicts was
hindering development in the region adding that there was need to find the
root cause of the problem.
Another challenge hindering development in the region is power shortage and
Kiraitu urged HOAI member states to explore other ways of generating power
to avoid over reliance on hydropower including wind and geothermal power.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry of finance Joseph Kinyua said Kenya
would work with other HOAI member states to exploit the resources available
in the region to improve transport, water and energy sectors in the region.
During the meeting, the ministers condemned the attack on innocent citizens
in Uganda.
Two bombs exploded in two entertainment centers in Uganda during the World
Cup finals between Spain and Netherlands killing over 70 people and injuring
several. Al Shabaab militia group in Somalia has claimed responsibility of
the bomb explosions.
The meeting was attended by observers from regional organizations of the
Inter Regional Organizing Committee (IRCC) and from the donor community.
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