In his report, the Secretary General has made a sincere effort to identify the causes of the conflicts in the African region. The report lists an array of political, historical, socio-economic, and cultural reasons for these seemingly unending conflicts. An earnest effort has been made to suggest plausible solutions for these conflicts, and they are duly appreciated. The overriding factor for the sad state of affairs in Africa has been, and is, the all pervasive and abject poverty in the continent. Poverty is deprivation.
Deprivation leads to frustration.
And frustration engenders instability and conflict. The international community should, therefore, concentrate its efforts on poverty eradication in Africa. What is required is a liberal technical and financial support to augment its human resource development, and to build and enlarge its essential infrastructure for result oriented socio-economic development. Despite our own financial difficulties Pakistan has implemented a Rs. 250 million Technical Assistance Programme for Africa since the early 80s. Under this Programme, we are extending training facilities to young professionals from African countries in diverse fields.