The worst pages of colonial history seem to repeat themselves as enormous resources are wasted in pursuit of wealth, war and domination. In areas where refugees were once generously welcomed as brothers and sisters in distress, we see today an increase in xenophobia. The threat to national security and economic difficulties are often cited to justify this disturbing trend. We must all work together to counter it. Responsibility is not the sole prerogative of heads of state or politicians.
Intolerance is born in the minds of people at the individual level.
It pushes them to be hostile towards others because of their ethnicity, religion or political views. Responsibility does not stop in Africa either. Millions around the globe who, in the comfort of their own homes, watch TV and Internet images of desperate people driven from their own abodes by fresh violence and war can also do more. They should encourage their respective governments to remember the refugee plight in Africa, even when media cameras focus on crises elsewhere in the world. As you listen to this message, I will be in East Africa.