President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in London called on the global
community to give greater support to countries whose populace are
suffering humanitarian crises caused by terrorism and civil strife.
Speaking at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in the British
capital, President Buhari said that without collective support and
assistance from all well-meaning countries, companies and organisations,
the humanitarian catastrophe affecting millions of people in countries
like Nigeria and Syria cannot be successfully addressed.
The President noted that the increasingly complex and inter-connected
security challenges faced by the global community necessitate increased
international cooperation in pursuit of effective solutions.
President Buhari strongly condemned the continuing violence by terrorists
against innocent civilians, abuse of human rights and destruction of
public and private assets and cultural heritages in Nigeria, Syria and
other countries of the world.
He told the gathering that having experienced civil war and terrorist
insurgency, Nigeria understands the pains inflicted on the people of Syria
and the hardship that innocent civilians suffer in the hands of misguided
elements.
President Buhari called on all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to
seek a peaceful resolution, saying that only a political solution could
bring the ongoing tragedy in the country to an end.
Concluding his address, President Buhari expressed Nigeria’s immense
sympathy for the people of Syria.
“We all stand in solidarity with them. Despite the magnitude of our own
challenges and the increasing stress on our economy, I reaffirm our
Government’s commitment to support and assist the war-affected people of
Syria,” he said.
Participants in the conference included the British Prime Minister, Mr.
David Cameron, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Prime
Minister Erna Solberg of Norway and the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Others were the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross,
Mr. Peter Maurer, the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the
Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark and
the High Representative of the European Union, Federica Mogherini.