French President Pledges 20 Billion Euros Towards African Security

by: Channels Television 

 
The Elysee Summit on Peace and Security in Africa has opened in Paris, France, with the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande pledging the sum of over 20 billion Euros for the development of Africa.
Mr Hollande told the over 54 African leaders in attendance that France has over the years shared very strong relationship with African countries and called on African leaders to take charge of its own security while France will at all times provide training and the enabling environment.
Over 30 minutes of the opening ceremony was dedicated to the lives and times of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who died on the eve of the summit
Elysee is to the French what the Presidential Villa is to Nigerians and for over one hour the French president stood at the threshold of the office to receive the various presidents on the red carpet as they arrived one after the other.
Speaking in French, Hollande urged African leaders not to take for granted the fact that Mandela died on the eve of the summit, charging them to emulate the humble life he led.
The African leaders emphasised the need for co-operation between Europe and Africa. The French president pledged 20 billion Euros for development activities and training of African peace keepers.
The United Nations Secretary General, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the president of European Union Commission agreed that what brings Africa and Europe together is greater than what separates them noting that peace in one means peace in another.
The summit enters into a working session where they are expected to formulate commitments in order to implement the decisions taken in concrete terms.