Kofi Annan: "Africa Cannot Develop, Prosper, Or Be Truly Free On an Empty Stomach"

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"After returning from a visit to drought-stricken, locust-devastated Niger, where the people are struggling to recover from widespead malnutrition, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called for better early warning about potential emergencies, more focus on prevention, the strengthening of regional institutions and a 'look in the mirror instead of pointing fingers.'

"In an opinion piece carried in The Financial Times and Le Monde newspapers, Mr. Annan also called for help for some 20 million Africans who are at risk of similar severe hunger and food insecurity."

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