A selection of quotes from World Leaders, International Organisations and Academic Institutions
19th-26th February 2015
Kenya – A report by the South Africa based Institute for Security Studies has been published this week and has found Kenya to be the sixth poorest country in Africa…
“Kenya plays a casino economy that benefits the rich and the politically strong and penalises the poor and the less fortunate.”
Nigeria – Security experts from Nigeria and Cameroon met this week to discuss crime increases and the emerging humanitarian crisis along the Nigeria-Cameroon boarder…
“The advent of Boko Haram and the atrocities of Boko Haram have caused a lot of prejudices in our border. Smuggling (plummeting), customs (revenues), trans-humans (movement) of cattle, banditry, piracy – all these questions are the major concerns of our committee.”
Russia and Ukraine – David Cameron clarifies Britain’s position…
“What we need to do now is deliver the strongest possible message to Putin and to Russia that what has happened is unacceptable. These ceasefires need to hold and if they don’t, there will be more consequences, more sanctions, more measures.”
Bangladesh – Prime Minister Sheikk Hasina of Bangladesh on the escalating violence due to forced shutdowns imposed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in which over 100 people have lost their lives…
“There should be speedy punishment of those caught red-handed… Those involved (such as) those instigating the incidents, those who are funding them, those who are making the bombs and supplying them. In every stage there should be harsh punishment because this situation cannot continue.”
The Gambia – Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo following talks with Yahya Jammeh, President of The Gambia to discuss the future of the West African nation after an attempted coup in December…
“One of the points that we looked at together is what this country has going for it. There is relative peace, relative stability, relative continuity and relative security. These are necessary ingredients to fast track development and growth as a democratic country. This is why I said to my brother (President Jammeh) that nothing stops The Gambia from being the Switzerland of West Africa. Switzerland is a small country but it is a great country. Gambia is a small country but it is on the path of being great.”
Liberia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf speaking about the Ebola Crisis prior to her visit to Washington D.C this weekend…
“We were slow. The world was slow. Everybody was fearful. It was an unknown ememy.”
World Health Organization – This week the WHO have responded to the increase in outbreaks of measles in Europe and central Asia…
“It is unacceptable that measles continues to cost lives, money and time.”
Ukraine – President Poroshenko speaking after signing a defence deal with UAE…
“I want to stress that the defence capabilities of the Ukrainian Army are only to defend our territory, to keep our independence, to keep our sovereignty. We do not have any plans to attack anybody.”
Nigeria – From a statement released by the office of Goodluck Jonathan condemning the bombing of ‘soft targets’ by Boko Haram…
“The President assures all Nigerians and the people of the North Eastern states in particular that the days of mourning victims of incessant terrorist attacks in the country will soon be over as the tide has now definitely turned against Boko Haram.”
Malawi – President Peter Mutharika of Malawi commenting on the condition of Police housing…
“The houses are very old they have never been repaired. The lady was kind enough to let us see her living room. It’s extremely small and they are two children there. Almost no light there it’s almost dark. It’s unacceptable.”
