Buhari insists on cancellation of Africa’s debts

President Muhammadu Buhari has again called on developed countries and international financial institutions to cancel the debts of ‘’needy countries’’, especially in Africa, to enable them reverse the devastations of COVID-19 to the human race.

He made the call yesterday in a virtual meeting tagged ‘’High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond’’, convened by Canada, Jamaica and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

More than 50 Heads of State and Government as well as heads of international organisations participated in the High-Level Event on Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond.

Buhari, who said global solidarity was the hope for humanity, implored major nations to provide free additional resources through an international consensus to assist poor countries fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He cautioned major nations against adopting a ‘’me first’’ and ‘’every man for himself’’ attitude and warned that the consequences for all of us in the 21st century can only be imagined. He said: ‘’The world has changed through COVID-19 and so must the global financing architecture for development financing and the response to the current pandemic. There is an urgent need for weak and needy countries especially those of Africa, to receive a fresh reprieve.”