Africa Needs Robust Economy Jonathan

AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE AT THE ONGOING 18TH AU SUMMIT IN ADDIS ABABA.

SAN FRANCISCO, January 29, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said a robust economic foundation was necessary for the sound political development of Africa.

President Jonathan was speaking during bilateral talks with the Tunisian President, Mr. Mohamed Almoncef Almarzouki, on the sidelines of the 18th African Union Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“We have to build our political systems on sound economic foundations, based on strong relations between African nations”, he said, and added that Nigeria would take necessary steps to strengthen relations with Tunisia.

President Jonathan said Nigeria was facing the challenge of terrorism which he described as “a new form of crime in the country” but added that steps were being taken to unravel the people behind it.

He expressed appreciation to President Almarzouki for the concern shown by Tunisia in condemning recent terrorist attacks by Boko Haram on innocent Nigerians.

Earlier, President Mohamed Almoncef Almarzouki had said Tunisia has adopted a strong policy of cooperating with Africa, and wanted to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria.

He said Tunisia strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on churches and other public places in Nigeria, adding that such attacks cannot be in the name of Islam.

At another audience, President Jonathan held bilateral talks with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.