KENYA

His Excellency Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya

It gives me great pleasure to participate in this important meeting of the World Food Summit. This gathering accords us the opportunity to exchange views on how we can combat hunger, which despite perceived technological advancements, continues to haunt mankind, becoming a big obstacle to its advancement.

For the last quarter of a century, hunger and malnutrition have posed a major threat to human survival in a large portion of our planet. As we gather here, starvation and malnutrition continue to threaten millions of people in the world and more so in sub-Saharan Africa. It is therefore most appropriate that we meet here to share experiences and collectively map out the way forward in dealing with these problems.

Natural calamities such as drought, floods, pests and diseases have led to food insecurity in many parts of the world but man-made factors, that could easily be avoided, present more devastating causes of food insecurity especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Civil strife and its attendant problems, especially that of refugees remain a major deterrent to any form of human development in Africa.

This conference takes place against the background of the deepening crisis of refugees and displaced persons in Eastern Zaire. The pictures on our television screens of agony and hopelessness of people, particularly women, children and the weak, are unbearable and should prick the conscience of all people. It is without question that that crisis is senseless and uncalled for.

On behalf of my colleagues in the region, who met in Nairobi on 5 November 1996 to discuss the crisis, I wish to express sincere gratitude to those countries that have already responded to our call for assistance in the crisis. The Nairobi Summit passed resolutions which among others, called for respect of the territorial integrity of Zaire and a plea for humanitarian support for the victims of this conflict.

However, the resolutions of the Nairobi Summit were clear, and the Security Council in its Resolution 1078 of 1996 endorsed them. My colleagues and I expected the United Nations to consult with us through the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity before embarking on any action directed at the solution of the crisis. This is because the Nairobi Summit came out with practical ideas on how to handle the situation to avoid a Somali-like intervention which was too expensive in terms of human and material costs. We are therefore surprised to learn, through the media and without consultation with us, that there is to be international intervention in the region.

Let me emphasize here that a guarantee to peace and stability must be seen as part and parcel of food self-sufficiency efforts. Failure to achieve peace will create unstable conditions which escalate food insecurity. It is for this reason that we in Kenya are committed to maintaining peace, stability and democracy not only internally but also with our neighbours, and indeed the entire continent. In order to fully realize the goals, we need the support of all peace-loving people in the world.

In Kenya the future of food security is linked with the development of an effective partnership between the Government, the private sector and the farmers. We appreciate that no country can achieve meaningful development in food production and security on its own. We will therefore continue to work closely with the international community in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. In this regard we shall participate fully in all the programmes that will be mutually agreed upon in this Summit.

In conclusion, I appeal to this Summit to address the key issues that cause hunger and malnutrition critically and recommend measures that are practical and attainable. Let us not allow this Summit to earn the reputation of a meeting of great world leaders that produced monumental resolutions, but failed to provide tangible solutions to these very basic human needs.

I once again thank you all for according me this privilege to address this important Summit. I would also thank FAO for planning and coordinating this Summit and for their good record in the fight against hunger.