ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., 30 - 31 OCTOBER

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan travelled to Washington, D.C., on Monday, 30 October.

Later that day, at Georgetown University, he was honoured with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, and delivered the annual Oliver Tambo lecture.

In his speech, he said that, although he is proud that his fellow Africans have ended many of the continent’s conflicts, far too much killing and rape goes on.  He said that a peaceful Africa requires more than the mere absence of war.  It is sustainable only if accompanied by democratic transformation and good governance.  (See Press Release SG/SM/10708)

Asked about the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia at a question-and-answer session afterwards, the Secretary-General said that situation was “a classic example of the tragedy of our continent”, in which two poor countries desperately in need of development went to war.  He said the United Nations is doing whatever it can to bring the two parties together, but it has not been easy.

On Tuesday morning, he opened a two-day conference on the Kofi Annan Legacy for Africa, which also took place at Georgetown University.  The conference, organized by the African Studies Programme at the University, brought together academics and Africa specialists.

The Secretary-General returned to New York on Tuesday afternoon.