Ghana�s former President and African Union High Representative for Somalia, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings on Monday participated in a ceremony marking the admission of South Sudan to the African Union.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir attended the ceremony in Addis Ababa during, which South Sudan was presented with a certificate of membership by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Jean Ping.
The South Sudan flag was then raised at the AU Headquarters in an emotional ceremony.
South Sudan gained independence from North Sudan on July 9 after an AU brokered peace process.
South Sudan becomes the 54th member of the continental body.
Former President Rawlings said, in discussions with President Salva Kiir, he indicated his desire to support conflict resolution on the continent.
The South Sudan President�s comments we followed by an announcement by his Foreign Minister, Deng Alor Kuol that his country was ready to send troops to Somalia to join the 9000 AMISOM troops on the ground.
"We, as Africans, must be in the lead to alleviate problems before we ask the Western world, or anyone else, to come and help us,� he told the BBC.
President Rawlings who was in Ethiopia to participate in the �One Africa � One Voice Against Hunger� Day, aimed at further highlighting the famine in the Horn of Africa, has since left Addis Ababa for South Africa where he is due to meet South African President Jacob Zuma.
On Wednesday he held a meeting with members of the donor community including UNICEF, OXFAM and Gift of the Givers Foundation.
The former President was briefed on the efforts being made by the South African community to support the famine in Somalia.
In collaboration with the South African government and corporate South Africa, Gift of the Givers has flown six humanitarian flights directly to Mogadishu to support displaced persons in the Somalia.
President Rawlings expressed his gratitude to the donor community and urged them to publicise their activities beyond the Southern African Region so other parts of Africa will know what they are doing for Somalia.
Source: http://jjrawlings.wordpress.com
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