Ghana’s former President and African Union High Representative for Somalia, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings says Africa needs to redeem itself of the indictment of the Darfur humanitarian disaster by rising to support the 12 million people who are facing severe famine in the Horn of Africa region. He said Africa’s failure to help alleviate the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan robbed the continent of its moral mandate. Speaking during a meeting with Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Friday, President Rawlings said Africa had to respond much more positively and significantly to the humanitarian situation in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya in the Horn of Africa. “While inviting international concern, we must indicate that African leaders are also marshalling resources to help their brothers and sisters. Darfur was embarrassing. Let us not repeat it in Somalia.” President Rawlings’ meeting in Abuja, part of an African tour to sensitise leaders of regional economic communities on the dire situation in the Horn of Africa comes in the wake of the expansion of his mandate by the African Union to encompass the role of highlighting the humanitarian situation. President Jonathan commended Flt Lt Rawlings for helping to tackle one of “Africa’s enormous challenges” and confirmed that Nigeria was committed to make a pledge towards the humanitarian cause, promising to announce the details during a pledging conference scheduled for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on August 25. Briefing the Nigeria side, which included Chief of Staff, Godknows Igali and Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, President Rawlings announced that August 15 had also been designated as a day dedicated to emphasising the seriousness of the famine situation in the Horn of Africa. The former Ghanaian President said: “Corporate entities within Africa have an equal role and responsibility towards finding a solution not only to the immediate famine situation but aiming at finding a medium and long term solution to the problem. President Rawlings praised the efforts of AMISOM troops and TFG forces for the significant inroads they had made to secure Mogadishu and make it a safe corridor for humanitarian aid. The AU High Representative said though the AMISOM troops and TFG forces are ill equipped and fighting in very dangerous terrain they had chalked some significant successes in Mogadishu. He commended President Yoweri Museveni and his IGAD colleagues for being more assertive on members of the Transitional Federal Authority to work together with a little more urgency towards the ultimate national elections. President Jonathan said the Somalia issue was a worrisome one. “I believe African leadership will take up the matter seriously,” he said. Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru assured President Rawlings of Nigeria’s support and promised to use the media to charge corporate entities to offer their support to the Horn of Africa Humanitarian situation. President Rawlings departs Accra on Sunday for Addis Ababa where he will participate in an awareness creating ceremony dubbed “ONE AFRICA – ONE VOICE AGAINST HUNGER” Day scheduled for the AU Conference Centre on Monday, August 15.