development assistance. Therefore thisisanurgentmatter,particularly withregardtotheagonizing debtproblem: morethan$170billion forAfricaalone. Thisproblemisnotonlya question ofcont-racts anymore= Itispartofmacro-political vision: toomany demands onthepartoflenders wouldinevitably engulftheborrowers andthushave unfavourable repercussions onthelenders. Itisintheinterest ofallforsome middlegroundtobefound. ,• ,".NR/emv A/40/PV.28 70 (Mr.Bako,Niger) ,.IHowever, theprOblems oftheUnitedNatiorisarealsoandaboveallthe problems o'fAfrica: namely, theinability ofacontinent thatwasthecradleof mankind tofeeditsownpeopleonitsown.Thisisasituation whichresults from thedifficulties wehaveencountered inmanaging ouragricultural system, in building theinfrastructure neededtoirrigate ouraridzones,toopenourregions toprovide forabetterdistribution ofourproducts, toestablish atrueAfrican policyforcomplementarity andco-oper.ation amongourStates, particularly inthe struggle tocombatdesertification andi~theessential areaofwatercontrol. Thesedifficulties areaccompanied byothersthatarejustastroublesome, involving education, health, andhousing forourpeople, whomwewishtoenableto managetheirlivesproperly sothattheycanparticipate moreactively andmore honourably inthedevelopment ofourcontinent andoftheentireworld. Many voiceshavebeenraisedheretoemphasize thistragicsituation inAfrica• •MLG/jcl A/40/PV.28 71 (~.Bako,Niger) ThQGeneral Assembly itselftookupthismatteratthethirty-ninth session andadopted resolution 39/29,theDeclaration ontheCritical Economic Situation in Africa. Inthisconnection, thereisperhaps nothing moreserious orthatrequires actionbytheworld comm~nity moreurgently thanthisagonizing problemofhunger inAfrica. Nothing thatissaidorwritten canreallyeonveythedimensions of thistragedy anditsimpactonpeople. Andhere1shouldliketothankmost sincerely, onbehalfofPresident SeyniKountche, thepresent Chairman ofthe Inter-state Committee forDrought Control intheSahel,friendly countries, the agencies oftheunitedNations systgm, non-governmental organizations andpeopleof goodwillthroughout theworldforthehumanitarian assistar~e thattheyhavegiven usinthisdifficult periodforourcontinent. Foralmost 17yearsAfricahasbeengripped byanimplacable drought thathas ledtoaserious reduction intheavailability ofwaterandarableland,the destruction ofvastareasoffaunaandfloraandthedeaththrough hungerand thirstofthousands ofmen,womenandchildren. Thissituation isamatterofacuteconcern toAfr1can Governments which,at thenational, subregional andcontinental levels, havetriedtotakethefirst stepstowards asolution. Atthenational level,African leaders haveundertaken toredefine agricultural strategies andtomaintain, diversify andreconstitute vegetation, to ensuresoilpreservation, todevelop waterresources toensurefoodsecurity by promoting anddeveloping foodcrops,Jndlivestock. Effortstoharmonize theseinitiatives havebeenmadeatthesUbregional and continental levels. Thus,withinthecontext oftheInter-State Committee to CombatDrought intheSahel,eightcountries havedeveloped anagreedprogramme of rehabilitation, givingpriority towatercontrol, combating desertification throughMLG/icl. A/40/PV.28 72 (Mr.Bako,Niger) reafforestation, developing agricul.ture andl.ivestock andbuilding bufferstocksof grain. Atthecontinental l.evel.,lastly, theOrganization ofAfrican Unity(OAU)had undertaken athorough re-examination ofwaysandmeansofcopingwiththis situation. Thishasledtotheest~blishment ofthespecial fundforemergency assistance inthestruggle against drought andfamineinAfrica, andmajor contributions havealready beenpledged. o Obviously,· itisnolongeraquestion ofcounting exclusively onoutside aidJ aboveall,Africamustutil.izeitsresources anditsinnerstrength, theliberating weaponinavictor:c'Js struggle against hunger. Only Clpragmatic strategy geared tofundamental needsandthepolitical determination tocarryoutathorough reorientation ofeconomic systems through reviewing agrarian practices andpolicies canenableustotakethefirststepstowards asolution tothefoodproblem. YettheAfrican continent, towhichmostofthepoorest countries oftheworld belong, cannotalonecopewiththisenormous andserious challenge ofnature. Itistherefore morenecessary thaneverthatinternational solidarity ismore effectively directed tosavingthelivesofmillions peopleintheshorttermand,
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the economic and humanitarian crisis in Africa, specifically the issue of hunger and drought. It highlights the need for international solidarity and cooperation to address this crisis, and emphasizes the importance of African countries utilizing their own resources and inner strength to overcome this challenge. The text also touches on the need for a pragmatic strategy to address the root causes of the problem, including the reorientation of economic systems and the development of sustainable agricultural practices.

**Category**
Economic development, Humanitarian aid and relief, Agriculture, forestry and fishing