Concord Times (Freetown)
1 June 2011
Freetown — Secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) began a tour of African countries yesterday (Monday) that will see him visit Sierra Leone to strengthen cooperation among the African members of the 56-nation organization.
Turkish-born Prof. Ekmeleddin Ä°hsanoÄŸlu’s tour will take him to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Niger before wrapping up on June 7. The visits take place at the invitation of the seven countries.
The tour, the third to Africa for Ä°hsanoÄŸlu since he became secretary-general of the OIC in 2005, is aimed at exploring modalities for strengthening and deepening intra-OIC relations among the countries in Africa, according to a statement from the OIC.
“It will also seek to promote solidarity and mobilize the member states to demonstrate the required political will to enhance joint actions and accelerate the realization of the new OIC mission and vision, particularly as it affects the issues of good governance, conflict resolution and peace building,” the statement said.
While in Freetown, Prof. Ä°hsanoÄŸlu is expected to hold talks with President Ernest Bai Koroma on progress achieved in the implementation of the OIC’s 10-year Program of Action and other programs aimed at helping socio-economic transformation in the African member states of the OIC.
The OIC has several policy programs aimed at increasing trade among member states and poverty alleviation, among others.
“The visit will ultimately enable these countries to accelerate their accession to the various OIC instruments on trade facilitation, while taking advantage of the OIC programs for South-South cooperation for increased foreign direct investment, employment generation, youth and women empowerment, competitiveness, poverty eradication and infrastructure development,” the statement said.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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To Promote Cooperation With African Nations, OIC Chief to Visit the Country