JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African President Nelson Mandela on Saturday called for more solidarity to end conflicts that have sown hatred and division around the world.
In a speech before the presentation of the annual NelsonMandela lecture by Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,Mandela, who turns 90 on July 18, said there was a need toplace concern for others at the centre of human values.
"There is still too much discord, hatred, division,conflict and violence in our world here at the beginning of thetwenty-first century," he said.
The Nobel peace laureate, who gave his speech seated,praised Johnson-Sirleaf for being an inspiring example forAfrica through her efforts for peace on the continent.
In her presentation of the 6th annual Mandela lecture, theLiberian leader paid tribute to Mandela for paving the way fora new generation of African leaders and bringing democracy toAfrica.
Mandela, who retired from politics nine years ago, hasbecome a symbol of freedom admired the world over.
Before the lecture, a group of about 200 residents ofKliptown, a squatter camp near the Soweto hotel where thelecture took place, handed a protest letter to the NelsonMandela Foundation, saying Mandela's pledges of better livingconditions for all had not been fulfilled.
Johnson-Sirleaf, who became Africa's first elected womanpresident in 2006, said Africa was edging closer to achievingthe goals of economic and political transformation, though manychallenges remained.
"I do believe that a new Africa is unfolding before oureyes. The African Renaissance is now at hand. It is withinreach," Johnson-Sirleaf said.
She said the continent had managed faster economic growth,was slowly emerging from its debt crisis and had graduallyestablished more than 20 democracies.
However, there was still room for more development.
"First, we require much stronger economic management.Second, the resolution of the debt crisis and the changingrelationship with our international partners. And third, theshift to democratic and accountable governance."
(Reporting by Muchena Zigomo, editing by Mary Gabriel)
