afrol News, 5 May - Senegalese President Abdoulaye has called for the scrapping of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAS), describing it as an institution that largely spends amounts of resources on doing very little and effective operations.

The elderly statesman, who was commenting on the world food crisis, warned Africans not to depend on international institutions that have lost sight of their goals and non-governmental organizations with unexplained objectives.

Mr Wade blamed the crisis caused by soaring food prices across the world on largely a failure of the UN food agency and its Director, Jacques Diouf, himself a Senegalese. He said neither wishful thinking, nor crocodile tears would change what the UN World Food Programme described as a "silent tsunami."

President Wade said he had for a long time been campaigning for the relocation of the Rome-based organization to Africa because its presence in an industrialized nation did not make sense. "The FAO should be close to those it claims to assist," Wade told the national radio and television, adding that it would be logical to transfer some of its projects to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

He urged the world not to be "fooled by large aid agencies" whose 20% of cases covers the expenses of their operations, including traveling and accommodation in five star hotels at the expense of developing nations.

President Wade advised the international community to“stop a moment and think as to why Africa is where it is today," despite the dedication of numerous resources to the continent.

His comments came few days after the UN announced an emergency plan to bring soaring prices under control. This development has provoked riots and protests in many parts of the world, including Africa.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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