Reminding that many civilians, including pregnant women and children, have recently been killed in the attacks on a maternity hospital, a funeral ceremony and a mosque in Afghanistan, Sağlam said: “In Afghanistan, which has been suffering from attacks of NATO forces and civil war since the US invasion, there has recently been an agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country and initial steps have been taken to implement the terms of the agreement. But recent attacks targeting civilians are intended to sabotage the process. The United States, which has made a habit of bloodshed in Muslim countries, aims to slow down the withdrawal process with provocative attacks by collaborators.”

“We condemn the attacks targeting civilians in Holy Month of Ramadan”

“The chaos that has existed since 2001 in Afghanistan reveals that it is essential to achieve internal peace and end armed conflict as a priority for the stabilization of the country. The main reason for the occupation and instability in Islamic countries, especially Afghanistan, is the division that comes with conflicts. We condemn these attacks targeting civilians during the holy month of Ramadan and wish Allah mercy for those who lost their lives and urgent healing for the wounded.”

United Nations’ report about the impact of coronavirus on the global poverty

Speaking of the report from UN that estimates coronavirus to push more than 34 million people into extreme poverty this year, Sağlam said: “According to the report, 56 percent of this increase in the poverty rate would occur in African countries. Due to financial difficulties in African countries, which were condemned to poverty and hunger by global income injustice, the health sectors have collapsed and thousands of people have lost their lives due to various epidemics. The new covid-19 outbreak is plunging African countries, which are fighting the virus with insufficient economic resources, into a bigger crisis. The possibility that the outbreak could have social effects that lead to economic depression as well as social conflicts in African countries is frightening.”

“Global support packages launched against the economic crisis must be expanded”

Calling for medical aid to African countries, Sağlam said: “In order to contain the spread of the pandemic, these countries should be provided with the necessary medical support. At the same time, global support packages launched against the economic crisis should be expanded. Otherwise, the coronavirus pandemic will have staggering consequences for countries, especially African countries, which are trying to fight the disease with insufficient resources.” (ILKHA)