UN Chief appeals for peace in Africa's hot spots

South Africa: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Thursday for peace in Africa's war-wracked regions after he arrived in Tanzania for the second leg of a five-nation tour of the continent.

"Violence is unnecessary and costly. Africa has already lost too many lives and destruction has been so extensive," Ban said.

"Violence should be brought to an end in Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. This must stop," he added. The UN chief arrived in the east Africa country from South Africa where kicked off his trip. Ban also called on developed countries to help Africa deal with the effects climate change and global economic slowdown.

"I repeat my appeal to developed countries not to turn their back on Africa and other developing countries," he said.

On Friday, he will inaugurate the world body's agencies office in Zanzibar, Tanzania's semi-autonomous island afterwhich he heads to the UN-backed tribunal for Rwanda in the country's northern Arusha town.

He will then visit the Democratic Republic of Congo for talks with President Joseph Kabila and meet the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) before heading to Kigali for talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

DAR ES SALAAM,

Friday, AFP