Story by Oleen Ndori
THE SADC Chairperson, President Emmerson Mnangagwa says it is imperative for reforms of International Financial Institutions to ensure fair terms for Africa.
In his Africa Day message delivered on Sunday, President Mnangagwa stressed the importance of amplifying Africa’s voice within global governance structures to foster peace, inclusive development, and sustainable prosperity.
“Elevating Africa’s voice is of urgent and strategic necessity for consolidating equality of nations as enshrined in the UN Charter as well as fostering inclusive global governance, peace, security and prosperity. Zimbabwe joins Africa in calling for a more representative and inclusive global political and financial architecture.
“Africa’s voice with regard to our unique challenges, including conflicts, the debt albatross, climate change and economic disparities, among others, must be heard in the discourse that shapes global peace and security towards sustainable social and economic development.”
President Mnangagwa highlighted the challenges Africa continues to face, including conflict, climate change, unsustainable debt, and economic inequalities, all of which demand more inclusive decision-making processes at the global level.
“The imperative for reforms of the International Financial Institutions, to ensure fair terms for Africa is of urgent importance. Our nations can no longer be bound by exclusionary relics of colonialism that perpetuate inequality. On its part, Zimbabwe will, therefore, continue to take ownership and charge of our development trajectory, leveraging on our homegrown solutions and rich natural resource endowments.
“Our collective expertise, resources and resilience of our people will be harnessed as we remain masters of our own destiny,” he said.
Africa Day, commemorated annually on 25 May, celebrates the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, now succeeded by the African Union (AU). It serves as a moment for reflection on the continent’s achievements and the challenges that lie ahead.
