Maina wa Njuguna
LEDE:
- African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) as engine for the continent’s development and integrati hion
- Decried ballooning global military expenditure far outpacing global development agenda
- Celebrated the growing global consensus on the recognition of Palestinian statehood
- Acknowledged the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination
- Called for the renewal of equality, and empowerment of women, and girls
When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at a world stage such as the United Nations General Assembly in New York City (NYC), he undoubtedly speaks not just for South Africa, but for the African continent.
I am writing this not only because of his statesmanship, but also because of his country’s higher standing in Africa’s economic hierarchy.
SOME OF THE TAKEAWAYS:
AFRICAN UNION (AU) PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED NATIONS (UN)
President Ramaphoda welcomed the partnership between the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) in promoting peace, security, and stability on the African continent.
South Africa will host, and preside the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the first time such a meeting convenes on the African continent – the cradle of humanity.
AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA (AfCFTA)
The president spotlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the engine for continental constructive collaboration, and cooperation for development.
AfCFTA is world’s largest free trade area, that’s on course to create a single market for goods and services across 55 African countries to boost intra-African trade, facilitate economic transformation, and promote industrialization.
Source: /Wikicommons/
Ramaphosa described AfCFTA as the pillar for economic cooperation, and a catalyst of the integration of the African continent.
A GLOBAL CHALLENGE TO REPRIORITIZE
The president decried of the global military expenditure that has balooned, and far outpassed the global core development adjenda. Weapons far outpacing socio-economic infrastructure that improves livelihoods. This unfortunately decapitates progress and entrenches instability. Africa is home to more than thirty five armed conflicts
PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD
South Africa has led the way in building a growing global consensus on the recognition of Palestinan statehood, and their right to self-determination.
He rebuked Israel for orchestrating what is increasingly being acknowledged as genocide of Palestinians in the besiged Gaza territory.
WESTERN SAHARA
President Ramaphosa also brought to light, and acknowleged the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.
The dispute centers on the sovereignty of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, with Morocco controlling most of the territory and the Polisario Front, a political-military organization, and Sahrawi national liberation movement controling the rest.
GENDER EQUALITY
On equality, the president renewed South Africa’s commitment to the empowerment of women & girls, and welcomed to world to follow suit. He called for world to work towards women’s full participation in all spheres of life, meaningfully and welcomed a future female UN Sectetary General. This is the 30th anniversary of the Beijing declaration of gender equality, which tasked to promote human rights, dignity & justice for all.
RELATED
U.N URGES TRUMP TO SPARE WORLD’S POOREST NATIONS FROM DAMAGING TARIFFS
