Africa is leading the world in areas that matter for all humanity, and it is time for Africa’s leadership role to be recognized and institutionalized, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.
In his address at the opening of the 36th African Union summit this morning, Prime Minister Abiy said Africa is today a leading voice for better world in a lot of ways.
African countries are engaged in environmental conservation, reforestation and a massive investment in the generation of clean energy from hydro sources.
In short, the prime minister stated that Africa is leading the world in areas that matter for all humanity, and it is time for Africa’s leadership role to be recognized and institutionalized.
Moreover, the African continent is fast tracking the establishment and implementation of a rule based system on trade governance that promises to create the world’s largest free trade area.
Abiy further added: “I would like to use this opportunity to lend my voice yet again for Africa to be represented on the UN Security Council with at least one permanent seat and double non-permanent seats.”
According to him, Africa also needs to have proportional representation at the G-7 the G-20 and similar global forums.
On other hand, the premier reaffirmed the need for Africa to tell her own story and not allow others to tell the tale in the service of their own interest.
“On this same occasion last year, I called upon all of us to tackle Africa’s typically negative portrayal by the global media. I stressed the need for Africa to tell her own story and not allow others to tell it in the service of their own interest. In this respect, please allow me to reiterate yet again. The need to establish an Africa Union continental media house.”
Until Africa tells her own stories, her image will remain distorted, a distortion that affects not just how others view us, but also how we view ourselves, he elaborated.
“We owe it to ourselves and to our children that Africa’s truths need to be told as they are, untainted with external interests and biases.”
Finally, the premier thanked those standing with Ethiopia in its time of need.
He pointed out that “Ethiopia and Ethiopians are appreciative of the Pan African solidarity that was on display in those difficult moments together, we prevailed.”