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UAfrican states consolidate democracies, address inequalities, shocking human rights violations and humanitarian crises, instability will always be a recurring problem in Africa.
Before we deal with the issue for today, I would like to express my shock in the passing of Samuel Mkhombe. To this end, I would like to express my condolences to the Mkhombe family, especially his wife and children and the Evangelical Church in Mbabane, where he served God diligently as an elder. I pray that God will comfort all in this hour of need. I had known Mkhombe for many years. In the NGO sector he is credited for the co-founding of the illustrious Human Rights Organisation – HUMURUS - popularised human rights following the abrogation of the independence of the Constitution, where it was argued that it had introduced a way of life not in line with emaSwati’s values. The inclusion of the Human Rights Charter in 2005 is credited to the work by HUMURUS of which Mkhombe and Dr Joshua Mzizi played a critical role.
On the topic for this week, I would like us to think aloud about the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Head of States and Government meeting in Malabo held from May 27, 2022, to consider the humanitarian crisis, terrorism and unconstitutional changes of governments’ challenges facing the continent. In 2002, in Durban, the AU was unveiled to the people of the continent. There was hope that the continent would be able to address the various challenges facing it, following the end of colonialism and apartheid. In recognition of structural challenges facing the continent, it is stated in the Constitutive Act ‘determined to take up the multifaceted challenges that confront our continent and peoples in the light of the social, economic and political changes taking place in the world; determined to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights, consolidate democratic institutions and culture, and to ensure good governance and the rule of law’.
Changes
The continent is experiencing worsening situations of terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government and humanitarian crises linked to deteriorating governance, poverty, weak social services delivery to mention a few. The African States are unable to adequately respond to the needs of the continent’s populations and growing inequality.
In the Malabo meeting, the Chairperson, Moussa Fake, observed, while underlining the nexus between terrorism and unconstitutional changes of governments, that; “We have all recently witnessed with consternation and concern, the return in force of military coups in some of our member states. We are witnessing the resurgence of a practice that we thought was gone forever with the advent of a new age, which promised a democratic era. The stability of democratic institutions is a guarantee for economic and social development. Conversely, breaks from democratic processes bring about the problems on the continent.” His Excellency, Joao Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Vice Chairperson of the AU, highlighted some of the factors that are part of the root cause of Africa’s instability,
including ‘hunger, poverty, unemployment, lack of industrialisation and lack of socio-economic development as part of the missing link to finding a sustainable solution to peace and security on the continent. This was echoed by Vladimir Voronkov, Under Secretary General, and United Nations Officer of Counter –Terrorism, who said; “Terrorist and violent extremists’ views often appeal to those who feel marginalised or alienated from their governments or societies, whether because of inequality, injustice or a lack of opportunity.”
On the humanitarian crisis driven by increasing climatic shocks, conflicts, impact of COVID-19 and economic slowdowns, it was observed that over 114 million people in 15 most affected African countries require urgent food assistance in 2022. Africa has more than 30 million internally displaced persons (IDPS), refugees and asylum seekers, among them over 10.4 million are internally displaced children aged below 15 years. It was noted that the number of people displaced due to climatic conditions is increasing with approximately 4.3 million newlydisplaced due to disasters mostly related to climate change. The southern region faces multiple climatic shocks characterized by cyclones, floods and sporadic rainfall patterns in some countries. It is commendable that the heads of States and government are concerned about the humanitarian, terrorism and unconstitutional changes of governments. What in my view is key, is for the African governments to focus their energies on making lives of their citizens better. Many in Africa are poor, hungry, unemployed, discriminated based on disability, gender, ethnicity and lack of access to basic services such as education and healthcare to mention a few. In many African states, there are various grievances by the populace which governments are failing to address. These include lack of space for the people to express their grievances. Blaming social media and external forces will not change the situation in Africa.