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Europe, China and Africa can work together without mistrust -Kagame

By IGIHE
On 7 October 2018 at 04:23

The Chairman of the African Union and Head of State, President Kagame, today addressed the Mo Ibrahim Foundation board meeting, where he advised leaders to focus on important issues that would pertain to Africa’s development such as driving relations that would make Africa a priority destination for industrial investment, among others.

The meeting brought together participants from public and private sector to discuss subjects pertaining to Africa including AU reforms, Continental Free Trade Area and Africa’s economic transformation.

In his address at the event, President Kagame observed that continents should focus on important issues that would pertain to Africa’s development instead of getting comfortable with the humanitarian concept.

"The key for both sides, Europe and Africa, is to move beyond the humanitarian mindset and instead focus the relationship on making Africa a priority destination for industrial investment, possibly working in a tripartite fashion. Why not have Europe, Africa and China working together instead of having one worried about the other over Africa?" Kagame advised.

On AU reforms, Kagame noted that the Member States contribution had increased significantly, leading to AU budget for the next year, 12% lower.

“The AU budget for next year is 12% lower. Member States contribution has increased significantly. The result is people are no longer wasting money, we are doing what we can afford to do and member countries are taking responsibilities.” Kagame observed.

President Kagame also called leaders to renew efforts in tackling immigration with a stable and long-term framework.

“The issue can’t be tackled in isolation, we have to construct a stable, long-term framework. First priority is to stop harm for migrants. ‘Deterrence by death’ is an inhumane policy and it is not reducing flows.” He said

On geopolitics and political turbulence around the world, President Kagame said that it was a constant reminder of why a functional African Union is so urgent.

The meeting saw over 50 Head of States, prominent African political, business leaders such as Patricia Scotland, the sixth Commonwealth Secretary-General, Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, Festus Mogae, former third President of Botswana, Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Pedro Pires, former President of Cape Verde, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Liberian President and the first elected female head of state in Africa and many others.

In April 2018, Rwanda hosted the ‘Ibrahim Governance Weekend’, an event which focused on cross-cutting issues pertaining to Africa’s future such as deliberating on the status of public service, good governance, and others.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) is an African foundation, established in 2006 with one focus: the critical importance of governance and leadership in Africa. The Foundation’s board of members include Hosh Ibrahim, Board director at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr Mo Ibrahim, Chair and Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Chair of the Ibrahim Prize for achievement in African Leadership, Donald Kaberuka, seventh President of the African Development Bank and others.


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