Africa’s future depends on its quality of cooperation-Kagame

Kagame was speaking yesterday at the African Union-European Union Summit 2017 at Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The head of State said the gathering of Europe and Africa takes place at a time when they are all looking for tightening the unity of respective regions and collaborate more effectively.

“The institutional reform of the AU currently underway aims to make our organisation more focused, effective and financially stable. The decision tells the collective determination of African leaders to accelerate progress towards AU founding ambitions,” he said.

He said as Africa’s future depends on the quality of cooperation within itself, it is their responsibility to mobilise the resources to pay for important programmes that benefit people while alleviating the burden on partners.

“A robust implementation mechanism has been put in place at both political and technical levels,” he said.

“The process is characterised by flexibility in accommodating the specific needs of member states while maintaining fidelity to the core principles, outcomes and more fundamentally, ownership of the organisation’s activities,” he added.

Kagame went on saying the critical role already played by the Regional Economic Blocks will also be enhanced by a clear division of labour and improved coordination with the African Union Commission.

He said the reform represents a landmark opening to strengthen the partnership between Europe and Africa which are permanent neighbours and have a shared understanding of numerous key interests, notably in terms of security, migration, environment, trade and investment.

“A test of our collaboration and our humanity lies clearly before us with the unfolding tragedy of African migrants in Libya and in similar situations elsewhere. We must act together,” he urged.

A more decisive and self-sufficient AU will mean more favourable and reliable external partnerships for everyone involved. Continued cooperation and understanding from the EU is an important factor in the success of this effort, he said.

“It is no accident that the institutional reform puts youth engagement and participation at the centre. Guaranteeing opportunity, safety and a voice to the young people of Europe and Africa is the best defence of our shared values and our common future,” Kagame observed.