The president and founder of the Waniba Foundation, Clarence Moniba has emphasized the urgent need for African nations to adopt a proactive stance in their international relations, reflecting on the historical context of Africa’s position in the world.
In a compelling address at the Africa Political Outlook Summit held in Brussels, Dr Moniba captured the audience’s attention with his compelling speech on the active commitment Africa must undertake in its international relations.
Citing Liberia, the Waniba Foundation president further illustrated his point with wisdom, reminding that the country, rich in unique history and admirable resilience, must extend a hand with tangible offerings rather than presenting itself with “empty hands.”
According to Moniba, Africa must cease to view itself as a mere supplicant and begin to firmly assert its contributions and potential and stress that representation in international institutions hinges on each nation’s ability to prove its added value.
He further articulated that, to be regarded as an equal partner, Africa must demonstrate its willingness to overcome its internal challenges by bolstering unity and governance, as in the context where Liberia aspires to play a more significant role in multilateralism, his call to action resonated as a promise of hope.
Also, Liberia’s Special Representative for International Missions, Ambassador Sheikh Al-Mustafa Kouyateh, addressed fundamental themes such as food sovereignty, energy transition, and sustainable industrialization.
Kouyateh asserted, “When Africa begins to produce what it consumes, sovereignty begins, encapsulating the urgent need for economic self-sufficiency.”
By highlighting the substantial challenges posed by exorbitant interest rates that burden farmers, Amb. Kouyateh further underscored the necessity of innovative initiatives to ensure agricultural prosperity.
Meanwhile, the dynamic to enhance intra-African trade, as illustrated by Amb. Kouyateh, also aligns with a vision of an Africa that seeks to capitalize on its agricultural wealth, not only fostering self-sufficiency but also exporting its products.
Consequently, the summit served as a valuable platform to explore the ongoing political and economic challenges, positioning African nations, particularly Liberia, at the forefront of discussions regarding the future of development.
As the African continent seeks to harness its internal resources and strengthen its role within global governance structures, other speakers emphasized the themes of sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and the necessity of unifying African voices to assert their rightful place on the international stage.
The Africa Political Outlook summit, which concluded on March 26 in Brussels, however, shed light on the crucial issues of the contemporary world, particularly the need for an inclusive global order that acknowledges the growing influence of the Global South. The Africa Political Outlook Summit at the same time establishes itself as a strategic platform for amplifying African priorities in global governance.
