By Bill W. Cooper
The United States Representative to the United Nation (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has stressed the need for Africans to place more attention on climate change as it impacts the continent on a daily basis.
Amb. Thomas-Greenfiled using Niger as a case study, noted that climate is impacting livelihoods which is a contributing factor to insecurity in that part of Africa.
Addressing a digital press briefing held in Gabon recently with scores of journalists from across the globe, the U.S. Representative to the UN, among other things, stressed, “So we have to partner with African nations to tackle this crisis, and I think without strong efforts by all countries to move to net zero by mid-century, we simply won’t be able to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”
Amb. Thomas-Greenfield further asserted that it is why the 26th annual UN Climate Conference is very pivotal and at the same time commended the Gabonese government for its role in the COP26 and the leadership exhibited in combating climate change in the Congo Basin Forest.
She added, “That is why, as an AU champion of Climate Change, President Bongo has shown impressive African leadership in responding to climate change.”
Commenting on her trip to Mali, Niger, and Gabon, the U.S diplomat described her stops in Mali and Niger which are also part of the Security Council delegation as being very rewarding; stating that she is currently in Gabon, which will be joining the Security Council as of January, 2022.
According to her, at every stop, she met with strategic partners to discuss their shared goals which were important moments for their relationships in the Sahel and Central Africa.
Amb. Thomas- Greenfield explained that during her separate meetings in Mali, she met with the transition government, including the President and Prime Minister, to discuss the importance of Mali’s return to constitutional rule through democratic elections and the critical role MINUSMA plays in promoting peace and security.
“In those meetings, as well as discussions with the Malian civil society representatives to the Algiers Accord Monitoring Committee, and the international mediation team, we reiterated that the United States continues to stand firmly with the people of Mali in their aspirations for democracy, peace, development, and respect for human rights,” she disclosed.
The U.S. Diplomat noted further that also in Niger, along with the Security Council, they continued discussions with members of the government, including the President and the G5 Sahel Joint Force representatives on the importance of democratic institutions in the region and the rapid spread of instability and violent extremism throughout the Sahel.
“In my bilateral discussions we looked for ways to collaborate on our shared goals, especially during Niger’s remaining time on the Security Council, and I personally congratulated President Bazoum on Niger’s first-ever transfer of power from one democratically elected president to the next,” she explained.
“We are working closely with African institutions and partners, including the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS, as well as international partners to build civilian institutional capacity to confront the persistent challenges that are occurring here in the region,” she added.
“And finally, here in Gabon, I have had productive meetings with the government. I congratulated them on Gabon’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council, which is recognition of Gabon’s role as a global climate leader and as a regional leader promoting peace,” she stated.