Germany calls on African Union to seek a permanent seat at the G20
GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: German Chancellor Olof Scholz has challenged the African Union to get a permanent seat at the G20 promising that Germany will offer full support.
Scholz is on a three-day visit to East Africa, a trip that comes amid an outburst of violence in Sudan and Ethiopia making efforts to end a two-year civil war in the country’s northern Tigray region.
The German leader who met African Union officials in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Thursday praised the continental body for engaging in intensive discussions on how to promote peace and stability in the Africa.
He held talks with AU chairperson Moussa Faki in Addis Ababa, focusing on conflicts in Africa especially the issue of peace in Sudan and promised Germany’s help in finding a peaceful solution to the troubles in the country.
He assured the African Union officials that Germany will fully back the continent’s bid for a seat at the G20.
“Respect for the continent and its many countries and the growing population” demands that they have a voice, the chancellor said.
Scolz who was accompanied by representatives of German companies revealed that his country is interested in pressing Germany’s role as a reliable partner in Africa as a counter to growing influence by China in the region.
He added that Germany will support measures taken by African countries to achieve food security and end Africa’s dependence on imported fertilizer and investment in green energy.
Ukraine Conflict
The chancellor challenged African countries to support Ukraine in its war against invasion by Russia saying the conflict is not only a threat to security in Europe but also worldwide.
“We cannot accept a larger country invading a smaller neighbor and annexes part of its territory. Global peace is grounded in the concept that no revisionist ambitions lead to attempts to redraw borders by force,” he said.
Adding, “That is why we continue to support the UN over the question of food security, grain exports and fertilizers.”
He assured the African Union officials that Germany and Europe was not only occupied with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but that we are also taking action for peace and stability worldwide.”
Speaking in Kenya on Friday when he met President William Ruto, the chancellor noted that the region hosts important international organizations and therefore plays a crucial role in addressing most pressing global challenges and also plays a role in determining rules that determine the global order.
He noted Kenya has positioned itself as a climate champion, producing more than 90 percent of electricity through renewables and has developed ambitious national climate goals.
He added that Nairobi is the only UN seat in the Global South and is actively engaged in working towards peace in the region and that Ethiopia has enormous potential, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“If the country succeeds in consolidating peace internally, it will increasingly be able to work for regional security as it did before the terrible internal war. Addis Ababa is the seat of the AU, with which Germany works closely,” he observed.
Fastest growing
Chancellor Scholz mentioned that East Africa is one of the fastest growing region in the World and that Germany is keen to contribute to efforts that will make the region stable and help it prosper.
“Growing global challenges like climate change already affect East Africa severely, particularly in the form of massive droughts. We seek to address these challenges together. We want to be partners on issues that concern both Africa’s and Europe’s future.”
He also promised that Germany will support African-led efforts to build and maintain peace and security, noting that the people affected by military conflicts deserve peace, economic growth and prosperity.
- By Fauxile Kibet