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Zvamaida Murwira in MIDRAND, South Africa
AFRICA should mobilise its own resources from its huge natural endowments to solve its challenges instead of perennially carrying the begging bowl beyond its borders for support, legislators from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have said.
This came out during a debate by the legislators here yesterday on PAP’s strategic plan that runs from 2024 to 2028.
The strategic plan seeks to give the PAP, led by Chief Fortune Charumbira, strategic direction which will enable it to achieve its continental objectives.
During debate, legislators said there was need for Africa to implement projects and plans envisaged in the strategic plan using its own resources rather than begging for funding from Western capitals, whose help comes with strings attached.
The continental legislators said it was high time for Africa to assert its authority and devise its own funding models for infrastructure projects, and not always look upon the West for support.
Zimbabwean legislator, Cde Elizabeth Masuku, said Africa’s minerals and arable land should be able to fund its infrastructure projects.
“We need to fund our own projects as Africa, including the implementation of this strategic plan without the involvement of Western countries.
“Our rich endowment does not even require to look beyond our continent,” said Cde Masuku from Matabeleland North province.
Glen View North legislator and PAP member, Happymore Chidziva, said: “It is important for Africa to have a home-grown solution to its own challenges.
“There are lots of natural resources that can be used to fund our activities as a continent.”
Tanzanian legislator, Ngwasi Demas Kamani, said it was critical for Africa to fund its strategic plan and ultimately tell its own story.
“We cannot expect someone from outside to come and solve our problems. As Africans, we must understand the importance of PAP, how it is important to fund it, so that it can be the solution of the change we envisage,” she said.
“We have the resources: minerals, land and the population. They say, there is no free lunch. Whatever help we might get will come with strings attached.
“The money we will get will be to foster the agenda of the one who would have given us the money.”
In separate interviews, other legislators said Africa should abandon its begging bowel syndrome as billions of US dollars could be harnessed in Africa given its resource base.
“What we need is unity among Africans, particularly leaders. Once we speak with one voice and denounce this dependence syndrome, we are done,” said a legislator from The Gambia.
PAP members adopted the strategic plan, which will pave way for the continental legislative assembly to chart its trajectory.
One of the objectives of the strategic plan is to strengthen PAP through ensuring that it assumes legislative powers.
Online Reporter