Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in MALABO, Equatorial Guinea
SADC chairperson President Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday evening and will join fellow African leaders today at the 7th African Union (AU) Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) that will tackle issues affecting the continent and mapping the strategic direction of the AU in achieving its broader objectives.
The President was welcomed at Santa Isabel International Airport in Malabo by Equatorial Guinea Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue Nsua, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea Mr Visitor Jerry Mutume, senior Government officials from the host country and staff from the Zimbabwean embassy.
President Mnangagwa left the country yesterday afternoon and was seen off at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by his two Vice Presidents, Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi, senior Government officials and service chiefs.
Today’s meeting that the President will attend was preceded by the 47th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, composed of Foreign Affairs Ministers from AU member states, which was held on Thursday and Friday.
The meeting brings together the AU Assembly Bureau, which comprises Heads of State and Government, chairpersons of the eight regional economic communities (RECs), senior officials of the African
Union Commission (AUC) and the continental body’s specialised agencies and other institutional partners.
It is set to tackle an array of issues affecting the continent, including peace and security, trade and funding of the AU and its organs.
One of the concerns that leaders will have to brainstorm is the funding model of the AU, where the bulk of its projects and programmes are derived from development partners, something which the bloc feels is unhealthy.
It was one of the topical issues when Foreign Affairs Ministers met on Thursday during the 47th AU Executive Council.
Zimbabwe was represented in the meeting by Prof Murwira.
During the gathering, it was felt that continued reliance on development partners undermines the continent’s sovereignty, given that benefactors determine the usage of the money and priorities.
“The key highlight basically is that our budget, about 80 percent of our budget, 77 percent to be exact, is coming from partners.
“The African Union has made it a point that we want to move away from overdependence on partners because it basically interferes with our programmes, because you can’t programme boldly using borrowed resources or using given resources.
“You programme boldly and sustainably using your own resources,” said Prof Murwira in an interview with Zimbabwean journalists.
He said delegates noted the need for innovation to come up with a self-financing mechanism for the continent.
Prof Murwira said discussions had also centred on deepening trade among African countries and reducing intercontinental trade.
“We also looked at the issue of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It is intra-African trade which can liberate Africa from overdependence on donations and that’s the only way we can bring prosperity,” said Prof Murwira.
Today’s meeting also plays a pivotal role in aligning continental and regional priorities, assessing the implementation of Agenda 2063, and promoting effective integration between the AU and its regional mechanisms.
It also comes at a time when African leaders are preoccupied with renewed emphasis on internal consolidation and global positioning.
The MYCM has evolved into a cornerstone of AU institutional coordination.
With only 17 countries having implemented the AU’s 0,2 percent import levy to fund continental activities, this makes budget discussions today very crucial.
Other issues to come up for discussion relate to justice, reparations and inclusive governance, where leaders will reflect on progress made in the first half of the thematic year.
Deliberations from the meeting will shape continental governance priorities ahead of the February 2026 AU Summit.
Online Reporter