African nations unite at COP29 to tackle neo-colonialism, resource exploitation

At COP29, representatives from African nations convened in Baku to address emerging forms of neo-colonialism and to devise strategies for combating its ongoing influence.

The discussions also addressed the environmental and public health damage caused by the colonial policies of former metropolitan powers, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Thus, a meeting held by the Baku Initiative Group, which saw the participation of Members of Parliament, NGO leaders, politicians, eco-activists, and human rights defenders from Mali, Togo, Djibouti, Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mauritania.

"We must unite our efforts to protect our natural resources, which continue to be exploited to the detriment of our ecology and our future. It is time to hold international corporations accountable," said Makéléle Kauchu Alen Bisimwa, Programme Director of the Front for Environmental Protection and Protected Areas in the DRC, a country heavily impacted by colonial exploitation.

Abdulsamad Said Arreh, a social development specialist with the organisation Paix & Lait (Djibouti), noted that the legacy of colonialism still affects the development of these nations, even after achieving independence. "We must work towards social progress based on justice and equality," he emphasised.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for African nations to collaborate on confronting these ongoing challenges, ensuring that the exploitation of natural resources does not continue unchecked.

Meanwhile, the financial manager of the youth network "Green Mauritania" (GreeM), Mohamed Abderrahman Ahmed Ali, expressed his satisfaction with the meeting held with the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) during COP29.

Ali highlighted that the conference had been organised excellently, and he was impressed by the overall proceedings.

He further noted that African civil society representatives would actively collaborate with BIG following COP29, marking a new phase of engagement for both parties in tackling climate-related challenges.

By Aghakazim Guliyev