Paragraph 1: Call for African Self-Reliance and Unity
Ahmed Satomi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has issued a resounding call for African nations to break free from their dependence on Western aid and instead harness their own vast resources to drive continental development. Speaking at the 8th Conference of the Network of African Parliamentarians for Defence and Security Committees in Abuja, Satomi emphasized the urgent need for a unified African voice and a decisive shift towards self-determination. He underscored Africa’s immense potential, dismissing the notion that the continent cannot thrive without Western influence. He highlighted the abundance of resources and the inherent capacity for self-sufficiency, urging a paradigm shift away from external reliance.
Paragraph 2: Addressing Africa’s Multifaceted Challenges
Satomi identified a range of critical challenges hindering Africa’s progress, including terrorism, food insecurity, youth unemployment, weak industrial capacity, and inherited conflicts. He warned that unless African leaders take bold and decisive action to address these issues, the dream of a prosperous Africa will remain unrealized. He emphasized the interconnectedness of security and development, arguing that peace is a prerequisite for progress and that development is the ultimate goal for the continent. Satomi’s call to action underscores the urgency of confronting these multifaceted challenges to pave the way for a more secure and prosperous future.
Paragraph 3: Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend and Economic Potential
Satomi highlighted Africa’s burgeoning population and its vast resource wealth as both a challenge and an opportunity. He cited projections indicating that Africa’s GDP is expected to surpass global predictions, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing robust growth in the coming years. While acknowledging the challenges posed by a rapidly expanding youth population entering the labor market, he emphasized the potential of this demographic dividend if properly managed. He stressed the importance of creating sufficient formal job opportunities to absorb the influx of young people into the workforce. The African Continental Free Trade Area, he noted, presents a significant opportunity to accelerate trade, integration, and development across the continent.
Paragraph 4: Promoting Intra-African Collaboration and Information Sharing
Having been elected as the new President of the Network of African Parliamentarians for Defence and Security Committees, Satomi outlined his vision for his two-year tenure. He pledged to prioritize greater coordination, information sharing, and legislative action to address the continent’s security and development gaps. He emphasized the crucial role of communication and collaboration among African nations in finding solutions to shared challenges. Satomi’s leadership aims to reposition the network to effectively represent all African countries and to foster a stronger sense of continental unity and purpose.
Paragraph 5: Reducing External Dependence and Fostering Self-Sufficiency
Satomi expressed his frustration with Africa’s overreliance on imports, pointing out that a significant portion of goods consumed on the continent are manufactured elsewhere. He lamented this dependence as a legacy of colonialism and called for a renewed focus on developing local industries and promoting self-sufficiency. He also cautioned against external interference in African affairs, citing the case of Libya as a stark reminder of the destabilizing effects of foreign intervention. He advocated for strengthened continental unity and the enactment of laws that prioritize African interests and shape the continent’s future according to its own vision.
Paragraph 6: Building an Africa of Our Choice
Satomi’s overarching message was a call for African agency and self-determination. He urged African nations to take control of their destiny and build a continent that reflects its true strength and potential. He emphasized the importance of strategic coordination, information sharing, and legislative action as tools for achieving this goal. He expressed his belief that through collaborative efforts and a commitment to self-reliance, Africa can overcome its challenges and achieve a future of its own making – an “Africa of our choice”. His vision is one of a continent that leverages its resources, its people, and its collective will to achieve lasting peace, prosperity, and genuine independence.
