News & Politics
UN: Injustices Against Africa Must Be Corrected—United Nations’ Antonio Guterres
Guterres told the leaders that it was time to correct “historic injustices” against the continent…
United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told African leaders on Thursday (September 5, 2024) that “injustices” against the continent must be corrected.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on September 5, 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters
The UN Scribe called for the region to have a permanent seat on the United Nations’ Security Council in order to correct Injustices against the continent.
Mr. Guterres and more than 50 African leaders attended this week’s China-Africa forum, according to state media. Addressing the forum, Mr. Guterres told the leaders that it was time to correct “historic injustices” against the continent.
He described as outrageous the fact that the African continent still has no permanent seat on the United Nations’ Security Council.
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In his words, “It is outrageous… that the continent of Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council,” he said. “Many African countries are mired in debt and struggling to invest in sustainable development,” he said.
He wondered why many countries on the African continent lack access to debt relief.
“Many have no access to effective debt relief, scarce resources, and clearly insufficient… funding,” he added.
Mr. Guterres told the gathering that “China’s remarkable record of development — including on eradicating poverty — provides a wealth of experience and expertise”.
“It can be a catalyst for key transitions on food systems and digital connectivity,” he said.”And as home to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, Africa can maximise the potential of China’s support in areas from trade to data management, finance and technology.
“We are pushing for reforms so that the international financial architecture and institutions correspond to the realities of today’s world and can respond to today’s challenges – particularly those faced by developing countries, namely in Africa,” he added.
Guterres emphasized his recommendations for overhauling the “outdated, ineffective, and unfair” international financial system, while also voicing support for a stimulus initiative aimed at assisting developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a significant $50 billion financial package for Africa over the next three years during the China-Africa forum in Beijing.
Speaking at the forum’s opening ceremony in the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, Xi described China-Africa relations as being in their “best period in history.” He outlined China’s commitment to expanding cooperation with African nations in critical sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, trade, and investment.
“China is ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment,” Xi said, pledging financial support amounting to 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) over the next three years. He specified that more than half of the funds would be in the form of credit, with $11 billion allocated for various types of assistance and $10 billion to encourage Chinese firms to invest in Africa.
Additionally, Xi promised to help create at least one million jobs across the continent, bolstering Africa’s economic development and workforce. As part of the aid package, Xi also committed $141 million in grants for military assistance, pledging to train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from African countries.
China is Africa’s largest trading partner and has given billions of dollars in loans that have helped the continent build much-needed infrastructure.
