As African leaders convene for the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the pan-African movement Africans Rising has issued a call to action, urging heads of state to unite against external control, foreign exploitation, and internal divisions that threaten the continent’s future.
In a February 14 petition, the movement warned that Africa stands at a crossroads where failure to act decisively towards unification could result in the loss of everything hard-fought since independence.
Africans Rising also raised alarm over the growing influence of foreign multinational corporations that it said are taking control of Africa’s resources.
According to the statement, foreign-backed land acquisitions and illegal mining operations are spreading across Ethiopia, Sudan, Mozambique, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving communities impoverished while wealth is extracted and exported.
“We are witnessing the alarming grabbing by foreign multinational corporations backed by their governments in some cases of our lands and resources. From massive land acquisitions by foreign corporations in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Mozambique to illegal mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, Africa’s wealth is once again being plundered while our people remain impoverished. If we fail to establish firm collective policies to protect our land and resources, future generations will inherit nothing but servitude,” the petition read in part.
The petition also highlighted Africa’s food insecurity crisis, warning that foreign corporations and donors continue to dictate agricultural policies, forcing farmers into dependency on imported seeds, fertilizers, and pricing models.
“Dear Leaders, I wonder how you feel as Heads of State when vast majorities of your citizens cannot afford the basics of life. Africa, home to 60% of the world’s arable land, still struggles with food insecurity. Foreign corporations and donors dictate our agricultural policies, forcing our farmers into dependency on imported seeds, fertilizers, and processed foods. Countries like Zimbabwe and Kenya have suffered the devastating effects of genetically modified (GMO) seed dependency, which has weakened indigenous farming and food sovereignty. If we do not take control of our food systems now, we will soon be unable to feed ourselves without permission from foreign entities.”
Click here to read the full petition.
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