Bahir Dar:Former African leaders and senior officials gathered at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa to advocate for faster continental integration, increased investment in technology, and stronger institutions across the continent. The discussions were led by former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, and Namibia's National Planning Commission Director-General Kaire Mbuende.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the panelists emphasized the necessity of reinforcing continental integration and technological capabilities to boost Africa's economic sovereignty, collective security, and global influence. Hailemariam Desalegn highlighted the vulnerabilities African countries face due to delays in implementing existing continental agreements, urging leaders to transform their commitments into concrete actions.
Hailemariam stressed that closer economic cooperation is vital for the continent to withstand external pressures, viewing integration as a geopolitical necessity. He also warned against the risks of instability in resource-rich regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) if African countries do not coordinate their resource policies effectively.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan underscored the requirement for technological sovereignty, noting Africa's dependency on foreign technology and expertise. He advocated for strategic investments in research-intensive universities to develop domestic expertise and reduce reliance on external capabilities.
Kaire Mbuende from Namibia's National Planning Commission emphasized that Africa's collective strength relies on robust national institutions and effective regional cooperation. He advocated for the control and utilization of natural resources to benefit African populations through industrialization and poverty reduction.
The panelists at the Tana Forum concluded that Africa's economic transformation hinges on the practical implementation of existing agreements, technological investment, and coordinated management of the continent's resources.
