- He said that it was ironic Africa, the richest continent in the world in terms of raw resources has the poorest living standards.
- Raila insisted that this is something that can be reversed, adding that Africans cannot continue living in the past.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/X
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga now says that it is time the African continent took the fate of its future into its own hands.
Speaking on Thursday during a High-level consultative forum of Africa Green Climate Finances National Designated Authorities Network (AfDAN) in Nairobi, Raila said it is also time the continent worked as one unit.
He said that it was ironic Africa, the richest continent in the world in terms of raw resources has the poorest living standards.
Raila insisted that this is something that can be reversed, adding that Africans cannot continue living in the past.
“Africa is the richest continent on planet earth and as far as raw materials are concerned yet it's a paradox that the richest is also the poorest in as far as living conditions of its people are concerned," he said.
“This is a paradox we can reverse as a people. Yes, there are historical reasons to justify what we have today but we cannot live in history forever.”
Raila noted that there are countries across the world that were colonized by they have moved on from that and are now developed.
He added that by working as one unit with the African Union Commission taking the lead in representing all countries, the continent will make strides development-wise.
He said cases of people meeting at international conferences, making resolutions and disappearing as soon as they are done with no action will be a thing of the past.
“Other countries were also colonized for example but they have marched on. It is time that Africa took its fate into its own hands and worked as one unit. Africa needs to be compensated but if we go as Kenya, DRC, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa, they will not listen to you but take you rounds," Raila said.
“I have been to these international conferences, resolution share being passed, but after that people pack and go. We must make sure something concrete comes out of these conferences and the African Union can be the champion of this.”
Raila insisted that to address the devastating impacts of climate change, Africa cannot continue with the business-as-usual approach.