African leaders address UNGA: focus on sustainable goals, action to tackle inequality and disasters

Among about 150 heads of state and government from around the world, dozens of African leaders have delivered speeches at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, addressing global and continental issues ranging from sustainable development to reparations for slavery to pledges to hold free and credible elections.

The year’s event, which is taking place from 18-22 September, is themed “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability for all.”

Addressing the UNGN, leaders from African nations have voiced their commitment to achieving sustainable development and called for a more equitable and prosperous world. A recurring theme in speeches delivered by the Presidents of Angola, Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Seychelles was the urgent need to rebuild trust and rekindle global solidarity in the face of complex changes.

Ghana’s President, Akufo-Addo, has demanded for the payment of reparations for the countries affected by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, because, in his words, “no amount of money will ever make up for the horrors, but it would make the point that evil was perpetrated…” He also stressed that the world has been unwilling and unable to confront the realities of the consequences of the slave trade, but indicated that, this is changing gradually, and it is time to bring the subject of reparations firmly to the fore.

Meanwhile, President of Namibia, Hage Gottfried Geingob, highlighted his country’s efforts in transitioning to green energy, emphasizing its green hydrogen projects and their potential to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.

In his address, Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, stressed his country’s commitment to democratic governance and human rights, as well as the primacy of regional peace, particularly within the context of the West African subregion.

Liberia’s President, George Manneh Weah, highlighted the multitude of challenges the world currently faces, including security, economic, social, political, and environmental issues, while, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has called on the UN to support Africa to curb the influx of illegal arms trade and illicit mining by foreign firms. He stressed that illegal arms deals had resulted in inhumane commercial activities, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, while noting that illegal mining had been a persistent concern, posing significant economic and environmental threats to several African countries, particularly Nigeria.