Africa-Press – Malawi. Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo has urged African nations to come together to address pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality and climate change, saying unity is key to unlocking the continent’s full potential.
Speaking during Africa Day commemorations held at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, Tembo pointed out Africa’s vast natural wealth, including minerals, oil, fertile land and abundant water resources.
She said proper management of these assets could propel the continent’s economic growth.
“We are coming straight out of colonialism and moving towards self-independence. Africa has to unite, integrate and maintain peace in order to develop.
“When we look at nations ahead of us, many do not have the natural resources we do, yet they have advanced. Unity is crucial for Africa’s progress,” Tembo said.
The minister further said Africa’s greatest strength lies in solidarity, which could help tackle issues such as youth unemployment, underdeveloped infrastructure and political instability.
She further called on Africans to see Africa Day not merely as a celebration but as a call to action towards building a stronger and more prosperous future.
IN THE MOMENT — Envoys captured during Africa Day observanceMoroccan Ambassador to Malawi Abdelkader Naji echoed Tembo’s sentiments, stressing the importance of collaboration.
“We must join our efforts to develop Africa. Progress cannot be achieved individually. It requires a collective approach,” Naji said.
Earlier on Friday, at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Mozambican High Commissioner to Malawi Alexandre Herculano Manjate also called for unity among African countries to promote economic independence across the continent.
Manjate observed that many African countries were facing challenges due to a lack of economic independence.
“We gained political liberation but face many challenges that we can only overcome by developing economically. That is why our colonisers still want to maintain control over us. We want to achieve economic liberation; it is a major struggle for us as Africans,” he said.
The envoy added that time had come for African countries to balance imports and exports, noting that many were exporting significantly while receiving less in return.
“So, let us bring in industries, sell goods and stabilise the current account balance between imports and exports. If you look at different countries, the majority of those in the south import more than they export,” Manjate said.
At the briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Mwayiwawo Polepole said Malawi had embarked on efforts to transform the country’s economy to achieve its long-term vision, Malawi 2063.
“To attain this vision, we have also developed the Agriculture, Tourism, Mining and Manufacturing Strategy to ensure we begin focusing on mechanisation and fully exploiting mining opportunities,” Polepole said.
He further said it was important to showcase the milestones achieved by Africans, the collaborations, the unity and the peace that exist across the continent, as well as the resources available.
“Currently, in terms of unity, Malawi is already united. We have a shared purpose and are aligned with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, to which Malawi fully subscribes,” he said.
Malawians, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders participated in various activities to mark Africa Day on Saturday.
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