Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Moussa Diarra
Published on 2024-03-15 11:35:40
Mali was chosen to host this conference which is one of the six preparatory pre-congresses.
Bamako, 14 Mar (AMAP) The West Africa regional conference leading up to the 9th Pan-African Congress on the theme: “Diasporas, Afro-descendants, and Development,” with the aim of reflecting on federative mobilization strategies of African diasporas and Afro-descendants around the construction of the renaissance with Pan-Africanism as its foundation, opened on Thursday in Bamako.
The Minister of Malians Abroad and African Integration, Mossa Ag Attaher, stated that this meeting represents a real opportunity to reflect together on the challenges related to the development of our countries, to share our experiences, and to propose innovative strategies to mobilize the African diaspora and the Afro-descendant community.
He recalled data from the African Development Bank (AfDB) showing that remittances from the African diaspora have steadily increased from $37 billion in 2010 to $87 billion in 2019, reaching $95.6 billion in 2021.
Minister Ag Attaher added that the African diaspora, the largest financier on the continent, provides livelihoods for millions of Africans in addressing food, education, health, and local development needs.
Furthermore, Mossa Ag Attaher argued that African diaspora intellectuals significantly contribute to capacity building in countries of origin by transferring skills in various fields.
He mentioned that the Malian diaspora, estimated at around 6 million people, is a pillar of national development with strong commitment. According to a study by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) in 2022, remittances from the Malian diaspora were estimated at 793 billion CFA francs, a contribution significantly higher than Official Development Assistance.
PAN-AFRICANISM STANCE – Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Robert Dussey, stated that this meeting in Bamako is made possible by the goodwill of the Malian authorities, who reaffirm their Pan-Africanism stance and commitment to noble African causes. They also support the revival of the Pan-Africanism spirit, “a rejuvenation that Africa, its diaspora, and people of African descent ardently need.”
According to him, the discussion on the theme will address federative mobilization strategies of African diasporas and Afro-descendants around the construction of the renaissance with Pan-Africanism as its foundation. Prof. Dussey believes that the regional conference in Bamako also offers an opportunity to reflect on ways to leverage and accelerate the intellectual, cultural, scientific, and financial capital of African diasporas and Afro-descendants for Africa’s development.
His Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, who chaired the session in his opening speech, stated that as a land of migration par excellence, Mali fully identifies with the theme of this conference, which will examine various aspects related to diasporas, Afro-descendants, and development.
Abdoulaye Diop expressed confidence and optimism in the capabilities of African diasporas and Afro-descendants “to work towards redistributing multipolar balances in promoting Africa’s voice on the international stage amidst geopolitical shifts.
Foreign Affairs Ministers from Burkina Faso, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, and Cape Verde were also present at this conference, which is one of the six preparatory pre-congresses planned in different regions of Africa, in line with the decision of the 6th meeting of the African Union’s High-Level Committee on the 2021-2031 Agenda held on June 13, 2023.
DD/MD (AMAP)
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