President Hage Geingob says it is time for young leaders to take over the reins on the continent, that should, however, be done with respect to the processes and systems of their respective governance structures.
Dr. Geingob said this during his interactive lecture session in Paris, France, at the Sciences Po University.
“Africa has been going through the process of being elected, the third wave of African leaders want to come through elected processes, but there are reversals, and because of that, we have so many coups all of a sudden in French-speaking Africa, and mostly who reacts first? America, Britain, or France? Who is the one who reacts? It should be us, Africans! We must react and say, We will kick you out, you will not be in the AU until you come through constitutional processes.”
Dr. Geingob has cautioned that coups on the African continent are not an indication that there is no progress in terms of governance.
He further warned that there will be challenges for leaders who overstay their welcome in office.
The president also touched on the challenges of climate change.
He reminded the lecture hall that the African continent, despite being the lowest emission contributor, continues to be the hardest hit by the effects of climate change.
He pointed out that decisions to avert the effects of climate change, taken in Paris almost 20 years ago, have yet to be implemented.
“We just had another conference in Nairobi, again, promises were made, but we, who are not the emitters, who did not cause these things, are suffering more than those who are the culprits and are not helping us.”
On his way to the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Geingob made a technical stopover in France.
The president is expected to address the UN on Wednesday.
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