The inspiring unity of African leaders in time of need

The recent video conference meeting by members of the Bureau of the African Union Heads of State and Government attests to the importance of working together at times like these.

While Kenya is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of taking initiative to preemptively mitigate the effects of coronavirus, we cannot act alone. And making sure that our government policy is in line with the countries with whom our economy is most linked is exactly the kind of active leadership that Kenyatta is delivering right now.

The recent meeting was attended - virtually speaking - by President Kenyatta in addition to Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali and Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed. In addition, President Emmanuel Macron of France participated as a guest.

The conference was set up so that African leaders could come up with a joint plan on how to fight the pandemic. At the meeting’s conclusion, they agreed that they would pursue loan waivers in order to keep our continent’s economy on its growth trajectory with as little economic damage as possible.

Foreign debt is a universal challenge shared by all African countries. As such, the leaders have agreed to come together as a united front to request that bilateral and multilateral partners of Africa waive loans owed by African countries. As coronavirus furthers its grip on our continent, our economies will inevitably be hit harder than those of more wealthy nations. This is an uncomfortable reality, but a reality nevertheless. Job loss and economic slowdown will affect tens of millions, especially the most vulnerable.

That is why international partners must collaborate with the private sector to help with measures that will mitigate the virus’ troubling effects. For his part, Kenyatta insisted that Africa must step up its Covid-19 capacity, and that mass testing is the only way we will be able to combat its spread.

According to the State House, Kenyatta stated, “As a continent we need to focus on expanding our testing capacity to enable us conduct mass testing as this is the only sure way we will manage this problem.” He was also adamant that African countries must support each other and present a united front when engaging with international partners. He urged African leaders to encourage their businesses and citizens to buy more from African producers, and look out for each other in every way possible.

The heads of state agreed to keep intra-African trade going by maintaining open territorial borders. This will also enable smooth distribution of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. That being said, they also tasked their respective ministers of health and transport with ensuring that the free movement of goods is not synonymous with the free movement of Covid-19.

Africa has once again found itself in an extremely challenging situation, imported to us from abroad. It does not seem fair, but now more than ever we need to be cognisant of the challenges our neighbours face. And we must help each other out. We can also learn from each other, in terms of humanitarian action, disaster response and crisis management.

Now is not the first time that African countries have faced rapid spread of a lethal virus or widespread unemployment and threats to the economy. It also will not be the last. But as Kenyans, and as Africans, we are experienced in overcoming hardship - perhaps much more than the wealthy nations in Europe and North America.

If we are to overcome it, we must be confident in both ourselves and our leadership. We have to trust that what Uhuru has decided with other leaders on the continent is the right action, and follow all new rules and regulations. 

Now that African leaders have decided to present a united front, we can only hope that the world will respond appropriately and adequately. A global pandemic demands global cooperation. The global economy is profoundly interconnected and it is conceivable that Kenya and other African countries will not be able to continue paying debts on a regular schedule in the coming months. But all is not lost, and patience is needed.