Botswana, Nigeria Foreign Ministers Call for Collaboration to Realize African Solutions to African Problems

Addis Ababa, February 13, 2025 (ENA) --- Foreign Ministers of Botswana and Nigeria have urged African countries to work more closely together and come up with African solutions to African problems.

The ministers are in Addis Ababa, attending the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union. 

Botswana's International Relations Minister Phenyo Butale, and Nigeria's Foreign Minister  Yusuf Tuggar told ENA that collaboration among member countries is crucial to effectively realize the principle of African solutions to African problems.

The foreign ministers have also expressed optimism about fulfilling the unimplemented aspects of the continental agenda.

Botswana’s International Relations Minister said, “We believe African countries should work closely together to come up with African solutions to African problems. We believe the theme is apt and accurate. It reminds us of the need to work together to ensure that what we agree on is actually practiced. This includes initiatives like intra-Africa trade. African countries must trade amongst each other.”

He also noted that Africa is rich in resources, emphasizing the importance of adding more value to these resources. 

"We need to stop exporting raw materials and start producing finished goods in Africa,” Butale  underscored.

The minister also expressed his hope that African leaders would  operationalize and implement the vision of '"The Africa We Want."

"We hope they will have the resources and determination to bring together the ideas that have so far remained unfulfilled. Our goal is to ensure that the dreams of our forefathers about Africa become a reality," Butale stressed.

 

On his part, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar shared insights on the AU deliberations, stating that they discussed the outcome of the Permanent Representatives Committee's report focusing on African Union reform.

The executive council has also addressed this year’s theme, particularly reparations, which "we aim to approach systematically for the benefit of our people," he added.

Furthermore, Tuggar said that the council is looking at the global financial architecture and the need for reform, especially the United Nations and its Security Council that also require change.

"If we at the African Union move forward with one voice, we will be able to push for reforms in the global financial and political structures for Africa's benefit," the minister noted.

Finally, the Nigerian minister pointed out the need for new leadership within the AU, stating that the union "needs commissioners and leaders who will adhere to the provisions and recommendations for reform, ensuring that the African Union becomes more efficient in utilizing resources and time."

The 46th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, which would be followed by the Heads of State and Government meeting from February 15-16, 2025, is underway in Addis Ababa.