The Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia has noted the need to acknowledge Africa’s sovereignty in prescribing developmental programs.
Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba has told the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that the continent has moved away from foreign prescribed programs to promoting partnerships that take into account local programs.
Mr. Mwamba has who is also accredited to the African Union as Permanent Representative has therefore noted that partnerships need to be anchored on shared values and mutual cooperation.
Contributing to the Yokohama Draft Action Plan 2019 on the ongoing TICAD7 senior officials meeting, Mr. Mwamba says the content should promote mutual cooperation and not attach conditionalities to development program.
He cited the inclusion in the draft plan of a demand for countries that compelled member states to submit measures regarding debt, debt transparency and sustainability and demand for macro-economic sustainability, as one of the condition for the partnership.
The Ambassador says the relationship between African Union Member States and Japan within the framework of TICAD should be driven by mutual respect and cooperation.