COVID-19 Pandemic and Africa's Priorities: Exclusive Interview with Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed

Strategic Insights -

Africa's priorities, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063, have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a refocus on resource allocation and attention.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pandemic has shown the interconnectedness of the world, with no individual, country, or region immune to its effects.
  • Africa's continent-wide response to COVID-19 slowed the spread of the pandemic, thanks in part to lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak.
  • The African Union is supporting public health institutions across the continent through innovation and strategic partnerships.
  • The pandemic has hindered socio-economic gains, and countries should use this experience to rebuild better and stronger, focusing on strategies that support those hardest hit.
  • The African Union's partnership with women's organizations across the continent is crucial for concrete actions on gender equality.
  • The AU's Peace and Security Council has adopted the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security, recognizing the value of young people in achieving peace and security in Africa.
  • The UN's support for the African Union's campaign on 'Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020' is essential for achieving sustainable peace on the continent.
  • Equitable representation of Africa in the UN Security Council is crucial for promoting peace, security, and development.
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035, making it a promising initiative for collective progress and development.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 1.3 billion people live in Africa, with an estimated combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered socio-economic gains, with a devastating impact on jobs, businesses, and family incomes.
  • 30 million people could be lifted out of extreme poverty by 2035 according to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
  • A significant number of young people in Africa are marginalized, excluded, exploited, and easily drawn into conflict.
  • The African Union's Peace and Security Council has adopted the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security to expand possibilities for active youth involvement in decision-making processes.

Sources:

  • "COVID-19 and Africa's priorities" by Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Africa Renewal (2020).
  • "Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention" (2020).
  • "Sustainable Development Goals" (2020).
  • "African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)" (2020).
  • "United Nations Security Council" (2020).
  • "African Union Peace and Security Council" (2020).