The Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC), Comrade Auwal lbrahim Rafsanjani has called for the need for African nations to take charge of their economic liberation rather than relying on Western intervention.
He described this dependence as a form of deception during the recently concluded 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting.
The human rights activist emphasised that Africa possesses abundant resources and capabilities essential for positive development.
He underscored the importance of achieving sustainable development goals and advancing the African agenda through a commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
He said that corruption significantly undermines development and restricts funding for social services, making it imperative for African leaders to combat corrupt practices effectively.
At the meeting, he urged African leaders and stakeholders to collaborate in eradicating poverty, which he characterized as “artificial poverty.”
Rafsanjani advocated for enhancing taxation systems to boost revenue and called for a commitment to global development frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Executive Director also stressed the need for greater involvement of African nations in discussions and decision-making processes at the IMF and World Bank, pointing out the current lack of equitable representation.
He therefore calls for unity among African nations to demand significant participation in their economic affairs and to address the burdensome debts that hinder economic progress, ultimately advocating for a more productive and self-sufficient Africa.
