Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Herald Correspondent
Egypt’s candidate for the position of deputy chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission in the forthcoming February elections, Dr Hanan Morsy, has praised Africa’s strategic global positioning under the current world order as a cornerstone of its success.
Dr Morsy, who is in Zimbabwe to meet senior Government officials as part of her lobbying, said the continent’s enormous potential is because of its younger population that is associated with both energy and innovation.
In interview with The Herald, she said her motivation for the deputy chairperson’s position of the AU Commission stems from Egypt’s desire to unite Africans and advance their interests with the consensus of all member states.
“We have a lot of challenges in terms of having more than half of global poverty in Africa, more than 600 million without electricity. But I don’t only see challenges.
“I see enormous potential in terms of the continent being the youngest and only becoming younger, which is associated with both energy and innovation. But also having enormous potential for renewable energy.
“We have 60 percent of the global potential for solar energy.
“We have huge reserves of critical minerals that are crucial for the whole world to move into the green transition and growth. And all this needs to be fostered and utilised so that we have the Africa we want and to achieve Agenda 2063,” Dr Morsy said.
She said the growing importance of Africa as a crucial piece in the changing global architecture is positioning the continent in terms of advancing peace, security, having a stronger voice and representation as a unique opportunity to drive forward the continent’s agenda.
To push Africa’s position, she said her pragmatism and diverse experience at organisational and multilateral levels gives her an urge to serve the continent and advance its common goals.
“There is a growing importance of the African Union. Both at a global level but also at a regional level. At a global level we see all these rising geopolitical tensions. We see an increasing tendency for protectionist measures and a retrenchment from multilateralism.
“In terms of peace, security and stronger voice and representation including at the G20 with the historic membership that we have gained, we have a unique opportunity to drive these agendas forward. Only a strong African Union that unites us and protects the interests of African countries can help in this situation.
“But also, at a regional level, we need an African Union that fosters our regional integration, drive the implementation of very important initiatives like the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“This offers the opportunity, if implemented, to properly create jobs, foster trade, boost growth and position us at a time when there has been a disruption in global supply chains,” Dr Morsy added.
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