NAIROBI: African Heads of State missed a huge opportunity to show the world their commitment to climate change, a continental coalition of civil society organisations has said.
Pan African Climate Justice Alliance Secretary General Mithika Mwenda registered his disappointment following the absence of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) at a meeting convened by its co-ordinator Egyptian President Fatah al-Sisi.
“CAHOSCC remains the platform of heads of state and governments, which was conceived to provide the highest political leadership possible. We wish to remind our leaders that the ministers have their platform where they compile the African position and priority issues, under the guidance of the African Group of Negotiators,” he said.
FIRM COMMITMENT
He advised African leaders not to allow their countries to be used as experimental grounds for climate-change solutions developed elsewhere.
Mr Mwenda said there is need for governments to show firm commitment to a strong unified African position during the ongoing international dialogue for a suitable climate change agreement, which will be reached in Paris in December.
In a press release sent to newsrooms, Mwenda said some African leaders were not committed to joining CAHOSCC.
“We are concerned that some heads of State continue to bypass this crucial opportunity to join CAHOSCC,” he said.
He added: “We call on our governments and development partners to support the work of the CLIMDEV Africa Programme.”
