The newly appointed United Nations Special Adviser on Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, has called for stronger continental unity and regional integration, warning that anti-migrant sentiments could weaken Africa’s collective development efforts.
Speaking in an interview following recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa that forced some African nationals to flee, Eziakonwa stressed the need for African countries to address barriers limiting the free movement of people across the continent.
She said Africa must embrace the idea of shared identity and deepen cooperation among its people to achieve the vision of a united continent.
According to the UN envoy, regional integration should go beyond agreements between governments and focus more on building connections among citizens across Africa.
Eziakonwa noted that addressing challenges around migration and mobility was critical, warning that South Africa may not be the last country to experience tensions linked to migration if the continent fails to tackle the issue.
She also highlighted the importance of economic integration through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging countries to increase intra-African trade and move away from dependence on exporting raw materials.
The UN official called for greater investment in local industries, value addition, entrepreneurship and policies that create a favourable environment for businesses and investors.
She further advocated reforms to global institutions, stronger multilateral cooperation and increased action on climate change, describing these as essential for Africa’s sustainable development.
