Local communities, civil society organisations and climate justice activists have converged on Saly, Senegal, for the African People’s Counter COP (APCC) which started on Monday, October 7, 2024, to discuss the realities of the African peoples in the face of climate crisis, as well as systematic and environmental oppression.
The APCC 2024 is being organised by the Africa Climate Justice Collective (ACJC) in collaboration with Lumière Synergie pour le Développement (LSD) – one of the 32 members of the ACJC, with the theme, “United Against Systematic Oppression and Climate Injustice in Africa”, with delegates from 21 African countries, including Togo, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Senegal, Madagascar, South Africa and others.
In her opening speech, Trusha Reddy who represents WoMin African Alliance, stated that Africa has been experiencing climate crisis for several years and striving towards survival in the face of these crises.
Africa produces less than 3% of the greenhouse gases (GHG), which is a small fraction compared to the pollution caused by the global North. The imbalance gave rise to the1992 United Nations Framework Convention on climate change to concentrate efforts and find solutions to the climate issues across the globe.
She, however, pointed out that, since 1992, the COP has not addressed the disproportionate impacts of climate change in Africa: “The global North and large corporations are only interested in launching projects just for profits, not for people’s benefit or the planet as they advance their agenda. This is why the counter COP was created to address and advance solutions that meet the interest of impacted communities.”
Speaking on behalf of the ACJC, Rumbidzai Mpahlo, the coordinator, stated that the APCC has gathered community members and climate justice activists from various organisations and movements to tell their stories of climate struggles and resilience as well as strengthen solidarity. She added that the ACJC is fighting for justice to proffer real solutions to the crisis in Africa.
In a keynote address, Ibrahim Thiam stated that we can work towards the Africa we want in the face of systemic oppression and climate injustice. He called for a return to our African identity that resounds resilience, innovation and solidarity.
“Indigenous knowledge must be preserved to adapt to the impacts of the evolving crisis, but most importantly the change must start with every African when we take autonomy to solve our problem our way,” Thiam said.
Executive Director of LSD, Aly Marie Sagne welcomed the delegates by calling on all organisations to stand firm in their fight against injustice, the right of the people to a healthy environment, as well as support communities to demand reparations and push the government to respect the public good.
Aly Sagne highlighted the need to promote local alternatives, such as agroecology. “We must return to environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Peasant agroecology can feed not only Africa, but the entire world,” he said.
Nahounou Daleba also stressed the importance of rethinking our consumption model. “Extractivism does not benefit Africans. We must review our way of consuming, favour sustainable practices and stop the race to exploit our resources,” he insisted.
The programme also featured stories of resilience against environmental injustice from the communities represented, breakout sessions that looked at Solid arity building that highlights community struggles and panel discussions. The APCC continues till October 10, with programmes and activities that will further highlight the climate issues in Africa.
