Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has underscored Africa’s determination to shape its own future, rejecting the notion of the continent as a passive recipient of aid or a pawn in global power struggles.

Speaking on Africa’s evolving role, Mudavadi emphasized that the continent stands at a pivotal moment one marked by growing intra-African trade and a push toward economic self-reliance.

He highlighted the African Union’s guiding philosophy of “African solutions to African problems,” stressing that this is not just a rhetorical statement but a practical strategy for addressing the continent’s challenges.

He pointed to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as a clear example of this approach.

Since January 2025, the mission has been aiding Somali forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab and in gradually taking control of their own security affairs.

Mudavadi noted that despite African-led peace efforts like AUSSOM and its predecessor AMISOM, the role of African troops and mediators is often overshadowed by external players who later claim the spotlight.

While acknowledging the importance of international support, he stressed that such partnerships should reinforce not override African leadership and agency.

He added that Africa is actively working to shield itself from global economic shocks and that the narrative about the continent must change.

Rather than being portrayed as weak or dependent, Africa should be seen as a region of promise and a growing force in global affairs.

Mudavadi also cited the continent’s rising influence in climate-related discussions, particularly through its contributions to clean energy and the supply of key minerals essential for the global green transition.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Africa is steadily emerging as a global growth hub, thanks to deliberate investments in its youth, education systems, and technological advancement.

He challenged Africa’s international partners to reflect critically on the nature of their engagements with the continent: “Do these partnerships genuinely align with Africa’s development agenda? Are they reinforcing or weakening African institutions? Most importantly, do they empower the continent to define and pursue its own destiny?” he questioned.

Mudavadi stressed that Africa must shed the illusion that development will be driven by external forces.

“It is our responsibility to take charge of our growth trajectory. Only then can support from global allies lead to real, transformative change within our societies,” he added.