By alimamy.jalloh@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – President Julius Maada Bio has called for deeper collaboration among Global South nations, emphasizing that South-South and Triangular Cooperation represents a transformative force for inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the third High-Level Forum on the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and South-South Cooperation held at the Freetown International Conference Centre, President Bio underscored that this model of partnership transcends national boundaries, reflects shared histories, and fosters equitable growth.
The three-day forum, hosted by Sierra Leone, welcomed high-level delegations from countries including Algeria, Ghana, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, along with representatives from the United Nations and other international bodies.
In his keynote address, President Bio reflected on the historical roots and future promise of South-South Cooperation. He urged participating nations to build on the lessons of past summits—such as the Kampala declaration—and remain committed to a united, prosperous Africa.
“Today, we are confronted by global threats—from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change to economic and geopolitical instability,” President Bio said. “These challenges have exposed the vulnerabilities of African societies and economies. And yet, we continue to lag in access to technology, food security, and employment.”
The President criticized global financial systems for undermining African interests and marginalizing the continent’s voice in international decision-making. “This is not fair,” he declared. “It is time we strengthened cooperation rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and shared prosperity.”
He noted that the APRM, underpinned by values of democracy, good governance, and accountability, is already producing tangible results. “The world is watching, history is waiting,” he said. “Let us rise to the challenge and build the Africa we envision—united, empowered, and free.”
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, echoed President Bio’s call for transformation. He stressed the need for African nations to take greater responsibility for their development by investing in critical sectors such as health, renewable energy, and industrialization.
“Our healthcare systems must not only ensure access but be reimagined under a ‘One Health’ approach that sees the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment,” he said. “We must also stop exporting raw materials while importing finished products at a premium. This cycle reinforces dependency.”
Youssouf pointed to a paradox in global trade: “Four of the world’s top ten coffee exporters do not grow a single coffee tree. That must change.”
Speaking on behalf of the absent Ghanaian President John Mahama, Ghana’s Foreign Minister emphasized that solidarity among nations of the Global South is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic necessity for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He highlighted persistent issues plaguing the continent—including poverty, unemployment, weak infrastructure, and governance gaps—and urged delegates to find innovative paths forward through collective action.
Algeria’s Foreign Minister, Mansour Bin Mussallam, Secretary General of the APRM South-South Cooperation, reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to strengthening the organization. He announced that Algeria would assume the chairmanship of the APRM following Sierra Leone’s tenure, pledging continued collaboration with international partners, including the European Union and the United States.
Other speakers, including Ambassador Ahmed Araita Ali (Vice Chair of the APRM), Madam Seraphine Wakana (UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone), Selma Bakhta Mansouri (Chair of APRM), and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, all reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to the ideals of the APRM.
The forum concluded with a renewed call for African-led solutions to African challenges—anchored in cooperation, self-reliance, and a vision of shared prosperity. AJ/8/5/2025
