Over 100 representatives from 20 African countries gathered recently at the second African People’s Counter-COP (APCC) in Cotonou. They included grassroots activists, farmers, youth, and women, all united to call for an end to extractivism. This practice, they argue, has allowed wealthier nations in the Global North to exploit Africa’s resources.
The African Climate Justice Collective (ACJC) organized the event. They criticized the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) for sidelining African voices and worsening the climate crisis through capitalist interests.
“The climate crisis harming Africa isn’t our fault,” said Rumbidzai Mpahlo, ACJC Coordinator. “We emit little but suffer greatly. This Declaration shows our demand to dismantle exploitation and reclaim our future before COP30.”
Messages from the gathering highlighted urgent calls for change. From suffering droughts in the Sahel to coastal erosion in Ouidah, participants stressed that the era of exploitation must end.
Africa’s Demands
The APCC’s Declaration includes nine key demands for systemic change:
- Pay Climate Debt: Wealthier nations must provide reparations as grants, not loans.
- End Exploration: All resource exploration should stop; Africa needs renewable energy that supports local communities.
- Reject False Solutions: Solutions like carbon trading and geoengineering are not acceptable and often worsen inequalities.
- Right to Say No: Communities must have the power to reject harmful projects affecting their land and culture.
- Reform Climate Finance: Global funds should be accessible and directly support those most impacted by climate change.
- Promote Food Sovereignty: Land laws should benefit local farmers, with significant investments in agroecology.
- Stop Waste Colonialism: Africa shouldn’t be a dumping ground for waste from richer countries.
- Prioritize Energy Sovereignty: Emphasis should be placed on renewable energy that benefits local populations.
- Protect Climate Refugees: Funds must be allocated for adaptation efforts, allowing people to stay safe in their communities or relocate with dignity.
As preparations continue for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the APCC Declaration serves as a moral challenge to both African governments and the global community. The ACJC calls on leaders to recognize this Declaration as a basis for real climate action.
Recent studies support these claims. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 85% of Africans believe climate change is a serious threat, yet only a small fraction feel listened to in international climate discussions. This disconnect illustrates the urgent need for a platform that amplifies African voices in conversations about climate justice.
In social media discussions, hashtags like #EndExtractivism and #ClimateJusticeAfrica have gained traction, mobilizing youth and activists around the continent. The time for change is now, and the demands coming out of the APCC highlight a collective call for a sustainable future.
For more information on the impact of climate change in Africa, you can check the UN’s comprehensive report on climate policies affecting African nations here.
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African People’s Counter COP (APCC),Climate struggle,justice,Plea
