Mali : President Assimi Goïta utilizes the contribution of the diaspora for security and development
The African diaspora plays a very important role in local development efforts in their countries. Their actions are remarkable in social economy activities where diaspora associations take initiatives alone or in partnership with associative movements in the North.
At the end of last week, a delegation from the African diaspora visited the President of the transitional government, Colonel Assimi Goïta, as part of the West Africa Regional Conference. This meeting allowed for discussions on issues related to Africa’s development and self-sufficiency.
There was also discussion about changing mindsets to effectively organize around major issues such as federating the activities of the diaspora and Afro-descendants for Africa’s development, as well as the importance of investments in key sectors such as nutrition, agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and culture.
The commitment of the African diaspora, investing over $100 billion on the continent, now exceeds international aid, highlighting its fundamental role in the African economy. This can involve shipping goods in kind, transfers of institutional funds (such as deductions from wages made by social services, pensions, family allowances, etc.).
These contributions from the diaspora can represent a significant source of financing. Today, it is observed that in some African countries, contributions from emigrants in countries like France have surpassed the official development assistance provided by the host country.
For President Assimi Goïta, considering the geopolitics and geostrategy of the current world, Africa’s development will require a security strategy implemented by each state.
Today, Africans in the diaspora are organizing formally in associations to work, in partnership with compatriots who remain in the country, towards the realization of development projects in their countries of origin.
New forms of cooperation have emerged in recent years. This includes partnerships between diaspora associations, associative movements, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the host country.
It’s worth noting that the West Africa Regional Conference is a precursor to the 9th Pan-African Congress in Lomé, scheduled for October 29th.
