Hundreds of activists representing various African nations came together on Monday to stage peaceful demonstrations in protest of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit taking place in Nairobi. Carrying placards emblazoned with the slogan “less talk, more action,” the activists embarked on a march from Nyayo Stadium to Green Park Bus Terminus, where they convened for what they dubbed the “Africa People’s Climate Assembly.”
Their primary grievance was the perceived lack of legitimacy of the Africa Climate Summit and its failure to adequately address the escalating climate crisis. Ikal Ang’elei, a prominent Turkana indigenous activist, asserted that the policies proposed within the summit would perpetuate the exploitation of African resources, further concentrating power and wealth in the hands of a privileged few.
Ang’elei stressed the urgent need for a radical shift in the approach to climate change, emphasizing that while the Summit serves a purpose, critical decisions are made elsewhere. She pointed out that Africa contributes just four percent to global climate crises but bears the brunt of the resultant environmental changes.
Drawing attention to the lack of sufficient financing for climate mitigation measures by those responsible for climate change, Ang’elei stated, “We are not begging; we are demanding.”
Mildred Nduta, representing the Kenya Peasants League, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that countries with the highest contributions to climate change should provide adequate funding for mitigation programs.
The Africa People’s Climate Assembly aspires to serve as an inclusive platform for various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, grassroots movements, indigenous communities, artists, youth activists, academics, think tanks, and others. It aims to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the proposal of actionable solutions essential for climate-compatible development in Africa.
Ang’elei highlighted that the assembly’s focus would center on the agency of African people and the extensive opportunities available to achieve an inclusive and prosperous Africa. The assembly intends to reinforce and advocate for a more unified African stance on climate discourse while exploring ways for the African climate justice movement to forge meaningful connections across various struggles, movements, and global voices, ultimately seeking greater solidarity and systemic change.
In addition to the assembly held on Monday, a follow-up event is scheduled for Tuesday, which includes a People’s Climate Concert and a cultural evening vigil, observed in the African tradition. This vigil commemorates both the victims of climate disasters and climate activists, serving as a poignant reminder of the pressing need to prioritize climate action.