Inclusion of African Countries to BRICS Would Transform Continent, Make Their Voices Heard: Former Ethiopian Ambassador to UN

 

The inclusion of African countries in BRICS would transform the continent and make their voices heard: Former Ethiopian Ambassador to the UN

Addis Ababa, September 1, 2023 (ENA): The inclusion of Ethiopia and Egypt as new BRICS members would help transform the continent and make its voices heard on the global stage, former Ethiopian ambassador to the UN Teruneh Zena said. Xinhua, China News Agency. Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his video statement after supporting Ethiopia on August 24, 2023, said that his country's membership in the BRICS bloc will contribute a lot to the realization of South-South cooperation.

“This is a great moment for Ethiopia as the BRICS leaders approve our entry into the group today. (A) Ethiopia is ready to work with all for an inclusive and prosperous global order,” the Prime Minister added. According to Ambassador Teruneh, "the inclusion of Ethiopia and Egypt as new members of the BRICS family would provide the bloc with an opportunity to mobilize African countries to ensure a fairer world." Including Ethiopia and Egypt in "Africa would (also) help transform the continent and make its voices heard on the global stage," he said.

BRICS is an alliance that negotiates with the Global North and strives to make the world "one" and no country is discriminated against, Teruneh explained. The ambassador noted that Africa could also further strengthen its trade and economic relations with China, the continent's largest trading partner, bring experience from India in the field of agricultural development and seek Russia's support on security issues within the expanded BRICS platform. "Using the BRICS as another force and power, and also with help from countries like China and Russia, the new African states can accelerate industrialization and agricultural development."

According to the former Ethiopian diplomat, BRICS Plus would serve as a balancing force for the Global South and help them have more options in economic and political relations with the rest of the world. He expressed happiness at the inclusion of Ethiopia in the BRICS family and said that Ethiopia will enjoy the assistance of other BRICS member states in its pursuit of industrialization and transformation of agriculture through science and advanced technology.

"Being a founding member of the African Union as well as an influential nation in East Africa, Ethiopia would be an important asset to the bloc in the fight against terrorism and would serve as an important gateway to the continent." Teruneh further stated that Ethiopia, as part of the BRICS, needs to deepen its long-term relations with member states and strive for a fairer world through expressing Africa's interests.

According to him, the addition of new members to the BRICS bloc of developing countries would give the group an impetus to realize its ideology of making the world "fairer and non-discriminatory". The current international order is not fair, in which the voices of the global South are not heard, the former ambassador told the news agency.

"It is a win-win situation where the new members will bring additional strength to the bloc in its quest to ensure a fairer world, while using the grouping as a platform to address internal issues, including poverty and unemployment."

The BRICS alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has been a formidable force in global geopolitics and economics. However, the question of whether African countries should join BRICS has been gaining traction in recent years. In this article, we explore the potential benefits of African nations joining the BRICS group and highlight the insights of Ethiopia's former UN ambassador. This move could not only transform the African continent, but also ensure that its voices resonate more prominently on the global stage.

Economic empowerment through the BRICS partnership

One of the main reasons behind Africa's inclusion in the BRICS countries is the potential for economic empowerment. African countries have abundant natural resources, a growing young population and huge growth potential. By joining BRICS, these countries can benefit from enhanced economic cooperation, increased trade opportunities and infrastructure development. Ethiopia's former ambassador to the United Nations points out that African inclusion could lead to a significant boost in trade, investment and technological progress, ultimately boosting economic growth across the continent. Africa's inclusion in BRICS, economic cooperation, trade opportunities, infrastructure development.

Enhancing Africa's political influence

The inclusion of African countries in BRICS would not only strengthen economic ties but also strengthen the political influence of the continent. BRICS is often seen as a counterweight to Western dominance in global affairs. With Africa's vast human and natural resources, this inclusion could provide a unified platform for African nations to effectively address global issues and defend their interests. The former ambassador says it could lead to a more balanced and fair global order. Political influence, global issues, a just global order.

Solving common challenges

African states, like their BRICS counterparts, face a myriad of common challenges, including poverty, inequality and climate change. Cooperation within BRICS could facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer and joint initiatives to address these pressing issues. The former Ethiopian ambassador highlights the potential for shared expertise and resources to deliver innovative solutions that benefit not only Africa but the world. Common challenges, poverty alleviation, addressing climate change.

Infrastructure development and connectivity

Infrastructure development is a critical part of Africa's growth story. Inclusion in BRICS could be a catalyst for large-scale infrastructure projects such as transport networks, energy facilities and digital connectivity. The former ambassador highlights the transformative impact this could have on Africa's development, promoting economic diversification and regional integration. Infrastructure development, transport network, regional integration.

African voices on the global stage

Finally, the former Ethiopian ambassador emphasizes the importance of giving African nations a stronger voice on the global stage. Inclusion in BRICS would provide a platform for African leaders to actively participate in shaping global policies and agendas. This would not only benefit Africa but also contribute to a more inclusive and representative international system.

African Voices, Global Politics, Inclusive International System.

The inclusion of African countries in BRICS has the potential to transform the continent economically, politically and socially. The observations of Ethiopia's former ambassador to the UN highlight the importance of this move, which could strengthen Africa's position and make its voices heard on the global stage. As the world evolves, expanding BRICS to include Africa could prove to be a crucial step towards a more balanced and just global order.