Tayebwa leads African legislators in pushback against EU interference

Tayebwa Leads African Legislators in Pushback Against EU Interference

By Editor

Africa

The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has urged African legislators meeting under the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to strongly push back against increasing interference by the European Parliament in the internal affairs of African countries.

Tayebwa, who also serves as OACPS president and co-president of the joint parliamentary assembly, made the call during a meeting of the Eastern Africa Regional Parliamentary Group in Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini. He said African states deserve greater respect for their sovereignty.

Tayebwa criticised a decision by the European Parliament to pass a resolution against Uganda’s elections and summon Uganda’s ambassador following the general elections in January, despite earlier positive assessments from EU observers who hailed the elections as free and fair.

“I think we need to caution our colleagues from the European Parliament to reduce interference in the matters of our countries,” Tayebwa said. “We have not interfered in how they are doing their things with Russia. They should leave our countries alone.”

He noted that a similar situation happened in Tanzania, where its ambassador was summoned after the elections. Tayebwa said such actions contradict the principles of mutual respect outlined in the Samoa Agreement under which the OACPS–EU Parliamentary Assembly operates.

Tayebwa added that there is no shortage of examples where the European Parliament has passed resolutions that hurt African countries. He said the European Parliament passed a resolution in 2022 to halt the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. This resolution was opposed and later rescinded during an OACPS meeting in Maputo. This, he said, demonstrates the value of standing firm against what is not right.

Ugandan MPs who are part of the delegation also raised similar sentiments, calling for a firm stand against intimidation by the European Parliament.

Maurice Kibaalya, MP for Bugabula County South, questioned the credibility of the Samoa Agreement and many other partnerships given such incidents of interference.

“How can we trust the agreements we are signing?” Kibaalya said. “Uganda ratified the Samoa Agreement in good faith, yet a parliament of another bloc is interfering in the affairs of an independent country.”

He said that the Samoa Agreement clearly provides for respect for sovereignty and diplomatic processes, warning that unilateral actions could discourage African states from committing to future agreements.

Echoing the concern, Amos Kankunda, MP for Rwampara County, condemned what he termed external meddling in domestic governance.

“We really condemn in the highest terms possible the idea of mingling in our internal politics,” Kankunda said. “We should be allowed to manage our own internal affairs as independent states.”

Dickson Kateshumbwa, MP for Sheema Municipality, also stressed that sovereignty must remain central in all international engagements.

“The independence that comes with ratifying agreements like the Samoa Agreement must be respected,” he said. “We condemn in the strongest terms any interference in our internal political processes.”

Let’s be united
Tayebwa urged African legislators to strengthen their approach to negotiations by identifying a few clear, shared priorities that can unite the continent.

“We must get one or two clear riding points that bring us together as Africa,” he said, noting that while other regions like the Caribbean are united by common challenges such as climate change, Africa must be more deliberate in defining its collective agenda.

He also emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, warning that European negotiators are highly detail-oriented.

“These are people who read everything—even a comma,” he said. “We must do the same if we are to negotiate effectively.”

Economic issues featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the need to maximize opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tayebwa described it as the largest trading bloc globally but noted that African countries are yet to fully realize its benefits.

“We would benefit much more from the African Continental Free Trade Area than many of these external agreements,” he said.

Legislators also raised concerns about persistent non-tariff barriers that continue to limit African exports to European markets, affecting key products such as coffee, tea, and fish. At the same time, they noted that European goods continue to access African markets with fewer restrictions.

Climate Financing Commitments

Climate financing emerged as another critical issue, with lawmakers questioning the gap between international pledges and the actual disbursement of funds to African countries.

“They go to COP meetings and make commitments, but where is the money?” Tayebwa asked. “How is it helping our farmers?”