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Kuwait’s contributions to enhancing cooperation with African governments and peoples through loans, grants, and technical assistance from Kuwaiti authorities, especially the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, are highly valued by various African countries for financing various projects and programs.
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Togo, H.E. Mohamed Saad Ouro-Sama, described Kuwait’s relations with the African continent as excellent and historical. He praised the efforts of the Government and people of Kuwait, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in supporting development efforts in Africa.
The ambassador explained that Kuwait’s contributions to enhancing cooperation with African governments and peoples through loans, grants, and technical assistance from Kuwaiti authorities, especially the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, are highly valued by various African countries for financing various projects and programs.
In his entire speech during the press conference held at the Regency Hotel to announce the launch of Africa Day 2024 activities, Ambassador Ouro-Sama highlighted the excellence of this year’s celebration. He mentioned that it coincides with the 60th anniversary of fruitful cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the African continent. The ambassador explained that Africa, despite facing significant challenges, is a continent with vast resources and opportunities, particularly in agriculture, communications, the financial sector, infrastructure, and tourism.
He added that the African continent is now considered one of the fastest-growing economies globally, thanks to recent measures taken to improve the work environment, resulting in the emergence of many promising opportunities.
Returning to the occasion, he emphasized the importance of celebrating Africa Day for the continent’s diverse peoples.
The ambassador explained that African embassies had prepared well for this celebration, which started on Thursday, May 16, and will continue until Thursday, May 23. He added that Africa Day commemorates the historical founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963, now known as the African Union, established in 2002 as the Organisation of African Unity.
Global condemnation echoes helplessness in Gaza crisis: H.E. Mohammad Al-Amin Ould Cheikh
For his part, H.E. Mohammad Al-Amin Ould Cheikh, Mauritania’s Ambassador to Kuwait, responded to a question about the African Union’s stance on the events in Gaza. He stated that the world is largely powerless in the face of the situation in Gaza, resorting only to condemnation. He highlighted South Africa as the sole country taking significant action by bringing the matter to the International Court of Justice, emphasizing that South Africa’s membership in the African Union adds weight to this action. He noted that the African Union strongly condemns and calls for an end to the violence, urging global cooperation to address the crisis.
He continued, “The continent of Africa always supports Palestine, and the Palestinian Authority consistently participates in meetings of African organizations.” He pointed out that Africa is the only continent that has rejected representing Israel in the African Union.
The ambassador of Togo outlined the key activities planned for the Africa Day celebration in Kuwait as follows:
- The football tournament commenced on Friday, May 17, at the Boulevard Stadium.
- The tournament’s final and a football match between African ambassadors and the State Department football team will occur on May 18 at the Football Association Stadium.
- A panel discussion on the 60 years of cooperation between Kuwait and Africa will take place at the Saud Al-Nasser Diplomatic Institute on May 22, 2024.
- The official ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, at the Regency Hotel.
