Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Demands Respect for African Sovereignty Amidst EU Parliament Interference

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has strongly urged African legislators to push back against what he described as growing interference by the European Parliament in the internal matters of African nations. Speaking at a meeting of the Eastern Africa Regional Parliamentary Group in Eswatini, Tayebwa, who also holds leadership roles in the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), stressed that African countries deserve greater respect for their sovereignty.

Tayebwa specifically criticized the European Parliament for passing a resolution against Uganda’s recent elections and summoning its ambassador, despite EU observers initially characterizing the elections as free and fair. He questioned why European counterparts had not faced similar scrutiny in their dealings with Russia, suggesting a double standard.

This pattern of behavior was also noted in Tanzania, where its ambassador was summoned post-election. Tayebwa argued that such actions violate the principles of mutual respect enshrined in the Samoa Agreement, which governs OACPS-EU parliamentary relations. He also recalled a 2022 European Parliament resolution attempting to halt the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which was eventually rescinded after OACPS pushback.

Several Ugandan Members of Parliament present echoed these sentiments, raising concerns about the credibility of agreements like the Samoa Agreement when faced with such perceived external meddling. They emphasized the importance of respecting the independence and diplomatic processes of sovereign nations.

Looking ahead, Tayebwa encouraged African legislators to focus on a few clear, unifying priorities for the continent in their negotiations. He highlighted the immense potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a crucial bloc for African prosperity, while also noting persistent non-tariff barriers hindering African exports to Europe. Concerns were also raised about the gap between climate financing pledges and actual fund disbursements.

This article is based on information from the Parliament of Uganda.