ESWATINI : Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has urged African legislators meeting under the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to firmly push back against what he described as 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 remarks 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 the European Parliament for passing a resolution on Uganda’s January general elections and summoning Uganda’s ambassador, despite earlier positive assessments from EU observers who described the elections as free and fair.
“I think we need to caution our colleagues in the European Parliament against interfering in the affairs of our countries,” Tayebwa said. “We have not interfered in how they handle their issues with Russia. They should leave our countries alone.”
He noted that a similar incident occurred in Tanzania, where the country’s ambassador was summoned following elections there. 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 have been several instances in which resolutions passed by the European Parliament have negatively affected African countries. He cited a 2022 resolution calling for a halt to the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which was later opposed and rescinded during an OACPS meeting in Maputo. He said this demonstrated the importance of standing firm against unfair actions.
Ugandan MPs who are part of the delegation echoed similar concerns, calling for a stronger stand against what they described as intimidation by the European Parliament.
Maurice Kibaalya, MP for Bugabula County South, questioned the credibility of the Samoa Agreement and other partnerships in light of such incidents.
“How can we trust the agreements we are signing?” Kibaalya asked. “Uganda ratified the Samoa Agreement in good faith, yet a parliament from another bloc is interfering in the affairs of an independent country.”
He said 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 strongly condemn the idea of interference in our internal politics,” Kankunda said. “We should be allowed to manage our own 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.”
Call for African Unity
Tayebwa urged African legislators to strengthen their negotiating position by identifying a few clear, shared priorities capable of uniting the continent.
“We must identify one or two key priorities that bring us together as Africa,” he said, noting that while regions such as the Caribbean are united by common challenges like climate change, Africa must be more deliberate in defining its collective agenda.
He also emphasised the importance of thorough preparation, warning that European negotiators pay close attention to detail.
“These are people who read everything — even a comma,” he said. “We must do the same if we are to negotiate effectively.”
Economic issues also featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the need to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tayebwa described AfCFTA as the world’s largest trading bloc but said African countries have yet to fully realise its benefits.
“We would benefit much more from the African Continental Free Trade Area than from 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 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 Concerns
Climate financing also emerged as a key 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?”
