Ethiopia seeks to lead Africa over climate talks

For the first time, 53 African nations have come under one umbrella to speak in one voice on the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.

Africa took a strong stand on some critical points and identified the continent's common interest, and prepared a document, African Common Position on Climate Change, which is now in the hands of an African delegation.

It was not yet clear who would lead the delegation, but the Ethiopian government has openly requested for the position in the upcoming climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ethiopia presented the request at the closed door session of 10 African environment ministers and government representatives meeting in Addis Ababa African Union headquarters on Monday.

Sources told the Nation that Ethiopia presented the request with a list of strong arguments and demanded its Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to lead the African delegation to Copenhagen in December.

Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Special adviser minister Dr Neway Gebreab confirmed Ethiopia’s request and emphasised that his government wanted to play a role in the climate change agenda.

Ethiopian climate change negotiator Mr Desalegn Mesfin on his part said the African ministers' conference welcomed the Ethiopian request and the final decision would be made by African head of states special session next week in Libya's capital Tripoli.

Mr Mesfin pointed out that Meles Zenawi is the one who proposed African common position on climate change and campaigns for huge cash compensation to Africa.

“We are confident on his commitment and knowledge” Mesfin said.

Current NEPAD chairman and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has represented Africa in G8 and G20 summits and has gained considerable acceptance in the international arena.

Sudanese deputy ambassador in the United Nations in New York and chief negotiator of Group 77 and China in the Climate talk Mr Lumumba Di-Aping noted that nomination of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi seemed “unquestionable”.
“He [Zenawi] proofed his efficiency and knowledge on the Climate Change issue” Di-Aping added.

So far, there is no objection from the African climate change delegation team. However, this nomination will be endorsed by African head of states meeting next week in Libya.

An African Union summit endorsed one strong African delegation to the Copenhagen Climate talk last July in Sirte, Libya

The African delegation is composed of representatives from Algeria, Congo-Brazzaville, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mauritius, and Mozambique.

Others are African Union chief Jean Ping and AU’s chairman and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as well as Chair of African Environment Ministers represented by South Africa.