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By Spy Uganda
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has called on African legislators under the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) to firmly resist what he described as growing interference by the European Parliament in the internal affairs of African nations.
Speaking during a meeting of the Eastern Africa Regional Parliamentary Group in Ezulwini Valley, Tayebwa urged African countries to defend their sovereignty and demand mutual respect in international engagements.
Tayebwa, who also serves as president of the OACPS and co-president of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly, criticized the European Parliament over its recent resolution on Uganda’s January general elections and the summoning of Uganda’s ambassador, despite earlier positive assessments by EU election observers who reportedly described the polls 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 said Uganda was not alone in facing such actions, citing a similar incident involving Tanzania, where its ambassador was also summoned following elections.
According to Tayebwa, such actions undermine the spirit of mutual respect and sovereign equality enshrined in the Samoa Agreement, under which the OACPS–EU Parliamentary Assembly operates.
The Deputy Speaker further pointed to past disagreements with the European Parliament, including its 2022 resolution seeking to halt the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
He noted that the resolution was strongly opposed and later overturned during an OACPS meeting in Maputo, which he said demonstrated the importance of African countries standing together against external pressure.
Members of the Ugandan delegation echoed Tayebwa’s concerns, calling for African states to take a united and uncompromising stand against intimidation and political interference.
Maurice Kibaalya questioned the credibility of international agreements if African sovereignty continues to be undermined.
“How can we trust the agreements we are signing?” Kibaalya asked. “Uganda ratified the Samoa Agreement in good faith, yet a parliament of another bloc is interfering in the affairs of an independent country.”
He warned that unilateral actions by foreign institutions could weaken confidence in future international partnerships and discourage African states from committing to multilateral agreements.
Amos Kankunda also 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.”
Similarly, Dickson Kateshumbwa stressed that sovereignty must remain central in all diplomatic and economic engagements involving African states.
“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.”
Tayebwa also urged African legislators to sharpen their collective bargaining strategy by identifying a few key priorities capable of uniting the continent during international negotiations.
“We must get one or two clear riding points that bring us together as Africa,” he said, adding that while regions such as the Caribbean are often united by common concerns like climate change, Africa must become more deliberate in defining and defending its collective interests.
He emphasized the importance of preparation and attention to detail in negotiations with European counterparts.
“These are people who read everything—even a comma,” Tayebwa remarked. “We must do the same if we are to negotiate effectively.”
Economic integration and trade also dominated the discussions, particularly the need to maximize opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Tayebwa described AfCFTA as the world’s largest trading bloc by membership but noted that African countries have yet to fully exploit its economic potential.
“We would benefit much more from the African Continental Free Trade Area than many of these external agreements,” he said.
Legislators further raised concerns over persistent non-tariff barriers that continue to restrict African exports such as coffee, tea, and fish from accessing European markets, even as European products reportedly enter African markets with fewer restrictions.
Climate financing also emerged as a major concern during the meeting, with legislators questioning the gap between international climate pledges and the actual delivery 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?”
, https://www.spyuganda.com/were-sovereign-countries-with-heads-to-think-for-ourselvesd-speaker-tayebwa-rallies-african-legislators-to-resist-eu-interference-in-sovereign-affairs/
