African Churches say 'NO' to EPAs
Source: Norwegian Church Aid - Norway
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"The proposed Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries is a threat to the wellbeing and economic development of poor
countries."
This is an extract from a statement issued by leaders, representatives and members the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, churches and church councils from countries of Eastern and Southern Africa saying that if signed, the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Eastern and Southern Africa and the European Union would be detrimental to food security, agriculture, natural resources and industrial development.
The church leaders were speaking at a regional consultation on EPA that took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 23rd to 25th April 2007.
Adjustments to EPA too costly
Speaking during the official opening of the consultation, Prof. Rwakaza Mukandala, the vice chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, indicated that the EPA would present some challenges for African countries such as the high cost of adjustments related to implementing the agreement. He further said that the EPA would negatively affect the ongoing regional integration efforts in Africa.
"The EU wants to include in the EPA some of the trade disciplines that have already been rejected by the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations," said Prof. Mukandala.
Unethical trade
Rev. Malcolm Damon, the director of Economic Justice Network (EJN) of the Fellowship of Christian Council in Southern Africa (FOCCISA) said that the ethical principles of trade have been ignored by the EPA. Ethical principles demand that trade must benefit the people; it must be free, fair and just, and must never be oppressive.
The consultation brought together participants from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in eastern Africa (AMECEA) and councils of churches from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.
Norwegian Church Aid and other Christian development agencies such as Christian Aid, Bread for the World, Church Development Service and ICCO are emphasising and supporting the united voice of churches – both Catholics and Protestants in Africa – against economic injustice.
Dowload the full statement on the EPA here
Related articles:
For more information, contact:
This is an extract from a statement issued by leaders, representatives and members the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, churches and church councils from countries of Eastern and Southern Africa saying that if signed, the proposed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Eastern and Southern Africa and the European Union would be detrimental to food security, agriculture, natural resources and industrial development.
The church leaders were speaking at a regional consultation on EPA that took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 23rd to 25th April 2007.
Adjustments to EPA too costly
Speaking during the official opening of the consultation, Prof. Rwakaza Mukandala, the vice chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, indicated that the EPA would present some challenges for African countries such as the high cost of adjustments related to implementing the agreement. He further said that the EPA would negatively affect the ongoing regional integration efforts in Africa.
"The EU wants to include in the EPA some of the trade disciplines that have already been rejected by the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations," said Prof. Mukandala.
Unethical trade
Rev. Malcolm Damon, the director of Economic Justice Network (EJN) of the Fellowship of Christian Council in Southern Africa (FOCCISA) said that the ethical principles of trade have been ignored by the EPA. Ethical principles demand that trade must benefit the people; it must be free, fair and just, and must never be oppressive.
The consultation brought together participants from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in eastern Africa (AMECEA) and councils of churches from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique.
Norwegian Church Aid and other Christian development agencies such as Christian Aid, Bread for the World, Church Development Service and ICCO are emphasising and supporting the united voice of churches – both Catholics and Protestants in Africa – against economic injustice.
Dowload the full statement on the EPA here
Related articles:
- African civil society says 'no' to EPAs (09.08.2006)
For more information, contact:
- Isaiah Kipyegon, Regional Communications and Advocacy Officer, email: isaiah@ncakenya.org
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]