Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency for African nations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to freeze foreign aid.
Speaking at the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa on Wednesday, Uhuru stressed the need for Africa and countries in the global south to shift their focus away from dependence on external funding.
“I saw some people crying that US President Donald Trump has withdrawn money. Why are you crying? It’s not your government and it’s not your country,” he remarked.
According to the former head of state, President Trump has no obligation “to provide you with anything. You don’t pay taxes in America.”
Instead, Uhuru encouraged the continent to reflect and seek alternative sources of funding for critical programmes, such as health, which are likely to be significantly affected by the recent decision from Washington.
He also urged the prudent use of resources to ensure that vital programes do not come to a standstill. He expressed confidence in Africa’s ability to achieve this.
“This (aid freeze) is a wake-up call to ask ourselves, what are we going to do to help ourselves? Because nobody is going to continue holding out a hand out there to give you (support). It is time we utilize our resources for the right things, not the wrong ones,” he said.
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