Hundreds of activists from across Africa on Monday held peaceful demonstrations against the inaugural Africa Climate Summit being held in Nairobi.
Waving placards reading "less talk more action," the activists marched from Nyayo Stadium to Green Park Bus Terminus where they convened for the "Africa People's Climate Assembly."
They said the Africa Climate Summit lacks legitimacy and shows no indication of addressing the real and worsening climate crisis.
Ikal Ang'elei, a Turkana indigenous activist, said policies being proposed in the Africa Climate Summit will continue to exploit African resources while concentrating power and wealth in the hands of the wealthy few.
"We want a radical shift in how climate change is being addressed. The Summit is one thing but they are made elsewhere," she said.
Ang'elei added that Africa contributes four per cent of climate crises but bears the brunt of environmental changes.
"Those responsible for climate change are not adequately financing mitigation measures. We are not begging, we are demanding," she said.
Mildred Nduta, who represented Kenya Peasants League, said countries contributing the most to climate change should adequately fund mitigation programmes.
Africa People's Climate Assembly seeks to serve as an inclusive platform for civil society organisations, grassroots movements, indigenous communities, artists, youth activists, academics, think tanks and other stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge, and propose actionable transformational solutions needed for climate-compatible development in Africa.
"The focus will be on African people’s agency and the vast possibilities at hand to achieve an inclusive and prosperous Africa," Ang'elei added.
She said the assembly will aim to reinforce and urge for a more unified African voice on climate discourse and explore ways through which the African climate justice movement can meaningfully connect across struggles, movements, and progressive global voices to achieve greater solidarity and deliver systemic change.
The assembly which will also be held on Tuesday will also include a People’s Climate Concert and a cultural evening vigil observed in the African way to commemorate victims of climate disasters and climate activists, serving as a reminder of the urgent need to prioritise climate action.
