LVC SEAf participates in event on energy and climate justice in Maputo

From August 12 to 15, the city of Maputo hosted the 8th Workshop on Corporate Impunity and Human Rights, organized by Environmental Justice (JA) a social organization based in Mozambique. Environmental Justice celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and, as a host of this event, its intention was to reflect on how corporate power is configured in its many forms and take collective action to dismantle it.

During the event, held in Kaya Kwanga, La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) was represented by ZIMSOFF, UNAC and two technical representatives from the regional secretariat. The focus was on African narratives on energy and climate justice. Marvelous Chimana from ZIMSOFF, highlighted the relevance of such occasions, where farmers and leaders from different parts of the African continent come together: “Together, we can do this. I will educate my fellow farmers on how to deal with TNCs and official decisions,” she says.

ZIMSOFF was one of the organizations that took part in a panel, entitled “Small and Beautiful: Grassroots Solutions to Crises,” which took place on the last day of the conference, August 15. Together with representatives from ACSA and GroundWork, they demonstrated that Africa does not need the Global North. In their opinion, “It is the West that needs Africa. Collectively, something must be done to dismantle corporate power,” they emphasized.

Also from ZIMSOFF, Ngoni Chikowe, believes that the main importance of being part of this event was to share not only the problems they have been struggling with locally, but also some solutions. In this way, he mentioned the need to ensure representation in Parliaments and community participation. “To do this, we need to tackle climate change, extractivism and the manipulation of processes. It is essential to have local representatives involved in all decisions related to our work, good governance, solidarity with the Global South and minimizing negative human impacts on Mother Earth,” he concluded.

As part of the Mozambican audience, Orlando Tafula, a member of União Nacional dos Camponeses (UNAC) and LVC SEAf, was able to see that they are not the only ones facing challenges due to the arrival of transnational corporations in their region. “In Jangamo, we are also fighting against injustices that our comrades have dealt with in other parts of the continent. With their experience, by being united, we can counteract the strategies of our governments through an organized perspective,” he believes.

As part of the results of this meeting, many ideas and strategies for protecting farmers’ rights and their advocacy were systematized. The overall goal is to add value to their work and show how it is essential to establishing global justice in the world, especially in Africa and the Global South.

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