As the COP 21 talks on climate change continue in Paris, Benin’s President Boni Yayi, during the opening of Africa’s official pavilion, clearly voiced the intentions of the continent in regards to the event. “Africa didn’t come to Paris to beg for money or aid, but to ensure the commitment of all parties involved so as to help Africa adapt to climate change,” he said.

“The needs to adapt and mitigate climate change in Africa have nothing to do with aid but are rather a matter of justice because global warming was not caused by Africa”, he adds.

President of African Union’s Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma clearly stated the continent’s goal concerning the matter as: implementing a binding agreement which will set temperature increase above the currently proposed 2°C. The agreement will include communal yet differential responsibility principles as well as social and fairness principles. This urging call is made as Africa presently suffers global warming effects in various fields of activities. Amongst others is the devastating effect of the El Nino phenomenon which is presently affecting agriculture in various countries thus increasing food insecurity of African populations.

Faced with this situation, Benin’s head of state minced not his words. The one known to his compatriots as “Tchaorou’s Buffalo” concluded saying: “Now is time for action for the house is in flames”.

Gwladys Johnson