Kemi Seba: COP29 to become vital platform to discuss neocolonialism in light of Africa’s environmental issues
African nations grappling with ecological challenges must seize the opportunity presented by the COP29 platform to raise the issue of neocolonialism in the context of addressing environmental concerns, according to renowned activist and advocate for African peoples’ rights, Kemi Seba.
In an interview with Report, Seba stated, “Unfortunately, previous COP climate conferences have failed to address the fact that colonial powers continue to ignore environmental problems in their distant island territories. I believe this is because proponents of neoliberal policies avoid discussing this topic. Behind it are the countries that exploit our lands in Africa by not observing even basic ecological norms.”
Seba pointed out that international corporations are destroying Africa’s forests, exploiting its mineral deposits, and depleting its resources through their destructive approach to the continent. He noted that this is precisely why Africa must raise its voice and bring this issue to the forefront at the COP conference, linking environmental problems to neocolonialism.
The activist noted that if given the opportunity to participate in the COP29 conference in Baku, he would raise the issue of environmental destruction on the African continent.
“If I have the opportunity to participate in COP29 in Baku, my thesis will be very simple. I will talk about how the West is shamelessly plundering Africa’s natural resources today. At the moment, we need to fight against the West’s pseudo-ecological approach, which destroys the traditional habitat of peoples and the ecology of the global South. The ecology of Western countries is based exclusively on material values, while the ecology of African countries has a spiritual, metaphysical dimension. We need to decolonize world ecology and bring it into harmony between humans and nature,” the critic emphasized.
Kemi Seba, who heads the NGO URGENCES PANAFRICANISTES, also stated that his organization closely cooperates with various Pan-African structures united by a common goal – the fight against neocolonialism and the pursuit of social justice on the African continent.
The activist particularly emphasized the importance of establishing contact with the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) to combat Western neocolonialism: “With BIG, we have found common ground and are gradually moving in the same direction on these issues.”
The main critic of French neocolonialism noted that despite the lack of trust in African representatives on international platforms, this does not prevent them from striving to make their voices and demands heard on the world stage.
“But I believe that COP29 can be an opportunity for our voice to be heard in the context of Africa’s environmental problems. If there is an opportunity to participate in the conference in Baku, I will voice all these issues, Seba noted.
Kemi Seba, born in Strasbourg, France, in 1981, has emerged as one the symbolic leader in the struggle for independence, sovereignty of Africa and an active fighter against neo-colonialism.
In 2024, the French government stripped Seba of French citizenship due to his open criticism of French authorities for the damage inflicted upon African countries as a result of Paris’ colonial policies. Seba has been a staunch supporter of independence movements in France’s overseas territories, a stance that has put him at odds with the French establishment.
Despite facing numerous arrests by French authorities in an attempt to silence him, Seba has remained steadfast in his convictions. His unwavering commitment to the cause has garnered him widespread support across Africa. In response to the loss of his French citizenship, the President of Niger appointed Seba as a special advisor, while several African countries have granted him diplomatic passports.
Seba boasts a substantial following on various social media platforms, with 1.3 million followers on Facebook, 370,000 on TikTok, 306,000 on Instagram, 280,000 on X, and 230,000 on YouTube.
