By Dr David Matsanga in London United Kingdom
I write this post after a reflection and from the bottom of my heart as a global citizen and above all, a Pan African who feels for the poor countries and who has tried to stand up for Africa. The global village has been threatened by COVID -19 Pandemic. Things have fallen apart.
Therefore, a global response is required in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic which continues to spread rapidly around the globe. It is not time to close doors to GLOBALISM.
All nations must rise to the occasion and adopt strong measures however drastic and unpopular they may be to fight the coronavirus, which has infected more than one million people globally.
This is evidently a global challenge that requires a global response, first on the public health front and then in the economy, and over the long haul in reforming international institutions and the way countries support them.
I want to call on the international institutions to assume an effective role in financial and medical equipment assistance as well as the protection of fragile communities, irregular migrants and refugees, and support to host countries. In this regard, global supply networks and cargo transfers must be allowed to run unhindered.
It’s the moment the bigger nations like the USA should critically relook into the sanctions imposed by them as world powers, which by the way do not only hurt the designated countries but their neighbours as well.
Targeted Sanctions as a blunt policy tool must be evaluated from the humanitarian point of view. At a time of a pandemic, this risk is even higher. Developing and least-developed countries, notably in Africa, must not be left behind.
In recent days, Zimbabwe, Iran and other countries have been asking the U.S. to lift sanctions on humanitarian grounds after getting hurt by the virus. Instead, the USA has sponsored the opposition to fast track the regime change
It is true that countries like Iran whose numbers according to data from Johns Hopkins University have hit so high must have sanctions removed. The sanctions by superpowers are hurting.
The world should consider ending conflicts, which claim human lives and hurt ecosystems and economies, it is a cross-cutting theme in the much-needed global response.
I, therefore, request the international community to step down in all conflicts, cease hostilities, and search earnestly for dialogue and reconciliation, including in the Middle East.
Geopolitical competitions and political grievances make little sense when the world is fighting for its very health. The fight against COVID -19 is much bigger than all conflicts we have in the world today
The leaders of this generation are defining the future of the world order by the decisions they make today with regard to the pandemic for the seeds we sow today will soon confront us as full-blown realities.
The reality of a rules-based global system, a network of functioning nation-states that are resilient and accountable, economies that leave no one behind and benefit all, supported by fit-for-purpose international organizations, all focusing on the well-being of the people irrespective of their nationality, faith or race can be within reach.
It’s time for the world to reflect on the global systems that work for all. The economic impact of the pandemic will be daunting and can be long-term. The impact on existing state fragilities, on politics and security, will surely encumber governments around the world.
We have yet to see the light at the end of this tunnel and we cannot wait for it. It is a moment of reflection but also leadership and action are needed now and fast. LIFT SANCTIONS AND CANCEL DEBTS FOR POOR COUNTRIES. That is our call. But all in all, we must OVERCOME.
The writer is Political scientist and International Relations with Conflict Resolution Expert bias,an investigative Journalist and a Pan African based in Surrey London, the United Kingdom.
Twitter @Dr.David Matsanga
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