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Inside Geneva’s Palais des Nations, diplomats, civil society members, and journalists move briskly through the corridors, heading to various rooms where debates unfold as part of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Conversations in multiple languages fill the air beneath the high ceilings, though English remains dominant as the international lingua franca.
In Room XXV, a side event organized by the Unity Network for the Development of Mauritania focused on «The Right to Development in Africa». Among the African panelists, Filali Hammadi offered an insightful overview of the North African region. The Vice President of the Independent Human Rights Commission (CIDH) highlighted Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, noting that these countries rank above the African average on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, with scores of 64 points compared to the continental average of 52.
Hammadi particularly emphasized Morocco’s strides in renewable energy, citing its leadership in solar, wind, and green hydrogen. He also praised the country’s economic progress, attributing its strengthened position in Africa to structural reforms in governance, gender equality, and industrial development.
Human Rights and Development: An Integrated Approach
Hammadi stressed that economic development and human rights are inseparable. He highlighted several North African initiatives that illustrate this connection:
- Tunisia’s education model, which expands access to training and fosters professional integration.
- Algeria’s healthcare system, which has improved hospital infrastructure and medical coverage.
- Mauritania’s reforms, aimed at incorporating human rights into public policies, particularly in the fight against slavery and the promotion of social cohesion.
He also underscored Morocco’s efforts to support young entrepreneurs and small businesses, pointing to initiatives like Intilaka, which provides financing for young entrepreneurs, and programs aimed at fostering women’s economic inclusion.
Challenges to Development in Africa
Despite progress, Africa continues to face significant hurdles that slow its development:
- Political and security conflicts, which divert substantial budgets toward defense instead of social and economic investments. Hammadi specifically criticized Algeria’s sharp rise in military spending—estimated at $25 billion for 2025—arguing that such expenditures hinder regional development.
- Dependence on international aid, which prevents some nations from adopting sovereign and sustainable economic policies.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly in North Africa, which obstruct economic cooperation and regional integration.
- Regarding the Sahara issue, Hammadi asserted that the only viable path forward lies in inclusive development and autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, warning that territorial fragmentation would lead to economic and political stagnation.
A New African Dynamic?
Hammadi advocated for deeper regional integration, referencing the now-dormant Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) as a framework that could be revived to enhance economic cooperation in North Africa. He also highlighted Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, designed to connect Africa with global trade networks and foster a win-win approach to economic partnerships.
In conclusion, he called for a shift away from dependence on international aid and toward partnerships based on sustainable development and political stability. He stressed that Africa’s future depends on a pragmatic approach—one that prioritizes structural reforms and robust regional economic cooperation.
