Africa must be allowed to utilize its vast natural resources—including coal—to generate electricity responsibly, rather than being subjected to unequal restrictions imposed by wealthier nations, Doto Mashaka Biteko, Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister, told Sputnik.
"I say we need the voice of developing countries to be heard because if we are talking of a carbon space, we should not be given the unequal [treatment] like these developing countries," Biteko insisted.
He further questioned the logic behind barring African nations from using coal when more developed nations continue to utilize fossil fuels.
"Why can't we use technology to minimize the emission from the coal? In the end, we use the coal to generate electricity because we are talking of 600 million people," he said.
The reality is that while renewable energy sources are being promoted, the transition remains slow and expensive for many developing countries, the deputy PM noted.
Moreover, Biteko emphasized that the Global South is speaking up, but its concerns are often dismissed.
"I mean, the voice of the Global South is heard [but] the amount of hearing to me is not that substantially good," he said.
He called for continuous advocacy, arguing that developed nations have long maintained access to fossil fuels despite climate concerns.
"We have heard that fossil fuels like petrol products are going to be out of the market since many years [back]... But is it true that you don't see petrol goods in the market for generating electricity? No, it is because people are talking. So talking is healthier because it brings new thinking, new direction," Biteko concluded.