Regional Network of Human Rights workers in Africa are expected to leave the continent tomorrow for a meeting with their European counterparts ahead of the proposed EU/AU Council of Ministers meeting in December.

The meeting is expected to serve as a forum for discussing extremely vital issues revolving around African problems such as youth migration, Economic Partnership Agreements among others.

The 15 regional networks of human rights members will leave Africa for Lisbon, Portugal ahead of the EU/AU Council of Ministers to discuss the delay of EPAs and migration of African youths to Europe among many other important issues.

Edwin Nebolisa, Director of Africa in Democracy and Good Governance cum President of the Regional Network of Human Rights in Africa, is expected to be at the head of the African delegation to the conference and according to him, 15 activists from all over Africa are poised to agree on the delay of EPAs, saying that Africa stands to lose lots of revenue as per EPAs and the agreements would turn the continent into a dumping ground for the West.

Mr. Nebolisa said: “We are looking at various aspects of trade agreements with WTO, IMF and World Bank. We want these three bodies to be democratized because IMF is controlled by the Europeans whilst the World Bank is controlled by America. We are calling for the democratization of these institutions and to remove some of the strings attached to their aids to Africa.”

Mr. Nebolisa stressed that aids sent to Africa are often accompanied by experts who’re paid well with 1/3 of the aids returning to the donor institutions.

“No condition should be attached to aids because IMF, World Bank and WTO talk about democracy and good governance and should therefore practice these principles and encourage public participation,” he added.