The people of NW, SW must unite, speak with one voice.

We are not resource-poor regions

The North West and South West Regions are blessed with agricultural land, forests, fisheries, ports, industrial assets, human capital and strategic economic locations. Yet, the existence of resources alone does not create prosperity.

What happens when people with resources remain divided while others negotiate and develop collectively? The lesson is simple: resources must be organised, investment attracted, infrastructure connected, and local people positioned to benefit.

Imagine a connected NW, SW economy

Imagine our municipalities, councils, traditional authorities, business communities, farmers, professionals and diaspora working together around shared economic priorities.

Imagine stronger agricultural value chains, connected markets, tourism, industrial development, transport infrastructure, skills development and investment promotion.

What could happen if our leaders stopped competing over isolated pieces of opportunity and began building a larger economic space together?

Unity does not mean that every community must become the same. It means recognising where our interests converge and acting collectively in those areas.

Peace needs an economic foundation

Peace is not sustained by declarations alone. People need something tangible to protect livelihoods, businesses, education, productive communities, functioning markets and hope for the future.

When young people can see a future at home, when communities can participate in legitimate economic opportunity, and when development becomes shared rather than fragmented, what stronger foundation can there be for lasting peace?

Economic cooperation cannot solve every political disagreement. But it can create practical areas where people with different views can work together.

The real question for our leaders

To our Senators, Members of Parliament, Mayors, Councilors, Traditional Rulers, Fons, Religious Leaders and other leaders: What will history say about us if we continue speaking separately when our people need us to speak together on development? Will we continue approaching every opportunity individually?

Or can we create a common development platform where different political and constitutional views do not prevent cooperation on matters that directly affect our people's lives?

The way forward 

The way forward is to work together where our interests converge. We can have different political opinions and still share common economic interests.

We can disagree on political questions and still agree that our children need education, our farmers need markets, our youth need jobs, our communities need infrastructure and our people deserve dignity.

By Dr David Makongo: He is a prominent international business lawyer, senior mining negotiator, & philanthropist working across Africa

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3920 of Friday September 25, 2026