August 2014 www.un.org/africarenewal

Unfinished Business

Trade in Africa: unfinished business

Chinese currency enters African markets

Angola: beyond the oil boom CONTENTS August 2014 | Vol. 28 No. 2 3 SPECIAL FEATURE TRADE Trade between two unequal partners

5 Intra-Africa trade: Going beyond political commitments 7 Interview with Arancha González 8 Raw deal for African women traders 10 Africa’s trade under a changing climate A chef in a restaurant in Liberia.

12 Interview with Maged Abdelaziz UNMIL/Christopher Herwig ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 14 Chinese Yuan penetrates African markets Editor-in-Chief 16 Peace in South Sudan critical to regional stability Masimba Tafirenyika 18 Interview with Babacar Gaye 20 Angola: Inequality clouds growing economy Staff Writer Kingsley Ighobor 22 Biofortification offers hope for Africa’s malnourished 24 Interview with Carlos Lopes Research & Media Liaison 26 Africa to push development agenda at upcoming climate summit Pavithra Rao Nirit Ben-Ari

Design & Production DEPARTMENTS Paddy D. Ilos II

30 Wired Administration 31 Books Bo Li 31 Appointments Distribution Atar Markman Cover photo: Activities illustrating the different aspects of trade in Africa.

World Bank Interns Ying Zhao-Hiemann Florence Safa Africa Renewal is published in English and French organizations. Articles from this magazine may be by the Strategic Communications Division of the freely reprinted, with attribution to the author and United Nations Department of Public Information. to “United Nations Africa Renewal,” and a copy Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of of the reproduced article would be appreciated. Africa Renewal is published by the United the United Nations or the publication’s supporting Copyrighted photos may not be reproduced. Nations, New York, on recycled paper.

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2 AfricaRenewal August 2014 As Africa confronts the challenges of a global economy, it is being forced to make tough choices in negotiating new trade agreements with its major trading partners, particularly the European Union and the US. Meanwhile, intra-Africa trade still cries for solutions. Trade between two unequal partners Africa and Europe search for an elusive agreement By Kingsley Ighobor

ixty-one heads of government and other top-level officials from S African and European countries converged last March in Brussels, the de facto European Union capital, to discuss mutual relations. After two days of delib- erations, they issued a 63-point agreement laced with customary platitudes such as “We take particular pride in the breadth and depth of our partnership” and “We are convinced that the growth of our two continents will be mutually beneficial.” Although the leaders discussed such issues as the ongoing fighting in the Central African Republic, democracy, regional integration, immigration, and TRADE development assistance, the elephant in the room was the flagging trade relations Participants at a ministerial meeting on the margins of the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels. between Africa and Europe. South African European External Action Service President Jacob Zuma, whose country is one of the EU’s most important trading Trade agreement talks began actively For instance, Madagascar excludes EU partners in Africa, did not attend the in 2000 after Europe and 79 countries exports of meat, tobacco, sugar, chemicals summit, in solidarity with Zimbabwean from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific and other products. President Robert Mugabe, who refused (ACP) signed the Cotonou Agreement on Before the Cotonou Agreement was to fly to Belgium because his wife, Grace, trade, aid and political relations. That the 1975 Lomé Convention, under which was denied a visa. “I think that time must agreement stipulated that Economic the EU granted “non-reciprocal” trade pass wherein we are looked at as subjects, Partnership Agreements (EPAs) had to be preferences to ACP countries for the we are told who must come and who must signed by 2008. But while the EPAs require export of agricultural and mineral mate- not come,” said President Zuma. His both sides to lower tariffs on imports and rials duty-free to Europe. Now the EU boycott is one of many incidents in the exports, the negotiators cannot agree wants these agreements to be replaced seemingly endless trade talks between on the terms. Nevertheless, 14 coun- with the EPAs, which are “reciprocal” Africa and Europe. tries have accepted interim EPAs, with instead of the Lomé Convention’s “non- European Commission President Mauritius, Madagascar, the Seychelles reciprocal” trade preferences, so that ACP José Manuel Barosso reiterated Europe’s and Zimbabwe the first to do so. Interim countries can equally open their markets preference for dealing with African coun- EPAs permit countries to export to the to EU exports. But Africa is in no hurry to tries as equal partners, but in reality EU market duty-free while gradually liberalize its markets. only South Africa, the continent’s most allowing EU imports over 15 to 25 years. sophisticated economy, could be consid- For example, Mauritius agreed to open Bone of contention ered as such, says Christoph Hasselbach, its market to EU products over a 15-year “African countries typically have quite editor of Deutsche Welle, a German period. To protect local industries, EPA high protection, so liberalizing in favour broadcasting organization. signatories can exclude certain products. of Europe would hand Europe a terms

AfricaRenewal August 2014 3 of trade gain,” writes Paul Collier, the EU trade negotiators who were in implement the trade facilitation agreement director of the Centre for the Study of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, during the on a provisional basis” as allowed under African Economics at Oxford University, African Union (AU) summit in June the Doha Declaration, adding, “Clearly United Kingdom. Africa is not embracing mounted pressure on African leaders to there are double standards.” the EPAs because of fears that bigger EU change their stance. An AU official was At the end of the Malabo summit, divi- companies could flood the continent with quoted as calling their approach “an unprec- sions appeared in Africa’s position. “We cheaper products, destroying nascent local edented power game rarely witnessed at an never said we will not implement the industries. Also, cutting tariffs will lower African heads of nations meeting.” Angered TF agreement, but we don’t know how government revenues that Africa needs by such arm-twisting, Nigeria, Africa’s to implement this agreement,” says Mr. to invest in areas including agriculture, biggest economy, and Mauritius, one of its Ndirangu, bouncing the ball back to EU’s health and education. fastest-growing economies, announced court. But South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania James Asare-Adjei, the president of the they might renege on their provisional and Zimbabwe have urged Africa to imple- Association of Ghana Industries, says that acceptance of the TF agreement. ment the TF agreement only after Europe Ghana relies heavily on tariff revenues to But Africa may not hold the line for demonstrates its commitment to providing fund development, and that with an EPA, long, facing both EU threats to cut off aid development aid through action, not just the country could lose up to $300 million and the US’s warning that it could allow words. The snag is, under the Bali TF per year in revenues. Aliyu Modibo Umar, a the expiration of the Africa Growth and agreement, a commitment to provide aid former Nigerian commerce minister, says, Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US law enacted is not binding. “If 30 years of nonreciprocal free market in 2000 under which Africa can export access into the EU did not improve the certain goods to the US duty-free. Unless Asia’s trade surge economic situation of the ACP, how can renewed, AGOA expires in 2015. Africa’s growing trade with Asia, especially a reciprocal trading arrangement achieve China, is of concern to Europe, says Mr. anything better?” Bingu wa Mutharika, the Cracks in Africa’s position Hasselbach. Africa’s share of global trade late Malawian president, once dismissed The WTO is also pushing for total imple- has increased steadily, from $277 billion the EPAs as “a divide-and-rule tactic being mentation of the TF agreement. Director- (2.3%) in 2001 to about $1 trillion (4.6%) advanced by Europe for selfish interests.” General Roberto Azevêdo has warned that in 2011, according to the UN Conference The EU admits that the EPAs will create provisional implementation could mean on Trade and Development. While Europe more jobs in Europe. But it also notes that less development aid. “All of the Bali deci- is still Africa’s largest trading partner, Africa stands to benefit from improved sions—every single one of them—would Africa’s trade with Asia grew by 22% during economic stability, training opportunities be compromised.” And Angelos Pangratis, that time, while trade with Europe grew and knowledge transfer, and higher export the EU envoy to the WTO, says, “The by only 15%. In addition, Europe’s contri- sales. It states on its website, “For over 30 credibility of the negotiating function of bution to Africa’s manufactured imports years, exports from ACP countries were this organization [WTO] is once again at declined from 32% in 2002 to 23% in 2011, given generous access to the European stake.” But Nelson Ndirangu, director while Asia’s share increased from 13% to market. Preferential access failed to boost for economics and external trade in the 22% during the same period. local economies and stimulate growth.” Kenyan foreign ministry, questions why Some African trade experts have said the EU opposes Africa’s proposal “to that fears surrounding the TF agreement But provisional implementation may be exaggerated. Patrick Kanyimbo is allowed and Calvin Manduna, trade experts with The EU is also promoting the World Trade the African Development Bank, argue that Organization’s Trade Facilitation (TF) a TF agreement will improve burdensome agreement, reached in Bali, Indonesia, last border operations and complement “a lot year. Trade facilitation focuses on lowering of the infrastructure investments that are the cost of doing business by minimizing being undertaken across the continent, regulations and procedures required to particularly in the transport sector.” move goods and services across borders. More twists and turns are likely to The Bali TF agreement—an offshoot of the take place in EU-Africa trade relations inconclusive 2001 Doha Round of talks— before 2015, when TF agreement imple- urges countries to adopt fast and efficient mentation should commence. Big econo- customs procedures. mies like Nigeria and South Africa are Africa is not convinced of the purported talking tough, but others are more circum- benefits of the TF agreement. The conti- spect. Rashid Pelpuo, Ghana’s minister nent’s trade ministers have agreed to of state for public-private partnerships, implement the TF agreement provision- warns that trade agreements are always ally, which is allowed by a clause in the Bali tied to “aid, technical and political assis- deal. But the EU would prefer a full—not tance… It will be too costly not to sign.” tentative—implementation and is deter- African leaders at the AU Summit in Malabo, Only time will tell if—or when—Africa will mined to twist arms to have its way. Equatorial Guinea. African Union Commission accept the trade deals.

4 AfricaRenewal August 2014 an organization that trains people on trade issues. As a result of this reluctance, she says, “Regional institutions remain weak, performing mainly administrative functions.” Trade flourishes when countries produce what their trading partners are eager to buy. With a few exceptions, this is not yet the case with Africa. It produces what it doesn’t consume and consumes what it doesn’t produce. It’s a weakness that often frustrates policy makers; it complicates regional inte- gration and is a primary reason for the low intra- regional trade, which is between 10% and 12% of Africa’s total trade. Comparable figures are 40% in North America and roughly 60% in Western Europe. Over 80% of Africa’s exports are shipped overseas, mainly to the European Union (EU), China and the US. If you throw into the mix complex and often conflicting trade rules, cross-border restrictions and poor transport networks, it’s hardly surprising that the level of intra-Africa trade has barely moved the needle over the past few decades. Not everybody agrees intra-Africa trade is that TRADE low. Some experts argue that a big chunk of the conti- nent’s trade is conducted informally and at times Reliable road networks are essential to trade. World Bank/Arne Hoel across porous borders. Most borders, they point out, are often poorly managed or informal trade statis- tics are simply not included in the official flows Intra-Africa trade: recorded by customs officials. “We don’t have a way of capturing these types of activities because they’re informal,” said Carlos Lopes, the head of the UN Going beyond political Economic Commission for Africa, in an interview with Africa Renewal. The ECA, he explained, is planning to plug this information gap with a more commitments precise picture of economic activities in Africa and give economic planners a better data set with which Africa and Europe search for an elusive to work. agreement Regional economic blocs To accelerate regional integration, the World Bank By Masimba Tafirenyika is advising African leaders to expand access to trade finance and reduce behind-the-border trade restric- mong Africa’s policy wonks, underperforming tions such as excessive regulations and weak legal trade across the continent is a favoured systems. Nevertheless, saddled with weak economies, Asubject. To unravel the puzzle, they reel small domestic markets and 16 landlocked countries, off facts and figures at conferences and workshops, governments believe they can achieve economic inte- pinpoint trade hurdles to overcome and point to the gration by starting at the regional level and working vast opportunities that lie ahead if only African coun- their way up, merging all the regional trading blocs $40bn tries could integrate their economies. It’s an inter- into an African Free Trade Area. But with 14 different Amount per esting debate but with little to show for it until now. trading blocs, critics say that’s just too many. Some year Africa The problem is partly the mismatch between the blocs have overlapping members and many countries high political ambitions African leaders hold and the belong to multiple blocs. needs to harsh economic realities they face. Case in point: they Yet, the challenge is not simply the number of spend on have set up no less than 14 trading blocs to pursue trading blocs, experts say, but their track record. infrastructure regional integration. Yet they have shown “a distinct Governments need to implement their trade agree- reluctance to empower these institutions, citing loss ments. On this score, African countries perform of sovereignty and policy space as key concerns,” poorly despite their strong political commitment to says Trudi Hartzenberg, executive director at the regional integration, notes Ms. Hartzenberg in her Trade Law Centre (TRALAC) for Southern Africa, report, Regional Integration in Africa, published by

AfricaRenewal August 2014 5 the World Trade Organization, a global signed and no longer want to be bound by Writing on his blog hosted by The body on trade rules. these obligations.” Guardian, Mr. Dearden says the EU is “In some cases, the challenge is that attempting to foist Economic Partnership there may still not be a clear commitment Poor infrastructure Agreements [EPAs] on African countries. to rules-based governance in African Lack of progress in implementing agree- EPAs require EU trading partners to integration; [not] taking obligations that ments along with the absence of reliable lower their tariffs on imports and exports are undertaken in international agree- transport, energy and information and on a reciprocal basis. Mr. Dearden warns ments seriously,” says Hartzenberg in technology infrastructure make the that EPAs thwart Africa’s integration an email responding to questions from journey towards regional integration long efforts and he instead advises African Africa Renewal. “Some argue that [African and arduous. “Road freight moves incred- leaders to follow South Korea’s example governments] need policy space to address ibly slowly, while major ports are choked of using a “range of government inter- the development challenges they face – for lack of capacity,” observes the AfDB. ventions” to boost trade. These include, but this does appear inconsistent with Even with the current gains Africa is among others, protecting industries, the signing of many regional agreements.” making in upgrading regional infrastruc- controlling food production and banking, Lack of capacity to implement their obli- ture, Ibrahim Mayaki, the head of the and passing strong regulations to ensure gations, she adds, is also to blame. New Partnership for Africa’s Development people benefit from trade and investment. The African Development Bank (NEPAD), the African Union’s development Mr. Lopes of the ECA makes the same (AfDB) shares this view. Its analysis of arm, finds the continent still faces serious point. “Protection is not a bad word,” he regional integration and intra-trade infrastructure shortcomings across all asserts. He favours what he calls “sophis- in Africa imputed slow progress to “a sectors, both in terms of access and quality. ticated protectionism” but cautions complex architecture of regional economic NEPAD has just completed a 30-year plan African leaders to “do it with sophisti- communities.” While this arrange- that focuses on regional trans-border cation, which means you need to strike ment has yielded positive steps towards projects like the 4,500-km highway from the right balance.” The ECA boss views common regional targets, says the bank, Algiers in Algeria to Lagos, Nigeria. sophisticated or smart protectionism not “progress has been disappointing.” Africa requires huge investments to as a choice between state and market as if Ms. Hartzenberg gave the example develop, upgrade and maintain its infra- they “were two opposites.” His argument of the 15-member Southern African structure. The AfDB estimates the region is that there cannot be industrializa- Development Community (SADC), a would need to spend an additional $40 tion without some form of smart protec- regional economic group, which launched a billion a year on infrastructure to address tionism; and without industrialization, Free Trade Area in 2008. Despite SADC’s not only current weaknesses but also to Africa’s efforts to integrate its economies decision to remove trade restrictions, she keep pace with economic growth. and increase intra-regional trade are says, some countries have not eliminated less likely to succeed. Free trade enthu- tariffs as stipulated by the agreement. Worse Sophisticated protectionism siasts, however, argue that protectionist still, in some cases countries that removed versus EPAs policies could shrink the size of the global the tariffs have since reinstated them. Many of the trade deals Africa signs with economy, create few winners and leave To be fair, the SADC Trade Protocol has its partners ignore the continent’s efforts everybody worse off. a provision that allows exemptions from to promote intra-Africa trade, according phasing out tariffs. Some countries have to trade analysts. Nick Dearden, a former Beyond commitments applied for such exemptions, the TRALAC director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign There is much that African countries need executive director said, but others have and now with World Development to do to increase intra-regional trade. For simply reintroduced the tariffs or alterna- Movement, a global advocacy group on instance, they need to reduce depend- tive instruments such as domestic taxes. poverty, accuses the West of pushing for ence on commodities by expanding the “This can be argued to demonstrate a free trade models that benefit their inter- services sector, including telecommunica- lack of political will to implement agreed ests, not Africa’s. He complains that many tions, transport, educational and finan- obligations. It could well be that some African countries are “locked into trade cial. They need to increase investments in member states recognise belatedly the agreements which keep them dependent infrastructure. And they need to eliminate implications of the agreements they have on one or two commodities.” or significantly reduce non-tariff barriers that are major roadblocks to intra-African trade. The list of non-tariff barriers is as AVERAGE LEVEL OF INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE PER YEAR long as it is comprehensive, ranging from prohibitive transaction costs to complex immigration procedures, limited capacity of border officials and costly import and 10% - 12% 40% 60% export licensing procedures. For this to happen, it will take much more than polit- ical commitments; it will require practical Africa North America Western Europe steps on the ground even if they come with some costs.

6 AfricaRenewal August 2014 INTERVIEW What are the obstacles? The new obstacles are non-tariffs barriers, such as regulatory constraints. Other non-tariff barriers are technical Africa needs both regulations and safety standards. How do you reduce trade barriers? aid and trade We survey companies and ask them what the barriers to export and import — Arancha González are. Once we map these barriers, we sit down with the companies on one side, and the government and regulatory agencies on the other and help them identify obstacles to trade and what has to be done to tackle them.

Tell us about your Aid for Trade programme. Aid for Trade is the name we give to development assistance that builds the productive capacity of countries and companies to trade.

What does Africa need more: aid or trade? It would be a simplification to make countries choose between aid and trade. The reality is that both are needed. The question is not whether to choose between TRADE aid or trade, but how to balance the two.

Arancha González, Executive Director, International Trade Centre. International Trade Centre Do you believe that trade agreements tend to favour developed economies at the expense of weaker ones? he International Trade Centre (ITC), a subsidiary of the United Nations Conference on No, because that statement presup- T Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), provides poses that African countries are incapable technical assistance on global trade to businesses in developing countries. Arancha González, of negotiating profitable trade pacts. And I the ITC’s executive director, sat down with Africa Renewal’s Nirit Ben-Ari and Kingsley Ighobor don’t think this is true. to talk about the centre’s activities and Africa’s growing influence in the global marketplace. These are excerpts from the interview. From a position of weakness, African countries can’t be very assertive at the negotiating table. Africa Renewal: What does ITC do Where else in African countries are you I have seen African countries negotiate in Africa? providing expertise? bilaterally and within the WTO. African Arancha González: Over half of our activ- We have a project with spice traders countries come to the WTO prepared and ities are in sub-Saharan Africa, where in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We found out defend their interests with vigour. They we address the need for skills, access to that producers can obtain up to 20 times will not sign an agreement until their capital and improved competitiveness. more revenue by branding and packaging interests have been taken into account. For example, we provide training on how the product attractively. to access finance for trading. Do you expect EU food subsidies to be How do you promote trade within removed soon? How do you work on the ground? Africa? African pressure has led the EU to We provide expertise to local partners. We promote trade by supporting rethink part of its agricultural subsidy There are thousands of companies that the African Union’s goal to make the programme. And now the EU is offering could benefit if we build capacity locally. continent a free trade zone, because to eliminate export subsidies. That’s a The expertise that we provide for mango we think that part of the difficulties is victory for Africans who have said, “We producers in Senegal, for example, that local markets are too small. Our will not negotiate an agreement with you will also benefit pineapple or poultry key objective is to remove obstacles because you are dumping food products producers there. to trade. in Africa.”

AfricaRenewal August 2014 7 Raw deal for African women traders Unfriendly trade policies cripple progress By Nirit Ben-Ari

TRADE

A woman selling agricultural produce in Kenya. Africa Media Online/Karin Duthie

aily, millions of women in Africa Cross-border trade and the source of income for the majority of these are engaged in one form of trade informal sector women. However, TMEA is concerned D or another, either within their Women’s participation in informal trade is that this form of trade is predominately in countries or across national borders. They often not fully appreciated. Their involve- low-value and low-profit products, such as buy and sell everything, from agricultural ment in informal cross-border trade fruits and vegetables, livestock, meat and produce to manufactured products. It is hardly draws attention in international dairy products. mostly women who conduct cross-border trade circles, says a paper by the United Women’s lack of knowledge about their trade, delivering goods and services, Nations Inter-Agency Network on Women rights under trade treaties and protocols reports the World Bank. They also run the and Gender Equality, an advocacy group. exacerbates the problems they face in majority of agricultural small landhold- Informal trade, which women dominate, cross-border trading. In some cases women ings. Indeed, women traders’ contribution is a major source of job creation in Africa, are forced to pay bribes or subjected to to national economies has become essen- providing between 20% and 75% of total harassment by customs and immigration tial in boosting trade in Africa. employment in most countries, according officials. To help them deal with these However, trade policies in the to the interagency network. For example, problems, TMEA started a project in 2012 region are not necessarily favourable within the Southern African Development that facilitates women’s cross-border to women, because men have better Community region, informal cross-border trading activities in East Africa. It provides access to resources. If anything, the trade, mostly in processed and unpro- free legal services to small-scale traders, constraints women face undermine cessed food, constitutes between 30% and mostly women, who, often unaware of Africa’s efforts to realize its full trade 40% of the total trade volume annually. their rights, use illegal routes to cross potential. These constraints include TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), an borders to avoid harassment by customs non-tariff barriers that impinge on organization that promotes cross-border officials. TMEA teaches them to exercise trading, notes a World Bank 2013 study trade in the subregion, reports that their rights in cases of arbitrary arrest titled Women and Trade in Africa. For women conduct up to 74% of the informal or illegal application of rules by officials. example, lack of access to finance, infor- trade along Rwanda’s borders with its As a result, many women traders in the mation and formal networks often pushes neighbours—Burundi, the Democratic region now spend less time at the borders women into the informal economy, where Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and figuring out the right procedures to follow. their capacity for growth is limited. Uganda. Cross-border trading is the only In addition, TMEA has helped organize

8 AfricaRenewal August 2014 them into cooperatives to strengthen their textile products are a major beneficiary Angolan economy has confined women to collective bargaining powers. of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act low-productivity jobs. But more policies are required to (AGOA) of 2000, a law that allows African Unlike in Lesotho, trade liberaliza- encourage informal trading by women, exports into the US duty-free; and third, tion in Angola has not produced export- experts say. They are more than likely Lesotho increased its exports to the US by oriented manufacturing jobs, and hence to benefit from policies that address taking advantage of a clause that permits few women have joined the manufac- problems associated with access to credit, AGOA-eligible countries to source fabrics turing sector, where they make up only social safety nets, transport, foreign from third-party countries such as China. 17% of the total work force. currency exchange, storage facilities, These policies have had a major positive To improve the plight of women, health care and sanitation. impact on Lesotho’s women traders. African governments must enact policies The clothing industry is Lesotho’s that remove the constraints they face as Women and trade liberalization biggest employer, with women making up traders, experts advise. The UN Inter- Although trade liberalization began in the the bulk of the work force. “Trade-led Agency Network on Women and Gender 1990s and in some cases has increased the developments have created a large Equality proposes three such policies. competitiveness of African traders, when number of new jobs for underprivi- First, governments must provide female it comes to women, the UN Inter-Agency leged, relatively unskilled women who workers with the necessary skills and Network on Women and Gender Equality would otherwise have little chance of access to information. Second, they must says it has had the opposite effect. The being formally employed,” says UNCTAD. pass legislation on labour standards network says women have been badly Basotho women holding formal jobs and working conditions to eliminate affected by these policies because of have access to health programmes, and the exploitation of female workers. gender biases in education and training, those living with HIV receive free care And third, they must formulate social inequalities in the distribution of income and treatment. and labour policies that support equal and resources, and unequal access to Yet while Lesotho’s garment sector household responsibilities. credit, land and technology. In Africa, is providing jobs for women, it is also There is no doubt that signifi- “women receive 7% of the agricultural contributing to new patterns of inequality cant gender gaps exist in many sectors. extension services and less than 10% of and vulnerability. Wages in the textile and UNCTAD recommends using trade as an the credit offered to small-scale farmers,” apparel sectors are low. Workers earn only “enabler” for future development. With according to the network. between $5 and $100 per month, despite the right policies, women traders could But some experts urge opponents of having access to medical benefits. In the be motivated to contribute even more trade liberalization to consider the other face of the high cost of living, these wages towards Africa’s development. side of the coin, which is that these policies are enough to cover only the basic necessi- encourage eliminating tariffs and conse- ties, and do not enable workers to save for quently reduce the price of goods. Trade small business activities. By the numbers liberalization critics counter by saying that Also, Basotho women are particu- if women have no access to credit, tech- larly vulnerable to external shocks nical knowledge or international markets, and changes in the international trade they have trouble competing internation- system. If the apparel factories were to ally even if the markets are opened up. shut down, it would be disproportion- A major aspect of trade liberalization ately difficult for women workers to is the opening up of labour markets to relocate. This is because women tend to international manufacturing and apparel face more obstacles in labour mobility jobs, as was the case in the tiny Southern due to discriminatory social and cultural African nation of Lesotho. A 2012 study on practices such as limited access to educa- Lesotho by the UN Conference on Trade tion, technology and financial resources, and Development (UNCTAD), Who Is according to UNCTAD. Benefitting from Trade Liberalization in 74% Percentage of informal trade Lesotho? A Gender Perspective, found that Towards a gender-sensitive conducted by women along Rwanda’s liberalization has expanded trade in that trade policy borders country over the last 30 years, especially in Economies that depend on a single labour-intensive exports such as clothing. commodity are vulnerable to external 20% - 75% Percentage of job It also led to an increase in the number of shocks, which in turn affect women. creation that informal trade provides women employed in the formal sector. UNCTAD says oil-producing countries in Africa have not diversified their economies. Lesotho’s example For instance, Angola’s economy, which $5 - $100 Approximate wages How did Lesotho do it? First, it imposed is primarily extractive, has not created earned in the textile and apparel import quotas on clothing originating enough jobs to absorb the female work sectors in Lesotho from markets in Asia, the US and the force. According to the UN trade agency, European Union; second, Lesotho’s a lack of progress in diversifying the

AfricaRenewal August 2014 9 TRADE

Arid soils in Mauritania are some of the effects of climate change. Oxfam/Pablo Tosco Africa’s trade under a cloud of changing climate Worsening climate change could affect the region’s economy By Richard Munang and Jesica Andrews

he devastating effects of climate change are impact of climate change. Resilient ecosystems are already being felt across the planet, including required to promote the wise use of biodiversity and T in Africa. The 2011 drought-induced famine natural inputs; such wise use will preserve the natural in the Horn of Africa affected more than 10 million environment from degradation and ensure that it people, claimed 257,000 lives and cost over $1 billion remains productive and continues to contribute to in damages. The recent Africa Adaptation Gap Report economic development. by the UN Environment Programme warns that climate change could reduce total crop yields in sub- Barriers, blocks and blows Saharan Africa by as much as 20% by 2070. Worse With the World Bank stressing that food production still, it could begin to affect Africa’s trade potential. for rapidly growing urban and rural populations will be $50bn For example, a projected sea-level rise in Tanzania the largest growth opportunity for African farmers, the Value of of 70 centimetres by 2070 could devastate the port agricultural sector must come up with climate-proof Africa’s current city of Dar es Salaam, its largest and richest city strategies. While Africa currently produces staple food and a major player in East Africa trade, and cost the worth $50 billion per year, the bank has found that production of country about $10 billion in property damages and the region could add an extra $20 billion annually if it staple food per related losses. Environmentalists warn that rising dismantles trade barriers in agriculture. For example, year sea levels could cause severe flooding, submerge land West Africa could cut its transport costs in half in less and destroy coastal ecosystems. than a decade if its agricultural trade policies were Is Africa under a climate change siege? Can the designed to serve as building blocks rather than as region expand its trade under current conditions? roadblocks to economic growth, says the bank. Experts say yes to both questions, but, in addition to Additionally, as climate change worsens, indus- reducing barriers to new and existing trade, coun- tries and agriculture will need to respond. Experts tries will have to use their ecosystems to protect recommend increased production of Environmental the continent’s productive sectors from the negative Goods and Services (EGS) as a viable option. The

10 AfricaRenewal August 2014 EGS are benefits that can be derived from B journal, published by the Royal Society methods because the global market for healthy ecosystems and include clean air, of Biological Sciences. EGS is growing rapidly. EbA practices fresh water, purification of air and water Moreover, these techniques reward could potentially help Africa reap the from forests, pollination of crops and farmers with better-quality produce to sell. benefits of EGS. groundwater recharge through wetlands. For example, in Burkina Faso, where shea Third, due to the diverse crops being Valued at $690 billion in 2006, increasing nuts are the second-most-exported cash produced, EbAs will provide Africa with global demand for EGS could be worth crop (after cotton), ecosystem-based tech- access to new markets. Through agrofor- $1.9 trillion by 2020, according to UNEP. niques could improve the quality of shea estry (intercropping, barrier crops and To boost trade, therefore, experts stress nuts and ensure sustainable production nitrogen-fixing crop use), smallholder the need to diversify exports beyond methods. This was the case recently when farmers can produce more diverse crops. commodities and for governments to one ecosystem-based approach (EbA) And finally, better-quality or more envi- initiate policies that allow more people to project trained 120 women to produce high- ronmentally friendly products will give participate in trade. But does sustainable quality shea butter, which led to increased Africa access to higher-quality markets. use of ecosystems accomplish this goal? sales and an extra $18 per month for each As with the shea butter project in Burkina woman on average. An EbA is a farming Faso, EbA products can enter “sustainable” Boosting trade through method that promotes conservation and markets, where they fetch higher prices. ecosystems sustainability through integrated manage- “Rethinking possibilities” is the phrase ment of land, water and living resources. Introduce trade reforms development experts use to reinforce the The women now have an even greater moti- Even if Environmental Goods and Services point that it is possible to use natural vation to protect their five hectares of shea lead to increased trade opportunities, resources as productive assets. By using trees and associated ecosystem (which barriers to trade in Africa will persist. The ecosystem services properly, Africa could is part of their production chain) from World Bank’s primary recommendations protect its natural resources and increase destruction and deforestation. are reforms in the trade sector and the its trade volume within the continent Across West Africa, between 4 million strengthening of institutions that design and with the rest of the world. And such and 5 million women depend almost and implement regulations. The bank protection comes with minimal or no entirely on shea nuts for their livelihood, wants African countries to reduce the cost additional costs. according to the Food and Agriculture of trading across borders. According to A few ecosystem approaches, such as Organization. Applying EbAs widely could the bank, costs associated with trading in the use of “native pollinators,” are already increase production for local consumption sub-Saharan Africa are twice as high as gaining popularity. Also referred to as and for exports. those in East Asia and the Organization for “the farmer befriending the bee,” this Economic Cooperation and Development approach presumes bees’ habitats are Increasing trade in Africa (OECD) countries. It advocates for the protected when farmers minimize tillage, In a number of ways, Africa could boost removal of a range of non-tariff barriers allow crops to flower, plant hedgerows trade by exploiting its vast natural to trade, including restrictive rules about or windbreaks with flowering shrubs, resources using ecosystem-based origin of goods, import and export bans reduce or eliminate pesticide use and work approaches. First, EbAs can increase agri- and costly licensing. In the sub-Saharan with surrounding land owners to protect cultural trade volumes through higher African region, notes the bank, it takes an natural areas. By investing in the protec- crop yields. In Zambia, farmers increased average of 38 days to import and 32 days tion of bees’ natural habitats, farmers crop yields by 60% by switching from to export goods across borders—two of the are investing in their crops. Bees and the monoculture practices to intercropping longest wait times in the world. However, sustainable use of other management and other sustainable methods. Second, while new EGS products may get caught techniques can increase crop yields by as greater use of EbAs will encourage a shift up in these barriers, experts believe that much as 5%, according to the Proceedings from traditional to sustainable farming mobile banking and other innovative cross-border systems could improve the situation. Already environmentalists are saying that ecosystem services should cease to be seen as free and limitless; rather, they should be protected against the effects of climate change. The consensus, however, is that EGS in African economies could bring greater economic, social and environ- mental benefits to the continent. This is the triple win. Dr. Richard Munang is UNEP’s Africa regional climate change coordinator. Jesica Andrews is an ecosystem adaptation officer Women selling mango jam in Senegal. UN Photo/Evan Schneider with UNEP’s regional office for Africa.

AfricaRenewal August 2014 11 INTERVIEW what will be the short- and medium-term objectives and what we can leave for future generations.

The problem has never been a lack of ideas or frameworks or agendas or blue- prints. The problem has always been implementation. What has changed this time around? What I can say is that this transforma- tive agenda is turning into concrete steps that can be implemented. This direction is towards industrialization, and that is very important. Inclusive growth, meaning that every person in Africa should benefit from its natural resources. It should also benefit the poor.

That’s the ideal. How do you ensure compliance? I trust that when African governments make commitments, they mean good for their people and that they will implement those commitments.

So your hope is based on trust? Do I have a choice? I have no enforce- TRADE ment mechanisms, neither has the UN or the AU, to compel any president or prime

Maged Abdelaziz, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa. Africa Section / Bo Li minister to do anything.

Do you have a feeling that there is more seriousness now than before? Africa wants equal Yes. What makes me think that way is the spirit of regional integration that is happening now. Each subregion now has partners an integration plan, beginning with a free trade area in 2017, a monetary union by — Maged Abdelaziz 2034 and eventually an overall African customs union. You will ask me if this is realistic. I will tell you: let’s try to achieve n 2012 the United Nations General Assembly created a mechanism to monitor commitments it. If we don’t, we will give it two or five I made by African countries and their partners to improve Africa’s economic development. more years, but let’s try. Then there is The Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) is the secretariat for the mechanism, and the linkage between peace and security works with other UN agencies to track progress on these commitments. In an interview with and development. You can’t implement a Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor, Maged Abdelaziz, the secretary-general’s special adviser transformative agenda when there is no on Africa, explained what the UN hopes to accomplish with the monitoring mechanism. The peace and security. following are excerpts. Your office is setting up a monitoring mechanism to track commitments Africa Renewal: How would you a transformative agenda, one that is now made towards Africa’s development. assess the pace of Africa’s economic appearing in different documents that Why such a mechanism? development? have been approved by the African Union. In 2008, the General Assembly adopted Maged Abdelaziz: There is a lot of poten- It will be crowned when Agenda 2063 [the a resolution on Africa’s development with tial in Africa. Six of the 10 fastest-growing AU’s 50-year development plan] is adopted specific commitments to be implemented economies in the world are from the conti- at the next AU summit in Addis Ababa. by the African countries themselves and nent, a region with a lot of natural and Many commitments and plans have been others by their development partners. human resources. But what is required is made. What we need now is to decide Unfortunately there was the financial

12 AfricaRenewal August 2014 crisis of 2008 that made it difficult to Some OECD countries are going through implementation by African countries, implement many parts of the declaration. tough economic times. How do you get we will be able to provide the full picture In 2010 the assembly requested, and the these countries to increase or imple- to policy makers. secretary-general proposed, a mechanism ment their commitments? to check progress on the implementation of Our task is not to have them increase So this is fully an advocacy task? the commitments in that declaration and their commitments; our task is to track We are here to advocate for Africa. those made at other main UN conferences the implementation of what has already Aren’t we? Why am I here, the only special on Africa. The resolution was very clear: it been agreed to by member states. adviser for a specific region! We are said that the new monitoring mechanism consulting with everybody as we draw up would build on existing ones. We counted Your report will encourage implementa- our report, particularly experts in those 52 existing mechanisms! So we are not tion of commitments? four or five areas we are reporting on. reinventing the wheel; we will rely on the We are following a nonconfrontational information from other mechanisms. approach. Our task is not to name and You will be dealing with African govern- shame, that is, to single out countries that ments and non-governmental organiza- Are you going to analyze commitments are implementing commitments and those tions? made over the past decade or so? that are not. We will give the analyses Yes, it’s part of the deal. NGOs are No. In each report we will concentrate without getting into the polemics of who allowed to participate as equal partners.

How would you respond to those who say I trust that when African governments make that focusing on commitments, including aid, reinforces the notion that Africa is commitments, they mean good for their dependent on foreign assistance? people and that they will implement those No. Africa is searching for equal partners, not partners coming to exploit commitments. Africa. That’s why I like very much the review of partnerships that was ordered on four or five relevant issues that will did what, who did not and why. by Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini- be considered by the UN in the next two So how does your report assist in having Zuma of the African Union Commission. years, beginning September 2014. This these countries fulfill their commit- Let’s have a review of our partnerships year’s report will concentrate on acceler- ments? with India, with China, with the US, with ating the implementation of the MDGs, It will provide an honest assess- the EU, with the Arab League. Let’s see climate change, good governance, as well ment of everybody, including African what’s in it for us and what’s in it for them. as agriculture and food security. countries, in a way they will find them- selves morally obliged to implement or What is your idea of success with this Which means you are tracking commit- consider the report’s recommendations. monitoring mechanism? ments and their impact on the ground By speaking out on climate change, on My idea of success is convincing in Africa. the commitments that have been made member states to take additional Absolutely, and proposing alternatives in Copenhagen, in Mexico, by pointing measures to ensure they implement their that could be taken. out the percentage of the promised commitments or bridge the gaps that we funds Africa receives and the levels of will identify in our reports. When you say “commitments,” what do you really mean? These are commitments on aid, trade, FDI [foreign direct investment], the movement of labour between coun- tries, human rights, good governance, combating corruption, etc.

Is there a way to ensure that these commitments are followed through? No. But our work on the monitoring mechanism is done in consultation with the AU and African countries on one hand, and with donors and development partners on the other. We also work with the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries, the World Bank and other international institutions. A ship loads goods at an African port. World Bank/Arne Hoel

AfricaRenewal August 2014 13 Chinese yuan penetrates African markets Could it be the next global reserve currency? By Tonderayi Mukeredzi

The Chinese currency, the yuan. Africa Renewal/Bo Li

n March this year Zimbabwe joined a growing currencies would only consolidate Zimbabwe’s bilat- list of countries in Africa and the world using the eral relations with China rather than boost trade, and I Chinese currency, yuan, also known as remnibi help China’s quest to make its currency popular. (RMB), as one of its official currencies after its He added that RMB was not expected to address central bank added the RMB, the Japanese yen, the liquidity challenges as enunciated by the Reserve Australia dollar and the Indian rupee to the existing Bank of Zimbabwe in its January 2014 monetary basket of currencies. policy because the level of trade between the two Zimbabwe abandoned its currency in 2009 when countries had not yet reached a level where enough it was rendered worthless by excessive inflation. critical mass could be built to flood RMBs into its Since then, it has been using a basket of curren- market and Africa at large. cies dominated by the US dollar. In announcing the “Very interestingly, currency issues are so decision to adopt the yuan and other currencies, the psychologically influenced, economic agents may not $1.1bn then Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe acting governor, be comfortable to just accept one currency over- Value of trade Charity Dhliwayo, said that the southern African night when they were used to the US dollar. This is a between China country’s trade and investment with China, India, complex matrix which the RMB will face in Africa,” Japan and Australia “had grown appreciably.” Mr. Mugano said. South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest and Zimbabwe China is Zimbabwe’s third largest trading partner trading partner, accounting for at least 40% of its in 2013 after South Africa and the European Union, and exports and 60% of imports, he said, but despite this, until recently was the biggest buyer of its tobacco. the rand, the South African currency, has failed to In 2013, trade between China and Zimbabwe dislodge the dollar as the dominant currency because amounted to $1.1 billion. of its volatility. Gift Mugano, a trade expert and executive director Wang Yi, a commercial consular with the Chinese at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s embassy in Harare offered a different opinion on the Africa Economic Development Strategies, told Africa prospects for acceptance of the RMB in Zimbabwe. Renewal that the addition of the RMB to the basket of In an interview with Africa Renewal, he said the

14 AfricaRenewal August 2014 adoption of the Chinese currency by A number of countries in Africa, another and the placing of a share of Harare would positively influence invest- among them the Bank of Ghana, are their reserves in the RMB. China has ments from China to Zimbabwe, which using the RMB as part of their settle- remained Africa’s largest trade partner amounted to about $600 million last year. ment and reserve currency. Early this since 2009. Total trade between China “It’s an option that will increase trade year, the Nigerian central bank report- and Africa reached $210.2 billion in 2013, between the two countries, as well as edly announced that it planned to shift up 5.9 % from the previous year, according lower the cost of doing business. Chinese more of its foreign reserves into yuan to the data from the China Chamber of businesses have welcomed this action from dollars as the RMB gains greater International Commerce. but its success also depends on how local traction in global trade. About 85% of Mr. Mugano said the global economic companies embrace it,” he said. Nigeria’s reserves are held in US dollars. crisis motivated China’s move to inter- With a new report from the In March last year, the South African nationalise the RMB. Since then, Beijing International Comparison Program, a Reserve Bank signed an agreement with has encouraged the use of its currency World Bank-affiliated global statistical the People’s Bank of China to invest in in international trade, swap arrange- initiative, suggesting that this year China China’s bond market. ments between central banks, bank could depose the US as the world’s largest Mauritius is one of the countries deposits and bond trades. economy, Mr. Wang said many more coun- where a growing demand for the Chinese “It [Beijing] signed several bilateral tries will use the RMB to avoid foreign currency has been reported. And while currency swap agreements, expanded exchange losses when trading with China. the Bank of Zambia has not yet included settlements of cross-border trade trans- Zinanayi Steve Zhao, the deputy actions in RMB and allowed new forms chairman of the newly-launched Chinese of RMB operations in the Hong Kong Federation of Zimbabwe, a lobby group offshore market,” he said. for Chinese companies in Zimbabwe, Total trade Mr. Mugano noted that the main said while the use of the RMB was still between China obstacles to the further internationali- minimal, it would be a convenient trading and Africa reached sation of the Chinese currency included tool for the Chinese. Mr. Zhao told Africa the lack of exchange rate flexibility and Renewal that the RMB was a strong $210.2 billion in limited access to capital markets. This, he currency that is used by many countries 2013 said, would constrain the RMB as a widely in Asia for daily business transactions. used vehicle currency like the US dollar, “China has only recently come into Africa. the RMB in its reserves, it has pledged which plays a unique role in the world The RMB would need time. The more to increase its use for trade settlements of international finance – as the world’s trade there is, the more popular it will be.” with China. During his visit to China reserve currency, which is used to settle In 2012, the deputy governor of the in August last year, Kenyan President most international transactions. People’s Bank of China, Li Dongrong, Uhuru Kenyatta promised to host an “Most global central banks hold told a business forum in Beijing that RMB clearing house. their reserves in US dollars. In addition, China would promote the RMB for As Sino-Africa ties continue to outper- many smaller countries choose either to settlement and investments with Africa form, a number of African central banks peg their currency’s value to that of the as the demand for the currency was are applying to the Chinese Central dollar or forgo having their own currency, increasing at a time when the continent’s Bank for currency swap, which is the choosing to use the dollar instead as is the economy was expanding. exchange of a loan in one currency for case in Zimbabwe. This contributes to the dollar’s status as the world’s most impor- tant currency,” said Mr. Mugano. According to Swift RMB Tracker, the RMB is already being transferred over Swift by more than 1,000 banks in 85 countries. Swift, or Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is a global transfer system used by companies for financial transac- tions. Recent data by Swift shows that the growth in the use of the RMB in traditional trade finance has propelled the RMB to the second most used currency in the market. China’s rapidly increasing trade with Africa provides fertile ground and demand for cross-border RMB settlements. While A customer examining the quality of towels imported from China in a shop in Kampala. its use is still limited, the currency is grad-

Panos/Sven Torfinn ually penetrating the African market.

AfricaRenewal August 2014 15 Peace in South Sudan critical to regional stability Continued fighting worries regional leaders By Raphael Obonyo

espite two ceasefires, thousands of lives lost and over a million D and a half civilians displaced, fighting continues in South Sudan, pitting government troops against opposition forces. The latest ceasefire — the second since violence erupted in December last year — was signed in May between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar. Flagging commitment by the two leaders to resolving their political differ- ences peacefully is putting to the test the ability of mediators to broker an effec- tive ceasefire. But ever since the fighting started, it has become clear that the world’s newest nation was born with many internal institutional weaknesses. If left unaddressed, political analysts say, it could lead to a complete rewrite of the political and economic landscape of the entire region. The spark for the current fighting Soldiers in South Sudan guarding the airport in Juba. Raphael Obonyo can be traced back to July 2013, when President Kiir fired Mr. Machar and his A ceasefire reached in January quickly Resource Forum, is among those who entire cabinet after a protracted power fell apart days later as fighting resumed, dispute the view that the fighting has struggle within the ruling Sudan People’s with each party accusing the other of tribal origins. In an interview with Africa Liberation Movement (SPLM). Upon violating the ceasefire. After months of Renewal, Mr. Omondi said it appeared that his dismissal from the government, Mr. intense peace talks and external pressure, Mr. Machar and his group feel that the Machar announced he would run for the a second ceasefire was signed in May but president is consolidating power around presidency in elections then scheduled it too has been ineffective as violence himself and are therefore determined to for 2015. continues unabated. Political experts stop him. On 15 December 2013, after days say the current conflict is part of a polit- “They want to stop Kiir from of rising tension over political issues, ical tug of war between Mr. Machar and becoming like many African leaders who, various elements of the Presidential President Kiir. The president has accused after independence, forgot the national Guard started fighting in their barracks his former deputy of attempting a coup agenda,” he said. The current fight is not in the capital, Juba. The fighting quickly d’état while Mr. Machar is convinced the new, he continued, especially if one looks spread to the general headquarters of the president is assuming dictatorial powers. at the history of SPLM when in August Sudan’s People Liberation Army (SPLA) While some analysts maintain that 1991 Mr. Machar attempted to overthrow and to other military installations. By the violence is political not tribal, it is of John Garang, the late founder of South 16 December, it had spilled out of the concern that the conflict has been running Sudan’s liberation movement. An esti- barracks into residential areas of the along ethnic lines with the Nuers backing mated 2,000 civilians were killed in the capital, pitting rival supporters and Mr. Machar and the president receiving fighting that ensued. resulting in large-scale killings and his main support from the Dinkas, the The expectation among analysts was human rights abuses. Since then, this largest ethnic group in the country. that the second ceasefire would create picture has been replicated in most parts George Omondi, a research fellow at conditions for the two parties to start of the country. the Kenya-based Africa Research and discussions on a transitional government

16 AfricaRenewal August 2014 of national unity. But those hopes a regional economic group comprising prosperity in the region,” said Ms. Kandie, are now fading in the face of ongoing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania who is also the Kenyan official in charge violence, raising fears of more deaths and Uganda, because an agreement has of East African affairs. and destruction in one of the poorest already been reached to start negotiations Being a political problem, asserts Mr. countries in the world. in October 2014. Omondi, a research fellow in Kenya, the Even as regional leaders strive to But Mr. Omondi disagrees, arguing solution lies in politics. South Sudan needs bring peace, the two sides continue to that even before the current crisis, it was a deal that is not based on power sharing, accuse each other of escalating the war. clear South Sudan had not achieved the he says. The deal should strengthen state Majok Gunadong, South Sudan’s ambas- minimum requirements needed to join institutions that would guarantee transi- sador to Kenya, says his government has the EAC, such as building democratic tional arrangements. But to find a speedy only been fighting a defensive war. He told institutions. Civil society groups in South solution, he suggests that sanctions Africa Renewal that his government was Sudan have asked the EAC not to admit should be imposed. “Sanctions would go “committed to peace and it requires the South Sudan to the regional body until the a long way to bring about a ceasefire. But support of everyone to realize this goal,” country becomes stable and democratic. they need not be imposed by Western adding that South Sudan was engaging the Economic integration in East Africa, countries or the United States. Sanctions rebels only “as a matter of self-defense.” as in other regions of the continent, is still imposed by the countries around South South Sudan’s strategic importance in minimal. The crisis in South Sudan will Sudan would be more effective, since East Africa has added a sense of urgency likely derail its plans with Kenya to build roots are deeper within the region,” Mr. to regional efforts to end the war. There an oil pipeline to Kenya’s Indian Ocean Omondi said. are fears that the war could degenerate port of Lamu. Before the war, South Sudan However, Mr. Omondi admits this is into a regional conflict if left unresolved, was earning an estimated $7 billion a year unlikely to happen. IGAD, he says, insists as evidenced by the presence of Ugandan from oil revenue. Continued fighting will on solidarity among members, fearing troops fighting on the side of the govern- not only delay the pipeline along with that sanctions imposed on friendly coun- ment. Meanwhile, South Sudan’s relations other infrastructure projects, but may tries could spoil regional relations. For with its northern neighbour Sudan have also increase the flow of refugees to South example, if the Kenyan government been less than cordial since Sudan was split Sudan’s neighbours. freezes the assets held by South Sudanese into two. The two ceasefire agreements, Phyllis Kandie, the chair of the EAC leaders in Kenya, it could complicate that brokered by international mediators, Council of Ministers, also expressed country’s crucial role in resolving the including leaders of the Intergovernmental concern that war in South Sudan poses a conflict, a view shared by many experts. Authority on Development (IGAD) and serious challenge to regional integration. Ultimately, the challenge for African supported by the United Nations and the “Stable countries make strong regional countries is to ensure that the youngest African Union, have so far been unable to entities. It is therefore in the best interest country on the continent finds a solution stop the fighting. of the East African Community that to the current crisis and channels its “African countries have a responsi- South Sudan remains stable. The civil war energy towards economic development. bility to take swift and decisive action to in the country could undermine social Raphael Obonyo is an external adviser to solve the crisis in South Sudan,” says Mr. cohesion, political stability and economic UN Habitat’s youth advisory board. Omondi. “However, the world must also realize that South Sudan is not different from African countries that have engaged in the fight against authoritarianism.” South Sudan’s “man-made crisis” has created a humanitarian disaster. “The South Sudanese people are bearing the brunt of the failure to stop the fighting,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement on South Sudan’s national day. “They are living in squalor, their livelihoods have been lost and they are plagued by hunger, disease and insecu- rity.” About 100,000 civilians have sought shelter at UN bases around the country. The conflict has also put at risk the ongoing regional integration efforts and joint infrastructural projects in the region. But according to Mr. Gunadong, the crisis will have only a temporary effect on the admission of South Sudan into the East African Community (EAC), Kenyans being evacuated from South Sudan. Raphael Obonyo

AfricaRenewal August 2014 17 INTERVIEW putting the UN on the high moral ground. But since then, the country has changed. Since the 15 December 2013 attack, the political situation has stabilized. We now have an elected president who is doing her best with limited resources.

The mission will have up to 12,000 uniformed personnel. Why such a big contingent for a country of less than five million people? Usually, people question the size of peacekeeping missions, viewing them as too big. It’s quite the opposite here. Most observers feel that 12,000 forces are not enough. I try to do my best with the resources we have been granted by the Security Council. For the time being, 12,000 is a good figure if we compare with other UN peacekeeping operations. But this country is the size of France with one-third of the population of Paris. If you take into account the current situation, the lack of national forces, notably police and gendarmerie, and all the gaps within Babacar Gaye, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic and the justice system, you will see that this Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic mission will have a lot to do to implement

(MINUSCA). UN Photo/Catianne Tijerina all its mandated tasks. It will therefore be a matter of prioritizing tasks and a matter of innovation. We will have to take some urgent temporary measures to help the Political stability government restore the criminal justice system. Whether we like it or not, we will have to assume some responsibilities remains a challenge on behalf of the government. Therefore, the key to me is not the size of the force, — Babacar Gaye but the mindset of the uniformed peace- keepers and my civilian colleagues who will be working in this mission. n April 2014, the United Nations Security Council authorized the establishment of the I UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic In September, troops here under the (MINUSCA). The mission, led by Babacar Gaye, the special representative of the UN secretary- African Union (AU)’s International general in the country, is mandated to protect civilians and support peace efforts. Damian Support Mission to the Central African Cardona, a UN staffer, recently sat down with Mr. Gaye, a Senegalese national, in the capital Republic (MISCA) will become blue Bangui for an interview for Africa Renewal. Following are the excerpts: helmets. Are all these troops ready to be re-hatted? I would like to highlight the excel- Africa Renewal: What was the main had gone through before my arrival. lent relationship that exists between the challenge you faced when you first Second, it was a country without law and AU and the UN. The AU peace support arrived in Bangui in July 2013? How order. Law and order were then in the concept is to react very quickly to any was the country you encountered a year hands of an informal group called the crisis on the continent, and when the situ- ago? Seleka. Human rights were at that time at ation is suitable to deploy a UN peace Babacar Gaye: When I arrived in Bangui the core of my concerns. I had a political operation, to hand over the mission to in 2013, I was in charge of a political mandate. But since my career had been the UN. This has been designed by the mission in a very different environment. in the military, this was my first political Security Council and is what is going to First, it was an environment with no real assignment. I realized the difference the happen. When you have to intervene, I threats against UN staff, but it faced a lot day I issued my first press communiqué would say, within a short period of time, of pressure from the lootings the country denouncing human rights violations and you immediately do so, without waiting

18 AfricaRenewal August 2014 to have all your capacities ready on the the country. We will provide good offices international community in the Central ground. Most of the time African troops that will start a political process. We African Republic is that we are speaking are faced with gaps in their capacities, are working on taking over from where with one voice as expressed in the coop- but these are often made up by their BINUCA left off. The authorities have just eration between the African Union, the commitment and their understanding of agreed to our concept of operations for UN and the European Union. This is a the regional dynamics. Their motivation a new political process. We also shared welcome achievement because we have is also to avoid a spillover of the crisis to the concept with the other international established mechanisms on the ground their own countries. The UN will there- stakeholders. It is a three-step approach: that allow us to exchange views, coor- fore be very happy to welcome within first, there will be a cessation of hostilities, dinate actions and respond jointly to MINUSCA most of the MISCA contin- followed by disarmament; second, there the challenges facing the international gents with the understanding that they will be consultations that will give all community in handling this complicated will progressively beef up their capacity communities throughout the country the crisis. Our work complements each other. to align them with UN standards, rules opportunity to express themselves; and There is no reason for any change after and procedures. last but not least, there will be assistance the re-hatting of AU peacekeepers. There in laying the foundation for economic is very close coordination between the Which other countries will be part of development and good governance in AU, the UN and the European Union and MINUSCA? Is there a selection crite- this country. We designed this three- bilateral cooperation with countries such rion to accept troop-contributing coun- step approach and shared it with all the as France and the US. Every organization tries? stakeholders for comments. Today, we are has its comparative advantage, and I feel Yes, indeed. The UN has very strict committed to help in its implementation that it is our duty to try and complement criteria. The first is the profile of the using our good offices and expertise and our competencies in order to present a troops. The secretary-general has estab- if possible with financial support, notably common position to other stakeholders. lished a policy — the zero tolerance through labour-intensive activities that policy — not only on sexual exploitation we will offer to former combatants. We What is your dream for the Central and abuse but also on human rights. It are therefore participating actively in African Republic in September 2015, is therefore very important that we have the political process. Other stakeholders one year from now? troops with good profiles that have been consider the UN as important inter- My dream is to see children returning trained for peacekeeping operations. The locutors who will listen to them and to school. My dream is to see Muslims second criterion is that the office of the give voice to the international commu- and Christians, non-Muslims and non- military adviser for UN peace operations nity as they expect and need to resolve Christians preparing to celebrate their has designed a document on standards their differences. national day together. My dream is to see for UN peacekeepers. This document is this country regaining its confidence for distributed to all the member states. We What will be the role of the African the future, to see that its people want to also pay particular attention to the capac- Union and other regional actors when continue existing as a united country, that ities of African contingents. MISCA’s mandate ends? they are in a position to play their part in I think that today, one of the main the development of a stable, prosperous How easy will it be and how important is achievements of the UN and the Central African Republic. it to deploy in all regions of the country? Our plan is to deploy MINUSCA throughout the country, including having offices opened in all localities coun- trywide. The purpose is first to deliver on our mandate to protect the popula- tion. It is also to help the government extend its administration country- wide. We expect to be present in locali- ties such as Berberati, Bouar or Ndélé as part of decentralization. And we also plan to help in attracting donors, designing projects and addressing the root causes of insecurity, which is poverty and underdevelopment.

What will be the role of the UN in the political dialogue that many stake- holders are demanding? Our mandate is to support all the Personnel from UN Mine Action Service destroyed over a ton of ammunition outside Bangui. efforts that are being made to stabilize UN Photo/Catianne Tijerina

AfricaRenewal August 2014 19 Inequality clouds growing economy Angola needs to diversify its oil economy By Nirit Ben-Ari

ngola has one of the world’s Outlook, a report produced jointly by fastest growing economies. Its the African Development Bank, the A economy grew by 5.1% in 2013. Organization for Economic Co-operation As major public infrastructure invest- and Development, UNDP and the UN ments in energy and transport kick in, its Economic Commission for Africa. But growth is projected to reach 7.9% in 2014 as with other oil-producing countries in and 8.8% in 2015. Yet, the United Nations Africa, oil has not proved to be a benefit Development Programme (UNDP) to Angolans. If anything, say analysts, reports that around 36% of Angolans live it has produced few jobs and increased below the poverty line and one in every inequality and allegations of corruption. four persons is unemployed. Angola’s mineral product exports as According to the International a share of total exports are more than Monetary Fund (IMF), Angola is a “post- 95%, according to data from the World conflict country that produces a lot of oil Bank and the Organization of the and faces the challenges of both.” Despite Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). being the fifth largest economy in Africa, Oil production and its supporting activi- Angolans party in the Miami Beach Nightclub in Luanda. Panos/ Robin Hammond ordinary Angolans have seen little change ties contribute about 45% to the nation’s in their standard of living. Only 37.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% to substantially since independence, country’s 21 million people have access to government revenues. With little diversi- particularly since the end of the civil war electricity. While about half of the popula- fication, the Angolan economy has limited in 2002. While conceding that diversifica- tion has access to safe drinking water, this investment and job opportunities, and tion was largely absent from government number falls to 34% in rural areas, says generates growth only for a small group policy until 2011, the CEIC says that other the World Bank. There are few jobs for of elites, economists say. In fact, in terms sectors are now contributing to the GDP, the unemployed, mostly under 25 years, of the composition of its exports, Angola though not substantially. who make up 60% of the population. What is the world’s second most concentrated should Angola do to change the current economy after Iraq, says UNDP. All that glitters situation? Experts say the solution is for The World Bank has identified three In addition to oil, Angola exports Angola to diversify its economy, save and problems facing the Angolan economy: diamonds. It is Africa’s second largest invest for the future — especially in skills high dependence on oil revenue, making source of rough diamonds after Botswana and infrastructure development — and the country vulnerable to oil price vola- and the fourth in the world. The main improve governance. tility; an economic system that is prone to reserves are concentrated in the north- corruption; and the absence of a diversi- eastern region. Diamond production A need for diversification fied job market. The British magazine, generates over $650 million annually, Angola is Africa’s second biggest oil The Economist, reported last April that although exact numbers are uncer- producer after Nigeria. Its oil comes Angola was “still much too oily,” because tain due to illegal diamond mining almost entirely from offshore fields, off oil provides few jobs, especially good jobs, and smuggling. the coast of Cabinda and from deep- and according to the government’s own But the diamond industry is often water fields in the Lower Congo basin, in admission, there has been a “failure to alleged to be involved in human rights addition to small-scale production from develop the non-oil economy.” In fact, the abuses, such as forced overtime without onshore fields. Last year, according to the oil industry employs just 1% of Angolan adequate compensation and creating envi- US Energy Information Administration, workers, which is a factor in the 26% ronmental degradation through mining an agency that provides statistics and unemployment rate. activities. Rafael Marques de Morais, an analyses on energy, Angola produced The Center for Scientific Studies Angolan journalist, human rights activist 1.85 million barrels of petroleum per day, and Research (CEIC) at the Catholic and anti-corruption campaigner, recently and oil revenues could top $60 billion University of Angola, by contrast, sees filed a criminal complaint against two this year, notes the African Economic the oil-dominated economy expanding diamond mining companies and their

20 AfricaRenewal August 2014 the rice and just 5% of the wheat needed visas to Chinese workers, reports for local consumption. Higher govern- the bimonthly global affairs journal, ment spending on agriculture could World Affairs. For example, the China change that and make Angola self-suffi- International Trust and Investment cient, suggests the Food and Agriculture Corporation employed 12,000 Chinese Organization, the UN body that mobi- workers and only a handful of Angolans lizes efforts to eradicate hunger and during the peak of the Kilamba Kiaxo poverty. However, overall, Angola’s agri- social housing development project in cultural sector is growing impressively. Luanda. In addition, the journal states The Comprehensive African Agriculture that while the majority of Chinese in Development Programme (CAADP), an Angola work in the construction sector, initiative of the African Union, reported thousands later branch out into real in 2011 that the sector grew at more than estate, retail, street hawking, etc. 25%, surpassing the 6% target set for African countries. That growth rate made Future prospects Angola’s agriculture the fastest growing In 2013 the Angolan economy weakened on the continent, followed by Namibia’s at because of lower-than-expected oil 15% growth rate. spending and mismanagement of the public debt. But the AEO report predicts More expatriate workers that with increasing diversification, the Angola has also become a magnet to non-oil sector could expand by 9.7% and economic refugees from China and the oil sector by 4.5% in 2014. Portugal. “Definitely more Portuguese Worried about the uneasiness among people are coming here in recent years, its population over growing inequality not only because of the bad financial situ- amid rapidly rising economic growth, ation in Europe but because Angola is the government is now taking steps to one of the fastest-growing economies improve the lives of its citizens. There Angolans party in the Miami Beach Nightclub in Luanda. Panos/ Robin Hammond in the world,” observes Luis Ribeiro, a are ongoing investments in electricity, Portuguese national who runs a pizzeria water and transport. As part of the directors, including top military officers. in Luanda. infrastructure-for-oil trade agreement In response, authorities labelled him They are joining an influx that between China and Angola, rail infra- an “official suspect” and officials from includes Chinese, Brazilian and, to a structure is expanding. To create more some mining companies have accused lesser extent, British investors. “We’ve jobs, the government has introduced a him of defamation. Isabel dos Santos, the always been one of the biggest commu- new foreign exchange currency law for the billionaire daughter of the Angolan presi- nities, but we’re slowly being surpassed oil industry and reformed the regulations dent, is said to be one of the main benefi- by the Chinese,” Mr. Ribeiro, told The governing the mining sector. Introduced ciaries of the diamond trade in Angola, Guardian, a British daily. “The Chinese in November 2012, the law also cuts according to an article this year in Forbes are very resilient people and are prepared business taxes from 35% to 25%, which business magazine. to do the donkey work that Portuguese in return has led to significant invest- and Angolans are not.” ments by companies including diamond Agriculture is a lifeline Portuguese engineers, for example, producers De Beers and Sumitomo Corp. Besides oil, other contributors to GDP may make €900 per month in Portugal, Both companies are currently devel- include non-oil energy, agriculture, but they make four times more in Angola, oping an ammonia and urea plant. This fisheries, manufacturing and construc- reported the British Broadcasting year, Angola’s central bank plans to tion sectors. Angola has high quality soil Corporation (BBC). As a consequence de-dollarize the foreign exchange market and good water supplies, which poten- of this reverse population flow, Luanda, to limit the use of foreign currency tially could make commercial farming Angola’s capital, “has overtaken Tokyo in local transactions. In the past, most a valuable industry, according to the as the world’s most expensive city to oil receipts were conducted offshore; African Development Bank (AfDB). live in for expatriates,” according to the the new laws require transactions to Currently, agriculture accounts for only American news channel, CNN. be handled onshore. 11% of GDP but 70% of total employment. Chinese investors are heavily involved But Angola needs more sound policies In 2013, farm output grew by 8.6%, in Angola’s large-scale public works such to attract investors to all sectors, not just mostly through strong growth in cereal as roads, rails and other infrastruc- diamonds and oil, experts say. Currently, production, notes the African Economic ture. But critics say these investors do the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” Outlook. The National Cereals Institute not create sufficient jobs because they report ranks Angola 179 out of 189 coun- of Angola says that the country requires bring most of their workers from China. tries. This low ranking has to change for 4.5 million tonnes of grain a year but In 2008 alone, the Angolan consu- the economy to live up to the expectations only grows about 55% of the corn, 20% of late in China issued more than 40,000 of its 21 million people.

AfricaRenewal August 2014 21 A woman harvests high iron beans in Northern Province, Rwanda. HarvestPlus/Angoor Studios Biofortification offers hope for Africa’s malnourished Raising the nutritional value of crops By Busani Bafana

any people who live in Lira district in a lack of essential micronutrients such as iodine, northern Uganda consider Perpetua Okao iron, zinc and vitamin A in diets—a threat to millions M a farmer and a life saver—and it is easy to of African lives. know why. Her neighbour’s son was malnourished and often sickly. But after feeding him a diet of Uganda’s example vitamin A-rich orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, the Biofortification can mitigate the effects of vitamin boy’s health improved dramatically in just a few A deficiency (VAD) in people, reports HarvestPlus, a 126,000 days. Ms. Okao is among some 126,000 Ugandan research centre committed to fighting global hunger. The number farmers growing the orange-fleshed sweet potato, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates of Ugandan a new variety of potatoes enriched with vitamin A provides financial support to HarvestPlus. The through biofortification. organization further notes that VAD is a serious farmers Biofortification is a process by which crops are health problem in more than 90 countries but more growing bred in a way that increases their nutritional value. acutely in Africa and Asia. The deficiency causes orange-fleshed The idea behind biofortification is to breed nutri- preventable blindness in children and increases the sweet potatoes tious plants, a process which experts consider much risk of disease and death from severe infections. It cheaper than adding micronutrients to already also causes night blindness in women and increases processed foods. It is a smart method to fight the risk of maternal mortality. malnutrition, say agriculturists and nutritionists. In Africa, HarvestPlus estimates that 42% of The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a children under the age of five and women between 15 UN food agency, considers malnutrition—caused by and 49 years of age suffer from VAD. Uganda, which

22 AfricaRenewal August 2014 is severely affected, is now extensively earning more income selling the surplus. iron-fortified beans for its food support producing the orange-fleshed sweet potato Martha Birungi, a farmer in Rwanda’s programmes, according to Ken Davies, variety rich in beta-carotene, an organic eastern district, is currently growing WFP’s global coordinator. compound that converts to vitamin A in nutritious and high-yield iron-rich beans “The potential for introducing micro- the human body. and earning higher income than before. nutrient and biofortified foods into the In 2012, HarvestPlus and the US “The new varieties of beans are big WFP’s food basket is immense because Agency for International Development in size and when you cook them they smallholder farmers in many countries (USAID) launched a “Feed the Future” expand and are very delicious. They have are challenged by micronutrient deficien- programme and introduced the new higher iron content when compared to the cies,” notes Mr. Davies, who added that sweet potato variety. Ms. Okao, along indigenous ones we were used to,” says there was still a long way to go in the fight with the Ugandan government, USAID Birungi. She added that the enriched-iron against malnutrition. and HarvestPlus, provided enriched beans provide more than three tonnes sweet potato plants to breed with the per hectare compared to less than a tonne Accepted reality local white or yellow variety to more than from indigenous bean varieties. Jeff Waage, a technical advisor at the 10,000 farming households. The results Global Panel on Agriculture and Food so far indicate that 60% of the house- Scaling up efforts Systems, an expert group tackling chal- holds replaced a third of the traditional HarvestPlus and partners plan to develop lenges in food and nutrition security, sweet potato varieties. Thanks to the new more varieties of crops that will provide says that the benefits of biofortification sweet potato variety, vitamin A levels adequate vitamin A, zinc or iron to more in crops are obvious. What remains is have increased among Ugandan children, than two billion people worldwide. “We’re unlocking the potential for biofortifi- making them visibly healthier than just beginning to scratch the surface...We cation to engender better agriculture before, according to HarvestPlus. want to increase access to these nutri- and food policies that promote nutri- tious crops as quickly as possible,” says tion. World Bank vice president Rachel Africa confronts the challenge Howarth Bouis, director of HarvestPlus, Kyte concurs and highlights the bank’s But malnutrition is not just a Ugandan adding: “I think we have had unequiv- commitment to boosting production of problem; it is widespread in Africa, says ocal success in Africa with the orange biofortified crops. Biofortification, Ms. the FAO. The agency estimates that 30% Kyte says, provides a pathway to nutri- of Africa’s children are malnourished tional security for Africa’s food system. and stunted, have reduced learning and She says that scientific research on the earning potential and are vulnerable to 30% possibilities of biofortification is no longer infections and early death. up for debate; it is an accepted reality. The quest for more nutritious foods of African children are Concerned about malnutrition rates for Africans was the subject of a three-day malnourished and stunted in the region, African policy makers and conference on biofortification last April foreign partners are beginning to appre- in Kigali, Rwanda. At that conference, ciate the value of the science behind more than 275 top government, business fleshed sweet potato.” Yassir Islam, the biofortification, says Robin Buruchara, and civil society leaders discussed ways organization’s spokesperson, told Africa the regional director for Africa at the to start a continent-wide adoption Renewal in an interview that they have International Centre for Tropical of biofortification. scaled up their interventions in about Agriculture, which works with 30 coun- Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s agri- 15 African countries, including in the tries in East and Southern Africa. “We culture minister, wants his country to Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), are flipping the conversation from: ‘is it become Africa’s lead producer of biofor- Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda possible, can we do it, is it safe, do we get tified foods. Under its agriculture-for- and Zambia with most of the work carried greater yield? to ‘how do we get this into health programme, Africa’s most populous out by the International Potato Centre, a the bowl and hands of children across the country wants to develop vitamin Peru-based research centre. continent in Africa.’” A-enriched cassava varieties to address Mr. Islam says that Rwanda was the With increasing foreign direct invest- micronutrient malnutrition. Nigeria first target country because beans are ment flows in Africa and a growing gross has incorporated pro-vitamin A cassava one of its most important staple foods. domestic product driven in part by a mining and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in its HarvestPlus moved on to Uganda and the boom and agricultural growth, filling Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, eastern DRC, even as they plan further empty stomachs in Africa is urgent, experts whose goal is to reach 2.5 million farming interventions in more African countries. say. Biofortification is an area in which households. The World Food Programme (WFP), a Africa is taking the lead. “This [biofortifi- Like Nigeria, Zambia has introduced UN food relief agency, has noticed the cation] is one of the greatest innovations in pro-vitamin A cassava and maize. In success stories in the malnutrition fight in the world and it is being driven by Africans Rwanda, about half a million farmers are Uganda, the DRC and Rwanda. The WFP from Africa and it will be Africa in the fore- growing new varieties of beans rich in now buys more than one billion dollars front,” Ms. Kyte told Africa Renewal. “This iron. Farmers using these varieties are worth of food each year from developing is not Africa following the rest of the world, harvesting more yields per hectare and countries, and currently has 77 tonnes of this is Africa saying we are going first.”

AfricaRenewal August 2014 23 INTERVIEW Africa’s economy set for dramatic changes

ollowing the launch of the 2014 Economic Report on Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, Carlos Lopes, F the executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, attended the New York launch of the same report. The report addresses two essential questions: what are the right policies for industrialization and what role can the private and public sectors play? In an exclu- sive interview with Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor, Mr. Lopes explored these issues. These are excerpts from the interview.

— Carlos Lopes

Africa Renewal: Give us a snapshot of technologically speaking, make the case the current state of the African economy for a green, clean industrialization. The Carlos Lopes: The current status of the third is that Africa’s entry tickets are African economy is good but it’s volatile its commodities. particularly in the oil and gas sector, which as you know accounts for a lot of Africa’s This year’s Economic Report on Africa Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Africa Section / Bo Li combined gross domestic product. We emphasizes “pockets of efficiency.” predict a 6% growth this year. We should What does that mean? reduction policies as the only entry points not bank too much on the stability in the These are segments of the global to dealing with agriculture. Of course, I energy export front because the shale gas value chain created because they have am for food security. But I do have diffi- revolution in the US is going to change the the best contextual environment to culties understanding how we can pour rules of the game on energy, particularly thrive, for instance, textiles in Ethiopia about $1 billion into agriculture every oil and gas. The US is not going to need to and ICT [information and communica- year from development aid alone without import energy in the near future. tions technology] in Kenya. I will give you any results. Because we still have the the example of Morocco, which identified same yield per hectare today that we had Which means oil and gas producing the aeronautic industry as a segment they 20 years ago. countries should be worried? could enter. They needed to adjust the Yes, worried about the US market school curriculum to respond to it; they What’s the problem? continuing to be one of their destinations. needed to make sure that the right condi- The problem is that we are doing tions—from taxation, investment incen- poverty reduction. We are not doing How exactly will the US energy market tives, to regulatory frameworks—were all economic activity. be a game changer? lined up. Now they have 5,000 jobs in In about five years they will not import that sector. How do we reverse that? oil and gas. The US is poised to become a The most important thing is to make net exporter of energy. In five years, either A World Bank report last year forecast the case for agribusiness. That’s where you have an alternative market or you may that Africa’s agribusiness could be we are going to create modern jobs. The be marginalized in terms of US demand. worth $1 trillion by 2030. How do you young people don’t want to be farmers respond to those who say that this sector anymore but they will be interested in What about increasing consumption in doesn’t attract huge investments? modern jobs related to agriculture. It’s Africa? A rising middle class should lead The first thing I would like to say appalling that in Côte d’Ivoire, only 15% to more demand for energy. about agriculture is that we have done a of consumed yoghurt is produced locally! That’s my entire point, that Africa’s very poor job until now. There is a disin- industrialization centres around three centive policy that is an impediment Isn’t it a problem that the prices for big characteristics and one of them is to higher productivity in agriculture. some of Africa’s commodities are deter- internal markets. The second is the fact This is particularly true if we continue mined from abroad? that we have renewable energy poten- to practise, from the development aid What I am talking about here is tials. Also, our leapfrogging capabilities, perspective, food security and poverty slightly different, namely agro-business

24 AfricaRenewal August 2014 Zambia, in their first year of operation, case of Nigeria, fuel subsidies are hurting about 80% of their supermarket products the poor and protecting a chain of corrup- were imported from South Africa. Five tion that has not been favourable to years later, they had worked deals with productivity and to economic activity. On [Zambian] small-scale entrepreneurs to the other hand, if we were talking about produce locally at certain standards. Nigeria with 16 refineries and producing the full gamut of oil-related products – Between 1970 and 2008, about $800 from fertilizers to plastics – and then put billion vanished from Africa due to in place legislation to protect that nascent illicit financial flows. Mo Ibrahim industry so it can consolidate its position [Sudanese philanthropist] said last year in the market, subsidies would have been that Africa could be losing up to $40 a good thing. billion annually due to tax evasion. Isn’t there a credibility problem with Africa’s The Nigerian government hasn’t been private sector? able to calibrate the economic implica- Studies reveal that our private sector tions of a fuel subsidy with the political is extremely lazy in moving into manufac- consequences of its removal because the turing and industrial sectors. It correlates subsidy is popular with the people. with the laziness of the banks to lend to If people don’t trust you to remove this sector. Normally, they do business the subsidy so that they get better educa- in the service area where they respond to tion, hospitals, roads, airports and so on, it internal demand; you can evade taxes and is normal that they are not convinced. The be informal more easily than if you had government must build trust and sometimes a factory because everybody can see the it has to do so in a way that is not abrupt. factory. So we don’t have to be distracted by the preferences of the private sector The Kenyan economy has slowed down

Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Africa Section / Bo Li because they are responding to incen- lately. It grew at 4.5% in 2010 and 3.3% tives. We should rather create the policy in 2011. What can Kenya do to shore up opportunities for African markets. Yes, and regulatory incentives that will move its economy? agricultural subsidies in the West affect our them into industrialization. I am very hopeful for Kenya. There is a soft commodities’ trade. But we still have certain quality of urban, innovative youth the opportunities to do very well in agri- The World Bank has criticized Nigeria interaction that you see in Nairobi. That culture with production that is oriented for banning the importation of certain is why their ICT industry is surprising us towards African markets, not for export. goods. What’s your take on that? all the time with new products. As much The World Bank is within its mandate as we are all very excited about the expe- Is there enough demand internally to to promote liberalization on all fronts. riences of Ethiopia and Rwanda because attract farmers and investors to agri- But all countries that have industrialized of the consistency of state engagement in business? started with degrees of protectionism. policy, I think in the long run Kenya has A study done in Nigeria recently by We cannot practice crude protectionism a better combination of factors even with Aliko Dangote [Nigerian billionaire anymore; we are engaged in the global some lack of coordination now. I think Kenya is going through a low phase that is very temporary. The problem is that we are doing poverty How temporary? reduction. We are not doing economic I think a number of factors are going activity. to propel Kenya. The first is when they fix their energy problem, and that is on the way. The second, there are logistical businessman] found that about 80% of debate including trade negotiations. But if investments taking place that will make tomato paste was being imported from we have to make the rules work for Africa, Kenya the hub for East Africa—airports, abroad. We are importing tomato paste that basically means smart protectionism. seaports, roads, rails. I would say in about from as far away as China! This doesn’t three to four years’ time, Kenya will have make any sense. There’s demand that Is there not an argument that without a strong comeback. The third element already exists and it’s going to grow. liberalization, there will be no compe- is that this is a very fresh new govern- There is a good case: one of South Africa’s tition and prices of products will ment that came into power on the heels largest supermarket chains, Shoprite, is shoot up? of a number of challenges internationally, expanding very aggressively in the rest There are subsidies and protection including the Somalia insurgency and the of the continent. And when they went to rules that are counterproductive. In the ICC [International Criminal Court].

AfricaRenewal August 2014 25 Africa to push development agenda at upcoming climate summit Leaders will draw up an action plan

By Dan Shepard change in Africa,” says Fatima Denton, Coordinator of the African Climate Policy Centre at the Ethiopia-based UN Economic Commission for Africa. “We are all intimately aware of the water deficits and floods,” she said, adding that the summit would be about opportunities, not just vulnerabilities. “We need to turn the problem of climate change on its head” and take advantage of opportunities for Africa to lead, such as on deforestation, technology transfer, and carbon seques- tration, which is a process under which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmos- phere and stored in a reservoir. “The ‘Africa Rising’ narrative will be a short-lived one unless we address climate change.”

A wind turbine farm in Tunisia. World Bank / Dana Smillie Abraham Tekeste, the state minister for finance and economic development here is no country in the world that The summit will be held a year ahead of Ethiopia, said his country’s economic has been unaffected by climate of the 2015 summit at which nations are transformation efforts “were embedded T change, and no continent in the expected to conclude a global agreement in commitments to reduce its carbon world has been more affected than Africa on climate change. footprint through a ‘climate resilient – and that state of affairs appears unlikely Attention to the issue at the highest green economy’ strategy.” He said that to change anytime soon. levels has waned since the world failed Ethiopia was working to contribute to If global emissions continue on their to reach a universal agreement in global efforts to mitigate climate change present path, according to the latest Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. by harnessing sources of renewable report by the Intergovernmental Panel For the September summit, Mr. Ban energy. He expressed confidence that the on Climate Change, Africa will heat up has called on leaders from government, September summit would send a strong even faster than the global land average, business, finance and civil society to message that could mobilize support to and the temperature on the continent will announce bold actions and initiatives that expedite climate negotiations. rise by more than 2°C well before the end will make a difference in either reducing But there is also a desire for the summit of the 21st century. Rainfall patterns will emissions or building resilience to climate to deliver more than a message. According continue to change and climate change change. The summit will not be a negotia- to the spokesperson for the African Group is expected to place even more stress tion forum nor will the discussions be part in the UNFCCC negotiations, Seyni Nafo on places that are experiencing water of the negotiations of the United Nations of Mali, the summit will provide coun- scarcity now. Framework Convention on Climate tries with the opportunity to suggest their “We are all aware of the latest findings Change (UNFCCC), a global environ- plans of action. “It’s a positive agenda. It of the Intergovernmental Panel on mental treaty. Rather, the outcome will will bring very concrete initiatives, not Climate Change,” said UN Secretary- be a host of action plans to be announced just statements but ambitious initiatives. General Ban Ki-moon at the June summit at the end of the one-day summit. It’s very helpful.” of the African Union in Malabo, Equatorial While African countries have long But attendance of world leaders was Guinea. “To meet the full scale of the maintained that they are victims of essential, he said. “It sends a strong climate challenge and seize the opportu- a problem that is not of their making, signal for next year. If key players come nities, we need an international frame- African negotiators and leaders have to New York, there could be a strong work that will support accelerated action emphasized that they also view climate and ambitious outcome. It would be by all nations and all sectors,” said Mr. change as an opportunity to advance their a good sign for us. Good attendance Ban, who will host a summit on climate development agendas. “You don’t have to change in September in New York. go to school to see the impact of climate see page 29

26 AfricaRenewal August 2014 in remittances. For example, over the Opinion past years, Ethiopia has issued two infra- structure bonds to the diaspora: for the Ethiopian Electricity Company and for the Financing infrastructure Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The dam, which will be the largest hydroelec- By Abdoul Salam Bello tric power plant in Africa, will have the capacity to generate 6,000 megawatts of or nearly a decade, Africa has from the private sector. electricity when completed. reported an impressive economic Chinese companies have shown Africa is also pursuing further inno- F growth rate averaging 5% per year. strong interest in investing in infrastruc- vative institutional finance projects. The To sustain this growth, the continent will ture projects in Africa as evidenced by a AfDB has launched the $3 billion Africa50 need to significantly increase investment 2013 study titled, “Africa Gearing Up,” by Fund dedicated to infrastructure finance, in infrastructure. PricewaterhouseCoopers, a global finance while the World Bank is developing a new High on the list, African leaders say, company. China recently signed a $5 billion investment platform called the Global are joint cross-border projects, particu- investment agreement with Kenya to Infrastructure Facility. larly in a region with 16 landlocked and construct a 952 km railway connecting the often struggling economies. Joint regional East African port city of Mombasa to the The Dakar Agenda for Action projects can also benefit from the econo- Ugandan border. The rail line is expected Despite these initiatives, the money mies of scale arising from well-managed to be extended to Rwanda, Uganda and for infrastructure investment in Africa trade corridors. Tanzania by 2018. is still insufficient. Recognizing that An example of one such cross-border public funding alone will not be enough, project is the Trans-Saharan highway Domestic resources for policy makers want the private sector to that connects the Algerian capital Algiers infrastructure finance provide additional finance for infrastruc- to Lagos in Nigeria. Once completed, the In recent years, several African countries ture development. The deficit in private 4,500 km highway will facilitate trade and have employed different strategies for funding is often attributed to a lack of social exchanges between North African raising capital to finance infrastructure, awareness among investors, particularly countries and sub-Saharan Africa, thus including issuing bonds. According to those who are able and willing to take long- overcoming the geographic barrier of Moody’s, a US credit rating agency, Gabon, term investment risks associated with the Sahara Desert. Another project is the Senegal and Zambia, among others, raised huge and complex projects. Strong legal $25 billion infrastructure development nearly $8.1 billion in bonds in 2012. Kenya and institutional frameworks are there- programme launched last year by Kenya, is now investing $25 billion in bonds to fore needed to protect private investors. Ethiopia and South Sudan, which includes build a second port at Lamu, a crude oil To address these issues, African the construction of a highway linking the pipeline and roads that will open opportu- leaders and their private sector counter- three countries. nities for exports in Eastern Africa. parts met in June in Dakar, Senegal, to Remittances are another significant agree on how to finance 16 regional infra- Strategic partners source of funding from Africans in the structure projects considered as priori- In June 2013, US President Barack diaspora. They totalled nearly $40 billion ties for the continent. They adopted the Obama announced a five-year $7 billion in 2012, compared to $28.9 billion in Dakar Agenda for Action to promote Power Africa initiative which aims to official development assistance during the public-private partnerships that will provide access to electricity to about 50 same period. It is estimated that Africa mobilize finance for infrastructure devel- million people in Africa in both rural and could receive billions of dollars every year opment. They also agreed to provide the urban areas. As envisioned, the initia- funding required during the preparatory tive would generate 20,000 megawatts phase of projects, enact laws designed of energy capacity in sub-Saharan Africa to attract private investments to cross- by 2020. The initial phase will focus on border projects and harmonise regional Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria rules and regulations. The summit tasked and Tanzania, which have already imple- the AfDB, under the supervision of the mented ambitious energy production New Partnership for Africa’s Development targets. President Obama’s initiative (NEPAD), the African Union’s develop- has already attracted interest from the ment arm, to carry out feasibility studies African Development Bank (AfDB) and and preparatory work on the 16 infrastruc- private corporations in Africa. One such ture projects. company is Heirs Holdings, an investment The hope is that the action plan will firm run by Nigerian businessman Tony open a new era of innovation and develop- Elumelu, who intends to contribute $2.5 ment of Africa’s infrastructure. billion to the Power Africa initiative as Thermal power station in Takoradi, Ghana. Abdoul Salam Bello is the senior coordi-

part of the $9 billion expected to come World Bank / Dana Smillie nator at NEPAD.

AfricaRenewal August 2014 27 “cocoyam and plantains could become the nutritious crops of the world tomorrow.” The 250 plant breeders will use new equipment and techniques to “genetically sequence, assemble and annotate the genomes” of the hundred African crops, explains Margaret Kroma, an assistant director general at the World Agroforestry Center. It’s about getting the DNA of crops, Allen Van Deynze of the University of California Seed Biotechnology Center told Africa Renewal in an interview. He maintains that if breeders understand the DNA of crops, farmers could even get information on crops with strong resist- ance to climate change, in addition to being able to select those with higher nutritional content and yields. Throwing his weight behind the academy, Ibrahim Mayaki, the head of the NEPAD, says, “Malnutrition is a direct product of food insecurity. A large number of Africans suffer deficiencies of micronutrients such as minerals, iron and vitamin A, with devastating effect on the Guests view publications at the opening of the African Plant Breeding Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. population.” According to the Food and

ICRAF/Thellesi Media Agriculture Organization (FAO), malnu- trition is responsible for more than half of child deaths in developing countries. Mr. Deynze likened this initiative Plant breeders to boost to using a smart cell phone instead of an analogue landline phone. African breeders will “take advantage of the latest Africa’s indigenous crops technologies to rapidly advance devel- opment of crops that are important to By Geoffrey Kamadi African diets and health,” he says, adding that farmers easily double their yields wo hundred and fifty plant breeders Under the umbrella of the African when they plant the right seeds. from different African countries Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), One of the first crops to be examined T are currently at the newly opened the University of California is collabo- is the baobab. The fruit can be made African Plant Breeding Academy in rating with the African Union through into a powder for consumer products. Nairobi, Kenya, to examine the nutritional the New Partnership for Africa’s Agricultural scientists refer to the baobab and productivity levels of about a hundred Development (NEPAD), the International as a “wonder tree” because it has 10 African crops. Upon completion of the Livestock Research Institute, the World times the antioxidants of oranges, twice project, which is set to last five years, these Agroforestry Center and others to imple- the calcium of spinach, three times the breeders will be able to advise smallholder ment this high-tech initiative. vitamin C of oranges and four times the farmers in their respective countries on The consortium launched the plant- potassium of bananas. the crops with high yields and nutrition. breeding academy, the first of its kind in This is an example of the kind of Crop yields and nutrition are boosted Africa, last December. Ngozi Abu, one of information the 250 plant breeders at when farmers cultivate the right crops, the trainees and also a senior lecturer the African Plant Breeding Academy says Howard-Yana Shapiro, an assistant in the Department of Plant Science and will gain about crops and plants. It’s a professor at the College of Agriculture Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria, development that gives Mr. Deynze and Environmental Sciences at the emphasizes that African researchers hope for Africa’s agricultural progress. University of California–Davis, US, which should take the lead in research on African If there could just be better coordina- is involved in this project. “What we are crops. Only African scientists or those tion of the many different agricultural trying to do is [help] correct the lack of working in Africa know the desires of projects on the continent, Mr. Deynze said nutritional content in many indigenous African farmers and consumers, she says. that “Africa’s agricultural future could African food crops.” Ms. Abu believes that African crops such as be very exciting.”

28 AfricaRenewal August 2014 Africa to push development mechanism that facilitates the transfer of efficiency, agriculture, cities, forests, from page 26 money from donors to poor countries to cities, transport, pollutants and finance. help them mitigate the effects of climate Some of these initiatives would directly change. Mr. Nafo said a number of coun- impact African development efforts, such could make a difference.” Many African tries had indicated that they viewed the as an initiative to build a clean energy leaders are expected to attend, led by summit as the place for leaders to make corridor in East Africa. Mr. Nafo said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, pledges. “This is a major expectation for there was particular interest in initiatives the coordinator of the African position us,” he said. on energy access and poverty through the on climate change. According to Mr. Nafo, a number of Sustainable Energy for All programme. African countries are looking to initiatives identified at the preparatory The key, he said, was to see how the part- the summit to help raise the profile of meeting in the United Arab Emirates nerships will be implemented and what climate change at the highest level, Safo capital of Abu Dhabi in May could also they will achieve. said. “It has to put climate change on the address the finance gap before 2020, Still, Mr. Nafo said, there is a long international agenda with a capital ‘A’”. when the new agreement goes into effect. way yet to go. “We need a sustained Not since Copenhagen, he said, have The initiatives, he said, helped broaden effort. We can’t just have a one-off leaders come together to address the issue. action by including all interested parties, event,” adding that it may pay to have “The summit puts climate change back including business and finance. “The only periodic climate change summits. on the table.” way to meet the challenge is through a “Climate change is so important for devel- Africa will also be listening for indica- broad coalition.” opment that there is a need for leaders to tions of a willingness to help capitalize The initiatives cover a range of areas engage with all stakeholders every two the Green Climate Fund, a UNFCCC that include renewable energy, energy years or so.”

lack of resources for monitoring may make efforts to curb IUU activities Africa’s blue revolution difficult, experts say. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the FAO are collabo- in turbulent waters rating to ensure that new agreements are robustly enforced. The report cites By Pavithra Rao Iceland as an example of a country that efficiently protects its coasts and monitors frica loses billions of dollars illegal fishing in Africa. “In Sierra Leone, its aquaculture and also as an example each year to illegal, unreported 252 incidences of illegal fishing by 10 of how African countries can strengthen A and unregulated (IUU) fishing, industrial vessels were reported over policies and begin a blue revolution. according to a 2014 report by the Africa an 18-month period up to July 2012. In Progress Panel, an advocacy group on Liberia, over 40 vessels have been inves- sustainable development in Africa led tigated for illegal fishing since 2011,” says By the numbers by Kofi Annan, a former United Nations the report. secretary-general. Titled Grain, Fish, Africa must pay attention to fishery Money: Financing Africa’s Green and agreements, the report advises. Poorly $1.3bn Blue Revolutions, the report states that crafted contracts provide huge benefits to The amount that comes from West Africa’s mismanagement and neglect of foreign companies while at the same time Africa out of the $23 billion that fishing the fishery sector result in huge financial African countries do not have the capacity companies in the US make losses. Of the $23 billion that the fishing to monitor large-scale fishing. companies in the US make each year, $1.3 International mandates such as the billion comes from West Africa, it states. FAO-sponsored International Plan of 252 The IUU fishing activities could harm Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate The number of incidents of illegal Africa’s hope for a blue revolution, an Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing in Africa over an 18-month idea to increase the population of fish in Fishing and the UN Convention on the period up to July 2012 water bodies on the continent, according Law of the Sea could help rein in IUU to the Food and Agriculture Organization activities. Just by reducing IUU in (FAO), a UN body on food security. coastal fisheries, Africa could regain 40 A number of foreign fleets particu- up to half of its aquaculture, which The number of vessels investigated for larly from the European Union coun- could enhance food security, create illegal fishing in Africa since 2011 tries, Russia, China, the Philippines, jobs and expand the economy. But South Korea and Taiwan and engaged in loopholes in the mandates and a

AfricaRenewal August 2014 29 AFRICA WIRED

Staying connected connected at a relatively low The BRCK has also been cost. Ushahidi is optimistic stress-tested successfully anytime, anywhere about the device’s potential to in rural Kenya and during help small business owners in the Rhino Charge, an annual By Ying M. Zhao-Hiemann Kenya and other parts of Africa. off-road motorsport competi- “Out of adversity can come tion. Launched last July in innovation,” said Juliana Rotich, Nairobi, each BRCK sells for Ushahidi’s executive director, $199. Africa’s ongoing informa- at a presentation at the TED tion and communication tech- Global Conference in Scotland nology transformation makes last year. the BRCK a potentially Ms. Rotich emphasized the popular device. importance of connectivity and Ushahidi (meaning “testi- entrepreneurship for Africa’s mony” or “witness” in Swahili) digital economy, and highlighted was founded in 2008 as a the BRCK’s role in keeping website to map reports of Africans connected. Last July, violence in Kenya in the after- BRCK’s creators were invited by math of the disputed 2007 eLimu, a Kenyan tech company, presidential election. Since to consider starting a project in then, the company has evolved e-learning to schools in into a leader of the technology remote locations. community in East Africa.

Cameroonian wins The BRCK being field-tested. Ushahidi prestigious award shahidi, a not-for-profit panel. When the electricity Utechnology company goes off, BRCK automati- By Pavithra Rao based in Kenya, has cally switches to battery invented a cloud-managed, mode, which can then last for rthur Zang, a young the Cardiopad particularly portable Wi-Fi router that eight hours. Aentrepreneur from remarkable is that it can be consists of a mobile modem, The BRCK is expected to Cameroon, is among this used even in rural locations which can also be used as a alleviate problems that African year’s winners of the prestig- because it has a long battery backup power generator for the Internet users face daily such ious Rolex Awards for Enterprise life and can send test results to Internet during electricity black- as high communication costs for inventing what is perhaps specialists using cell phones. outs or in situations of limited and unreliable electricity. In Africa’s first medical tablet. The The Cardiopad sells for $2,000, network coverage. Called BRCK addition, currently available awards are given every year by which is significantly less than (pronounced as “brick”), experts modems in Africa don’t meet the Royal Society of London, one conventional electrocardio- are already recognizing it as an local needs. They are designed of the oldest academic associa- graphs. ingenious solution to Africa’s primarily for use in more devel- tions in the United Kingdom. In addition to Mr. Zang, four intractable power problems. oped regions, particularly the The medical device allows other young entrepreneurs from The BRCK is rugged and West and Asia, where there is health-care workers to send Rwanda, India, Italy and Saudi water-proof and compatible mostly uninterrupted access to cardiac test results to heart Arabia also won awards. First with any device that requires electricity and Internet. specialists via mobile phones. established in 1976, the annual between 3 and 17 volts power The BRCK can switch Mr. Zang’s device, called the awards are given to promising supply. It weighs 510g and it’s between Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Cardiopad, is a digital medical individuals under the age of about the size of a Mac Mini. mobile broadband connections, touchscreen tablet that performs 30 for their achievements in Ideal for use in particularly rural and deliver connectivity for up electrocardiogram (ECG) tests addressing problems that can areas, it can be charged on to 20 devices at the same time to determine the heart’s activity help protect the planet. Each readily available power sources through multiple sim cards, as well as diagnose life-threat- laureate will receive a cash such as a car battery or a solar thereby allowing users to stay ening ailments. What makes award of about $56,000.

30 AfricaRenewal August 2014 AFRICA BOOKS BOOK REVIEW Blood Diamonds: Tracing the Deadly Path of the World’s Most After Freedom: The Rise of the Post-Apartheid Precious Stones Generation in Democratic South Africa by by Greg Campbell Katherine S. Newman and Ariane De Lannoy Basic Books, New York, NY, USA, 2002; 280 pp; (Beacon Press, Boston, USA, 2014; 296pp; hb pb $16.99 $35) Biotechnology in Africa: Emergence, Initiatives iamonds are regarded as one of the and Future (Science Policy Reports) by Florence Wambugu and Daniel Kamanga D most important symbols of love in (Springer Publications, New York, USA, 2014; many cultures around the world. The glit- 380 pp; hb $179) tering stone exudes status, luxury and class. Climate Change Cooperation in Southern What is less known to many consumers of Africa by Ian Rowlands (Routledge, New York, the precious gem, however, is its role in the USA, 2014; 186 pp; pb $36.84) brutal war that raged (and still continues in Combating Corruption: Legal Approaches to some parts of Africa, like the Democratic Supporting Good Governance and Integrity Republic of the Congo) in diamond-rich by John Hatchard (Edward Elgar in Africa Sierra Leone from 1991 until 2002, when the Publications, Camberley, UK, 2014; 400 pp; hb $145) war officially ended. In his book, award-winning jour- Governance for Justice and Environmental Sustainability: Lessons across Natural nalist Greg Campbell explores the role of Resource Sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa diamonds during Sierra Leone’s civil war by Merle Sowman and Rachel Wynberg and how the big names in the industry, were denied diamond proceeds and arti- (Routledge, New York, USA, 2014; 384 pp; hb such as the South African corporation sanal diamond miners who were often $145) De Beers, allegedly looked the other way conscripted and sometimes later raped or Half A Piece of Cloth: The Courage of when gruesome acts of war were being killed by the rebel army, the Revolutionary Africa’s Countless Widows by Jane L. Crane committed by rebels using diamond profits United Front (RUF). (Hearkening Press, Rancho Santa Fe, USA, 2014; 268 pp; pb $18.99) to purchase weapons. In fact, Campbell Readers of this book might come away accuses De Beers of manipulating the with the impression that the issue is over- Immigrant Exclusion and Insecurity in Africa: Coethnic Strangers by Claire L. Adida supply of and demand for diamonds during analysed; however, it is time to get past the (Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, that period to boost profits. sparkle and glitter and reconsider the real 2014; 184 pp; hb $84) Diamonds were first discovered in value and meaning behind diamonds given Modernization as Spectacle in Africa by Peter Sierra Leone’s forests almost a century ago. the human suffering they have caused in J. Bloom, Stephan F. Miescher and Takyiwaa When civil war broke out in 1991, Campbell conflict countries. Campbell’s compelling Manuh (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, writes, rebels smuggled and sold diamonds 252-page book offers invaluable insights USA, 2014; 378 pp; hb $85) at premium prices to dealers in the West. into global corporations’ greed and Outsmarting Apartheid: An Oral History Perhaps one of the important contribu- manipulation of the diamond market, as of South Africa’s Cultural and Educational tions of the book is that the author gives well as the incredibly high human cost of Exchange With the United States, 1960-1999 a human face to those who suffered in the diamond trade. by Daniel Whitman and Kari Jaksa (State University of New York Press, New York, USA, the diamond trade – Sierra Leoneans who — Pavithra Rao 2014; 444 pp; hb $105)

APPOINTMENTS

United Nations Secretary-General Ban The Secretary-General has appointed Ki-moon appointed Hiroute Guebre Sellassie Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as his special of Ethiopia as his special envoy for the Sahel representative for Central Africa and head and head of office. She brings with her experi- of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa ence in strategic and managerial operational in Libreville, Gabon. Before his appointment, UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras planning and policy formulation on peace and Photo MINUSMA Mr. Bathily served as deputy special repre- security in Africa. Most recently, Ms. Guebre Sellassie served as sentative in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization the director and head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission Mission in Mali. He brings with him years of political, diplomatic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Goma Regional Office and academic experience, through service with both his govern- from 2007. Ms. Guebre Sellassie succeeds Mr. Romano Prodi ment and the United Nations System. Mr. Bathily succeeds Abou of Italy. Moussa of Chad.

AfricaRenewal August 2014 31 www.un.org/africarenewal facebook.com/africarenewal twitter.com/africarenewal

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