December 2013 www.un.org/africarenewal

The Sahel Time for global action

African peer reviews: home-made solutions The rise of South Africa’s middle class CONTENTS December 2013 | Vol. 27 No. 3 5 SPECIAL FEATURE GOOD GOVERNANCE Peer review mechanism comes of age

6 Interview: A vision of an integrated Africa 10 The rise of civil society groups in Africa Piracy in West Africa 12 UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson plants 14 Illicit financial flows from Africa a tree in memory of 15 people who died in an 16 Interview: Africa loses $50bn every year attack on the UN country compound in Mogadishu, Somalia. AU/UN IST Photo/Stuart Price 18 Giving back to society ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 20 A messenger of peace and development goes to the Sahel Editor-in-Chief 22 The Sahel: One region, many crises Masimba Tafirenyika 24 Zimbabwe: Reaching for new heights 26 A toast to South Africa’s black middle class Staff Writers Kingsley Ighobor 28 Elephants are the latest conflict resource André-Michel Essoungou 30 Music can change the world Research & Media Liaison Pavithra Rao DEPARTMENTS Nirit Ben-Ari Tsigue Shiferaw 3 Watch 33 Wired Design & Production 34 Appointments Mulumba Lwatula 35 Books Administration Bo Li Cover photo: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and AUC Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma at a press briefing during their visit to Africa’s Sahel region. World Bank/Dominic Chavez Distribution Atar Markman

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2 AfricaRenewal December 2013 AFRICA WATCH

In response, two political processes were initiated: a wide-ranging peace and security agreement among the countries of the region (DRC, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), and peace talks in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, between the DRC government and M23 leaders. During its visit the Council delegation was updated by regional leaders on the implementation of the agreement, and on the progress of the peace talks. On both issues the Council urged the leaders not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Unlike previous agreements, this one must be followed by action, it reportedly told presidents Joseph Kabila of the DRC, Paul Security Council delegation being briefed during its visit Goma, DRC. UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti Kagame of Rwanda and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. to flee their homes, mainly in the eastern On the Kampala talks, speaking to the On a visit to region of the Democratic Republic of the press in Kinshasa on behalf of the delega- Congo (DRC). tion, the Security Council representa- Africa’s Great The visit came three years after tives of Morocco and France insisted that another Council trip to the same region the past provides clear lessons about the Lakes region, that had modest ambitions: just a two- consequences of integrating armed groups country visit to the DRC and Uganda. into national armies without rigorous Council urges This time, however, after stops in these vetting. They warned against repeating two countries, the delegation went on to such mistakes. In the Council’s view, they break with past Rwanda before heading farther east to added, there could be no compromise on Ethiopia, which hosts the African Union fighting impunity—no amnesty should By André-Michel Essoungou headquarters. be granted to M23 members who have The Council’s busy agenda was an committed serious crimes. ive months after United Nations acknowledgement that a solution to the On the last leg of their visit, the F Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and persisting instability in the Great Lakes Council members visited the African World Bank President Jim Yong Kim region requires the active engagement Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. In visited Africa’s Great Lakes region, a and the commitment of key regional addition to addressing the situation in the 15-member delegation of the UN Security actors. On various occasions over the Great Lakes region, they held discussions Council followed suit. The delega- past years, the Council has indeed urged with AU officials on a wide range of issues tion travelled to the region from 4 to 8 countries of the region to find a peaceful related to peace and security in Africa. October and met with political leaders solution to the instability plaguing the and local activists, displaced persons and DRC, mainly in the east. The latest such refugees, as well as UN peacekeepers and calls came shortly after the M23 armed diplomats. group—allegedly supported by Rwanda, Oil politics heats The visit was an attempt by the though Rwanda strongly denies this— Council to get a better grasp of the took up arms against the DRC govern- up in Liberia complexities of a region where insta- ment, plunging the region into one of its bility has persisted over the past two worst episodes of instability in recent By Kingsley Ighobor decades, with a new peak in fighting years. The M23 rebels were expected to seen in recent months. Since April 2012 sign a peace deal with the government in hen Liberia’s 14-year civil war and the creation of the March 23 armed November after suffering defeats at the W was ending 10 years ago, citizens movement (known as the M23), renewed hands of government forces backed by a desperately wanted to live in a country fighting has forced up to 2 million people 3,000-strong UN intervention brigade. where children could go to school safely,

AfricaRenewal December 2013 3 women were not molested, traders trav- Silas Siakor, head of the Sustainable elled between cities, and so on. Today, Development Institute, a Liberian NGO with those goals mostly met, the country that promotes judicious exploitation of QUOTABLES faces another challenge: that of managing natural resources, criticised Mr. Sirleaf its abundant natural resources, particu- for not consulting widely. “They [Mr. larly oil that was discovered in 2012. Sirleaf and his NOCAL colleagues] were With an impressive GDP growth of totally opposed to the idea of any kind 10.8% in 2012, according to the World of citizen input [to the bill].” Under Bank, the oil discovery has triggered pressure, Mr. Sirleaf resigned both his both excitement and fear. While oil could position as head of NOCAL and as an potentially accelerate the country’s adviser to the President, claiming that he development, Liberians also remember had completed his mandate to reform the that mismanagement of its forestry, gold oil sector. The House members and the civil society groups believe they have at least won the battle to have government open up the process of drafting the oil

10.8% legislation. On its part, the government Voisard Photo/Amanda UN Growth in Liberia’s launched a nationwide public awareness What we are doing is campaign to explain the details in the Gross Domestic Product creating an environment bills. A key contention in one of the bills in 2012, according to the for women to know they do is over an allocation of 5% of oil proceeds World Bank not need to feel ashamed to Liberians’ social welfare. During [of rape]. To give them back the campaign in Saniquellie, Nimba their dignity, give them back County, citizens demanded that such an their physical and mental and diamonds resources was one of the allocation should be at least 10% of the health, give them the power causes of the last war. Therefore, they proceeds. to know they are strong. advise that all excitement be curtailed They also rejected the president’s Dr. Denis Mukwege, Founder and while the right policies are set. powers to appoint NOCAL board Medical Director of Panzi Hospital, It didn’t seem like the Liberian Senate members, preferring the legislature to Democratic Republic of the Congo heeded such advice when it swiftly exercise such powers. They insisted that passed two oil bills in September: the prospective oil companies be made to One of the things I learned first bill defined the role of the National establish an oil refinery in the country to about my grandparents is Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) as a create jobs for Liberians. that you always have the commercial entity and the second set Analysts believe that after the power in you to make a the regulatory policies. But the bills initial storm, the government will difference in somebody hit a brick wall in the lower legislative likely make changes to the legislation else’s life despite your own chamber, the House of Representatives, to accommodate the citizens’ concerns. challenges, and I think that’s where members raised alarm over the Global Witness, a watchdog group that what I’m trying to do. lack of extensive consultations with campaigns against natural resource- Zoleka Mandela, granddaughter of citizens before passage in the Senate. related conflicts and corruption, says former South African president Nelson The House members’ cautious Liberia needs the right policies and Mandela on her newly released book approach appears in line with public could very well set them. The Liberian thinking. Almost unanimously, Liberian oil sector could potentially be “one of the Your struggle is our civil society groups opposed the bills best-run and best-governed sectors on struggle and if and criticised Mr. Robert Sirleaf, head the continent, if not in the world, in you succeed, the of NOCAL and son of President Ellen terms of developing countries with women of Africa Johnson Sirleaf, for lobbying senators to new oil finds,” says Chloe Fussel, a succeed. pass the two pieces of legislation. campaigner for the organization. Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Projected trade between BRICS addressing women (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and in Mali during $500bn her visit to South Africa) nations and Africa the Sahel by 2015. In 2012, this figure stood at $340 billion. region BRICS are motivated, among other reasons, by Africa’s growing middle class currently African Union estimated to be about 300 million.

4 AfricaRenewal December 2013 Over the past decade, governance in Africa has improved considerably, aided in part by the African Peer Review Mechanism. There are fewer coups, more elections and better management of national economies. But there is still need for more accountability and transparency before Africa can claim credit for good governance. Corruption is still rife and illicit financial flows are draining the continent’s domestic resources.

problems. “APRM is an instrument for transformation and a lot has been achieved African Peer Review in the last 10 years,” says Fatuma Ndagiza Nyirakobwa, vice-chair of the body’s panel of eminent persons.

Mechanism comes of age Political will So far 33 African countries have joined the Countries embracing self-monitoring mechanism APRM, of which 17 have been reviewed to shine light on domestic affairs by their peers. Ms. Nyirakobwa, a former Rwandan ambassador to Tanzania, sees that By Kingsley Ighobor as a glass half full. “Thirty-three countries [signing up] over the past 10 years is no mean achievement… We have to consider that this is a voluntary process,” she explains in an interview with Africa Renewal. Africa comprises 54 countries, meaning 21 have yet to join the APRM. And just 17 of the 33 participating countries have been peer-reviewed. “Why don’t the remaining 16 countries want to be reviewed?” asks Ms. Nyirakobwa rhetorically. “This is an issue of commitment and political will right at the highest level. I think we need to accept that every country has its reasons.” There is no need to fret over the number of countries in the APRM, says Liberian finance minister Amara M. Konneh, who represented his country’s president, Ellen GOOD GOVERNANCE Johnson Sirleaf, at Africa Week. “Going all the way to 33 is progress. We will get there. A high-level panel discussion, “Africa’s innovation in governance through 10 years of the African It’s a matter of time.” Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)”, took place during Africa Week at United Nations Headquarters. President Sirleaf is the chairperson of the Africa Renewal/Bo Li APRM Forum, its highest decision-making authority, which is made up of heads of state delegation from the African Peer they promoted from the outset as “an inno- of participating countries. Ms. Nyirakobwa is Review Mechanism (APRM), a self- vative approach designed and implemented urging every African country to join and all A monitoring instrument created by by Africans for Africa.” APRM experts work those in it to undergo peer review. African leaders in 2003, did not exactly beat with governments and civil society groups the drums this past October to celebrate its to review country performance in areas like The review process 10th anniversary at the United Nations in democracy and good governance, socioeco- The peer review process typically has five New York. Rather, members explained the nomic development, corporate governance, stages. In stage one a country conducts a APRM’s activities and achievements at the corruption, human rights—particularly self-assessment, guided by an APRM ques- different forums organized to mark Africa women’s and children’s rights—conflicts tionnaire. At the same time, APRM officials Week at the UN. And they acknowledged the and judicial independence. Membership in conduct a background study of the country’s huge tasks ahead. the APRM is voluntary. governance and development issues. During The APRM is one of the ways African The not-so-subtle message hammered at leaders have responded to calls for good the UN was that the APRM is a full-fledged governance—a self-assessment instrument African approach to dealing with Africa’s see page 32

AfricaRenewal December 2013 5 INTERVIEW A vision of an integrated Africa — Maged Abdelaziz and Ibrahim Mayaki

nder-Secretary-General Maged Abdelaziz, special adviser to the UN secretary-general U and head of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, chief executive officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) agency, lead institutions that are helping shape Africa’s socioeconomic and political trans- formation. In a rare joint interview with Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor and André-Michel Essoungou—during the UN NEPAD Africa Week activities last October in New York—Mr. Abdelaziz and Dr. Mayaki discussed critical issues surrounding Africa’s economic development.

The president of the UN General As head of OSAA, how do you assess Assembly recently referred to NEPAD NEPAD? as a success story. When people say Maged Abdelaziz: NEPAD was estab- NEPAD is a success, what comes to your lished in 2001 after the adoption of the mind? MDGs [Millennium Development Goals] Ibrahim Mayaki: If we look at the last 12 in 2000. It was a very positive sign when years, which have been years of positive the AU and African countries began GOOD GOVERNANCE transformation for Africa, NEPAD has working diligently to achieve the MDGs. played a critical role of providing a blue- NEPAD is not only about development, it Dr. Mayaki, left, and Mr. Abdelaziz during the interview. Africa Renewal/Bo Li print for strategic thinking, and that has is also about governance and it is about allowed transformation to take place. In peace and security as well. The successes There is also the regional level—what the 2000, coming after years of structural of NEPAD’s integrated approach are ECA [Economic Commission for Africa] adjustment, our capacity to prioritize commendable. The nexus between peace and the African Development Bank, and think strategically was erased at and security, development, human rights in conjunction with the African Union, country and regional levels. So NEPAD as and good governance is very important. do. And that’s why we have an Africa a programme filled that vacuum, helping The UN decided in 2003 to establish OSAA Week at the UN, when Dr. Mayaki and the countries in the region to better set to support NEPAD. Also, the secretary- others come to speak to member states, their priorities and strategize. general reappointed a special adviser to the diaspora, the NGOs, youth organiza- Important projects are now being oversee the last period of the MDGs, and, tions, women and so on. This is because framed. I always give the example of together with NEPAD, work on the post- the African agenda has become a people- the 4,500 kms Algiers-Lagos Trans- 2015 development agenda to help shape centred agenda, not only a government- Saharan Highway, which, with only 80 sustainable development goals. So I would centred agenda. kms remaining, is slated for completion consider NEPAD a great success and I in 2014. In agriculture, there have also would like to congratulate Dr. Mayaki. There are many bodies—ECA, NEPAD, been national investments and private OSAA—involved in pursuing Africa’s sector plans. In biotechnology, we have Dr. Mayaki just said that NEPAD’s development agenda. How difficult is it trained more than 400 regulators to help success is inextricably linked to OSAA’s coordinating among these bodies? African countries design biotechnology success. How does OSAA define its Abdelaziz: This is a question that is often policies. When the Office of the Special success? asked. Our mandate to support NEPAD Adviser on Africa was created, there was Abdelaziz: Our success in OSAA is to is three-pronged. We are three entities a motivation to see NEPAD programmes [promote] NEPAD at the international supporting NEPAD. OSAA is 67% of that implemented, and forging a partnership level. The analytical work that we do, the support and the remainder is shared between OSAA and NEPAD was a critical advocacy that we undertake, the outreach between the UN Department of Public strategic element. The stronger OSAA that we do with the international donors, Information and the ECA. It’s necessary is, the stronger our capacity will be to the World Bank, the IMF, other institu- that we have good coordination. There achieve our objectives. tions, are all aimed to accomplish this goal. are some activities that we cannot do. For

6 AfricaRenewal December 2013 Dr. Mayaki, left, and Mr. Abdelaziz during the interview. Africa Renewal/Bo Li

example, we do not have operational activ- has an early warning system within its the whole continent. By 2027 we will begin ities in Africa because [of our mandate], peace and security council and standby considering an African common currency. and we are situated in New York. Because forces. That was nonexistent 20 years ago. So there is a plan tied to time frames, and the ECA is much more mobile, it can move This [arrangement] is helping prevent and the UN is very supportive of this. along with NEPAD and the AfDB to meet manage conflicts. It has a rapid reaction its goals. capacity when a conflict emerges. You saw The Programme for Infrastructure it in the case of Mali, in the role played Development for Africa (PIDA) has How can Africa accelerate its integra- by ECOWAS with AU support, and in an ambitious plan to revamp Africa’s tion process? the troops that went into Mali with the infrastructure. About 51 programmes Mayaki: The main motivation for regional support of the UN Security Council. have been identified for implementa- integration is economic. If you take a sector tion. How do you finance these projects? like energy, the optimal solutions are not OSAA usually supports the work of the Mayaki: In order to boost intra-African at the national level but at the regional. regional economic communities. Is it trade, we need to improve infrastructure. In many development sectors, which are part of the same thinking? That’s why we designed PIDA as a 30-year critical, the optimal solutions are regional. Abdelaziz: Exactly! This is part of the strategy, focusing on regional trans- Now, political leaders in civil society and belief that African integration starts at the boundary projects. The good thing about the private sector understand this. It has [bottom] level. Regional integration has PIDA is that it was designed from the helped push forward the values of the AU. to start at the subregional level, where the bottom up. The priorities are consensual. NEPAD has a responsibility to liaise with importance of the economic communities That highway of 4,500 kms from Algiers the regional economic communities to comes into play. There are some deadlines to Lagos would not have been possible enhance their capacity. By increasing the that have already been agreed to by the AU without the political and technical capacity to plan, to monitor, to evaluate but are subject to review. These include support of each of the affected countries. and to create coherence at the regional an agreement that by 2017 all customs Ten years ago a private sector operator level, we increase the regional integration barriers in the subregions will be lifted to who wanted to discuss a regional project process. The second issue has to do with increase subregional trade, and by 2023 with two governments would be lacking a peace and security. As you know, the AU these customs barriers should be lifted for rational framework. PIDA is that rational

AfricaRenewal December 2013 7 framework. Out of these 51 programmes, by not addressing youth unemployment. conflicts is a contributing factor to we have worked on some 250 specific How frightening is this trend? economic growth. But it’s not the only projects so far, and out of these projects, Mayaki: Very frightening because we factor, because African countries are now we have picked 16 which we are going to have 70% of our population under 25 years formulating many more rational economic, discuss in Dakar [Senegal] in December of age. Young people are very impatient fiscal, financial and trade policies that are at the Dakar Financing Summit on for results. You can’t tell them, ‘Wait for producing better growth rates. But we also Infrastructure. The objective of this 50, 40, 30, 20 years.’ You need to include have to worry about some other negative summit is to create a dialogue between them when designing policy—this is what indicators. If a country is growing at 7.8%, policy makers, heads of government and Ambassador Abdelaziz is calling for. for example, the question has to be “Which private sector operators. Financing will Secondly, in anything you do, you need sector is driving this growth?” Growth has develop from public-private partner- to prioritize job creation for the youth. to come from sectors that will allow Africa ships. Whether it’s an energy policy, education to achieve the desired results in integra- policy, transport policy or anything you tion and realize the African renaissance. Is the 4,500 km road from Algiers to do, you must mainstream that because if This is where commodity-based industri- Lagos financed with public money? you don’t create jobs, you destabilize your alization and value addition come to mind. Mayaki: Yes, only public money. That social and political systems. If you are shows that public money can do a lot of building a road, think about job creation Regarding youth unemployment, some good things. But if we want to improve, we for the youth. You are building a hospital— reports state that Africa needs to create will need private sector money. Absolutely. think about job creation for the youth. You as many as 10 million jobs a year to are setting up job training centres—think catch up with population growth. Are How critical are these projects for about job creation for the youth. there job creation best practices in any Africa? part of Africa? Abdelaziz: As the UN sees it, AU priori- There are fewer wars in Africa now than Mayaki: Most of the best practices are ties are shifting. You can’t industrialize before, at a time when the continent linked to policies on rural transforma- without the infrastructure, namely elec- has some of the world’s fastest-growing tion. In Mali, for example, with roughly tricity, roads, transport and the neces- economies. Is that a coincidence? 20 million inhabitants, the demographic sary infrastructure to support this devel- Abdelaziz: There is nothing on this growth rate is 3.2% and 75% of the popu- opment. Industrialization has its own front that is a coincidence. Having fewer lation is under 25. So every year in Mali, economic and social ground rules. The economic ground rule is not to rely solely on extractive industries and selling raw materials for cheap prices. The social ground rule is to provide opportunities for employment for the young generation and to encourage women to go into business in the industrial sector.

You often talk about a critical link between peace and development. What does that mean in the case of Africa? Abdelaziz: Let me start by saying that the peace and security climate in Africa is improving. The number of peacekeeping missions is declining, conflicts are fewer now than before. Still, there are some unstable areas that are scaring away inves- tors. Political stability in areas like Darfur is going to help in development. So this kind of nexus is very important; it creates the necessary climate for development. That’s why the UN secretary-general and the pres- ident of the World Bank went to the Great Lakes region earlier this year and the World Bank committed $1 billion for development activities to help stabilize [the region].

You [Mayaki] said at Harvard University the other day that Africa is taking a risk Construction work on the Orile light rail terminal, part of a private-public enterprise to build a mass transit system in Lagos, Nigeria. Panos/George Osodi

8 AfricaRenewal December 2013 you have 300,000 youths between 18 chair of the parliament is a woman and and finalize it by March 2014. The inter- and 25 years coming onto the employ- women-run businesses are increasing. So esting thing about illicit financial flows ment market. The government cannot there is positive movement in this regard. is that [indigenous] corruption accounts hire them in the civil service because of for between 5% and 10%. Illicit financial economic constraints. Your industry is The post-2015 development agenda is flows derived from commercial transac- small industry, so how are you going to considered an opportunity for Africa to tions are around 60%. create jobs? present a unified and compelling case. It means that in many African coun- It is mainly by tapping into agricul- What is OSAA doing along this line? tries, you will find a corporation that has tural development, because most young Abdelaziz: We supported the drafting of been working there for the last 25 years, people are in rural areas. If you don’t a common African position on the post- but if you look at the books you’ll see that transform the rural economy and create 2015 development agenda. This draft is they declare that they are not making any wealth there, you run into major problems under consideration by the African group, profit, but they are still there, for 25 years. because they will come and ruralize the and we participated in the discussion. There is the issue of a lack of capacity to cities, and then they will destabilize There is a meeting of Africa’s ministers look at taxation, transparent banking and all your systems. Creation of wealth in of economy and finance in November. I’m the rest. You see that in many African rural areas is a best practice. We have travelling to Addis Ababa to take part in countries today, governments are really a programme, which is called Rural shaping the African common position on looking at mutually negotiated contracts. Futures, that deals with this issue. the post-2015 development agenda. But are they looking at how much taxes are This also comes within the stra- being paid? Are there countries that are doing well tegic framework of the AU for the years in this regard? 2014 to 2017, which concentrates more How do you see Africa in 20 years? Mayaki: There are countries starting to on industrialization, regional integra- Mayaki: In 20 years growth will be do well. In East Africa there are many tion and infrastructure. There is also the sustained but it will be more inclusive, countries. preparatory process for the Africa 2063 with high rates of youth employment, Abdelaziz: Kenya, Tanzania—in East [50 years from 2013] document. OSAA is higher democratization process, fewer Africa. There are also some good examples part of all the negotiating processes. We conflicts, and an active AU peace and with women issues. The parliament in are providing our perspectives on where security [mechanism] that reduces and Rwanda is comprised of 62% women. The the MDGs will go and how a post-2015 manages conflicts. So 20 years from now agenda could accelerate in a much more we’ll be much better globally because the operational and monitored way. youth of today will influence policies that are being designed. From your experience, how would a post-2015 development agenda be The AU advised countries to commit different from the current MDGs? 10% of their budgets to agriculture so Abdelaziz: The MDGs are a set of princi- that by 2015 agriculture can grow by 6%, ples that were not accompanied by a work but very few countries have complied. plan with time frames. The principles So why should anyone be optimistic? simply stated that the MDGs were going Mayaki: The number of countries that to be implemented in 15 years. That’s why have committed 10%, according to our you find variances in implementation and tracking methodology, is around 20, which variances in the success of the MDGs. is less than half of all the countries. But On a post-2015 development agenda, numbers are increasing significantly. there is a [desire] at the country level to Today the world order raises a kind of put this into an action plan that should global pessimism, but in Africa there is have time frames and progress reports growing optimism. I’m convinced that the that are to be reviewed so that when we demographic dividends of our youth will come to 2030—after another 15 years—we really help concretize that optimism. can see what is tangible that has been Abdelaziz: I would share the optimism of implemented. Dr. Mayaki. I just want to add that I wish that in 20 years Africa is at an integrated One recent statistic states that Africa stage, with a unified currency, no customs lost nearly $900 billion between 1970 duties between countries, joint projects on and 2008 due to illicit financial flows. industrialization, functioning democra- Does the continent need a policy to deal cies, better human rights and governance with this issue? situations, and fewer peace and security Mayaki: The AU has created a panel headed issues. I dream of an Africa that could be by former [South African] president Thabo another European Union in about 30 to 40 Construction work on the Orile light rail terminal, part of a private-public enterprise to build a mass transit system in Lagos, Nigeria. Panos/George Osodi Mbeki. The panel will formulate a report years.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 9 Although its popularity remains limited, the movement has emerged as a remark- able feature in the country’s public sphere. Through astute tactics and media strate- gies, it has managed to generate coverage and spur heated debates. The movement follows in the footsteps of a number of civil society groups fighting corruption across Africa: it is a phenomenon that has gathered steam in recent years and led to the emer- gence of new approaches and tactics.

Diverse paths In South Africa since the late 1990s, for example, civil society mobilisation against corruption has often been part of a wider GOOD GOVERNANCE effort involving the government and other institutions. In 1999, the government held Civil society groups in Cape Town, South Africa, protested against the Protection of State Information the first anti-corruption summit. Two Bill, dubbed the secrecy bill. Local and international critics saw the bill as a pretext for covering up state years later, it launched the National Anti- corruption. Africa Media Online/Sara Gouveia Corruption Forum, which brings together civil society, business and government in the fight against corruption. The forum subse- quently adopted a comprehensive Public The rise of civil society Service Anti-Corruption Strategy commit- ting the government to combat corruption within the public service. More anti-corrup- groups in Africa tion summits were held in 2005 and 2008 and each time civil society actors have been closely involved. These groups have become major actors in the In its 2006 report on South Africa’s fight against corruption efforts on good governance, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)—a self- By André-Michel Essoungou monitoring mechanism founded in 2003 by African leaders—noted that “the devel- nder the glaring sun of a recent conflict-affected northern region. “Massive opment of key partnerships between the Monday, an unusual group of theft” occurred, Prime Minister Amama government, civil society and the private U protesters marched on the streets Mbabazi admitted at a press conference. sector in fighting corruption” is one of the of Kampala, Uganda’s capital, all dressed in Uproar ensued among foreign donors. central aspects of the country’s effort. black “to mourn the loss of Uganda’s public Ireland, Britain, Norway and Denmark Some groups independent of those money through corruption,” as some of them suspended financial aid. Ugandan authori- partnerships also aggressively campaign pointedly explained to reporters. “Return ties ordered an investigation and handed against corruption, a problem some perceive our money and resign,” read one of the administrative dismissals to those allegedly as worsening in South Africa. The country slogans they brandished. Since November involved. “This government is determined has been falling on the Transparency 2012, on the first Monday of each month, to clamp down on corruption,” Prime International Corruption Perceptions Index, the Black Monday Movement—a coalition Minister Mbabazi forcefully declared, going from number 43 out of 179 countries of local NGOs and civil society groups—has adding, “What we are beginning to see is the in 2007, to number 69 out of 174 coun- taken to the streets to highlight the effects beginning of a cleanup that will happen. We tries in 2012. In January 2012, community of corruption in Uganda and to press public will look everywhere; we will turn every- leaders, trade unionists and civil servants officials to act. thing upside down until we discover what launched Corruption Watch, a civil society Coincidentally, a month before the may be wrong.” organisation that “relies on the public to movement’s launch, a corruption scandal For the Black Monday activists, however, report corruption, and…uses these reports rocked the country. Media echoed a this case is only one among many. They as an important source of information to damning report by Uganda’s auditor general allege that the more than two dozen high- fight corruption and hold leaders account- accusing public officials—including some profile incidents of corruption over the past able.” The watchdog reports that in its first in the prime minister’s office—of diverting decade have led to the loss of millions of 11 months of operation, it received 1,227 some $15 million. The money had been dollars in public money. Rarely have culprits reports alleging corruption, many of them intended for development projects in the been brought to court, they claim. sent through Facebook or via text messages,

10 AfricaRenewal December 2013 highlighting the modern character of the considerable discretion for public officials, in recent years. Co-founded by investiga- campaign. limited accountability and little transpar- tive journalist Charles Lewis, his researcher Allegations of corruption have often ency in governmental operations; in such Nathaniel Heller, and South African activist swirled around oil exploitation in the Republic societies civil society institutions are often Marianne Camerer, it brings to the fight of the Congo. Only in the late 1990s however weak and underdeveloped.” against corruption a new tool: informa- did the fight against corruption start gaining tion sharing in real time through an online momentum, first through a campaign led External actors platform known as Indaba Fieldwork. Global by Catholic bishops, then starting in 2003 Since the dawn of the era of political Integrity relies on a network of contributors, through a group of NGOs assembled under openness in Africa, external civil society including many across Africa. Recently it the national chapter of the Publish What groups have also contributed to the fight announced that in collaboration with the You Pay coalition, a global network of civil against corruption on the continent. Their Mo Ibrahim Foundation—active in the field society organizations calling for openness support has brought global visibility to of good governance in Africa—it will soon and accountability in the extractive sectors. national activists, as well as much-needed publish its own index, the Africa Integrity Since then their relentless denunciations resources. Indicators. The stated objective of this index have led to significant attempts at transpar- Indeed, Congo’s civil society mobili- is to assess key social, economic, political ency by public officials. sation against corruption in the oil sector and anti-corruption mechanisms at the Civil society mobilisation against corrup- benefited from support from the national national level in over 50 African countries. tion in Africa has also been at the heart of chapter of Publish What You Pay. Through recent waves of protest on the continent. its wide reach among policymakers and Persisting challenges Tunisia’s autumn of discontent that led to global media, the coalition helped shield Despite their courageous, sometimes heroic the ousting of former president Ben Ali in its Congolese partners from harassment, actions, and support from vocal outsiders, 2011 started as a reaction against the corrupt in part by publicizing threats against civil society groups involved in the fight ways of the ruling elite. against corruption in Africa face signifi- These had been exposed cant challenges. For many, harassment and through American Corruption frequently takes threats to their lives are not rare. In their diplomatic cables made place in societies where there monthly bulletin, Uganda’s Black Monday public by Wikileaks, a activists chronicle their difficult interactions website that publishes is considerable discretion with the country’s police. In Congo, members secret information from for public officials, limited of the Publish What You Pay campaign have anonymous sources and accountability and little faced what they consider “judicial harass- whistle-blowers. ment” by the authorities. In 2011 and 2012, transparency in governmental Another more insidious threat to civil anti-corruption operations society mobilisation against corruption is its campaigners in Senegal inability to maintain momentum in some contributed to the downfall of former presi- them. Along with other external groups, it contexts. In Nigeria, for example, laments dent Abdoulaye Wade, his son and heir supported a high-profile corruption lawsuit Debo Adeniran, executive chairman of apparent, Karim Wade, and a number of in a French court against three African pres- Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, “Our formerly powerful members of his govern- idents, including the president of Congo. arsenal as civil society organisations is being ment. Many now stand accused of corrup- Equally active is the Berlin-based depleted by the powerful cabal who keep on tion. Senegal’s anti-corruption campaign Transparency International (TI), founded poaching on our rank and file.” In an inter- proved a powerful force as popular artists in 1993 by former World Bank official view he told Punch, a Nigerian daily, “Many like the rapper Ndongo D of the group Peter Eigen and nine partners. Mr. Eigen anti-corruption campaigners have switched Daara-J joined journalists and activists in witnessed the negative impact of corrup- over and joined the bandwagon of institu- mobilising the public. Their movement, Y’en tion during his time in East Africa. TI has tional corruption in various tiers of govern- a marre (“Enough”), rallied protesters on the since emerged as one of the most visible ment. Unfortunately, they now see things streets of Senegal’s capital, Dakar, in the last anti-corruption advocates. Its Corruption differently.” months of Mr. Wade’s presidency. Perception Index—feared in many circles—is The good news remains, however: Unsurprisingly, such mobilisations widely cited. A number of African countries civil society groups in Africa have become followed the advances in democratisation have ranked low, earning themselves bad actors in the fight against corruption on the that have been taking place on the conti- reputations. The bottom five on the corrup- continent, a noticeable contrast from just nent since the early 1990s. Before that tion index in Africa last year were Zimbabwe, two decades ago, when they were virtually period, one-party systems and strongman- Burundi, Chad, Sudan, and Somalia. To absent. Yet combating corruption effectively led regimes dominated, living no room for assist its 94 national chapters, of which 14 also takes engagement by governments, independent groups to mobilise against are in Africa, TI provides them with tools official watchdogs and justice systems. corruption. Yet, notes Marianne Camerer, and training to curb local corruption. As Marianne Camerer puts it, in Africa as a South African political scientist and anti- Based in Washington, D.C., Global much as elsewhere, “the involvement of civil corruption activist, “Corruption frequently Integrity, another anti-corruption group, society actors is a necessary but not a suffi- takes place in societies where there is has gained notoriety in the eyes of offenders cient condition to reduce corruption.”

AfricaRenewal December 2013 11 GOOD GOVERNANCE

A crew member prepares to board the RBD Anema E Core in the Lomé anchorage; the tanker was hijacked by pirates in Benin in 2011. IRIN/Daniel Hayduk

published in March 2013. Last year the spike in pirate attacks in West Africa led Piracy in West Africa London-based Lloyd’s Market Association, an umbrella group of maritime insurers, A bumpy road to maritime security to list Nigeria, neighbouring Benin and nearby waters in the same risk category as By Nirit Ben-Ari Somalia, says Claims Journal, a magazine for insurance professionals. The result was or many people, the phrase maritime Nigeria’s coast, where pirates attacked an a significant decrease in maritime traffic piracy evokes images of a one-eyed oil supply vessel and kidnapped the captain in the region, which meant a 28% loss in F sailor drinking rum and singing and chief engineer, both American citizens. Benin’s government revenue. The decrease obscene songs. For some younger people, The report stated that “pirate attacks off also affected the livelihoods of the country’s piracy may bring to mind the picture of Nigeria’s coast have jumped by a third this citizens, says UNODC, by increasing the cost Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, wearing a year as ships passing through West Africa’s of imports and decreasing the competitive- headband in a scene from the film Pirates of Gulf of Guinea, a major commodities route, ness of exports. the Caribbean. have increasingly come under threat from According to Reuters, though ships now But maritime piracy is not just an action gangs wanting to snatch cargoes and crews.” speed with armed guards on board through movie. The UN Convention on the Law of the Unlike pirates along Somalia’s coast, the dangerous waters off Somalia and the Sea defines piracy as “illegal acts of violence who are often only after ransom, pirates in Horn of Africa on the east coast of the conti- or detention” committed on the high seas West Africa also steal goods, particularly oil. nent, many vessels have to anchor to do against ships or aircraft. Piracy is a serious Many attacks end up with crew members business with West African countries, with problem and it poses a real threat not only to injured or killed. But pirate attacks do not little protection. This makes them a soft the safety of vessels and their crews, but also only result in killings and injuries, tragic as target for criminals, says Reuters, and jacks to the economies of affected countries. those are; they also damage the economy. up insurance costs. In Africa, while piracy in Somalia’s Gulf In some cases, affected countries in West of Aden is currently on the decline, it has Africa have become less concerned with Corruption drives piracy spread to West Africa. Although most attacks direct losses from piracy than with the ways As is often the case, corruption, weak law in the region take place in Nigeria’s Niger in which these losses affect international enforcement and poverty are the main Delta region, there have also been attacks insurance rates and other trade-related causes of piracy, according to Dr. Christian in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and costs. Bueger, a Cardiff University researcher Togo, among others, according to the UN In Benin, for example, taxes on trade and editor of Piracy-Studies.org, an online Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). account for half of government revenue, research portal. In an interview with Africa Reuters news agency reported that one and 80% of these are derived from the port Renewal, Dr. Bueger said, “Piracy tends to such attack took place in October 2013 off of Cotonou, according to UNODC figures be conducted or supported by marginalized

12 AfricaRenewal December 2013 communities that have not been partici- that face maritime and piracy challenges an institutional infrastructure to combat pating in economic development.” should develop strong legislation to pros- piracy. The Economic Community for West This appears to be the case for Nigeria, ecute criminals. African States (ECOWAS) has in its treaty for example, where the majority of the And finally, states should set aside of 1993 a maritime component intended recent African pirate attacks have occurred, enough money to build local capacity. “Even to harmonize all maritime issues across driven mainly by corruption in the oil sector. if a state has the information, even if the the region; the Maritime Organization of Chatham House, a British research group, state has well-trained coast guards, and West and Central Africa, established in the reported in September 2013 that “corrup- even if the state has incorporated all the 1970s, holds member countries to a similar tion and fraud are rampant in the coun- right laws,” Dr. Bueger explains, “without agreement. try’s oil sector,” and “lines between legal and vessels, the state is powerless.” At the Last year ECOWAS, the Gulf of Guinea illegal supplies of Nigerian oil can be blurry.” moment, of the states most affected by Commission and the Economic Community In such a climate pirates have an incentive piracy, only South Africa and Nigeria have of Central African States signed a memo- to steal oil, since they know that they will be a professional navy. Most other countries randum of understanding between the able to sell it on the black market. have small and outdated coast guards with International Maritime Organization and “Illegal bunkering [filling ships with no more than three to five skiffs. the Maritime Organization of West and fuel] is enormously profitable” in Nigeria, Central Africa, to establish a subregional writes Martin Murphy, a professor at What has been done? integrated coast guard network in West and Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Several international legal instruments are Central Africa, among other things. and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in place to combat threats posed by piracy. Records show that despite these regional of the United States, a policy think tank, in The key agreement is the UN Convention actions, the number of pirate attacks his article “Petro-Piracy: Oil and Troubled on the Law of the Sea, which prescribes continues to increase. The International Waters,” published in Orbis for the Foreign exclusive economic zones over which indi- Maritime Bureau, a specialised division of Policy Research Institute. “The scale of vidual states have the rights for exploration, the International Chamber of Commerce, losses is staggering—more than $100 billion energy production from water and wind, reports that while pirate attacks (actual and worth of oil has gone missing since 1960,” and the use of marine resources. For this attempted) in the Gulf of Guinea fell from writes Professor Murphy. agreement to be operative, states have to 54 in 2008 to 37 in 2010, there has been a The damage caused by thieves has forced adopt and incorporate it into their national steady increase since then: 49 in 2011 and oil companies to shut down pipelines. Royal laws. All West African countries have signed 58 in 2012. As of August 2013, there were Dutch Shell is selling off four of its onshore and ratified the Law of the Sea Convention. 28 attacks in Nigeria alone. These numbers, Nigerian oil blocks because of the constant however, might be deceptive because many theft of large volumes of oil from its pipe- attacks go unreported. lines, United Press International reported in But piracy is not the only security threat October 2013. As a result of the shutting 2.5mn barrels at sea. “Piracy has drawn attention to wider down of pipelines, Nigeria is producing about Daily oil production capacity problems of maritime insecurity,” says Dr. 400,000 barrels a day below its capacity of of Nigeria. Pipelines have Bueger, such as trafficking and smuggling of 2.5 million barrels a day, according to the been shutdown due to theft, humans, weapons and narcotics, and illegal Economist, a British weekly. and unregulated fishing activities. Hence, The New York Times reported in lowering capacity by 400,000 he says, the attention currently being given September 2013 that Nigeria’s former top barrels a day to the fight against piracy could be used as a anti-corruption official, Nuhu Ridabu, had stepping stone by the international commu- written a report in 2012 charging that over nity to create sustainable institutions of the preceding decade, thieves had stolen However, the UN Security Council has maritime security. between 6% and 30% of the country’s oil yet to call for concerted international action International institutions are crucial production. against piracy along the Gulf of Guinea, for counter-piracy efforts, but they require as it did in the Somali case when, in June long-term commitment. The African Union Countering piracy 2008, it authorized other countries to enter has already declared that its objective is to In his interview with Africa Renewal, Dr. Somali territorial waters to stop pirates. implement the African Maritime Security Bueger suggested four steps to counter In 2011 the council passed two resolutions Strategy by 2050. Among the strategy’s piracy. First, the key is for affected states expressing its concern about piracy in the goals are to “ensure security and safety of to share information on what’s happening Gulf of Guinea and urging states to reinforce maritime transportation systems,” and to on their coastlines and their neighbours’. domestic legislation, develop a comprehen- “prevent hostile and criminal acts at sea, Second, joint training activities are sive regional counter-piracy framework, and to coordinate/harmonize the prosecu- required so countries can develop proce- issue appropriate guidance to shipping and tion of the offenders.” dures and learn how to use technology. cooperate in prosecuting pirates and their It’s a long-term strategy, but without a Training not only educates future genera- backers. doubt concerted action is needed now to tions of maritime security professionals, Despite the absence of any Security stop piracy in West Africa before it deterio- but also creates confidence and trust Council action so far, and unlike in the Gulf rates and spreads to other African coastal between different agencies. Third, states of Aden, in West Africa there is already areas.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 13 private-sector flows, without receiving much in return,” said Raymond Baker, Illicit Financial Flows president of Global Financial Integrity, in a statement released at the launch of the report earlier this year. Mr. Baker said the from Africa: track it, report turns that logic upside down, adding that Africa has been a net creditor to the rest of the world for decades. stop it, get it Professor Mthuli Ncube, chief econo- mist and vice-president of the AfDB, Illicit money outflows are draining Africa’s agrees: “The African continent is resource- rich. With good resource husbandry, Africa domestic resources, depriving it of crucial could be in a position to finance much of its investment funds own development.” The composition of these outflows also By Masimba Tafirenyika challenges the traditional thinking about illicit money. According to estimates by Global Financial Integrity, corrupt activi- ties such as bribery and embezzlement constitute only about 3% of illicit outflows; criminal activities such as drug trafficking and smuggling make up 30% to 35%; and commercial transactions by multinational companies make up a whopping 60% to 65%. Contrary to popular belief, argues Professor Baker, money stolen by corrupt governments is insignificant compared to the other forms of illicit outflow. The most common way illicit money is moved across borders is through international trade.

Information scanty and scattered A ten-member high-level panel chaired by former South African President Thabo Mbeki leads research by the UN Economic GOOD GOVERNANCE Commission for Africa (ECA) into illicit financial flows, assisted by ECA Executive eyevine/Redux Secretary Carlos Lopes as the vice-chair. Other members of the panel include he figures are staggering: between Africa’s current external debt,” says a joint Professor Baker and Ambassador Segun $1.2 trillion and $1.4 trillion has report by the African Development Bank Apata of Nigeria. The ECA blames illicit T left Africa in illicit financial flows (AfDB) and Global Financial Integrity, a US outflows for reducing Africa’s tax revenues, between 1980 and 2009—roughly equal to research and advocacy group. undermining trade and investment and Africa’s current gross domestic product, and The report, Illicit Financial Flows and worsening poverty. Its report will be surpassing by far the money it received from the Problem of Net Resource Transfers from released in March 2014. outside over the same period. Illicit finan- Africa: 1980–2009, found that cumulative Undoubtedly the panel faces a daunting cial flows are money earned illegally and illicit outflows from the continent over the task. Charles Goredema, a senior researcher transferred for use elsewhere. The money is 30-year period ranged from $1.2 trillion to at the South Africa–based Institute of usually generated from criminal activities, $1.4 trillion. The Guardian, a British daily, Security Studies, cautions the panel on the corruption, tax evasion, bribes and transac- notes that even these estimates—large challenges ahead. Writing in the institute’s tions from cross-border smuggling. as they are—are likely to understate the newsletter, ISS Today, Goredema warns the The numbers tell only part of the story. problem, as they do not capture money lost panel that it will find that in many African It is a story that exposes how highly complex through drug trafficking and smuggling. countries, data on illicit financial flows “is and deeply entrenched practices have flour- scanty, clouded in a mixed mass of informa- ished over the past decades with devas- Turning logic upside down tion and scattered in disparate locations.” tating impact, but barely made it into the “The traditional thinking has always He ranks tax collection agencies and mining news headlines. “The illicit haemorrhage been that the West is pouring money departments among the bodies most reluc- of resources from Africa is about four times into Africa through foreign aid and other tant to share data.

14 AfricaRenewal December 2013 Goredema lists Transparency in enforcing their transfer pricing regimes or prosecute money laundering, says the International, Global Financial Integrity, due to gaps in the law, weak or no regula- paper, authorities must be able to identify Christian Aid and the Tax Justice Network tions and guidelines for companies,” says company owners. The OECD advises its as some of the advocacy groups that have the OECD paper, adding that poor coun- members to invest in anti-corruption and tried to quantify the scale of illicit financial tries have limited technical expertise to tax systems in poor countries, as this has flows. The extent of such outflows remains assess the risks of transfer pricing and to high payoffs. a matter of speculation, he says, with the negotiate changes with multinationals. The bulk of illicit money today is chan- figures on Africa ranging between $50 billion nelled through international tax havens, and $80 billion per year. Other estimates by Offshore tax shelters says the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, an the ECA put the figure at more than $800 According to the OECD paper, member NGO set up by the former president to billion between 1970 and 2008. countries are failing to identify company promote Africa’s renaissance. The foun- “The absence of unanimity on [the owners who benefit from money laun- dation accuses “secrecy jurisdictions” of amount] is probably attributable to the fact dering. It criticizes OECD members for running millions of disguised corporations that the terrain concerned is quite broad, not doing enough to crack down on illicit and shell companies, i.e., companies that and each organisation can only be exposed outflows. In order to prevent, uncover exist on paper only. These jurisdictions to a part of it at any given point in time,” Goredema writes, adding, “It is less impor- tant to achieve consensus on scale than it is to achieve it on the measures to be taken to Africa’s Illicit Outflows stem illicit financial outflows from Africa.” Africa loses more through illicit outflows than it gets in aid and foreign direct Underpricing trade deals investment Nonetheless, research and advocacy groups who have worked on illicit outflows see a direct link between these outflows and Africa’s attempts to mobilize internal resources. Despite annual economic INFLOWS growth averaging 5% over the past decade— boosted in part by improved governance and sound national policies—Africa is still struggling to mobilize domestic resources for investments. If anything, the boost Other illicit outflows in economic growth has caused a spike $25bn in the illicit outflows, says Ambassador Aid from OECD/DAC Foreign Apata in an interview with Africa Renewal. member Direct Overseas development aid, while helpful, countries Investment $29.5bn $32.7bn has its limits, says the ECA. O U There are many channels to move illicit T money. These include over-invoicing or FL OW underpricing trade deals, transfer pricing S and using offshore financial and banking centres and tax havens. Transfer pricing occurs when multinationals decide how Trade much profit to allocate to different parts of mispricing the same company operating in different $38.4bn countries, and then determine how much tax to pay to each government. About three-fifths of global trade is conducted within multinationals. Trade mispricing: Losses associated with misrepresentation of export and import “Many developing countries have weak values or incomplete transfer pricing regimes,” Other illicit flows: Funds that are illegally earned, transferred or utilized and according to the Guardian, citing an include all unrecorded private financial outflows issue paper authored by the Paris-based (All figures are average annual 2008-2010 for Sub-Saharan Africa) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of Sources: OECD (n.d.), OECD Stats Extracts. high-income economies. The paper says Global Financial Integrity (2012), Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries 2001-2010. poor countries have weak bargaining World (2013), Global Economic Prospects – January 2013. power. “Some [countries] have problems

AfricaRenewal December 2013 15 also operate anonymous trust accounts for 600,000 people for one year, 250,000 criticizing the current rules on corporate and fake charitable foundations that household water connections or 240 km transparency. specialize in money laundering and trade of two-lane paved roads. over-invoicing and underpricing. Support for new rules to rein in Unconscionable acts “Developing countries lose three times offshore tax shelters has come from an “It is unconscionable that some compa- more to tax havens than they receive in unlikely source—the leaders of eight of nies, often supported by dishonest offi- aid,” said Melanie Ward, speaking to the the world’s biggest economies, the Group cials, are using unethical tax avoidance, Guardian. Ms. Ward is one of the spokes- of Eight (G8). Having been stung by transfer pricing and anonymous company persons for the Enough Food for Everyone the 2008 global financial crisis, the G8 ownership to maximize their profits while IF campaign, a coalition of charities leaders at this year’s summit in Lough millions of Africans go without adequate calling for fairer food policies, and head Erne, Northern Ireland, introduced—for nutrition, health and education,” Mr. of advocacy at ActionAid, an anti-poverty the first time—rules to fight tax evasion. Annan wrote in the foreword to the report. group. The money lost, she says, should be The rules will now require multinationals Tax evasion, he said, has cut into African spent on essential development of schools, to disclose the taxes they pay in countries citizens’ fair share of profits from their hospitals and roads, and on tackling in which they operate. abundant resources. hunger, not siphoned into the offshore During the run-up to the G8 summit, In the end, the G8 leaders adopted the accounts of companies. advocacy groups campaigned to get rich Lough Erne Declaration, a 10-point state- A 2007 joint report by the World Bank countries to introduce laws on transpar- ment calling for an overhaul of corporate and UN Office on Drugs and Crime esti- ency in corporate taxes. Among them transparency rules. Among other things, mated that every $100 million returned was the Africa Progress Panel, chaired the declaration urges authorities to auto- to a developing country could fund up to by former UN Secretary-General Kofi matically share tax information with other 10 million insecticide-treated bed nets, Annan. On the eve of the summit, it up to 100 million ACT treatments for published its annual flagship report, malaria, first-line HIV/AIDS treatment Africa Progress Report 2013, strongly see page 32

INTERVIEW ast year the United Nations Economic L Commission for Africa inaugurated the 10-member High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa chaired by former South African president Thabo Mbeki to look into the problem. Africa Renewal sat down with one of the panel’s members, Ambassador Segun Apata of Nigeria, who was in New York for a round table discussion of the problem. These are excerpts from the interview.

First of all, how serious is the problem of illicit financial outflows from Africa? Segun Apata: The estimate on record is that between 1970 and 2008, illicit finan- cial flows were over $800 billion from Africa. We now know, just as we have seen at this round table, that with an improved GOOD GOVERNANCE economic environment in Africa, there seems to be a spike in the illicit financial Segun Apata flows that is estimated at about $50 billion per year, which is quite a huge resource. One can imagine what the impact of that Africa loses $50 billion resource would be on Africa’s develop- ment in terms of infrastructure and social every year sectors, schools, hospitals, etc. The US has laws that penalize compa- Interview with Nigerian Ambassador Segun Apata nies paying bribes in foreign countries.

16 AfricaRenewal December 2013 Shouldn’t African countries do the that multinational transactions through What is the panel going to recommend same with companies that pay bribes to transfer prices, etc., cannot be effectively to stop the practice of illicit financial government officials? undertaken without the cooperation of flows from Africa? Well, a number of African countries do African countries. So the question is, “Are We haven’t gotten to that level in our have legislation against what can be gener- they doing this without corruption?” That work because experiences differ from one ally called economic and financial crimes, is anybody’s guess. part of the continent to the other. We which include what you have referred to listen to those in North Africa, we listen in terms of bribes, etc. But the reality And within these statistics, was the to those in Southern and East Africa. is that developing the capacity to track money attributed to corruption by the There are seven country case studies and prosecute such activities is not easy. public sector negligible? [we are looking into]. We have not spoken It’s important that a number of countries May I quickly intervene to say don’t to stakeholders in Central Africa, we have this legislation in place, but others take just those figures, even the money have not spoken to those in West Africa, are yet to take action. We must encourage identified by the panel, because it can be and so it would be premature to start those that haven’t enabled such legislation misleading to look at that element alone. identifying what the major recommen- to do so and find a way of assisting those But that element permits all of them. So dations will be. But we are engaging our that lack the capacity. where mispricing comes in, corruption is partners. We are going to engage OECD there. There is no component, no channel [Organization for Economic Cooperation You said illicit flows succeed because in which government corruption is not and Development], the European Union companies have places to put their and the G8 countries, and we are going profits out of reach of taxation, to engage some individual governments including in some African countries. as well as those outside the Western What is being done to discourage this We are going world. practice? to engage [a] Don’t forget that the mandate of the particular country, How was the selection of the case studies panel is illicit financial flows from Africa. done? Did these countries volunteer? We have debated this—whether the pointing out No, the panel decided on certain mandate of the panel covers destinations that it is both a criteria. Liberia, for example, was a in Africa. But we have come to the conclu- transit as well country that emerged from conflict, sion that we should [include Africa] for the and it’s common knowledge that illicit work of the panel to be credible. It’s not as a destination financial flows deriving from the trade more than one country [in Africa]. We are for these illicit in blood diamonds fuelled the conflict in going to engage this particular country, financial flows, large part. The DRC is still a country in pointing out that it is both a transit as conflict and yet it has a lot of minerals. well as a destination for these illicit finan- so it needs to Mozambique is moving to oil and gas. cial flows, so it needs to take necessary take necessary Nigeria is a country well known for oil. measures to stop it. measures to South Africa has precious minerals and a long history of mining. We will learn I watched a documentary recently on stop it. from their experiences, hoping that those illicit financial flows which showed that surveyed countries will provide a nice it’s more than just one country in Africa a part. So [that figure] should not just basket of information for others to tap that serves as a destination or transit be taken on its own. You also have to into and learn what to avoid from these point for illicit flows. relate it as it is affected by government experiences. Well, as I said, we are not a panel to corruption and private sector corrup- name or shame countries. We are a panel tion as well. There has to be supply and Do you have any mechanisms to get to assist African countries to mitigate a demand; so for the government official information from ordinary citizens? very major problem. So, as we normally to accept mispricing, for example, some- I will be very honest with you: citizen do, we engage the countries concerned body’s paying the bribe. input has been extremely useful to our and point out what our findings are and work because we have an open process; encourage them to take the necessary Just for argument’s sake, if a high regional consultations have also been measures to checkmate it. percentage from illicit flows is attrib- very helpful—civil society representatives uted to commercial transactions, have participated in all of them. In our Did you say that about 60% of the illicit wouldn’t it dissuade some African coun- country visits, civil society was invited financial flows can be attributed to tries from taking corrective action? to share [information] and the ECA has commercial transactions? The panel is aware of that and we are created the website for the panel where You know, I quickly corrected that; looking at a way of nuancing that to make relevant information can be exchanged this [figure] was data collected through sure that we don’t create a situation where with members of the panel. So the mecha- the Bretton Wood institutions in terms of such statistics can create a false impression nism is already created and the work is in balance of payments, etc. But the reality is out there or mislead. We will work on that. progress.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 17 Pacesetters A $6.3 million donation last year to flood victims in Nigeria established Mr. Elumelu as one of Africa’s top philan- thropists. According to Forbes, a US business magazine, other pacesetters include Africa’s richest man, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, whose charitable contri- butions totalled $35 million last year, Mr. Ibrahim, Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa, Kenya’s Naushad Merali and Mrs. Moloi- Motsepe who was named Africa’s most influential woman by Forbes in 2012. In the manner of billionaire Warren Buffet, who gave away a substantial chunk of his fortune to charity in 2006, South Africa’s Francois van Niekerk transferred 70% of his equity in Mertech Group, a company he founded, to the Mergon Foundation, a charity he now GOOD GOVERNANCE manages. The stake is valued at $170 million. Mo Ibrahim. Panos/Ian Teh Even as an increasing number of wealthy Africans raise their philan- thropic profiles, many believe there’s still much more to be done. “There are about Giving back to society 150 private jets in Nigeria, and there are only about four registered philan- African philanthropists push for prosperity thropies” in that country, states Wiebe Boer, a former Rockefeller Foundation By Kingsley Ighobor staffer now managing the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which provides financial ast July, US President Barack for young entrepreneurs for jobs- and policy support to African businesses. Obama set the spark for his Power creating projects. Like Mr. Elumelu, “If we could get every one of those guys L Africa programme that will help other top African philanthropists also who owns a private jet to create a philan- sub-Saharan African countries build appear to be changing tactics, focusing thropy, I think we could have a terrific power production and transmission on investments in areas likely to accel- transformation in that country.” projects and double their electricity erate Africa’s prosperity in addition to access. President Obama announced their interventions in humanitarian Philanthropy’s cultural context in Cape Town, South Africa, his plan crises such as floods. Those sceptics who see few practitioners to mobilize $16 billion for investments At a roundtable discussion last of philanthropy on the continent misun- that will generate 10,000 megawatts of October at the UN headquarters in New derstand the cultural context, argue electricity. With Nigerian billionaire and York—one of the side events during Halima Mohamed and Bhekinkosi Moyo philanthropist Tony Elumelu pledging the UN General Assembly debate—Mr. in their article in Alliance magazine, a $2.5 billion towards that amount, Elumelu, who is chairman of Heirs leading publication on philanthropy. it appears that Obama’s turn towards Holdings, an investment firm; South The emphasis on formal philanthropic Africa is energizing the continent’s Africa’s Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the institutions “is far from what philan- new philanthropic elites who can play co-founder of the Motsepe Foundation; thropy in Africa actually is—where giving a critical role in social enterprise, build the Sudanese mobile communications emerges across socioeconomic classes; capacity and pilot new technologies. entrepreneur and billionaire, Mo Ibrahim; through individual and communal Before accompanying President and Toyin Saraki, founder and president channels (formal and informal), often not Obama to tour the Ubongo power plant, of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a charity involving money,” the writers maintain. near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mr. devoted mainly to children’s and women’s In explaining Africa’s peculiar climate Elumelu had also joined Judith Rodin, affairs, discussed philanthropy in Africa of philanthropy at the UN discussion president of the Rockefeller Foundation, and the role of the private sector. Mr. round table, Ms. Moloi-Motsepe gave a US charity, to announce the establish- Elumelu urged African philanthropists the example of ubuntu, a South African ment of the Impact Economy Investment to focus on socioeconomic development concept meaning “I am because you are: Fund that will provide start-up capital and making people self-reliant. my success is intricately linked to yours.”

18 AfricaRenewal December 2013 The ubuntu concept is a family value that Africa’s poverty, exacerbated by a APF was founded to promote strategic encourages giving back to society, she decline in official development aid, brings philanthropy in Africa. In announcing said. strategic philanthropy into sharper focus. the APF’s launch, Jane Wales, presi- Africans have a culture of giving and The UK government’s assistance to South dent and CEO of the GPF, said that even mutual support even if only a few formal Africa, worth about $64 million in 2003 as poverty persists in Africa, there are charitable organizations exist, declared and down to about $30 million this year, generous African men and women, “many Toyin Saraki, founder and president of will cease by 2015. The US-based Center at the height of their careers,” who are Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a charity for International Grantmaking reported eager and “determined to change this devoted mainly to children’s and women’s that there had been a 4% decline in inter- reality and ensure that the benefits of affairs. At the UN event, Ms. Saraki rein- national giving by American founda- economic opportunity are more evenly forced the same point. Citing a study by tions in 2010 following the 2009 global shared.” Ms. Wales may have had in mind Adams Bodomo, a Ghanaian academic, economic downturn. As a result, many Africa’s 55 billionaires, who were touted the BBC reported last April that Africans foundations were unable to continue their by the Nigeria-based financial magazine in the diaspora remitted $51.8 billion in work in Africa, creating an urgent oppor- Ventures as having a combined wealth of 2010 compared to $43 billion from tradi- tunity for the continent’s philanthropists. $145 billion. tional Western aid donors. Therefore, the African philanthropists are conscious anecdote of four philanthropic institu- of thinning aid. Meanwhile, at a private Meeting the challenge tions in a country with 150 private jets sector forum on Africa (another UN Before the APF’s launch, individuals fails to tell the full story. side event during the General Assembly such as Mr. Ibrahim were already With most philanthropic activi- debate), Sudanese telecom billionaire implementing activities that promoted ties neither documented nor promoted Ibrahim took the position that taxes on economic growth and responsible polit- in Africa, organizations like African multinationals, not gifts or aid, would be ical leadership. In 2007 the Mo Ibrahim Grantmakers Network have stepped in more than sufficient to address poverty Foundation began awarding annual to facilitate experience sharing among on the continent. Africa loses between prizes to African leaders who, while in philanthropists and to promote their $30 billion and $40 billion annually due power, developed their countries, lifted activities. Along this line, Mr. Dangote to tax evasion, he told the audience, which people out of poverty, paved the way for recently pledged to enhance the sustainable and equitable prosperity and public information aspect of his did not attempt to bend existing laws philanthropic work. Just pay your taxes. to extend their term. Winners receive Mr. Elumelu’s model, which We don’t need your $5 million over 10 years, $200,000 per emphasizes investments in sectors year for life and another $200,000 for a that promote development such as aid. charity of their choice. Previous winners the pharmaceutical and startup include former presidents Joaquim sectors, is an example of the link between included representatives of top foreign Chissano of Mozambique and Festus business and charity. Stressing the need businesses operating in Africa. “Just pay Mogae of Botswana. But there has been for investments in critical development your taxes,” he beseeched the business no winner since 2011. sectors, he highlighted the billions of leaders. “We don’t need your aid.” Uganda’s Ashish Thakkar spent dollars his company was going to invest in $1 million last year through his Mara sub-Saharan Africa’s ailing power sector. Rising concerns Foundation to “make wealth through Former Ghanaian president John Kufuor On the flip side, there are concerns about capacity building, mentoring and peer took issue, pointing out that philanthropy the illusory nature of many of Africa’s networking”. The foundation provides involves giving without expecting some- charitable works, which can appear more financing for start-up businesses or an thing in return. Investments and philan- like public relations gimmicks than existing business with high risk but high thropy are not the same thing, he said, sincere efforts to alleviate problems. “The growth potential, is renovating dozens of and Africa needs the former more than use of philanthropy to offset exploitative Ugandan high schools, provides scholar- the latter. business practices” should be discouraged, ships to destitute East African students maintain Mr. Moyo and Ms. Mohamed and offers free training to startup entre- “Strategic philanthropy” in their Alliance magazine article. “If a preneurs. While Ms. Saraki and Mr. Elumelu shared resource-based corporation has made its The APF must now take African their views on how business can support profits from a land where people have philanthropy to a higher level. Capturing socioeconomic development at the UN been dispossessed of their land rights and the mood at the private sector forum roundtable, at other forums they have then engages in philanthropic activity, on Africa, UN Secretary-General Ban termed their approach strategic philan- serious questions need to be asked.” Ki-moon said, “Africa can and will deter- thropy, meaning solving problems at their Launched in April this year, the mine its own fate.” With leadership from source. For example, they believe that by African Philanthropy Forum (APF) has the current crop of indigenous wealthy providing education to women, philan- a peer-review component that will likely financiers, the small but growing number thropists can help women avoid many address those concerns. An affiliate of the of African philanthropists may be ready reproductive health problems. Global Philanthropy Forum (GPF), the for this task.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 19 A messenger of peace and development goes to the Sahel For his trip to the Sahel, Ban Ki-moon adopted as his motto an African saying: “One hand cannot tie a bundle.” His guests agreed. By André-Michel Essoungou, in the Sahel

n a breezy Monday night last As Mr. Ban set foot in the region, he November, UN Secretary- quickly moved to set the stage too. First, O General Ban Ki-moon arrived on he stressed that he was visiting the region a visit to Mali, the first leg of a four-nation for the very first time, along with top tour of the Sahel region. Much had changed officials of partner institutions. “A dream in the country’s fortunes. Not long ago, team,” one diplomat suggested. Among many considered Mali a beacon of stability the visitors were Nkosazana Dlamini- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from right), along with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (left), African Union Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and a model of democratization. Under its Zuma, chairperson of the African Union (second from left) and President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger (right), talk to the media in Niamey. Dominic Chavez/World Bank blue sky, it exuded a sense of serenity. Commission; Jim Yong Kim, president Now, even to the casual observer, the of the World Bank; Donald Kaberuka, It was therefore apropos that the mood has turned sombre. And it is not president of the African Development secretary-general started his Sahel tour only because of the lingering clouds of Bank; and European Union Development at a gathering of the region’s ministers smoke oozing from burning mountains of Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. Ibrahim in Bamako. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the trash near Bamako, the capital. In reality, Mayaki, chief executive officer of the New recently elected president of Mali, had a series of dramatic events in the recent Partnership for Africa’s Development, convened the meeting to serve as an initial past are mostly to blame. A military coup later joined the group. platform for the implementation of the toppled an elected government in April Shortly after his plane had landed, in strategy. 2012. Armed groups took over the coun- front of a packed crowd that had come to “Now is the time for action,” Mr. Ban try’s north. A coalition of terrorists boldly greet him at the airport, Mr. Ban insisted, urged the audience, adding that action can attempted a total take-over of the country. “We have come here to demonstrate our and must be regional in scope “since the At the last minute, French and Chadian solidarity with the people of Mali and challenges facing the region respect no soldiers forcefully stopped the terror- Sahel.” Those words were echoed several boundaries.” The Sahel is Africa’s most ists’ advance. Peacekeepers were soon times over the next three days of his visit. vulnerable region, where some 11 million deployed. A presidential election took place people are at risk of hunger while facing this past July. It was the first step in getting A UN strategy for the Sahel threats from terrorists and criminal a derailed democracy back on track. The events of the past two years in Mali networks. Referring to the delegation trav- However, less than 48 hours before the have been central to the design of a unique elling with him, Mr. Ban remarked, “We UN chief landed in Mali, assailants killed initiative, now formally known as the UN have partnered together in this extraor- two French journalists in the northern Integrated Strategy for the Sahel. This is dinary way because we recognize that town of Kidal. Ghislaine Dupont and a broad and far-reaching response to the the Sahel region needs an extraordinary Claude Verlon, reporters with Radio France region’s challenges (see page 22). Its purpose effort.” Mr. Kim, head of the World Bank, International, had been kidnapped and is to mobilize both the countries of the said Mr. Ban had brought “multilateralism shot dead in the space of a few hours. Mr. region and their international partners to to a level never reached before.” Ban, French officials and the UN Security find common and coordinated solutions. It Among the ministers from Sahel coun- Council strongly condemned the killings. focuses on three main areas: governance, tries and the heads of international institu- The secretary-general said that they were a security and resilience. The plan reflects tions, there was consensus at the meeting reminder of the challenges facing Mali and the belief that peace and development are that the UN strategy was timely and critical. the need for action to support its people. interconnected. “One is not sustainable After the Security Council’s endorsement Across Mali, the commotion over the jour- without the other,” Mr. Ban has said on of the Sahel plan in July, the region and its nalists’ deaths was palpable. many occasions. development partners adopted it.

20 AfricaRenewal December 2013 needed to confront armed conflict, political instability and economic development, not as isolated and unrelated problems but in a comprehensive way. “Our United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel is based on identifying crucial connections—and supporting your efforts to drive hard at them with well-coordinated solutions,” the secre- tary-general further explained.

Mediators and peacekeepers As in Mali, the secretary-general and his delegation were warmly received in Burkina Faso and Chad, the last two stops on the agenda. With visible pride, Djibril Bassole, Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, quickly pointed to the fact that “never before have we seen such an important delegation come to visit us.” The UN chief expressed his gratitude for Burkina Faso’s role in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges. By serving as mediator in a number of crises in West Africa, including in Mali, Burkina Faso Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from right), along with World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (left), African Union Commission Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has earned itself an enviable reputation as a (second from left) and President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger (right), talk to the media in Niamey. Dominic Chavez/World Bank peace broker, he said. “You play an active role in the Sahel,” Mr. Ban told government offi- The day before the meeting, in an First, the next day, in the hot and dry cials in the capital Ouagadougou, following unusual show of partnership, through a weather of Niamey, Niger’s capital, the a meeting with President Blaise Compaoré. press release issued in Bamako on behalf of secretary-general applauded President The secretary-general also pledged the all the major visiting international partners, Mahamadou Issoufou for his support in continuing support of the UN and the inter- the European Union and the World Bank improving the status of women and girls national community as the country works pledged over $8.2 billion to the region: the through concrete action. to achieve the Millennium Development Bank pledged $1.5 billion in new regional “When we give women the education Goals by 2015, contribute to defining the investments over the next two years, while they deserve, society becomes stronger. Sustainable Development Goals and address the EU announced it would provide €5 When we protect women’s human rights, the impact of climate change. billion (US$6.75 billion) to six Sahel coun- society becomes more just. And when we A few hours later, in N’djamena, Chad, tries over the next seven years. The money allow women to determine their own future, Mr. Ban applauded the country’s positive is to be used for a number of development they will advance development for all,” Mr. role in the Sahel region, particularly in projects, including agriculture and green Ban declared at a ceremony titled the Call confronting terrorists in northern Mali. He energy. to Action on Demographic Issues. Much acknowledged Chad’s contribution to the From a formal gathering with officials, like the other officials, Ms. Dlamini-Zuma UN peacekeeping operation deployed there the secretary-general headed north for a of the African Union Commission joined and the sacrifice made by the 39 Chadian visit to the fabled city of Timbuktu, which in encouraging countries of the Sahel to do peacekeepers who have died in the region. has suffered the wrath of terrorist occupa- more for their women and girls. “They are “We came to the region to continue and tion and lost some of its historical treas- not only half of the society, they also gave amplify our joint action,” the UN chief ures while its people endured, as Mr. Ban birth to the other half,” she quipped—to added at his last press conference on the put it, “horrendous human rights viola- general applause—from a stage that resem- trip. tions.” Mr. Ban said that when Timbuktu’s bled a set for American politicians’ debates On yet another breezy night in the Sahel, heritage was attacked, it was not a loss only during electoral campaigns. after some 72 hours of meetings, discus- for the Malians, but also for common world Calling for common action in Niger, a sions and visits, and even as his “excep- heritage. country facing unique threats as a result tional delegation” had started making its of regional instability originating in Mali, way back from the region, the secretary- Support for Sahel’s women and girls Libya and Nigeria, and suffering the brunt general remarked, “Our journey of soli- Having set the tone for his visit in Mali, of the region’s recurring food crisis, was darity with the people of the Sahel can and the secretary-general proceeded to preaching to the converted. The UN chief must continue.” As he had told his audiences deliver the same message, emphasizing told an extraordinary session of Niger’s all along the way, he again added, “Now is specific aspects, during subsequent stops. parliament later in the day that the region the time to act.”

AfricaRenewal December 2013 21 Newscast /eyevine/Redux

Representatives from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations agencies and partners meet with a village chief in Sinegodar, Niger. OCHA/Nicole Lawrence

of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is also mobilizing resources and assisting The Sahel: communities in need. The environmental crisis One region, many crises Historically the Sahel has been charac- terized by strong climatic variations and By André-Michel Essoungou, in the Sahel irregular rainfalls, which pose two of the biggest obstacles to food security and frica’s Sahel region faces many persistent droughts have contributed to poverty reduction in the region, according complex and interconnected famine episodes. There is now a need to to the UN Environment Programme A challenges. Here are some of the break the cycle of recurrent food crises in (UNEP). Things have gotten worse in major ones, and how the United Nations the region, many humanitarian actors say. recent decades, experts say. Between is assisting the region in finding solutions. 1970 and 1993, the region recorded 20 How is the UN assisting? years of severe drought. The frequency The food crisis Throughout this year’s lean season— and severity of droughts and floods has When the Sahel is in the news, it is often the period between harvests from May to increased over this period. FAO reports because millions of people are at risk September—the World Food Programme that over 80% of the region’s land is of going hungry. A humanitarian crisis (WFP) gave food to between 5 and 6 million degraded. By 2050, writes Malcolm Potts usually unfolds on the back of a food people each month through its nutrition of the University of California–Berkeley, crisis. In 2012, the lives of up to 18 million and food security programme. In 2012 with greenhouse gas emissions rising, people were put at risk following a major the Food and Agriculture Organisation temperatures will be warmer by 3 to 5 food crisis in the region. This year, more (FAO) helped more than 5.2 million people degrees Celsius and extreme weather than 11 million are facing the same plight, through support to off-season food and events will have become more common. while 1.4 million children are threatened crop production, soil and water conserva- Various factors account for the Sahel’s with severe malnutrition. Even in normal tion and rehabilitation projects, and desert environmental crisis. “Over the last half years, millions are in a permanent state of locust control and monitoring. With its century,” UNEP notes, “the combined food insecurity. Over the past five decades, partners, the Office for the Coordination effects of population growth, land

22 AfricaRenewal December 2013 degradation (deforestation, continuous How is the UN assisting? production and livestock, loss of human cropping and overgrazing), reduced and UNODC recently helped broker lives to hunger, malnutrition and disease, erratic rainfall, lack of coherent envi- an agreement among Mali, Morocco, massive displacements of people and ronmental policies and misplaced devel- Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Algeria shattered economies. Climate change opment priorities, have contributed to to address the problems caused by could also have negative consequences transform a large proportion of the Sahel drug trafficking, organized crime and on agricultural production and food into barren land, resulting in the deterio- terrorism. In July the UN Security security in the Sahel, says UNEP. All in ration of the soil and water resources.” Council authorized the deployment of a all, the countries of the Sahel perform peacekeeping mission to assist Mali on poorly on UNDP’s Human Development How is the UN assisting? its way back to stability. Index, a measurement of a country’s Among other recommendations, UN economic and social well-being. officials have urged regional cooperation Fragile economies to defuse tensions between countries of Agriculture in the Sahel employs a How is the UN assisting? the region, and thereby reduce the risk of majority of the region’s work force and The World Bank believes irrigation increased conflict and environmentally contributes heavily to its gross domestic could allow the Sahel’s agriculture to induced migration. Achim Steiner, execu- product (accounting for up to 45% in overcome the challenges posed by a tive director of UNEP, has pointed to “the some countries of the region). It also hostile environment and produce more urgent need for scaled-up investments in plays a central role in food security. food for its people. “Although desert and adaptation, moving forward on the Green Yet it remains highly underdeveloped aridity define the Sahel,” said World Fund, and supportive measures such as and is characterized by an almost total Bank Vice President for Africa Makhtar reduced emissions from deforestation and dependency on three to four months of Diop in a recent op-ed piece, “its vast forest degradation as well as realizing the rainfall per year, as well as by low use of water resources remain untapped. In a climate finance of $100 billion a year by external inputs such as seeds and ferti- region where farming is the predomi- 2020.” lizers, the absence of mechanization and nant economic activity, sadly, only 20% poor links to markets. of the Sahel’s irrigation potential has Insecurity and political instability According to UNEP, the recur- been developed. Worse still, one quarter Political instability has plagued some of rent droughts of the 1970s and 1980s of the area equipped with irrigation lies the Sahel’s countries for years. In Mali, caused massive losses of agricultural in a state of disrepair.” the military coup of March 2012 brought an abrupt halt to 20 years of stable democ- racy. In its aftermath, terrorists who had occupied most of the northern region Focus on the Sahel trip started heading south, intent on taking control of the whole country. In January 2013 a French-led and Chad-supported During his four-nation trip to the crisis- intervention stopped their advance. The ridden Sahel region in November, UN conflict compounded the security and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accom- humanitarian crisis, in part by disrupting panied by a high-powered delegation supply routes and causing food shortages. of the heads of the World Bank, the The crisis in neighbouring Darfur, African Union Commission, the African Sudan, and the presence of an armed Development Bank, the European rebellion in the east did damage to Chad’s Commissioner for Development and security that will last for many years. NEPAD, visited the countries of Burkina During Niger’s 50 years of independence, Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger (shown on the notes a report by the International Crisis map). The European Union and the World Group, a think tank, the country has seen Bank pledged over $8.2 billion to the two armed rebellions, four coups, seven region. governments and periods of promising democratic change as well as reversals. In a region with porous borders, a Country Burkina Faso Chad Mali Niger political or security crisis in one country Population 17 million 11.5 million 15.8 million 16.1 million is often a serious threat to neighbours. These borders have benefited criminal GDP per capita $643 $885 $694 $383 networks and drug traffickers. The UN HDI Rank* 181 183 175 186 Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has estimated that major illicit flows linked to * Human Development Index rank out of 187 countries criminal activities in the Sahel amounted Sources: CILSS, UNDP, World Bank (2012 figures). to $3.8 billion annually.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 23 A farmer checks her mobile phone before deciding whether to harvest her crops. Panos/Piers Benatar Reaching for new heights Information and communications technology takes agriculture to a new level in Zimbabwe By Munyaradzi Makoni

harles Dhewa loved to write farmers, traders, financial institutions, types of commodities produced. “Though about agriculture, especially input suppliers and policy makers in farmers had mobile phones, they did not C soil and crops. In early 2000 he Zimbabwe?” he asked himself. know where to get information on agricul- decided to turn his words into action by In 2012, Mr. Dhewa’s knowledge ture to engage meaningfully,” he says. “It becoming a cattle and horticulture farmer systems company, Knowledge Transfer was not enough to have a mobile phone.” in Zimbabwe. He bought a small farm in Africa, combined with Afrosoft Holdings, The next step was to convince Marondera, a town about an hour’s drive a software development company, to Zimbabwe’s three mobile service from the capital, Harare. His experience launch the service eMkambo, which is providers—Econet Wireless, NetOne and as a farmer enriched his writing, as he the first initiative in Zimbabwe to serve Telecel—to provide agriculture content. articulated issues in agriculture in ways agriculture through information and Mr. Dhewa’s pitch was that this would lure that appealed to smallholder farmers. He communications technology (ICT). The people to buy more airtime. “Farmers and soon became the communications expert service, whose name means “market” in agro-dealers in Zimbabwe were starved of for the Zimbabwe Farmers Union. isiNdebele, a Zimbabwean language, is an tailored information and fast connections But Mr. Dhewa later changed jobs interactive knowledge-sharing platform with other role-players in the industry,” he when he was hired as a local consultant for the agriculture sector. says. The mobile phone service providers, for the British-funded Crop Post Harvest Before eMkambo’s launch, Zimbabwe’s though initially reluctant, later bought Programme and the International Fund technological developments had been the idea. for Agricultural Development, an agency stymied by a decade of economic and Mr. Dhewa was eager to debunk claims that supports poor smallholder farmers. political problems. But a US$140,000 that agriculture is not a lucrative business. Over the next 10 years he witnessed grant from a Dutch donor, Hivos, in 2012, As he rolled out his plan, “Agriculture the power of the mobile phone and how provided Mr. Dhewa with seed invest- pays” became his tag line, and those people were using it to improve commu- ment. He created a database of farmers farmers, traders and agro-dealers who nication in agriculture and rural develop- by collecting their mobile phone numbers began benefiting from using the platform ment. “Why not start a platform to link as well as data on farming areas and the easily believed him.

24 AfricaRenewal December 2013 eMkambo has spread like wildfire in shared between eMkambo and the service communications group, told Africa Zimbabwe due largely to an enabling envi- provider, in line with an earlier agreement Renewal that his company is open to ronment. Almost 50% of Zimbabwe’s land between them. “This transaction would working with any developers with inno- mass consists of communal farming areas, not have been smooth without eMkambo, vations that can help the country, adding where 70% of the population resides, and as the Masvingo trader and Ms. Dongo did that there is huge potential for ICT in smallholder farmers work on average plot not previously know each other,” says Mr. agriculture. Econet Wireless has over sizes of about two hectares, according Dhewa. 5.6 million subscribers, representing to the Integrated Regional Information In addition, eMkambo has developed a more than 70% of the country’s mobile Network, a UN humanitarian news networked agriculture call centre linking market. The company has been successful service. at least 20 markets around Zimbabwe via with EcoCash, a system of mobile money mobile phones. Mr. Dhewa says that about transfer like Kenya’s famous M-Pesa. A farmer’s call centre 100,000 stakeholders—farmers, buyers, Mr. Mberi believes his company can also On eMkambo’s platform, physical agro-dealers, traders, transporters, finan- succeed in agriculture. markets, mobile phones and Web-based cial institutions, input suppliers, policy The Postal and Telecommunications virtual spaces are integrated in a web makers and general consumers—are using Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, which of communication. The platform takes the service to understand, in an informal issues licences in the postal and telecom- advantage of large, informal agricul- way, agricultural markets. munications sector, reports that the tural markets in suburbs such as those in country has more than 7.8 million mobile Mbare, Harare; Emalaleni, Bulawayo and Information pool subscribers. With such a huge subscriber Sakubva, Mutare. Take a typical scenario: Mr. Dhewa’s next plan is to consolidate base, there is potential to expand the Barbara Dongo, a farmer in Honde Valley all currently scattered information on market for eMkambo. Limbikani Makani, in the eastern province of Manicaland, nongovernmental organisations, para- the editor of Technology Zimbabwe, wants to harvest her tomatoes and statals, farmers’ organisations, govern- an online magazine, also foresees that sell them at Mbare Musika, the largest ment departments, commodity buyers, eMkambo will attract a lot more farmers informal market in Harare, 300 kms away. transporters, financial institutions, indi- if the platform continues to deliver timely She phones eMkambo, the call costing vidual farmers, etc. The information pool and reliable information. “While people about $0.10 per minute, for information will consist of such data as the price and need information, they need it consist- on the cost of a crate of tomatoes and the type of crops and the location and expiry ently in order to rely on it,” he says. number of traders at Mbare Musika. dates of perishable commodities. “There Because the strength of his platform An eMkambo information officer is value in bringing all this information is mainly data collection and analysis checks price trends and volume. She together and creatively interpreting it for decision-making, Mr. Dhewa intends gets quick feedback: “There is a glut of for various users and as such eliminating to collaborate with government policy tomatoes at Mbare and prices are going inefficiencies in agricultural marketing. makers. “Policy makers need ideas and down.” She realizes the price could This will lead to improved incomes for insights from creative entrepreneurs, plummet, and that there is a real possi- smallholder farmers and other value through ICT. You can do anything in bility her tomatoes could rot, causing chain actors,” he says. Zimbabwe as long as you have the fore- huge waste on top of the transport costs. The eMkambo platform has shown sight, insight, hindsight and oversight.” But through eMkambo she quickly learns that peasant farmers can afford—and are Meantime, Mr. Dhewa is planning to that there is a shortage of tomatoes in fast to understand—a new technology. “As have financial institutions and small- to Masvingo, a town 275km away from long as there is need, peasant farmers can medium-scale enterprises start inter- Honde Valley. She is connected with a punch through any technological barrier,” acting on eMkambo. He hopes that this trader at Tafara Market in Masvingo who says Mr. Dhewa. “No matter what we will attract many young people to farming. is willing to come and fetch her tomatoes think of them, peasant farmers are busi- Already there are indications that some in Honde Valley. The price is agreed upon nesspeople.” banks would like to support traders at large and the deal is sealed. However, not all smallholder farmers informal agricultural markets in Harare, In such a scenario, an eMkambo have been convinced to use eMkambo. Bulawayo and Mutare—Zimbabwe’s three information officer in Honde Valley will And mobile service providers have been biggest cities—before the end of the year. usually come to Ms. Dongo’s field to slow to understand the need for service This is an age of mobile information, monitor harvesting and packaging while upgrades to enhance user-friendliness. according to Mr. Makani and it appears a trader from Masvingo comes to collect Mr. Dhewa says he will continue to strive that Mr. Dhewa, the mobile companies the produce. During the transaction Ms. for the full support of mobile phone and the farmers are in a win-win rela- Dongo and the officer will continue their service providers. “Our strength is mainly tionship. Mr. Dhewa is reaping income communication through mobile phones. in content.… A lot of content in Africa is and recognition from his initiative; the In this example Ms. Dongo, the trader still to find its way into the digital world.” telecom companies, while making money and the information officer used phone from SMS and phone calls, also feel they lines registered with eMkambo and the Expansion opportunities are contributing to society; and for some mobile service provider. The revenue from Nevertheless, Rangarirai Mberi, Zimbabwean farmers life is just getting airtime usage during the conversation is head of Zimbabwe’s Econet Wireless better.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 25 A toast to South Africa’s black middle class

The Soweto Wine Festival attracts thousands over a three-day period to taste more than 950 South African wines. Soweto Wine Festival By Benjamin Düerr

n the summer of 2005, South Africa–based entre- Ms. Cooper is not the only one to be excited preneur Marilyn Cooper decided to give her neigh- about the steady growth of the South African black I bors in a suburb of the capital, Pretoria, a barbecue middle class. Speaking at the Forbes Africa Forum in treat. Alluding to the inscription on her drinking Congo-Brazzaville in July, South African president glasses, “Soweto Beer Festival,” she asked her guests, Jacob Zuma enthusiastically lauded current progress. “Why can’t we have a Soweto wine festival?” The “The [black middle class] growth demonstrates that economic situation was just right for such a celebra- we are making progress in improving the quality tion, she felt, as many residents of Soweto, a predomi- of life and extending opportunities to those who $40bn nantly black township in Johannesburg, were already were oppressed only 19 years ago before the dawn of Annual showing flashes of middle class life: buying new cars, freedom.” consumer modern electronics, mobile phones, designer dresses and houses. And they appeared to love a good wine. Growing demographic spending by Within a year Ms. Cooper had found a partner, But who exactly is in the middle class in South South Africa’s Mnikelo Mangciphu, with whom she organized the Africa? Although the African Development Bank middle class first-ever Soweto Wine Festival. Which has now describes as middle class in a developing economy become a popular annual event. She also owns a anyone earning more than $2 per day, a study by winery and business is booming, but she believes that John Simpson, director of the University of Cape better days are still ahead as she targets a rising black Town’s Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing, middle-class market. defines middle class South Africans as those who

26 AfricaRenewal December 2013 earn between $1,550 and $4,800 per Several factors have helped swell challenges, such as obesity. By June 2013, month or who meet certain criteria, for the ranks of South Africa’s black middle fast-food giant McDonald’s operated 185 instance, having a white-collar job and class, including credit availability, educa- restaurants in South Africa, and it is set to owning a car. tion, the government’s Black Economic increase the number to 200 by the end of In a recent study, Four Million and Empowerment (BEE) programme and the year. Burger King, another fast-food Rising, Mr. Simpson agrees with President general economic growth, which has led company, opened its first restaurant in Zuma’s upbeat assessment and provides to more job creation, says Mr. Simpson. South Africa this year and expects to open backup data. For example, currently 40% The BEE programme aims to ensure the more in the future. Its chief executive of black professionals work in the civil participation of previously disadvantaged officer, Jaye Sinclair, tells Bloomberg.com, service, compared to 13% of whites. This nonwhites in the corporate sector. The the U.S. business wire’s online publica- has led to the rise of income levels in policy includes tax benefits and employ- tion, “The [spending of the] middle class black families, which in turn has led to ment preference. “Sheer economic growth will be the savior for South Africa down increased consumption. The study found in a consumption-driven economy and the line, not exports.” that between 2004 and 2012, the number easy access to credit helped to make the But South Africa’s Medical Research of black middle-class families who owned number of black middle class families Council is worried that “obesity is not a DVD player increased from 30% to 63%; rise,” says Mr. Simpson. only a problem of the developed nations the number with computers at home Entrepreneurs such as Ms. Cooper but is becoming an increasing problem increased from 19% to 45%; and of those continue to find themselves faced with in countries undergoing societal transi- owning microwaves from 60% to 92%. many opportunities. She affirms that “for tions.” Studies show that 39% of women Nicholas Nkosi, a manager with South the next 20 to 30 years, this black middle- and 10% of men in South Africa are obese Africa’s Standard Bank, adds his voice to class market is going to expand further.” already—meaning that their weights are the excitement about a new and finan- Aside from contributing to economic greater than what is generally considered cially empowered black middle class. growth, the rise of the black middle class normal for their heights. But that’s not a More blacks are buying homes than “shows a movement towards the normali- problem for the growing fitness sector. before, he told Africa Renewal in an inter- zation of the society,” argues Mr. Simpson. Gyms are opening throughout middle- view. In addition, his bank’s 2013 report Prior to 1994, when apartheid officially class neighborhoods such as Protea Glen, shows that car sales to blacks increased ended, blacks were oppressed, had few job Orlando West and Orlando East in Soweto. by 19% between 2011 and 2012, compared opportunities and had restricted access to an increase of 7% for white customers to education. The economic and political Urbanization during the same period. landscape has since changed, with the With black middle-class families moving Lyn Foxcroft, a business consultant growing black middle class changing from townships to suburbs, housing who studied wine consumption among historic inequalities. construction, especially in new settle- emerging consumers in South Africa, While President Zuma and others ments, is expanding. South Africa’s writes, “Of the 8.3 million adults clas- sound positive about the future of South Financial Mail newspaper reports that sified as middle class in 2012, 51% are Africa’s black middle class, Mr. Simpson there was a shortage of 600,000 housing black, 34% white.... This is a dramatic believes more remains to be done. units for the working class in 2013. The shift from the 2004 proportions: white “Poverty at the bottom end hasn’t reduced paper attributes the current backlog of 52%, black 32%” South Africa’s middle very much,” he says. The rise of some has about 100,000 housing units a year—and class generally spends a whopping $40 resulted in a widening of the gap between growing—to rapid urbanization, a reduc- billion annually. Its 4.2 million black rich and poor. South Africa has become tion in the average family size and a fast- middle-class citizens represent a chunk “one of the most unequal societies in the growing middle class. Affordable neigh- of this amount, with nearly half having world.” borhoods for middle-income earners a post-secondary degree and more than Simpson’s study shows that about 70% in Johannesburg, and in Pretoria and 50% of families sending their children to of blacks in the middle class feel increasing Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province, private schools. Finance minister Pravin pressure to support less fortunate are becoming overpopulated. The high Gordhan adds that generally since 1994, dependents. This pressure is captured in demand for housing also puts a strain per capita national income is up 40%, the award-winning 2011 documentary on services such as electricity. During while up to four in five people are now Forerunners, which portrays the strug- the winter, for example, the exploding connected to the electric power grid. gles of four black South Africans striving demand for energy often causes power to find balance in their new lives and outages. Economy’s engine cope with the tensions that result from Still, many development experts agree Available data, says Mr. Simpson, indi- attempting to fulfill enormous family that the growth of the black middle class cates an expansion of the black middle responsibilities. is good for South Africa. It strengthens class, and he sees this demographic as Africa’s biggest economy and moves the the engine of the South African economy Fast food invasion country steadily towards a truly pros- because of its strong purchasing power Increased spending power by the black perous society. “Better days are indeed and contribution to the national coffers middle class has caused an influx of fast- ahead for South Africa,” Ms. Cooper says through taxes. food outlets and, from that, new health confidently.

AfricaRenewal December 2013 27 A herd of elephants in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya. Panos/Martin Roemers Elephants are the latest conflict resource By Pavithra Rao

n average of about 45 elephants per day were habitat, are threatening the survival of African illegally killed in 2011 in every two of five elephant populations in Central Africa and in previ- A protected sites holding elephant populations ously secure populations in West, Southern and in Africa, thanks to the growing illegal trade in ivory, Eastern Africa. The report was produced by the UN which continues to threaten the survival of elephants Environment Programme (UNEP), the Convention on the continent. A joint report by four interna- on International Trade in Endangered Species 17,000 tional conservation organizations says that 17,000 (CITES), the International Union for Conservation Elephants killed elephants were killed in 2011 alone and the amount of of Nature (IUCN) and the Wildlife Trade Monitoring ivory seized has tripled over the last decade. Network (TRAFFIC). in 2011 at sites “Organized criminal networks are cashing in The 17,000 elephants illegally killed in 2011 lived monitored by on the elephant poaching crisis, trafficking ivory at sites monitored through the CITES-led Monitoring the Convention in unprecedented volumes and operating with Illegal Killing of Elephants programme; these sites on International relative impunity and with little fear of prosecu- hold approximately 40% of the total elephant popula- Trade in tion,” says Tom Milliken, an expert on ivory trade tion in Africa. The report warns that initial data from Endangered with TRAFFIC, a global wildlife trade monitoring 2012 show that the situation had not improved, and network. that the true figures may be much higher. Species (CITES) The joint report, Elephants in the Dust: The Long ago elephants used to roam freely in Africa, African Elephant Crisis, released this year, warns finding paradise in places like Côte d’Ivoire, which that increasing poaching levels, as well as loss of literally means “the coast of ivory.” Even the country’s

28 AfricaRenewal December 2013 national football team, Les Éléphants, slaughter for tusks was surging in the Concerted efforts needed derives its name from the mighty animal. Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad Numerous solutions have been proposed The elephant population of Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. “Poachers are using more and and adopted in the past to stamp out has since dropped dramatically, with only more sophisticated and powerful weapons, poaching, but with mixed results. about 800 remaining throughout the some of which, it is believed, might be orig- According to Mr. Ban’s report, “The situ- country. The drive to save elephants has inating from the fallout in Libya,” Mr. Ban ation has become so serious that national become the latest frontier in the conflict said in a report to the UN Security Council. authorities in some countries, such as over natural resources in Africa. In Zimbabwe, for instance, poachers have Cameroon, have decided to use the national “Like blood diamonds from Sierra started using cyanide on elephants and army in addition to law and order enforce- Leone or plundered minerals from Congo, other wildlife by poisoning natural salt ment agencies to hunt down poachers.” ivory, it seems, is the latest conflict licks. Since May 2013, photos by legitimate One innovative tool from the wildlife resource in Africa, dragged out of remote hunters, taken during aerial surveys in campaign group Kenyans United Against battle zones, easily converted into cash Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, have Poaching is the website. The site is intended and now fueling conflicts across the conti- shown more than 300 elephant corpses. to name and shame animal poachers as well nent,” according to Jeffrey Gettleman of According to Elephants in the Dust, as middlemen and traffickers. According the New York Times. large-scale seizures (seizures of consign- to Salisha Chandra, a spokeswoman for Elephant tusks are of high value in the ments weighing over 800 kg) of ivory the group, publicly listing offenders’ names Far East, particularly in China, Vietnam, destined for Asia have more than doubled online will make poachers and traffickers the Philippines and Malaysia, where many since 2009, reaching an all-time high in think twice. use them for ornamentation as well as for 2011. The report says large movements of Last May the Kenyan parliament religious purposes. With booming econo- ivory, involving the tusks of hundreds of increased penalties for wildlife poaching mies, the demand can only increase, many elephants in single shipments, were a sign and trafficking of ivory to up to 15 years in believe. “of the increasingly active grip of highly prison along with huge fines. According to organized criminal networks” engaged in authorities, poaching has reduced Kenya’s Going extinct illegal ivory trade. elephant population from 160,000 in the Increasing numbers of poachers in Africa “These criminal networks operate 1960s to 38,000 today. are ready to supply these markets. They with relative impunity, as there is almost slaughter the animals and saw off their no evidence of successful arrests, pros- Challenges remain tusks, sometimes even invading sanctu- ecutions or convictions,” says the report. Even with efforts to increase fines and aries to do so. Given the rate at which they Furthermore, “The prevalence of unreg- jail time for offenders, poachers are still are being slaughtered each year, African ulated domestic ivory markets in many on the prowl. Somalia, for instance, is elephants could be extinct over the next African cities, coupled with the growing overrun by rebel and terrorist groups, decade, says the Wildlife Conservation number of Asian nationals residing in as well as pirates and traffickers. It is no Society, an animal protection organization. Africa also facilitates the illegal trade in wonder that the illegal ivory trade flour- The authors of Elephants in the Dust ivory out of Africa.” ishes in such an environment. agree. They say current population esti- It’s not just the elephant population Anti-poaching campaigners are mates suggest alarming declines in that is threatened by illegal killings; local demanding that authorities properly elephant numbers in parts of Central and communities suffer too. “The surge in investigate and prosecute all those West Africa, as well as an increasing risk the killing of elephants in Africa and involved in exporting elephant tusks of extinction for some local populations. the illegal taking of other listed species especially to the Far East. UNEP has Africa used to have a few million elephants globally threaten not only wildlife popula- called for follow-up investigation of any at the turn of the century, current esti- tions but the livelihoods of millions who large-scale seizure of ivory going from mates put the continental population in the depend on tourism for a living and the Africa to Asia, and for trans-boundary range of 420,000 to 650,000. Botswana, lives of those wardens and wildlife staff criminal intelligence units. Tanzania and Zimbabwe account for well who are attempting to stem the illegal The successful outcome of current over half of them. tide,” says Achim Steiner, UNEP execu- efforts hinges on the availability of tive director. adequate resources, and on the polit- Cyanide poisoning In May 2013, for example, poachers in ical will to raise necessary awareness Worse, many of the poachers are alleged the Central Africa Republic attacked the and enact and implement policies that to be working for rebel groups, such as Dzanga Bai Clearing in the Dzanga-Ndoki punish offenders. The Elephants in the the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda National Park, home to about a hundred Dust report expresses this point clearly: and the Janjaweed in Sudan, and terrorist elephants. Almost 20 poachers illegally “Unless the necessary resources can be and militant groups such as Al-Qaeda entered Dzanga Bai and massacred more mobilized to significantly improve local and Al-Shabaab. These groups engage in than 25 elephants, including four calves. conservation efforts and enforcement the illicit ivory trade, using the profits to During the same month, poachers invaded along the entire ivory chain, elephant finance terrorist works. the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya chains will falter, poaching will continue Earlier this year UN Secretary-General and four other animal sanctuaries, killing and illegal trade in ivory will continue Ban Ki-moon warned that elephant seven rhinos. unabated.”

AfricaRenewal December 2013 29 Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour performing. Reyer Boxem/Hollandse Hoogte/Redux Music can change the world By Dana Da Silva

o you ever listen to a song and signs because of its messages. There are, partner for social change. In Africa a find yourself moved so deeply however, still musicians who hope that variety of NGOs, bands and activists D you are almost in tears? Have their words will inspire change. are trying to make a difference through you ever been to a live performance that Known throughout the world, music. turned your worst day into your best? Youssou N’Dour is a musical peacemaker The Sigauque Project is a band based Have you ever heard a song that inspired in his native Senegal and lends his words in Maputo, Mozambique, whose music is you? Music has the power to move us and and music to critical campaigns, such as all about raising issues and trying to bring to change us. Yet today’s music mostly malaria prevention programmes. Oliver about change. Its musical influences does not seem to have the same earth- Mtukudzi’s music has created awareness include Senegalese mbalak, Nigerian moving, society-shaping effects as that and dialogue around HIV and AIDS in Afro-beat and Mozambican marrabenta. of the past. his home country Zimbabwe. In Benin, A unique pan-Africanism stems from the Much rarer are the antiwar senti- UNICEF goodwill ambassador Angélique band’s use of music originally recorded ments of composers like Bob Dylan of Kidjo keeps a strong note of social across Africa, which it performs in its the USA. The anti-apartheid and govern- concern in her lyrics—singing about own unique style. The band’s two singers, ment-challenging lyrics of musicians hunger, homelessness, AIDS and injus- with full horn section, throbbing bass like South Africa’s Miriam Makeba and tice. And some up-and-coming musicians and rhythmic percussion, create sound, Nigeria’s Fela Kuti have largely been are also lending their voices to protests including jazz that keeps audiences exchanged for party-hard, live-the-rich- against crime, human rights violations, grooving all night, while the messages life lyrics. xenophobia and much more. come through loud and clear. With today’s technology, music has “Now, you see musicians singing become even more of a part of our life Music with a message about girls, money and fast cars. Not long experiences: we listen to it on our drive The combination of the right lyrics, ago Africa was full of music that made a to work, when we go to parties, while we rhythm and instruments can build statement—about government, corrup- study, when we exercise, and in so many a group identity, stir strong emotions, tion, things that matter,” says Sigauque other settings. Yet we see fewer and fewer engage audiences and amass people to Project leader and trumpet player people taking to the streets with picket take action. This makes music the perfect Daniel Walter. “Our music talks about

30 AfricaRenewal December 2013 HIV, women’s rights, recovering from a and the Sigauque Project also recently be accepted by large numbers of people, disaster, xenophobia and much more. It’s produced two songs about HIV aware- and individuals are more likely to accept not just great music, we’re saying some- ness. One combines the band’s hard- these messages if their peers do. thing.” hitting jazz sounds with a local rapper’s When music is played over the radio, lyrics about being faithful, while the people hear and sing along to the songs, Music for social change other uses the popular passada rhythms repeating the messages so that they Most of the music performed by the that Mozambicans love to dance to. and others really hear them. This gives Sigauque Project was produced by The CMFD also produced other songs people an opportunity to understand Community Media for Development for radio programmes. The most recent, what messages the music holds and then (CMFD) Productions, which records “Hungry City,” accompanies a docu- to speak about them. music and radio projects for social mentary and radio drama series about Music is a means by which people can change. The project Musicians Against the state of food security in Southern convey important messages and ideals Xenophobia brought together musicians African cities. Another song talks to others in the hope that they will truly from Mozambique, South Africa and about floods in Mozambique and accom- listen and, as a result, come together Zimbabwe to produce four songs about panies a radio series about the country’s and bring about social, political and discrimination. recovery from the floods that hit it in economic change. South Africa’s large migrant popu- early 2013. When asked about the possible lation faces discrimination and harass- future uses of music, Daniel Walter has ment. “Many people do not know these Music as a platform big hopes. “In many African countries things are happening,” says Machotte, Music is an important part of popular today there exists democracy in name a Mozambican saxophone player. culture, it entertains us, and so it only; criticising the government can lead “Through this music, maybe we can is a great platform for discussions on to a loss of opportunities. I see an make people know and think about this, social issues. Concerts are particu- important role for music in the coming and people will change.” larly effective because artists have the years using a lot of popular messaging.” Noting the power of music to reach opportunity to address large crowds. For So the next time you wish to make youth especially, CMFD Productions social messages to take root, they must change, why not make a song about it?

AfricaRenewal December 2013 31 APRM comes of age countries into the APRM or make 16 others is on the ground, in different countries… from page 5 agree to be peer-reviewed. especially after the review process.” She However, the APRM has been an eye- believes they will get more support if the opener for African leaders in its role as an APRM’s activities and successes become the second stage, an APRM panel of experts early warning system. In 2007 its reports visible. “We want the world to know what visits that country for extensive discussions warned the continent’s leaders about APRM is doing.” with government officials and civil society. brewing violence from xenophobia in South In stage three the panel writes a report Africa and post-election fallout in Kenya. UN support building on the country’s self-assessment, “It was very clear in our report in 2007 The UN is already assisting the AU in using information from background that something was going to happen if no different ways, notes Under-Secretary- research and consultations with govern- strong measures were taken to avert the General for Communications and Public ment and civil society. In stage four the crises,” recalls Ms. Nyirakobwa. “But they Information Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal. panel submits its report to the heads of [governments] didn’t take them [recom- The world body channels assistance at state. “This is the stage where they [heads mendations] seriously.” The loss of lives and the global, regional and country levels, he of state] ask us questions regarding the property in both countries was a wake-up explains. OSAA concentrates on global strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the call for African leaders, who later requested advocacy for the AU; the ECA, through report,” notes Ms. Nyirakobwa. The fifth a follow-up special investigation on Kenya. NEPAD, coordinates regional engage- stage consists of efforts by the APRM and ments; and the UN country teams partner the country under review to launch, publish Insufficient resources with individual countries. and promote the report. Although African leaders would like to Mr. Launsky-Tieffenthal adds that an have the APRM insulated against foreign office in his department also functions Implementation snags influence, they also realize that the body as one of the UN programmes helping to Peer-reviewed countries are expected to needs resources, some of which could promote the African Union’s work. “We implement the APRM’s recommendations, come from outside Africa. “We encourage have been playing a role and will continue states Mr. Amara. And therein lies the African countries to build capacities but to do so by providing strategic advice on system’s weakness. Ms. Nyirakobwa says also we need the support of the UN and the public information and raising public that many peer-reviewed countries don’t global community in financial and capacity awareness of APRM’s activities across have the capacity to implement recommen- building,” Ms. Nyirakobwa says. She wants Africa.” He says the APRM could also dations, which may involve expenditures charity to begin at home and encourages benefit from outreach campaigns run by not in a country’s budget. She also says that African nations to offer support. “Nigeria the UN Information Centres throughout technical experts are not readily available has abundant skilled persons in engineering Africa. in many countries. In addition, countries and medicine. They can lend a hand to other With the APRM likely to mobilize more are not bound to implement APRM recom- countries.” resources in the future, and given coopera- mendations; they may even reject some of The APRM secretariat is already tion from its members, it looks as if the stars them as inappropriate. “These reports have supported by experts from the UN Economic are aligned in its favour. But this is also true more moral value than any kind of coercive Commission for Africa (ECA) and the UN because African leaders derive pride from value,” according to Maged Abdelaziz, head Development Programme. Ms. Nyirakobwa their own creation and are determined to of the Office of the UN Special Adviser on emphasizes the acute need for resources see it succeed. The APRM will help realize Africa. Currently it appears that a report’s to help peer-reviewed countries implement the dream of “an Africa where prosperity is moral force isn’t strong enough to pull 21 recommendations. “The biggest challenge felt by all,” says Ms. Nyirakobwa.

Illicit Financial Flows spokesperson for the IF campaign, says in their governments, and rich countries to from page 16 a statement, “The public argument for a demand the same standards from their crackdown on tax dodging has been won, companies. but the political battle remains.” Copley Initiatives by institutions in Africa and countries to fight tax evasion. It states that wants the G8 to impose strict laws on tax the adoption of the Lough Erne Declaration poor countries should have the informa- evasion. raise hopes for strict rules against illicit tion and capacity to collect the taxes owed For its part, Africa Progress Report financial flows from Africa. “Seizing to them. The declaration further calls on 2013 calls for multilateral solutions to these opportunities will be difficult. extractive companies to report payments global problems because “tax evasion, Squandering them would be unforgivable to all governments, which should in turn illicit transfers of wealth and unfair pricing and indefensible,” Mr. Annan warns in his publish them. practices are sustained through global foreword to the panel’s report. Meanwhile, While the Financial Times embraced trading and financial systems.” It urges ECA’s slogan “Track it. Stop it. Get it” aptly the declaration as “an advance” in corpo- African citizens to demand the highest captures what needs to be done about rate transparency, Sally Copley, another standards of propriety and disclosure from money flowing illicitly out of Africa.

32 AfricaRenewal December 2013 AFRICA WIRED On ICT Index of the ‘Information Society’, Africa lags behind

By André-Michel Essoungou people) with particularly low levels countries. In the space of four years, of ICT development. prices for fixed broadband services Unsurprisingly, most of the dropped by an impressive 82%, the least connected countries are also report notes. While the Republic

TUNISIA ALGERIA 85 lagging behind in efforts to achieve of Korea scored high on the ICT 4,160 MOROCCO 104 4,450 90 the Millennium Development Goals. Development Index (8.57%), Niger 2,850

EGYPT 83 The authors of the report argue that came in at only 0.99% - within the 2,420 “ICTs can become key enablers for possible (theoretical) range of 0

MAURITANIA 136 1,030 achieving international and national to 10. This measurement revealed

CHAD MALI NIGER development goals and have the huge differences in ICT access, use 154 145 155 n/a SENEGAL 600 370 ERITREA CAPE VERDE 124 greatest development impact, and and skills. 1,090 152 101 n/a 3,270 GAMBIA GUINEA DJIBOUTI

125 BURKINA more policy attention needs to be By the end of 2013 there will be 450 148 FASO 128 n/a 151 TOGO 1,270 550 134 ETHIOPIA 490 directed towards them.” 6.8 billion mobile/cellular subscrip- NIGERIA 150 GHANA BENIN 390 CENTRAL AFRICAN REP. COTE D’IVOIRE 122 LIBERIA 117 141 1,180 1,230 780 153 Across Africa, a divide is tions – almost as many as there 129 n/a 149 1,160 n/a CAMEROON

138 UGANDA 1,180 emerging, according to the report. are people on the planet. But only 132 KENYA 500 CONGO 114 GABON REP. OF THE 790 CONGO RWANDA 111 140 DEM. REP. Some countries (Seychelles, around half of the world’s popula- n/a n/a 133 146 520 ICT n/a Mauritius, Cape Verde and South tion – and a minority in Africa – lives SEYCHELLES 70 Development 9,760 Africa) have recently seen positive within reach of a 3G network, which TANZANIA 139 530 Index COMOROS trends: greater ICT access and provides high-speed access to 130 MALAWI 750 lower costs of ICT services. Three mobile Internet. The ICT Development Index (IDI): ZAMBIA 144 135 n/a Combines 11 indicators into one single 1,070 measure to track progress made in ICT MAURITIUS countries (Seychelles, Zambia and Similarly, use of the Internet MOZAMBIQUE 74 ZIMBABWE 7,750 access, use and skills, and includes such MADAGASCAR 147 115 440 143 Zimbabwe) even rank among the continues to skyrocket in the devel- indicators as the number of fixed- and 460 430 mobile-broadband Internet subscriptions, BOTSWANA NAMIBIA 108 households with a computer, and literacy 109 6,790 20 most dynamic countries over oped world but lags elsewhere. rates. The IDI measures the level of ICT 4,500

developments in 155 economies SWAZILAND the past two years. ICT develop- More than 250 million people worldwide. 116 2,630 SOUTH AFRICA ment has taken a greater leap there. became Internet users over the last 91 6,090 Between them and some others year, and almost 40 per cent of the (Central Africa Republic, Burkina world’s population (an estimated Source: ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database Faso, Guinea or Ethiopia), the ICT 2.7 billion people) will be using divide is widening. In this category the Internet by the end of 2013. In of countries, access to the latest developed countries, numbers are f you live in Africa and feel Development Index, which ICT services (including broadband so high that the ITU now predicts I that your access to that ranks 157 countries based Internet access and 3G telephone that the double digit growth noted in speedy Internet is costing on their performance. The networks) remains a challenge. recent years will slow down signifi- you a fortune, the International ITU report, entitled Measuring the cantly. Telecommunication Union (ITU) Information Society, is the fifth in a Mixed global trends In the world’s least developed has news for you: yes indeed, series published by the UN agency At the global level, positive trends countries, however, the estimate is you are paying a hefty price. A since 2009. It tracks ICT develop- in the developed world obscure less for fewer than one in ten people to report recently published by the ments and analyses its costs and encouraging signs in developing be using the Internet by end 2013. ITU confirms that the continent is affordability in what amounts to “a the world’s most expensive place performance evaluation.” for access to broadband Internet Despite some progress in a connections. Customers in Africa number of African countries, none African tablets rival iPads often pay ten times more than those of them feature among the top 50 in Europe for broadband access, the on the index. Seychelles, the best By Nirit Ben-Ari ITU says. performer on the continent, ranks Access and costs of broadband 67th on the index. Thirty of the ablets, which are light use, tablets are especially Internet are two of the indica- continent’s 55 countries surveyed T mobile computers, are popular with students, tors that explain the continent’s are part of the 39 least connected currently in vogue. Because businesspeople and profes- poor showing on the latest ICT countries, (home to 2.4 billion they are handy and easy to sionals. Apple’s iPads lead the

AfricaRenewal December 2013 33 way in the tablet market in North and services. First released in reason for low sales, Mr. Adepoju tablet that aims to rival Apple’s America and Europe, but not in 2010, Inye, which means ‘one’ explained to CNN last year, is iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy. The Africa. Tech industry analysts say in the Nigerian Ingala language, that Nigeria lacks widespread ‘G’ Slab can make phone calls, that most Africans cannot afford runs on Android 2.1 and allows broadband connections to guar- has a built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the up to $700 price tag for an users to connect to the Internet antee speedy connectivity. The and Microsoft Word, and is iPad in African capitals, although by means of an inbuilt Wi-Fi card. country’s Internet connectivity equipped with most of iPad’s a growing number of those in the Inye tablets also function with is currently still very slow and functions. middle class desire high-quality external 3G modems from GSM unreliable. These kinds of innovations tablets. networks. Encipher unveiled an Analysts believe that even if pave the path for more Africa- upgraded Inye-2 in 2011. they cannot afford $700 for an based technologies. There is no reason why you The newer model has a iPad, there are many Africans “Could the next Google couldn’t have multi-million 9.7inch soft-touch screen who are hooked to Apple’s strong come from Africa?” asks Richard dollar software companies with a battery lifespan brand and may well prefer to save Tanksley, entrepreneur and senior coming out of [Africa] of six hours. It runs on more for an iPad than purchase faculty member at the Meltwater Android 2.2 and, like the a locally made product. But as Entrepreneurial School of Encipher, a Nigerian tech previous version, allows a user to Nigeria currently expands its Technology in Accra, reports the company, is hoping to plunge connect to the Internet through broadband infrastructure, Mr. Guardian, a British daily. He said: into this niche by selling a locally an inbuilt SIM card. Adepoju believes Inye’s sales “There is so much made tablet for half of iPad’s For many Nigerians, the could soon be boosted. focus on Africa as a place to price—$350. Inye tablet is the main attraction is that a tablet In neighboring Ghana, invest and to build businesses … brainchild of Saheed Adepoju, a considered nearly as good as an 28-year old Derrick Addae, and there is no reason why you young Nigerian entrepreneur and iPad sells for just $350. However, chief executive officer of GIL couldn’t have multi-million dollar founder of Encipher, a company even with such a low price, sales Corporation, a tech company, has software companies coming out that deals in computer products have been disappointing. The invented the ‘G’ Slab, a pocket PC of here”.

APPOINTMENTS

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon The UN secretary-general and the chairperson has appointed Aïchatou Mindaoudou of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Souleymane of Niger as his special Dlamini-Zuma, have appointed Joseph representative and head of the UN Mutaboba of Rwanda as AU and UN deputy Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI). joint special representative and deputy head UN Photo/Evan Schneider Photo/Evan UN UN Photo/Basile Zoma Prior to her appointment, Ms. Mindaoudou of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur served as the deputy joint special representative for the (UNAMID). Prior to this, Mr. Mutaboba served as the secretary- African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur general’s special representative and head of the UN Peacebuilding (UNAMID) as well as acting joint special representative Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) until January 2013. He of UNAMID from August 2012 until March 2013. She also succeeds Aïchatou Mindaoudou of Niger. presided over Niger’s chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministerial Council for Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe of Uganda has been Mediation and Peace from 2005 to 2007. She replaces Albert appointed as the UN secretary-general’s special Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands. envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Prior to her appointment, she served as senior adviser to the Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye of President of Uganda on Population and Health Senegal has been appointed as the secre- Debebe Photo/Eskinder UN and a chairperson of the board of directors of tary-general’s special representative and the Microfinance Support Centre Ltd. From 1993 to 2004, she was head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding vice-president of Uganda. She replaces Asha-Rose Migiro of Tanzania. Office for the Central African Republic UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (BINUCA). At the time of his appointment, Major General Imam Edy Mulyono of Indonesia was appointed Lt. Gen. Gaye was serving as assistant secretary-general and by the secretary-general as force commander of the UN Mission military adviser for peacekeeping operations. He served as force for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Prior to his commander for the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the appointment, he served as commander of the Indonesian Defence Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) from 2005 to Forces Peacekeeping Centre. Maj. Gen. Mulyono brings vast national 2010. Prior to this, Lt. Gen. Gaye held many leadership and staff and international military experience to his new position, including as positions in the government of Senegal. He succeeds Margaret special assistant to the army chief of staff in charge of peacekeeping Vogt of Nigeria. operations. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Abdul Hafiz of Bangladesh.

34 AfricaRenewal December 2013 AFRICA BOOKS BOOK REVIEW A Good African Story: Africa’s Challenge to International How a Small Company Built a Global Coffee Brand Relations Theory (International Political by Andrew Rugasira Economy) by Kevin C. Dunn and Timothy M. Shaw (Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire, UK, Random House, London, UK, 2013, 288 pp; hb $21 2001; 264 pp; hb $155) African Pasts, Presents, and Futures: ndrew Rugasira, author of A Good Generational Shifts in African Women’s A African Story: How a Small Company Literature, Film, and Internet Discourse Built a Global Coffee Brand, is best known (After the Empire: The Francophone in his native Uganda as a pioneer coffee World and Postcolonial France) by D. Khannous Touria (Lexington Books, Lanham, entrepreneur. In this book, he tells the story USA, 2013; 230 pp; hb $80) of the success of his coffee company, Good Agricultural Development and Food African Coffee, after a very tough begin- Security in Africa: The Impact of Chinese, ning, and also draws attention to Africa’s Indian and Brazilian Investments (Africa unequal trade with the rest of the world. Now) by Fantu Cheru and Renu Modi (Zed His interest in coffee was shaped Books Publication, London, UK, 2013; 256 pp; pb $39.95) by Uganda’s fame in the coffee export business. In the book, Mr. Rugasira writes, Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa: Ethiopia and Kenya “Uganda produces over three million bags (Integration and Conflict Studies) by of coffee a year [approximately 200,000 Günther Schlee and Elizabeth E Watson tonnes] but most of this coffee is exported (Berghahn Books, New York City, USA, 2013; in its raw form – as green beans for 272 pp; pb $34.95) processing in the consuming countries of Cinema and Development in West Africa the developed world. What no Ugandan by James E. Genova (Indiana University Press, Bloomington, USA, 2013; 222 pp; coffee company had done before was to pb $25) place a branded coffee product on super- Commerce with the Universe: Africa, market shelves in South Africa and the India, and the Afrasian Imagination by UK.” This then became Mr. Rugasira’s demonstrates the many obstacles faced Gaurav Desai (Columbia University Press, ultimate challenge. by an African-owned business, such as New York City, USA, 2013; 352 pp; hb $50) For eight years, he strived to establish entering new markets as well as gaining Conflict and Security in Africa (ROAPE and run a coffee company that would not credibility. He also takes the time to show African Readers) by Rita Abrahamsen only bring in profits through exports, but how important it is to reward others in (Boydell & Brewer, Suffolk, UK, 2013; 252 pp; also benefit local farmers through profit- order to grow one’s business – it is a pb $34.95) sharing. process that is indeed cyclical, contributing Congo Calling: The Memoir of a Welsh On his catchphrase “trade not aid,” Mr. to better livelihoods for farmers as Nurse in 1960s Africa by Margaret Maund (Y Lolfa, Talybont, UK, 2013; 114 pp; pb Rugasira writes, “I introduced programmes well as to the expansion of the coffee $17.95) that would invest in the areas of coffee company. Development, Modernism and Modernity agronomy, support that would improve The 288-page book will serve as a in Africa by Augustine Agwuele (Routledge, crop quality…productivity and economical great primer for budding entrepreneurs as London, UK, 2011; 340 pp; hb $133.00) stewardship…for the farmers.” well as those who want to better under- Francophone Africa at Fifty by Tony Chafer Living up to the challenge is what Mr. stand the logistics of global business. and Alexander Keese (Manchester University Rugasira clearly illustrates in his book. He — Pavithra Rao Press, England, UK, 2013; 304 pp; pb $115) Popular Politics in the History of South Africa, 1400-1948 by Paul S. Landau Striving for Better Jobs: The Challenge New York City, USA, 2013; 272 pp; pb (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, of Informality in the Middle East and $26.95) 2013; 318 pp; pb $31.99) North Africa (Directions in Development) by Roberta Gatti, Diego Angel-Urdinola, The Last Hot Battle of the Cold War: Revolution, Revolt and Reform in North Joana Silva and Andras Bodor (World Bank South Africa vs. Cuba in the Angolan Africa: The Arab Spring and Beyond Publications, Washington D.C., USA, 2013; Civil War by Peter Polack (Casemate (Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern 320 pp; pb $34.95) Publishers, Philadelphia, USA, 2013; 304 pp; Democratization and Government) by pb $32.95) Ricardo Laremont (Routledge, London, UK, The Democratic Republic of Congo: 2013; 192 pp; pb $51.95) Between Hope and Despair (African The Rise of the BRICS in Africa by Pádraig Arguments) by Michael Deibert (Zed Books Carmody (Zed Books Publication, London, Sexual Diversity in Africa: Politics, Publication, London, UK, 2013; 280 pp; pb UK, 2013; 192 pp; pb $29.95) Theory, and Citizenship by S.N. Nyeck and $19.95) Marc Epprecht (Mcgill-Queens University The Threat of Liberation: Imperialism Press, Ontario, Canada, 2013; 296 pp; The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the Quest and Revolution in Zanzibar by Amrit Wilson pb $29.95) to End Poverty by Nina Munk (Doubleday, (Pluto Press, London, UK, 2013; 168 pp; pb $30)

AfricaRenewal December 2013 35 www.un.org/africarenewal facebook.com/africarenewal twitter.com/africarenewal

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