DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION D+C

ENTWICKLUNG UND ZUSAMMENARBEIT E+Z

International Journal

ISSN 2366-7257 D +C MONTHLY E-PAPER December 2019

RURBANOMICS HISTORY ISLAM Rural areas need better New book about Dag Blasphemy laws are infrastructure to become Hammarskjöld’s death incompatible with revitalised and his role in Africa universal human rights

Why the world needs the EU Title: Flag of Europe in Brussels. Photo: picture-alliance/NurPhoto D+C December 2019 In German in E+Z Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit. Both language versions FOCUS at www.DandC.eu Why the world needs the EU Monitor In humanitarian emergencies, communication is crucial | Pros and cons: technology to Investing in the future manipulate the climate system | How social entrepreneurs get access to sufficient Germany will assume the EU Council presidency capital | AfDB proposals for generating more – and more productive – employment in from July to December 2020 and intends to con- Africa | Nowadays: Burundi’s smallest ethnic group fights for a voice | Imprint 4 tribute to shaping foreign policy and invigorating international development efforts – with a special focus on Africa. Gerd Müller, the federal minister Debate for economic cooperation and development, spells out his policy. PAGE 20 Comments on current frustration with Twitter in India and the protest movements in the Middle East and North Africa 10 Ireland’s fragile peace Decolonisation often led to arbitrary borders that Tribune caused lasting grievances. Britain, a former impe- SHENGGEN FAN AND OUSMANE BADIANE rial power, is itself affected by such a border. Revitalising rural areas means improving infrastructure and boosting people’s Regional integration in the EU context allowed Irish peace to take root, however, and that opportunities 13 approach might, in theory, work elsewhere. But whether peace in Ireland can survive Brexit is HANS DEMBOWSKI not obvious, warns Ciarán Ó Maoláin, an Irish The impacts of former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld – and his death 15 journalist. PAGE 22

THOMAS KRAPF Laws against “blasphemy”, “defamation of religion” and “apostasy” are incompatible “Swimming against the tide” with universal human rights 17 The Bangladeshi scholar Saleemul Huq has observed international climate talks from the start. In his eyes, the multilateral system has Focus: Why the world needs the EU failed, but in our interview he appreciated climate GERD MÜLLER protests and the European Investment Bank’s decision to back off from fossil fuels. PAGE 24 European development policy needs to be strengthened 20

CIARÁN Ó MAOLÁIN Grasp opportunities Regional integration in the EU facilitated peace on the British-Irish border, but Trade can stimulate development. Since 2018, whether that peace can survive the UK’s exit from the EU is uncertain 22 Mozambique has – in principle – been able to benefit from an Economic Partnership Agreement INTERVIEW WITH SALEEMUL HUQ with the EU. The country must grasp the opportu- Bangladeshi-British scholar assesses the role of the EU in international nities, demand Friedrich Kaufmann of the Ger- climate talks 24 man Chamber Network and Winfried Borowczak, a consultant. PAGE 26 FRIEDRICH KAUFMANN AND WINFRIED BOROWCZAK An Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU offers Mozambique opportunities, but the country must grasp them 26 “Teetering continent” The EU has a vital role to play in global affairs, INTERVIEW WITH DIRK MESSNER according to Dirk Messner of the UN University. As The EU is currently not a convincing model of supranational policymaking, but it can he told D+C/E+Z in an interview, five issues matter – and should – become one 28 in particular: multilateralism, trade, digitalisation, global environment and peace. PAGE 28 MOUTAZ ALI AND WALID ALI Libyans admire what Europeans have achieved, but they also feel let down in view Defining relationship of a devastating security situation and refugee problems 30 Libyans have mixed feelings about the EU. They admire it, but they also feel let down. Grievance HANS DEMBOWSKI include a desperate security situation and refugee Book review: Klaus Kiran Patel elaborates how the EU’s institutional order evolved problems. Moutaz Ali, a journalist, and Walid Ali, in incremental responses to various crises 32 a foreign-policy expert, assess matters. PAGE 30

D+C e-Paper December 2019 OUR VIEW More than the sum of its parts Debate

The EU is an unusual alliance of nations that have pooled sovereignty. It has its own administration (the European Commission), a parliament and a supra- national law court. Members must adopt its binding legislation in national law, and a joint central bank (the ECB) serves the euro zone. The EU is an alli- ance of democracies that appreciate human rights and gender equity. The two arguably most important leaders – Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the Commission, and ECB President Christine Lagarde – are women. The EU has a huge bearing on life in Europe, but its impact is felt around the world. It is a superpower in trade affairs, an important proponent of cli- mate protection and, in conjunction with its members, the dominant force in Arab Spring reloaded official development assistance. By contrast, it remains a military dwarf. Waves of protest are rocking multiple countries in The EU is sometimes accused of being run by unelected bureaucrats. the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), That is vastly overblown. Yes, technocrats matter much in EU governance, reminding observers of the Arab Spring in 2011. but that is because the issues at stake are very complex and Europe’s many Sustainable development will be possible only different languages do not offer congruent legal and political terms. None- once deprivations are addressed and regional conflicts are resolved. It is in Europe’s own interest theless, the EU has clear democratic legitimacy. The European Parliament is to contribute to finding solutions. Economist elected, and so are the member states’ governments whose leaders constitute Nassir Djafari assesses the situation. PAGE 11 the ­European Council. These institutions decide who heads EU institutions. Nonetheless, EU policymaking can look arbitrary, particularly in mo- ments of crisis. Sometimes, problems arise for which neither solutions nor procedures have been pre-defined. In such cases, ad-hoc summits of the na- tional top-leaders tend to reach ground-breaking new agreements late at night Tribune after extended talks. In such contexts, one can indeed speak of a democracy deficit, since the elected legislators are not involved and it is next to impos- sible to undo compromises reached by the Council. On the upside, important Council decisions require broad majorities. The EU indeed has flaws. In the past five years, it neither handled the refugee nor the eurozone crisis well. The union is incomplete and keeps evolv- ing. Its strong points deserve emphasis however. People move freely within it. The EU’s single market provides more and greater opportunities than smaller national markets ever could. The pooling of sovereignty has entrenched co- operation in a way that safeguards peace on a continent that used to be dev- astated by wars. The EU gives its member states more global influence than they could individually exert. Just how useful it is became evident in the fact that it did not unravel after the Brexit referendum as stubborn nationalists had hoped. It has actually become more cohesive, while in Britain itself the doubts about leaving this alliance have grown. EU coherence actually serves the interests of humanity as a whole. As a species, we are facing huge global challenges, from environmental devasta- Rurbanomics tion to worsening inequality, from mass poverty to the risk of war. Narrow- Rural areas must become more productive, more minded nationalism will only compound the problems. We need supranation- climate-resilient and more attractive to live in. al policymaking – and in spite of all its shortcomings, the EU is living proof of Revitalising them means improving infrastructure it being feasible. It does not diminish sovereign nation states, on the contrary, and boosting people’s opportunities. Sustainabil- it enhances their scope for achieving goals – including global ones such as the ity depends on linking the advantages of rural economies with those of urban ones, write UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shenggen Fan and Ousmane Badiane of the Inter- national Food Policy Research Institute. PAGE 13

Battle cry “blasphemy” You’ll find all contributions Many predominantly Muslim countries have of our focus section plus KATJA DOMBROWSKI penal laws against “blasphemy”, “defamation of related ones on is member of the editorial team of D+C religion” and “apostasy”. These laws are incompat- our website – they’ll be Development and Cooperation / E+Z ible with human rights and are often misused, compiled in next month’s Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit. warns human-rights lawyer and policy advisor otos: picture-alliance/Xinhua; Giling/Lineair otos: briefing section. [email protected] Ph Thomas Krapf. PAGE 17

D+C e-Paper December 2019 MONITOR: CONFERENCES AND STUDIES

EMERGENCY RESPONSE cies and other non-profit organisations in- ternationally. “Language gaps hinder critical hu- Communicating in humanitarian manitarian interventions,” says Mia Mar- zotto, one of its senior advisers. She insists that both refugees and aid agencies need crises two-way communication. One example where TWB intervened successfully is the Rohingya crisis. When the ethnic and religious minority Rohingya When disasters hit, emergency aid usually include the International Committee of the was expelled from their homeland Myanmar means the provision of food, water, shelter Red Cross (ICRC), the UN Children’s Fund in 2017, hundreds of thousands fled across and medical care. But people also depend on (UNICEF) as well as BBC Media Action and the border to neighbouring Bangladesh. The reliable information – they need to know DW Akademie. Rohingya language is closely related to Ben- where they can be safe, whether their fami- gali, but the assumption that the refugees lies are alive, and how they can receive help. CHOOSING THE RIGHT LANGUAGE would understand the dialect spoken in the Chittagong region, where they fled to, was By Sheila Mysorekar There are many aspects to communica- wrong. It turned out that most of the Roh- tion. One is often overlooked: language. ingya refugees did not even understand ba- War, natural disasters, forced displacement, People who flee their country often end up sic sentences in Chittagonian. This is where persecution – there are many reasons why people have to flee their homes, and often even their home country. Most displaced persons lose everything they have and sud- denly depend on outside help. Getting food and shelter is essential, but people need more. They need timely, accurate and reli- able information; otherwise, they are often unable to access the help that is offered. Moreover, they need to be given a voice to express their needs and desires. Unless they are empowered to contribute to solving the humanitarian problems, those problems are likely to fester. However, humanitarian agencies have strategies for addressing these issues. “Com- munication and community engagement” (CCE) is increasingly being recognised as a necessary and integral part of any hu- manitarian intervention. Forced migration is often closely tied to humanitarian crises. Both scenarios require CCE. It is as impor- tant as delivering food, clothes and medica- tion, not least because it facilitates access to such supplies. Feedback from people in Experts taking part in the conference “Beyond the crisis” in Bonn. need helps humanitarian agencies to oper- ate more effectively. The international network “Communi- in places where they don’t understand the Translators without Borders stepped in. “In- cating with disaster affected communities” local language. They can neither commu- formation in the wrong language is useless,” (CDAC) is a platform of more than 30 organi- nicate with their new neighbours nor with Marzotto points out. sations involved in humanitarian aid, media aid agencies. These international organisa- Any information addressed to refu- development, social innovation, technology tions often assume that refugees will speak gees must use the languages that prevail and telecommunication. It is “dedicated to a local language, but that is not necessarily amongst them. “Handbook Germany” is an saving lives and making aid more effec- so. award-winning project that runs a multilin- tive through communication, information Translators without Borders (TWB) gual website. It uses English, Arabic, Per- exchange and community engagement”. is a non-profit organisation that offers lan- sian, German, Turkish, French and Pashtu, oto: Philipp Böll/Deutsche Welle

CDAC promotes up-to-date CCE. Members guage and translation support for aid agen- providing recently arrived refugees with Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 4 MONITOR: CONFERENCES AND STUDIES

everything they need to know about their recounts. But in 2016, a Taliban attack killed Serengi, who works for the UNHCR in Leba- new host country. It includes information seven of her young colleagues and wound- non. Serengi set up a network of communi- on rights, laws, education, health and insur- ing 25 others. Ebrahimkhil was under such cation between his agency and Syrian refu- ance, for example. All refugee facilities in serious threat that she had to leave Afghani- gees in Lebanon. It is a big advantage that all Germany use “Handbook Germany”. stan. With her three children, she embarked relevant parties speak the same language – Mahdis Amiri is a Berlin-based Iranian on the dangerous trip to Europe. She knew Arabic. However, there is a lot of movement journalist who works for “Handbook Germa- about refugees drowning and being victim- between places, with newcomers constantly ny”. “We want to cooperate closely with our ised on this journey, but she says: “I had to arriving, so “it is not easy to make sure that target group – recently arrived refugees,” accept those dangers, because there was no people receive all necessary information,” she maintains. The website is designed for other choice.” In Hungary, she and her chil- Serengi explains. On the upside, he is proud smartphone use and compatible with popu- dren were imprisoned by the border police. of the communication channel in Lebanon lar social media platforms. “We also use When the police handcuffed her two un- being decentralised and two-way. “We want videos to create easily accessible informa- derage children, Ebrahimkhil pleaded with to know what they need,” he says. tion,” Amiri explains. them: “Migration is not a crime!” International organisations like UN- So far, humanitarian and media or- People who are literate like Ebra- HCR play a central role in the implemen- ganisations have often worked alongside himkhil are aware of how risky fleeing is. tation of international agreements like the “Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” (GCM). It was concluded multilaterally in 2016 and is the agreement covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. It is supposed to: ●● support international cooperation on the governance of international migration, ●● provide a comprehensive menu of op- tions for states so they can select policies to address some of the most pressing issues, and ●● give states the space and flexibility to implement policies according to their spe- cific realities and capacities. At the conference in Bonn, partici- pants agreed that getting communications and community engagement right is a cru- cial component of managing migration. The topic deserves further attention, with a par- ticular focus on involving migrants and ref- Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh: the languages are related, but not enough to understand each ugees in assessing situations and finding other. solutions. According to Marian Casey-Maslen, the executive director of the CDAC network, one another in disaster situations, but they They can access relevant information, for “we need to push the role of media develop- rarely discussed how to cooperate best. To instance on social media platforms. Illiter- ment in the context of forced migration”. improve matters, DW Akademie recently ate people cannot do so. Ebrahimkhil ex- She says, the international community must convened an international conference in plains, however, that even if they get reli- benefit from the enhanced connectivity of Bonn. Participants came from 24 countries, able information, they will flee because the the digital age. and the motto was: “Beyond the crisis: com- only alternative would be to return into the munication, engagement and accountabil- war they desperately want to escape. More LINKS ity in forced migration settings.” than 6 million Afghans were displaced, she Communicating with disaster affected says. communities (CDAC): EXILES AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS Once refugees reach another country, http://www.cdacnetwork.org/ they urgently need information about their Global Compact on Migration: Shakila Ebrahimkhil is a well-known new home and where to get help. However, https://www.iom.int/global-compact-migration Afghan journalist living in exile. At the con- it can take years before well-functioning Translators without Borders: ference, she emphasised that the perspec- communication channels are established https://translatorswithoutborders.org/ tive of refugees is very important. “I never for them. That is even the case for the UN Handbook Germany: oto: Kazi Salahuddin Razu/picture-alliance/NurPhoto

wanted to leave my country,” Ebrahimkhil Refugee Agency UNHCR, admits Jerome https://handbookgermany.de/en.html Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 5 MONITOR: CONFERENCES AND STUDIES

CLIMATE ENGINEERING not be stopped. This creates a lock-in situa- tion for future generations. The global scope of climate engineer- Buying time ing also raises political concerns. It may lead to injustice and a concentration of power in those countries that can afford to implement it. International agreements Decision-makers still lack comprehensive While some experts argue that it is and common governance are urgently strategies for mitigating greenhouse-gas our responsibility to future generations to needed to avoid conflicts, Niemeier ar- emissions. Meanwhile, scientists are investi- develop adequate technologies now, others gues. gating how the global climate can be warn that it would be more responsible to For Frederike Neuber, an environmen- ma­nipulated to maintain an inhabitable refrain from potentially creating new risks tal ethicist from Rostock, mitigation and planet. Climate engineering raises highly in the future. climate engineering are not alternative ap- controversial moral concerns. In the highly complex earth system, proaches, but rather add-ons. Climate engi- climate engineering could come with unpre- neering could be misused as a substitute for By Floreana Miesen dictable side effects, says Ulrike Niemeier of mitigation and could promote a business- the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in as-usual attitude toward exploitative con- Some of the more optimistic climate sce- Hamburg. The tropical convergence zone, sumption and production patterns. “Mitiga- narios presented by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are based on ma- jor reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions in the near future. In view of the current weak mitigation efforts, however, these sce- narios are not very realistic. In November, more than 11,000 scientists from all over the world signed a declaration of a global cli- mate emergency. Accordingly, large trans- formational change is urgently required. One way to combat global warming could be deliberate large-scale manipula- tions of the earth’s climate system through technology. Climate engineering, also known as geoengineering, is the use of aero- sols and artificial cloud production in order to reflect solar radiation back to space. Sul- phur injection into the atmosphere simu- lates natural effects from volcanic eruptions which have historically reduced atmospher- ic temperatures. Proponents of climate engineering ar- gue that it is the lesser evil compared to the dramatic consequences from unstopped cli- mate change. New technologies could serve Climate engineering aims to simulate the natural cooling effect of sulphate from volcanic as a plan B in case mitigation strategies fail. eruptions on the atmosphere. Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador. It remains unclear, however, how such a fail- ure is defined and when the time to imple- ment alternatives is reached. today the region of rainforests, would likely tion is the only strategy which counteracts In any case, we should invest in re- become cooler and drier. This could severe- the root cause of the problem. It should be search now, says Andreas Stamm of the Ger- ly harm regional ecosystems. Some regions the first responsibility and foremost obliga- man Development Institute (GDI). In his may therefore suffer from climate engineer- tion,” Neuber stresses. view, climate engineering is a responsible ing even if the global climate stabilises, Nie- approach, and time is an important issue. meier warns. LINK “We urgently need ground-breaking innova- Moreover, models show that if cli- World scientists’ warning of a climate tions, whether we ever use them or not. If we mate engineering is suddenly switched off, emergency: don’t go for these technologies now, it might temperatures will rise quickly within a very https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/ be too late,” Stamm said at a panel discus- short time. Therefore, once climate engi- advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/

sion organised by GDI this autumn. neering has been implemented, it should biz088/5610806 Ph oto: fm

D+C e-Paper December 2019 6 MONITOR: CONFERENCES AND STUDIES

SOCIAL ENTERPRISES suitable candidates would be based on an evaluation of facts and figures and not on vague preconceptions. However, platforms Finding finance based on machine learning require large data sets, which are not available in every country for every sector. Another innovative option could be Many social entrepreneurs have difficulty “Investors have their own criteria of financing vehicles that pool capital from securing sufficient capital to finance their what they mean by investment readiness, different sources and allocate it to social business ideas. Conversely, investors willing (…) It almost feels like it is based on some entrepreneurs in tailored packages. The to invest in social enterprises often fail to hidden criteria which is probably more based needs of an agricultural enterprise, for find partners that meet their criteria and on gut feel. This causes confusion between example, differ from those of an enterprise expectations. A report by the Siemens the investors and the entrepreneurs,” operating in the health sector. According Stiftung flags up ways to help bring the two Jumi explained to the Siemens Stiftung to the Siemens Stiftung report, such sides together. interviewer. Reh and Jumi were two of pools could be created with a focus on more than 40 participants in the Innovative a particular region or sector. They would By Linda Engel Financing for Social Entrepreneurs round thus attract investors seeking specifically table organised last July in Cairo by Siemens to create impact in that area. This form of From new rural transport options to better Stiftung and its non-profit partner enpact. financing could also be helpful for many marketing for small farmers, to digital The focus was on standardised solutions foundations, which are often bound by rules health advice services – social enterprises for investors. Searching for a hand-picked that make it difficult for them to invest in are active in all sorts of areas around the social entrepreneur is an inefficient social enterprises. According to the report, world. Social entrepreneurs have a dual and expensive task for any investor, so however, foundations in particular should aspiration: to drive forward societal change standardised solutions are seen as the way use their standing to attract more private and at the same time run a profitable forward, potentially facilitating large-scale capital for blended finance. business. In the launch phase especially, social change. how­ever, they often find the task of raising The participants particularly LINK enough capital a significant challenge. identified the massive potential of digital Siemens Stiftung, 2019: Innovative financing “In general, I think we all agree that, platforms. Online matchmaking sites could for social entrepreneurs. Results and hypothetically, there is enough money in partly automate the process of helping reflections from the round table in Cairo. the market to invest in social entrepreneurs. social entrepreneurs and investors to find https://www.empowering-people-network. And there are hundreds of thousands of each other. This would make investors’ due siemens-stiftung.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ entrepreneurs who need money. There diligence processes more effective and cost- Publications/SiemensStiftung_Report_Round_ is a mismatch of two parties who are efficient. Ideally, preliminary screening of Table_Cairo_2019_SCREEN_final.pdf somehow not able to find each other and to work together.” This view was expressed in an interview with Siemens Stiftung by Franziska Reh of Uncap – Unconventional Capital, a start-up offering innovative finance for young entrepreneurs in sub- Saharan Africa. The reasons for the disconnect are legion. According to Patricia Jumi, managing director of GrowthAfrica, founders of a new business have difficulty presenting themselves and their ideas. GrowthAfrica supports young entrepreneurs in Africa. Many foundations run programmes to help hone entrepreneurs’ skills. In many cases, however, funding fails simply because the entrepreneur in South Africa and the German investor never meet. Social entrepreneurs are not yet well enough known to gain attention in a different continent. Other hurdles include cultural differences and poor investor understanding of markets Working group at the Innovative Financing for Social Entrepreneurs round table organised last

and their potential. July in Cairo by Siemens Stiftung and its non-profit partner enpact. Ph oto: Siemens Stiftung

D+C e-Paper December 2019 7 MONITOR: CONFERENCES AND STUDIES

FLAGSHIP REPORT work is currently of low productivity. He in- sists that it must become easier and cheaper to start businesses, and that the prospect 12 to 15 million jobs of rising productivity is essential. Govern- ments should assess what industries are competitive – or might become competitive fast – and support them by establishing spe- The African Development Bank (AfDB) reck- est opportunities. He wants the sheer end- cial zones with low production and distribu- ons that about two thirds of employable peo- less potential of globalisation to be tapped tion costs. ple in Africa are either unemployed or under- in order to provide young people with gain- All too often, poor infrastructure and employed and thus not making full use of ful employment and stem their flight from rigid labour laws are disincentives, Monga their skills. The young generation and women rural areas. writes. Special economic zones could make are affected in particular. The international So far, agriculture has been the most a difference, especially if they attracted finance institution proposes strategies for important sector, the AfDB author states, foreign investors. Relevant aspects include generating more jobs fast. but it can neither absorb all people who need good infrastructure, low taxation and flex- work, nor is it productive enough to ensure ible labour regulations. Linking industrial By Florian Gaisrucker anything but very small incomes. Automa- parks to export zones, moreover, could drive tion and modernisation could transform foreign trade with positive impacts on is- In October 2019, the AfDB launched a flag- agriculture, giving rise to new kinds of jobs, sues such as technology transfer, vocational ship report on African labour markets. In the for example in food processing or agricul- training, human-capacity development and first chapter, “An African manifesto”, Célestin ture-related services. Facilitating non-farm knowledge management. Monga, the bank’s chief economist, summa- employment is said to be essential (also note The author advises African govern- rises the most important points. According to Shenggen Fan and Ousmane Badiane on ments to cooperate with the private sector, him, some 12 to 15 million jobs must be cre- p. 13 in this e-Paper). Industrial parks could educational institutions and civil-society agencies on improving vocational training. He warns that foreign investors often shy away from African engagements because they fear skills shortages. Meaningful poli- cies include: ●● well-designed skills training in strate- gically relevant industries, ●● coordination with school curricula, ●● financial contributions from employ- ers, ●● financial compensation for productive work during skills training, ●● skills training for unemployed per- sons, especially in rural areas, ●● advanced skills training for people who are already employed, and ●● job centres that deliver employment services. Monga emphasises that the demand for skilled labour is rising fast, but Afri- can education systems tend not to be up to task. Drop-out rates are very high, with Gainful employment: worker at a juice producing facility owned by the Kenyan brand Kevian near girls and young women being affected in Nairobi. particular.

SOURCE ated fast. Industrial parks could contribute to prove useful in this context, contributing to Monga, C., 2019: An African manifesto. In: making that happen, and the point is to ben- the reduction of food imports and the in- Monga, C., Shimeles, A., Woldemichael, A., efit from Africa’s comparative advantages. In creased involvement of smallholder farmers 2019: Creating decent jobs. Strategies, policies the author’s eyes, it does not make sense to in global supply chains. and instruments. African Development Bank copy the industrial models of other countries. Monga proposes that every African policy research document 2: 1-56. Monga argues that commodity pro- government should strive to generate in- https://am.afdb.org/sites/default/files/AfDB18-

cessing and manufacturing offer the great- dustrial jobs for 80 % to 90 % of those whose 16_Jobs_English.pdf Ph oto: dem

D+C e-Paper December 2019 8 NOWADAYS D+C correspondents write about daily life in developing countries

both feel that their ethnic group is being No place for the Twa discriminated against. IMPRINT Burundi’s constitution of 2018 D+C DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION formally recognises the Twa and requires Vol. 46, 2019 The Twa, a people of Pygmy origin, are that they be represented in the National D+C is the identical twin of the German edition E+Z Internet: www.DandC.eu the oldest and smallest ethnic group in Assembly by three co-opted deputies. D 12 107 ISSN 0721-2178 Burundi. Their numbers run to tens of Co-option is based on lists of proposed D+C Development and Cooperation is funded by Germany´s Federal thousands but they are barely acknowl- candidates submitted by Twa organisa- Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and commis- edged and do not have the same rights as tions in the various regions of the coun- sioned by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL. D+C does not serve as a Hutus and Tutsis. But the Twa have now try. UNIPROBA (Unissons-nous pour la governmental mouthpiece. Our mission is to provide a credible forum of debate, involving governments, civil society, the private sector and had enough. They refuse to be marginal- Promotion des Batwa) is one of those or- academia at an international level. D+C is the identical twin of E+Z ised any longer. ganisations. However, it rejects co-option Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit, the German edition.

Minani is a Mutwa (the singular of and fights instead for fair representation ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL gGmbH Twa) from Cibari in the northern prov- for the Twa across Burundi’s institutional Service für Entwicklungsinitiativen Tulpenfeld 7 ince of Muyinga. He lives with his wife landscape. D-53113 Bonn and six children in a hut that consists of Libérate Nicayenzi, a member of Phone: +49 (0) 2 28 2 07 17-0 Fax: +49 (0) 2 28 2 07 17-150 only one room. “When it rains, it rains UNIPROBA and representative of the Twa www.engagement-global.de in,” Minani says. “We have no fertile land on Burundi’s Truth and Reconciliation ADVISORY BOARD: to farm; we live from pottery but it is Commission, says: “For various institu- Thomas Loster, Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner, Prof. Dr. Katharina Michaelowa, increasingly difficult to find clay.” tions, the constitution prescribes that Dr. Susanne Neubert, Hugh Williamson Karorero from Buganda in Cibitoke Hutus and Tutsis should be represented PUBLISHER: Province in the west of the country has on a 60-40 basis. So where do we fit in? FAZIT Communication GmbH a different problem. He can find plenty How does that prescription square with Executive directors: Peter Hintereder and Hannes Ludwig

of clay but struggles to find buyers for Article 1 of the Universal Declaration ADDRESS OF THE PUBLISHER AND EDITORIAL OFFICE: his pottery. He says the Hutus and Tutsis of Human Rights: ‘All human beings Frankenallee 71–81, D-60327 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

today use modern household and kitchen are born free and equal in dignity and This is also the legally relevant address of all indicated as responsible utensils and have stopped buying the rights’?” or entitled to represent them in this imprint.

housewares that the Twa make. Twa are Emmanuel Nengo, who is also EDITORIAL TEAM: now forced to work as hired hands on a member of UNIPROBA, stresses that Dr. Hans Dembowski (chief), Sabine Balk, Katja Dombrowski, Monika Hellstern, Sheila Mysorekar, Dagmar Wolf (assistant) other people’s land. Minani and Karorero discrimination is only one of the Twa’s Phone: +49 (0) 69 75 91-31 10 problems; many more stem from pov- [email protected] erty. Children are not sent to school, for Art direction: Sebastian Schöpsdau Layout: Jan Walter Hofmann instance, or they are taken out of school Translators: Malcom Bell, Claire Davis early because they are needed at home to Disclaimer according to § 5,2 Hessian Law on the Freedom make pots. They also lack school materi- and Rights of the Press: The shareholders of the company are als. According to Nengo, development Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH (40 %) and Frankfurter Societät GmbH (60 %). is out of the question if people have no land to farm, no proper housing and no ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: FAZIT Communication GmbH education. c/o InTime Media Services GmbH Nicayenzi points out that the Twa PO Box 1363 D-82034 Deisenhofen, Germany should also do some soul-searching Phone: +49 (0) 89 8 58 53-8 32 themselves. She appeals to all Twa Fax: +49 (0) 89 8 58 53-6 28 32 [email protected] BURUNDI parents to cast off old conventions and send their children to school. Even the PRINTING: Bujumbura government would like more coopera- Westdeutsche Verlags- und Druckerei GmbH Kurhessenstraße 46 tion from the aboriginal inhabitants. D-64546 Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany A local official from Muyinga complains: Opinions expressed by authors indicated in bylines do not necessarily “When a philanthropist builds houses reflect the views of ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL, the publisher or the for the Twa to raise their standard of editor and his team. Provided that they indicate the original source, third parties have the permission to republish in complete or abridged living, they immediately sell the roofing versions the manuscripts published by D+C Development and sheets.” Cooperaton and E+Z Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit. However, those who do so are requested to send the editorial office two hard copies and/or the links to the respective webpages. This general MIREILLE KANYANGE permission does not apply to illustrations, maps and other items with explicitly and separately marked copyright disclaimers. is a journalist and reporter for Radio Isanganiro in PRICES (INCL. MAILING CHARGES): single issue: € 2.20 Burundi. annual subscription, Germany: € 14.00 [email protected] annual subscription, world: € 18.00

D+C e-Paper December 2019 9 DEBATE: OPINIONS

SOCIAL MEDIA Serious discrimination

Current frustration with Twitter in India shows Twitter’s managing director in India. They It is similarly worrisome that, as we why the big internet multinationals require asked Twitter to expel him, but so far with- also learned in November, over a dozen global regulation. Democratic societies must out success. Indian politicians, activists, lawyers and be protected from lies, disinformation and Dalit activists allege that high-caste scholars were spied on. Sophisticated soft- corporate discrimination. people get verification easily. A promi- ware called Pegasus was used to track them nent example is Jay Shah, the son of Home online via WhatsApp. Pegasus is owned by By Arfa Khanum Sherwani Minister Amit Shah. Though he barely had NSO, an Israeli software firm, which has re- any followers on Twitter and not tweeted cently been sued by WhatsApp in the USA In India, social-media platforms are very even once, his account got the blue tick. because of privacy breaches. In response, important. Hundreds of millions use them, By contrast, anti-establishment people NSO stated that it does not support Pegasus and the mainstream media have largely with a history of many relevant tweets and use against human-rights activists or jour- caved into the Hindu-supremacist govern- much larger followings did not get it. In- nalists, and only sells it to “government in- ment. It therefore was a shock to see that telligence and law enforcement agen- Twitter is not the open space it pretends to cies to help them fight terrorism and be. People from the Dalit community, the serious crime”. Did India’s government lowest caste group, have ample reason to use this technology to monitor people accuse Twitter of casteism and discrimina- it does not like? tion. In the USA, public debate is India’s caste system is an age-old so- focusing on whether social-media cial hierarchy that fosters discrimination platforms should allow politicians to and violence. In the past, Dalits were called spread lies in advertising. According “untouchables” and later “Harijans”. Of- to Facebook, which allows such ads, ficially, India’s constitution abolished “un- this is ultimately a matter of freedom touchability” after independence in 1947, of speech. Twitter, by contrast, has and a law of 1989 is supposed to prevent banned political advertising. But the atrocities against Dalits. Another law man- underlying and more important ques- dates affirmative action to compensate for – tion remains open: Who is the proper and facilitate an escape from – poverty and authority for taking such crucial deci- marginalisation. That this law is still needed sions: self-regulating multinationals, today, shows how deeply entrenched caste the government or an independent discrimination is. third-party body? The advent of the internet inspired Issues of fake news and hate hopes for more inclusion. Platforms that speech are even more pressing in de- give access to everyone such as Facebook Blue tick, but few followers and zero tweets: Jay veloping countries where public in- and Twitter were expected to serve as open Shah’s account in early November. stitutions tend to be weaker. Political spaces that give voice to marginalised peo- advertising, moreover, is not the only ple. As we learned in the past few weeks, problem. India’s social-media sites ap- however, Twitter has not been levelling the deed, Twitter has a tendency of using small parently have a growing pro-government playing field. Rather, the accusations are pretexts to limit their outreach by lock- bias. We need global regulations to ensure that it has been reinforcing the caste hier- ing, restricting and even suspending their that democracies around the world are not archy by halting the verification of accounts accounts. At the same time, the platform undermined by internet multinationals owned by Dalits. Verification means that tends to remain soft on trolls and hate- that ultimately care about nothing else than Twitter confirms that an account of consid- peddlers who are close to the Hindu-chau- their profits. erable public interest is authentic and be- vinist government (see my essay in D+C/ longs to a real person. Verified accounts get E+Z e-Paper 2018/05, Focus section). These ARFA KHANUM SHERWANI a blue tick, which enhances their credibil- people systematically denigrate Dalits, de- is senior editor with the ity. If these accusations are true, that would monise Muslims and agitate against other independent news website amount to serious discrimination. minorities. Twitter has tried to “clarify” its TheWire. In response, Dalit activists began to position, but to its critics, its partisan lean- Twitter: @khanumarfa

campaign against Manish Maheshwari, ing is obvious. https://thewire.in/ Screenshot: https://twitter.com/jayshah

D+C e-Paper December 2019 10 DEBATE: OPINIONS

In Iraq, violent clashes erupted between protesters and security forces.

PROTEST MOVEMENTS quickly grew into attacks on the entire po- litical system. And just like in the past, those in power are responding with a mix of brutal Arab Spring reloaded violence and half-hearted concessions. Most of the countries in question have experienced war and/or civil strife. They are now in a phase of economic weakness and Waves of protest are rocking multiple coun- In Algeria in February 2019, tens of are subject to the influence of external pow- tries in the Middle East and North Africa thousands of people rose up when Presi- ers. They have little fiscal leeway because the (MENA), bringing back memories of the Arab dent Abd al-Aziz Bouteflika, who is elderly economies are barely growing, their public Spring of 2011. Sustainable development and has long been unfit to serve, announced sectors are bloated and inefficient, and the will be possible only if social issues are his candidacy for a fifth term in office. He governments are heavily indebted (particu- addressed and regional conflicts are was also swept aside. In Egypt in Septem- larly in Lebanon and Sudan). The govern- resolved. It is in Europe’s own interest to con- ber 2019, information about the exorbitant ments are trying to restore their short-term tribute to finding solutions. self-enrichment of the president’s family capacity to act by delaying overdue state in- sparked large demonstrations. In Lebanon vestments and cutting social services. By Nassir Djafari in October 2019, a tax on internet-based calls was the straw that broke the camel’s INVESTORS ARE NOT INVESTING The images resemble one another. In the back and drove people into the streets. And Arab world, large numbers of predominant- since early October 2019, people in Iraq Private, and especially foreign companies ly young people have taken to the streets, have been demonstrating in huge numbers are also holding back investments, so steady insisting on their right to a decent life – just against their precarious living conditions. demographic pressure is producing an army like they did eight years ago. Mass protests On 30 November, Prime Minister Adel Ab- of unemployed people. Exorbitant levels occasionally flare up in individual countries, dul Mahdi resigned. In the meantim, anger of youth unemployment are particularly but this is the first time since 2011 that we about high fuel prices had driven crowds explosive. According to the International are witnessing a series of them. They began to rally in Iran, Iraq’s non-Arab neighbour. Monetary Fund, in all of the region’s coun- in December 2018 in Sudan with what were People’s economic pain has dramatically tries, youth unemployment remains steady at first local protests against the tripling of worsened under US sanctions. In the eyes at 25 to 30 % or higher. the price of bread. Local protests triggered of the demonstrators, their own regime Half a million young people stream rallies all over the nation, and they led to must bear some of the blame. onto the labour market every year in Iraq, the toppling of Omar al-Bashir, the dictator, As in 2011, the current protests were for example. A lack of employment oppor- oto: picture-alliance/Xinhua

who had been in power for three decades. sparked above all by social grievances, then tunities combined with a worsening supply Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 11 DEBATE: OPINIONS

of water, electric power and other public ser- response by security forces in Iraq brings The EU should make its contribution. It vices are creating a climate of dangerous so- back bad memories of the repression of the should not only invest in development cooper- cial tension. Things can erupt surprisingly protests in Syria in 2012. When this com- ation, but above all conduct its trade relations fast. ment was finalised in late November, some with countries in this region on a more equita- It is particularly risky when social 300 people had been killed. ble playing field. grievances escalate in conditions of fragile Things have remained relatively The second precondition for sustainable statehood. That is especially true of Iraq peaceful in Lebanon so far. However, it re- development in the Middle East is a resolution and Lebanon, not only because of their mains to be seen how the radical Shia Hez- of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. proximity to civil-war-torn Syria, but also bollah will respond to public discontent in That cannot be achieved by applying ever more because both countries have deep sectar- the future, and what impact the mass pro- pressure on Iran. What is needed is the frame- ian divides. Whereas in Iraq the Shias have tests will have on Iran and Saudi Arabia, work of a comprehensive regional peace dominated the government since the US in- the two regional powers. Forty-five percent strategy that takes into account the interests vasion of 2003, in Lebanon, the Shia Hezbol- of all terrorist attacks worldwide take place of all parties involved. lah is a state within the state. in the MENA region. Forty-seven percent of The EU must break away from their Throughout the region, Iran’s Shia re- all displaced people and 57 % of all refugees currently passive role as an outraged ob- gime is supporting Shia organisations and who have had to leave their home countries server and set an appropriate foreign policy militias, whereas Saudi Arabia funds Iran’s are from it too. in motion, engaging the international com- Sunni opponents (see Maysam Behravesh in The MENA region will only find its munity. There is no other way to achieve Focus section of D+C/E+Z e-Paper 2019/10). way back to peace and development once sustainable social development in this chal- Against this backdrop, it represents its social issues have been resolved. In or- lenging world region which is quite close to a welcome surprise that Shias and Sunnis der to do that, its countries will have to Europe. are rallying together in Iraq, and in Leba- overcome structural barriers to develop- non, they are joined by Christians. Across ment, including the lack of international NASSIR DJAFARI the faith communities, people are uniting to competitiveness, ossified public adminis- is an economist and freelance challenge the political establishment. trations and the people’s exclusion from writer. That they are overcoming religious economic opportunities and participation difference is encouraging, but the violent in public life. [email protected]

X + Please visit our www.dandc.eu website www.DandC.eu

D+C e-Paper December 2019 12 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

RURAL DEVELOPMENT natural resources are dwindling fast. The climate crisis is exacerbating the challenges. Today, African countries are working on the Rurbanomics revitalisation of rural areas. They want to sustain and accelerate progress.

AFRICAN OPPORTUNITIES Rural areas must become more productive, ient, healthier and more attractive places more climate-resilient and more attractive to to live. One opportunity is rapid urbanisation. live in. Revitalising them means improving Around the world, rural areas ben- Small and mid-sized towns matter in par- infrastructure and boosting people’s oppor- efit less from economic growth than cities. ticular. To meet rising urban demand, agri- tunities. Ultimately, sustainability depends on Rural people make up to 45 % of the world cultural production must increase, and that linking the advantages of rural economies population, but bear a disproportionate bur- means better livelihoods for farmers and with those of urban ones. In this context, den of poverty, malnutrition and poor qual- those involved in agribusinesses. small and mid-sized towns are particularly ity of life. South of the Sahara, poverty and Several countries – Ethiopia, Kenya important. malnutrition are relatively high – and that is and Niger, for example – have scaled up especially true in rural areas. investments in irrigation. The benefits in- By Shenggen Fan and Ousmane Badiane The global poverty rate is 17 % in rural clude longer growing seasons, more scope areas, but only seven percent in urban areas. for crop diversity and the mitigation of The deadlines to achieve the Sustainable Rural people comprise 70 % of the world’s weather risks. Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris extremely poor. In sub-Saharan countries, Some countries, including Ethiopia, climate goals draw ever closer. The ambi- 82 % of the extreme poor live in rural areas. Mali and Morocco, have increased agricul- tious imperative of the SDGs is to “leave Rural areas lag behind urban areas in reduc- tural mechanisation, enhancing productiv- no one behind”. The implication is that ing rates of child stunting (low height for ity along the supply chain. This approach we must urgently revitalise rural areas, es- age). They often lack basic infrastructure improves the business environment, by pecially in sub-Saharan Africa. Now is the und services. Consider, for example, edu- fostering domestic machinery businesses, time for a dramatic, system-wide transfor- cation, health care, roads, water, sanitation facilitating investments in human resource- mation to make rural areas more produc- and hygiene. At the same time, rural areas development and triggering interest in re- tive, more sustainable, more climate-resil- are exposed to ever more pollution while search. Growing urban food demand offers opportunities too. In Senegal, new process- ing technologies have fuelled a rapid expan- sion in small firms. They specialise in ready- to-cook and ready-to-eat millet products. Many new employment opportunities are thus emerging in the agri-food system’s off- farm segments. In Nigeria, 45 % of all food spoils due to a lack of refrigeration. The potential for solar-powered cold stations has been recog- nised and is already being tapped. To take advantage of the opportunities from urbanisation we need to strengthen the interconnectedness between rural and ur- ban areas. High-quality roads and electric- ity are critical to bringing food commodities from farm regions to urban markets. From 2012 to 2016, African governments have been investing an average $ 30 billion in in- frastructure annually. Private investments in solar power have surged. This technol- ogy can drive refrigeration and rural enter- prises. Multilateral institutions are aware of infrastructure needs and promoting invest- ments in both the public and private sectors. Information and Communication

Harvesting millet in Senegal. Technology (ICT) can make a difference. Ph oto: Giling/Lineair

D+C e-Paper December 2019 13 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

Thanks to digitalisation many of the institu- will create a single African market for goods Rural governance must also be re- tional, physical and technological obstacles and services, along with free movement of vitalised. Local governments should be can now be overcome faster and at lower cost businesspeople and investments and the held accountable for the delivery of high- than previously assumed. The price for mo- elimination of import duties. quality services. China chose this approach bile internet, for example, has dropped by al- One essential driver of rural revi- when it announced a new strategy in 2018 most one third in Africa in the past four years. talisation is “rurbanomics”. This approach to close the growing rural-urban income ICT is relevant for smallholder farmers emphasises the interrelatedness and inter- gap. The goal is to improve the quality of who want access to financial services. Mo- dependency of rural and urban economies. rural life. bile money applications are spreading from The point is that urban growth creates rural Obviously, ICT can prove useful in country to country. Penetration rates are opportunities. Rural and urban areas must this context. Widespread access to mobile high in many countries, including Kenya, be partners, and rural areas can do much phones can help otherwise disconnected Mali and Senegal. More generally speaking, more than produce commodities. They citizens to get involved in public affairs or rural finance must improve – from banking should be seen both: business. to insurance. ●● as launching points for national, re- The rurbanomics approach, moreover, Famers who want to diversify must be gional and global value chains and has health dimensions. Obesity is increas- empowered to finance investments. In Nige- ●● as providers of indispensable environ- ingly haunting developing countries, but ria, innovative start-ups are mobilising po- mental services. consumer preferences are changing too, tential investors in crowdsourcing models. Indeed, rural revitalisation goes far be- especially in cities. Rural farmers could In numerous countries, mobile-based hir- yond agriculture (see box below). It includes shift to more nutritious and high-value ing services for machinery, tools and related the development of non-farm opportunities. foods, such as fruits, vegetables and animal- inputs have been introduced. Such innova- Accordingly, cutting-edge technology and sourced foods. Scientific and technological tions make sense and should be scaled up. innovation are linchpins of rural growth. innovations would help retain the value of The impact on women and youth deserves There is ample evidence from around these nutritious products throughout the particular consideration. the world that rural revitalisation can dra- supply chain. matically improve rural residents’ lives. One LEARNING FROM OTHERS’ EXPERIENCES example was South Korea’s Saemaul Undong SHENGGEN FAN (New Village Movement) initiative in 1970. is the director general of the African countries are working collectively Investments in irrigation, agricultural inputs, International Food Policy to sustain and accelerate progress. In 2018, electrification and transport and related ef- Research Institute (IFPRI). African leaders launched the Africa Ag- forts led to farm households’ income increas- riculture Transformation Scorecard and ing fivefold within a decade. They caught up the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural with urban counterparts. More recently, in OUSMANE BADIANE Development Programme (CAADP) Bien- Bangladesh, investments to improve rural is IFPRI’s Africa director. nial Review. Both tools serve accountability. roads reduced extreme poverty by three to six Moreover, 49 countries signed the African percent while boosting enrolment in second- Continental Free Trade Agreement, which ary school for both boys and girls. www.ifpri.org

●● Transform agri-food sys- tion, boosting basic services Policy recommendations tems to benefit both rural and and supporting a healthier and urban areas. Agriculture must more climate-resilient environ- be seen as a business enterprise ment. Rural revitalisation is essential evidence-based action geared to that can nutritiously, safely and ●● Reform rural governance for transforming rural areas, rural revitalisation in all world sustainably feed all. to improve accountability. Pol- not only in Africa. The Inter- regions. Relevant steps include: ●● Scale up agricultural icy outcomes depend on well- national Food Policy Research ●● Adopt a “rurbanomics” productivity and invest in the funded budgets, capable staff Institute (IFPRI) offers tangible approach. This means appre- rural non-farm economy to and transparency. sf/ob advice. ciating the interlinkedness of create wage-earning opportu- As IFPRI spells out in the rural and urban economies and nities, particularly for disad- LINK recent “2019 global food policy grasping the opportunities that vantaged population groups, International Food Policy report”, it is possible not only to arise from it. Rurbanomics does including the poor, women and Research Institute: 2019 Global end hunger and malnutrition, not simply concern the rela- youth. food policy report. but also to achieve the Sustain- tions of rural areas with mega- ●● Improve living conditions http://www.ifpri.org/ able Development Goals and to cities. Small and mid-sized cit- in rural areas, by providing publication/2019-global-food- protect the climate. It will take ies matter very much. better access to social protec- policy-report

D+C e-Paper December 2019 14 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

Dag Hammarskjöld and Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghanaian independ- ence leader who was a protagonist of the non-aligned movement.

MULTILATERALISM Nonetheless, Hammarskjöld managed to bring about a UN resolution. Its wording remained ambiguous however. UN troops Death in Ndola were deployed, but since their mission was not clearly defined, they could not act ef- fectively. The mission stayed controversial, with interested parties either stating that The death of Dag Hammarskjöld, who was acknowledgments), Melber delves deeply the blue helmets were doing too much or the second UN secretary-general, in an air- into complex issues that he has been dealing doing too little. plane crash in 1961 remains shrouded in with for much of his professional life. For Melber recounts how Hammarskjöld mystery. UN investigations have not lead to anyone unfamiliar with the history of the handled the matter. To a large extent, he convincing results so far. A recently pub- UN and African decolonisation, the reading relied on the growing group of non-aligned lished book offers insights into the matter, is likely to prove a rewarding challenge. nations, which were mostly newly inde- along with an appraisal of Hammarskjöld’s The tragic death of the Swedish UN pendent colonies. To bypass stalemate in role in decolonisation and his lasting impacts leader is obviously of particular relevance. the Security Council, he turned to the Gen- on the development of the UN. The background was the Congo crisis of eral Assembly, in which their membership 1960/61. On 30 June 1960, the Belgian colo- kept increasing. By Hans Dembowski ny gained formal independence. Not even The leaders of the non-aligned group two weeks later, its territorial integrity was appreciated Hammarskjöld’s approach. Henning Melber’s book on Hammarskjöld threatened by the secession of the resource The secretary-general wanted the UN to is not an impartial account. The Swedish- rich Katanga region. Belgium supported shield them from undue influence of he- German scholar is the former director of the the secessionists with troops in violation of gemonic powers. In his eyes, the young Uppsala-based Dag Hammarskjöld Founda- its agreement with Congo’s government. In nations deserved ample policy space. In to- tion, and he also belonged to the committee view of military clashes, Congo’s President day’s parlance, he was endorsing the policy whose work made then UN Secretary-Gen- Joseph Kasavubu and Prime Minister Patrice ownership of developing countries. Trying eral Ban Ki-moon reopen the investigation Lumumba requested the UN to intervene. to prevent the spread of the Cold War into into the airplane crash near Ndola in today’s Melber gives a detailed account of how Africa, he neither pleased western nor east- Zambia. Melber readily admits that he is Hammarskjöld tried to control the damage ern leaders. personally engaged. (Full disclosure: he has and what limitations he faced. The greatest Matters became even more complex contributed to D+C/E+Z very often and, over challenge was that the Security Council was when Congo’s leaders, Kasavubu and Lu- the years, has become a friend.) split. While western governments basically mumba, had a falling out. For some time, “Dag Hammarskjöld, the United Na- sided with Belgium, the Soviet Union want- Lumumba lived under UN protection, but tions and the decolonisation of Africa” is ed to reduce the influence of the USA and he decided to move on in an attempt to re- a short, but ambitious book. On a mere 180 the former imperial powers. In this setting, claim power. UN troops were present when oto: picture-alliance/Everett Collection

pages (of which 50 are notes, references and decisive UN action was impossible. he was arrested, while another UN contin- Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 15 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

gent later witnessed him being brought to Some accuse Hammarskjöld of com- Katanga. They did not intervene in either ing from a white middle-class background. situation, and Lumumba was tortured and Melber rectifies such criticism. Everybody DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC killed on 17 January 1961. The UN was im- has a personal background, and what re- OF THE CONGO mediately blamed for not protecting him. ally matters is what we do on this basis. The According to Melber, Hammarskjöld Ndola author further points out that being male was not personally in charge of troops and and white brings privileges, but that does thus not immediately responsible for the Ndola not mean that every white man endorses failure to save Lumumba. Moreover, it is ZAMBIA those privileges – nor does it mean that eve- unclear what difference UN soldiers could ry white man exploits and abuses women or have made. President Kasavubu was relying people of colour. He also notes that UN staff on army leader Mobutu Sésé Seko, who later will always be likely to have a middle-class grabbed power in a military coup and ruled background. The simple reason is that it is as a ruthless dictator from 1965 to 1997. Lu- sess such evidence, but they did not follow impossible to do UN work unless one has an mumba was one of Mobutu’s early victims. requests to declassify such information. academic education and speaks at least one The main success of multilateral action was world language. certainly that the Congo conflict did not THE INDIVIDUAL PERSON MATTERS Melber does a fascinating job of show- spread to other African countries. ing how personal relations matter within the In Melber’s account, Hammarskjöld Melber’s main intention, however, is not to UN administration itself. Indeed, interac- felt devastated by diplomatic failures, but revisit the tragedy at Ndola. As the title of tion within the UN team that was handling nonetheless stayed determined to do his the book suggests, his main topic is what the Congo crisis was often difficult. Com- best to prevent further escalation. After UN impact Hammarskjöld and the UN had on munication problems were probably more troops clashed with secessionist forces in decolonisation. Critics have argued that the important than ideology. The questions of Katanga, he arranged a meeting with Moise Swedish policymaker promoted capitalism, whether Hammarskjöld was sufficiently Tshombe, their leader, in Ndola. Back then, served imperialist interests or had racist anti-capitalist and anti-racist probably mat- this town belonged to Northern Rhodesia, tendencies. Melber defends him convinc- tered less than communication problems. a part of the British Central African Federa- ingly. Back then, Nikita Khrushchev, the top tion run by a white minority regime. The air- The author grew up as teenager in Soviet leader, prominently accused Ham- plane crashed when approaching Ndola on what is now Namibia. He joined the freedom marskjöld of promoting capitalism. Others 18 September 1961. struggle and is a member of SWAPO, the for- have reiterated that charge. As we know to- At the time, the Northern Rhodesian mer liberation movement which is now the day, the idea that capitalism can easily be authorities concluded that a pilot error ruling party. Melber is just as interested in replaced with something better, has proved caused the crash. Later research, however, the topic of decolonisation as he is in Ham- a fallacy in many countries. Melber could showed that they had not taken all evidence marskjöld’s legacy. make this case, but he takes a different ap- into account. In particular, they neglected The Africa scholar insists that Ham- proach. His entirely valid point is that Ham- black eyewitnesses. Some reported that marskjöld was a child of his time. His father marskjöld focused on shielding newly inde- a second airplane had been in the sky, and was a high-ranking official and diplomat, pendent African countries from hegemonic others saw Hammarskjöld’s plane in flames and many of his ancestors were loyal civil influence. before it came down. As Melber further re- servants and clergymen. The UN leader’s Under Hammarskjöld, UN diplomacy ports, it took officialdom unreasonably long roots in Sweden’s political culture, which was a well-considered balancing act, as Mel- to find the airplane, so Rhodesian security shies away from confrontation and is geared ber writes. That is part of Hammarskjöld’s forces probably arrived first, with ample to brokering compromises that serve all par- legacy. Successful UN diplomacy has indeed time to manipulate the scene. The author ties, were deep. He himself was an econo- always been – and had to be – a balancing spells out that various parties might have mist who, as a technocrat, played a crucial act. had an interest in killing the assertive UN role in designing his nation’s welfare state, secretary-general and that they probably before becoming a diplomat. REFERENCE had the capacity to do so. They included Melber elaborates how this personal Melber, H., 2019: Dag Hammarskjöld, the the Katanga secessionists, southern Africa’s background, including his Lutheran faith, United Nations and the decolonisation of white minority regimes as well as member shaped Hammarskjöld’s action as UN sec- Africa. London, Hurst. countries of the Security Council. retary-general. He emphasised integrity The UN believes that the secret ser- – both his own and that of the UN. He be- HANS DEMBOWSKI vices of several countries are likely to still lieved that multilateral action could prevent is editor in chief of D+C have relevant recordings, for example of the political disasters and mass suffering if the Development and radio communication between the pilot and parties involved acted in a spirit of honesty Cooperation / E+Z Ndola airport. In October, the Guardian re- and probity. The book quotes extensively Entwicklung und ported that UN apointee Mohamed Chande from Hammarskjöld’s writing and public Zusammenarbeit. Othman believes the UK and the SU to pos- speeches. [email protected]

D+C e-Paper December 2019 16 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

HUMAN RIGHTS suspended in 13 and abolished in 21 states. In other parts of the world capital punish- ment remains the law of the land, including Battle cry “blasphemy” Pakistan. In this context the President’s re- fusal to pardon Taseer’s assassin amounts to an unmistakable rejection of a “blasphemy shaheed” taking the law into his own hands. Many predominantly Muslim countries have masses of typically illiterate sympathisers This is a robust rebuttal of what is effectively penal laws against “blasphemy”, “defamation supported the cowardly, big-mouthed killer, becoming customary law in many parts of of religion” and “apostasy”. These laws are who basked in the lime-light of a martyr the Muslim world. incompatible with human rights. In practice (shaheed), for whom the doors of paradise The battle cry “Blasphemy!” contin- they serve as highly effective weapons to are wide open. ues to serve as a perfidious, but highly ef- settle personal animosities, family vendettas In late 2015, the Supreme Court con- fective weapon for people who want to settle and land disputes. Fanatics feel justified to firmed his death sentence. Pakistanis held property disputes, family vendettas and any hound minorities, to rob, abuse and murder their breath. Would then President Mam- other personal scores. Pakistan holds the as they please. noon Hussain pardon the killer? And would record for both vigilante killings and (often Taseer’s assassination thus become the life-long) imprisonments of perceived “blas- By Thomas Krapf precedent for legalised murder on blasphe- phemers”. Decades of persecuting anyone, my pretexts? When the murderer was indeed anywhere, anytime on spurious blasphemy Asia Bibi on death row: an illiterate woman executed on 29 February 2016, the public accusations – frequently with the blessing in solitary confinement, for almost a dec- was taken by surprise. For over a week mil- of the authorities – have profoundly affected ade – 20 % of her life in living hell. Finally, lions of enraged blasphemy fanatics rallied cultural mores and social attitudes. in early 2019, the Pakistani Supreme Court in public, paralysing the capital and other In the 21st century, several predomi- acquit her. That story made international urban hubs. nantly Muslim countries uphold laws headlines, but the international public is The death penalty is incompatible against “blasphemy”, “defamation of re- hardly aware of her ongoing suffering af- with fundamental human rights and has ligion” and “apostasy”. In Pakistan, Iran, ter being released. In May, she could leave been abolished throughout most of Europe, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and for Canada – but her nightmare continued except Russia (suspended) and Belarus (in Somalia both blasphemy and apostasy are there: a religious fanatic posted a video de- force). In the 50 states of the USA it has been punishable by death. Apostasy is also a capi- manding she be murdered. And that video- post still makes her fear for her life. Bibi’s blasphemy charges? Fabricated nonsense, unworthy of further comment – but in Pakistan altogether normal. What is equally normal is the indifference of the international media. Bibi was the exception that proved the rule: the final stages of her ten-year-ordeal was a global media story, but the early chapters got little attention. Tragedies like this shed light on the complexities of the ongoing blasphemy mess. Hers has dragged on for over a decade, resulting in two assassinations. Ten years ago, Salman Taseer, the gov- ernor of Punjab, visited Bibi on death row. Stepping out of her cell he branded Paki- stani blasphemy legislation “black laws”. In 2011, he paid with his life, and so did Shah- baz Bhatti, the federal minister for minority affairs. Both were targeted because they had dared to defend Bibi and criticise the blas- phemy laws. The governor’s assassin was his body guard. In a fair trial – which is worth noting in Pakistan – Mumtaz Qadri was sentenced according to the law of the land: capital pun- A fanatic tossing a tear-gas canister towards police during anti-Asia-Bibi protests in Karachi in oto: Mohammed Rizwan/picture-alliance/AP Photo oto: Mohammed Rizwan/picture-alliance/AP

ishment. Millions of Facebook followers and February 2019. Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 17 TRIBUNE: IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS

tal offence in Malaysia, Maldives, Qatar, ●● In another 2018 case, Meiliana, an fore article 20 prohibits hate speech. This is United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Sudan and ethnic Chinese Buddhist, was jailed for 18 imperative, not least to strengthen another Mauritania. In other Muslim countries dra- months. Her crime? She had complained cardinal fundamental human right: free- conic enforcement of proscriptions against about the excessive volume of calls to prayer dom of religion or belief (article 18). This apostasy and blasphemy prevails. Cruel from a minaret in her neighbourhood. That fundamental human right guarantees free- and humiliating punishments (public flog- was read as “insulting Islam”… Freedom of dom of conscience, thought and opinion. gings), severe prison sentences and other opinion? Freedom of expression? Entitle- Therefore it includes the right of the indi- infractions of the 1984 Convention against ment of a religious-ethnic minority to pro- vidual to change his/her religion and to con- Torture are wide spread. tection? Such “non-Islamic” issues are sac- vert to another religion. rificed on ubiquitous altars to the voracious, Ostracising “blasphemy”, “defamation INDONESIAN DRAMAS insatiable idol of ostracising “blasphemy”, of religion” and “apostasy” exacerbates reli- “defamation of religion” and “apostasy”. gious intolerance, extremism and violence. Inevitably, ostracising blasphemy results in This practice flies in the face of funda- Criminalising such “issues” is inherently witch hunts, absurd conflicts of interests, mental human rights, which are unnegoti- anachronistic and untenable. A sobering unmistakable hypocrisy and leads to blatant able. It is insane to undermine these princi- reality check is furnished by states that re- infringements of human rights. Two recent ples which the UN adopted in 1948. At the spect, protect and fulfil fundamental rights. cases from Indonesia, the world’s largest time, the Universal Declaration of Human Attuned to the 21st century they tend to have Muslim-majority nation, illustrate much of Rights was a response to World War II, its good records of political and social stabil- this: genocidal violence and horrific war crimes. ity, of economic prosperity and of long-term ●● From 2017 to 2019 the former governor Depressingly, brutalities of this kind still sustainability. of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known occur, but when they do, human rights are The pernicious agenda of ostracising as Ahok, served a two-year prison sentence always neglected and infringed upon first. is unacceptable. It must end. for voicing an opinion on a verse in the Other human-rights agreements are mean- Quran. An ethnic Chinese Christian, Ahok ingful too, for example, the 1966 Interna- THOMAS KRAPF was denied the right to disagree with some tional Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is a human-rights lawyer and Islamic scholar, who is apparently at least (ICCPR). policy advisor. as authoritarian as his followers may deem Freedom of opinion and expression him authoritative. (ICCPR, article 19) is indispensable. There- [email protected]

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D+C e-Paper December 2019 18 Whether Britain will actually leave is still not clear.

Why the world needs the EU

After recent crises, the EU looks weak- goods matter. Humanity needs more ened. However, it has not unravelled in supranational policymaking and less view of Brexit. Rather, it seems to have our-nation-first thinking. become more coherent. Whether Brexit will actually happen, of course, will only This focus section relates become clear after Britain’s general directly to the 17th Sustaina- election in December at the earliest. It ble Development Goal (SDG): is evident, by contrast, that the EU has Partnerships for the goals. It is also an important role to play in global affairs pertinent to several other SDGs, – for instance in regard to trade, aid and including peace, climate action and environmental protection. Global public zero hunger. Map : StepMap.de WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

Gerd Müller, Germany’s federal minister for economic coopera- tion and develop- ment, visiting the Integrated Polytech- nic Regional Centre in the Rwandan capi- tal Kigali in 2016.

EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY neighbouring continent will play a large role in determining our future. By 2050, Africa’s gross domestic product may actually exceed Investing in the future those of the EU and the USA combined. Apart from the shifting global balance of power, this is one reason why competition over Africa and in Africa is becoming ever Germany will assume the presidency of the for six months on 1 July 2020. As Germany more intensive. EU Council in the summer. Gerd Müller, Ger- is Europe’s political and economic heavy- Europe needs a new deal with Africa to many’s federal minister for economic coop- weight, much is expected of us. build the future, and to follow on from the eration and development, says it will contrib- We intend to grasp the opportunity Cotonou Agreement. In this context, I wel- ute to shaping the EU’s foreign relations and and contribute to shaping Europe’s for- come the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, the boosting its development cooperation. In his eign relations, not least in terms of adopt- new commission president, has announced essay for D+C/E+Z, he points out that the ing a future-oriented development policy. as a top priority the drafting of a new and focus should be on Africa in particular. The European Union must rise to its global comprehensive Africa strategy. responsibility. It will be held accountable During our Council presidency, we By Gerd Müller for good partnerships with our neighbours, want to contribute to the relaunch of the equitably shaped globalisation and fighting EU’s Africa policy. Germany’s international We all are Europe. Every global problem that climate change. I am actively championing development policy offers good starting we do not help to solve eventually becomes this agenda. Our response to the global chal- points. By launching the Marshall Plan with a European problem. Global challenges lenges must not be less, but rather “more Africa, I have initiated a paradigm shift in such as climate change, population growth EU“. cooperation with Africa. Taking our lead and increasing migration require European from the African Union’s Agenda 2063, we responses. Moreover, we see ourselves con- A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRICA are focusing our support on reform-mind- fronted by new geopolitical alliances, and in ed governments with an eye to improving many places faith is dwindling in the mul- Nowhere are the opportunities and chal- governance in areas such as the rule of law, tilateral system’s problem-solving capacity. lenges of our era more evident than in Af- transparency and fighting corruption. In these circumstances, Germany will rica. With a huge potential of young people, By promoting such causes, we are oto: Ute Grabowsky/Phototek /picture-alliance

assume the presidency of the EU Council commodities and renewable energies, our creating the environment for the private Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 20 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

sector to invest sustainably, generate more include high-quality infrastructure, educa- deserts, for instance, would help to solve employment and build something like an tion and vocational training. climate and energy problems, and it would African “Mittelstand”, similar to the small contribute to generating jobs and improv- and medium-sized enterprises that mark ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ing people’s prospects in Africa. Block the German economy. At the same time, INNOVATION chain technology can be used for digitised we are leveraging private investments by administration and customs procedures; means of our newly established develop- To an unprecedented extent, human-made drones can deliver pharmaceuticals to re- ment investment fund (“Entwicklungsin- climate change and environmental deple- mote areas. Quantum leaps are possible due vestitionsfonds”), which will make up to tion are now threatening prosperity, stand- to digitalisation. We must tap that potential € 1 billion available to European and African ards of living and peace. Therefore, Europe to drive development. The European Un- enterprises. must commit unambiguously in the 21st cen- ion with its high standards, for example in The Compact with Africa, an initia- tury to a policy of sustainability – and set an regard to data privacy, can create the right tive started under the German G20 presi- example by implementing it. framework. dency, takes the same approach. The Af- Europe must become climate neutral rica summit in Berlin in November showed by 2050. The EU has to assume a leading STRONG STRUCTURES, SUSTAINABLE what can grow out of this new quality of co- role in regard to climate protection in order FINANCING operation with Africa. Several investment to have the credibility to demand equivalent agreements were signed with the involve- efforts from emerging markets and devel- One thing is sure: changing track towards ment of international organisations and oping countries. For good reason, Commis- a policy of global sustainability will require companies. sion President Ursula von der Leyen has institutional and structural innovation, and That kind of experience will inspire announced a “European Green Deal”. This it will cost money. But it is an investment in our proposals for a new and comprehensive Green Deal, however, will have to involve our future! European Africa policy. our partner countries because only joint Preparing the EU for a stronger role in action will allow us to fight climate change tackling global challenges also requires ad- EQUITABLE GLOBALISATION successfully. ditional earmarks in the EU’s Multiannual Africa’s enormous dynamism offers Financial Framework for the years 2021 to If Europe is to become a stronger player in the opportunity to choose climate-friendly, 2027. It makes sense to increase the funding global affairs, it must lead the way towards sustainable development trajectories right for migration matters. making globalisation more equitable. At from the start. Africa must play a decisive That is the kind of increase we also the start of every value chain there are role if climate change is to be contained and need for cooperation with Africa. So far, people who need to be able to earn a living development is to become sustainable in such funding is only set to rise from € 5 bil- through their work. We need social and en- environmental, economic and social terms. lion to € 6 billion per annum. By contrast, vironmental standards that apply through- For these reasons, our development we keep paying ten times as much for the out international value chains and supply cooperation supports African countries in EU’s common agricultural policy. We need chains. building renewable energy systems. Africa to invest much more in international de- Private-sector businesses bear some of can become the “green continent” by tap- velopment. Migration will not be reduced the responsibility for making this happen. ping its huge potential for wind, solar and unless people find prospects in their home Accordingly, we must pass European regula- bio energies. The European Union’s de- countries, and that requires education, jobs tions to protect trailblazing companies and velopment cooperation should make such and incomes. At the same time, it is essen- ensure a level playing field. Businesses that leapfrogging feasible. tial to gear development to climate protec- safeguard human rights must not be put at At the same time, our cooperation – tion. a competitive disadvantage. ranging from infrastructure construction to The new partnership with Africa; Free trade is an important precondi- agriculture – must address the impacts of tangible proposals for more equitable glo- tion for growth and prosperity. Growth, climate change that are being felt already, balisation; more innovation in climate and however, will not be sustainable unless so people still have prospects. One aspect of environmental protection; coherent and trade is not only free, but equitable too. the European-African Green Deal is that we sustainable funding: Germany will promote The EU would do well to include binding are campaigning for an ambitious climate- these causes during its EU Council presi- and uniform sustainability standards in finance target for the years after 2025 and we dency in the second half of 2020 with an eye all comprehensive free-trade agreements. want the broad-based involvement of donor to boosting European development policy. Tariff concessions should only be granted if governments. We have a long-term duty to Our vision is to turn Europe into a global goods (palm oil, for example) are produced support our partners in developing coun- force for peace and sustainability. in a sustainable manner. tries in regard to financing the mitigation On top of this, the EU must remove all and adaptation efforts that climate change GERD MÜLLER remaining trade barriers such as tariffs, quo- requires. is Germany’s federal minister tas and non-tariff barriers, so African econo- In this setting, we must invest more for economic cooperation and mies – and particularly North African ones heavily in innovation. Generating green development. – can become competitive. The priorities hydrogen with solar power from African http://www.bmz.de/en

D+C e-Paper December 2019 21 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

REGIONAL INTEGRATION are no border controls. The road signs are monolingual in the UK and indicate dis- tances in miles. In the Republic, road signs Irish peace at risk use kilometres and offer both the Gaelic and anglicised names of places. Violence has dissipated to a level that most countries would regard as tolerable. Decolonisation often led to arbitrary borders providing support. The two communities Since 1998, most politically motivated kill- that became the cause of lasting grievances. agreed to share power in Northern Ireland. ings have involved criminal elements within Britain, a former imperial power, is itself The national governments cooperated in loyalism, though a smaller number was car- affected by a border it drew across the island a spirit of friendship. The agreement con- ried out by republican groupings that reject- of Ireland. Regional integration in the EU firmed the right of people in Northern Ire- ed the peace agreement. context allowed peace to take root in Ireland. land to choose the citizenship of either state On the island, few people foresaw the The same approach might, in theory, work or opt for dual citizenship. Both the UK and possibility of our English neighbours losing elsewhere. Whether the fragile Irish peace the Republic belonged to the EU and the sin- sight of the advantages of being part of the can survive the United Kingdom’s exit from gle market, so people were free to move from world’s largest trading bloc. In the Brexit the EU is an open question.

By Ciarán Ó Maoláin

During World War I, the independence movement in Ireland reignited and even- tually forced Britain to withdraw from all but the north-eastern fifth of the island. That territory, renamed Northern Ireland, remained a part of what is now called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North- ern Ireland. (Great Britain is the main Brit- ish island.) A heavily policed border was created less than 100 years ago, separating Northern Ireland from what would become the Republic of Ireland. Back then, Northern Ireland con- tained a substantial majority of people who identified as British. They were predomi- nantly Protestant and called “loyalists” or “unionists”. A repressed minority identified as Irish – the “republicans” or “nationalists”, who were mostly Catholic. Today both com- munities are of almost equal size. Disloyal future prime minister Boris Johnson with loyalist DUP leader Arlene Foster in summer There were recurring periods of con- 2019. Before rising to power, Johnson insisted there would be no border between Great Britain flict, involving armed groups from both and Northern Ireland, but his Brexit agreement with the EU would introduce one. communities. The longest such period lasted from 1968 to 1998. Over 3,500 peo- ple, mostly non-combatants, were killed in one part of the island to the other, and there referendum, 56 % of Northern Irish vot- those years. This part of a G7 member was was no need for any customs controls. ers chose “Remain”, but in the entire UK, plagued by what one would call “fragile The peace settlement accelerated eco- “Leave” won with 52 % (see box next page). statehood” in Africa, Asia or Latin America. nomic integration. People commute daily to People in Northern Ireland find it frustrat- The security forces were far from neutral in work between the two jurisdictions. North- ing that a small majority of voters in the state the conflict: the police and army were inti- ern businesses have expanded south and with sovereignty over them has decided to mately linked to illegal loyalists. vice versa. For almost 20 years, the island pull them out of the EU – with no regard for In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement has exemplified the EU ideal of the free the potentially deadly consequences on the finally established peace. The parties in- movement of goods, labour, services and Irish island. volved in the negotiations were representa- capital. Regional integration underpinned Peace took root the more the arbitrary tives of both communities, with the govern- Irish peace. border that had been drawn a century ago ments of Ireland and the UK confirming the Today, travellers hardly notice when became obsolete. With the UK leaving the oto: Niall Carson/picture-alliance/empics

outcome in a treaty, and the EU and the USA they cross from one state to the other. There EU, the border issue was suddenly back on Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 22 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

the agenda – and with it, all the old tensions The UK media typically referred to the and well-armed extremist faction. It in- and identity issues. “Irish border” problem, but that term itself cludes elements of two large illegal militias The government in Dublin pointed proved that they did not understand the is- – the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the out these things accurately. The other 26 EU sue. “It’s not the Irish border,” was the accu- Ulster Defence Association (UDA). The ex- countries supported its stance that a new rate comment of Dara Ó Briáin, a comedian. tremists have threatened to instigate a vio- hard border was unacceptable. Economic “It’s the British border. The Irish border is lent campaign against Johnson’s proposed interests played a role, but the main goal the beach.” post-Brexit regime. It is too early to judge was to protect the fragile peace. whether they have enough popular support Most people in Northern Ireland – HARD BORDER OR NOT to sustain a campaign of street demonstra- whether Catholic or Protestant – endorse tions and disorder. the Good Friday agreement. On both sides, It took the UK government excruciatingly There are several loyalist parties, but however, some radical elements do not do long to understand that a hard border had the largest, the Democratic Unionist Party so. The loyalist extremists tend to get less to be prevented. Only a few weeks ago did (DUP), is one of the most radical. It never attention, but they are actually more dan- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally really accepted the Good Friday Agree- gerous. accept this. He had been severely critical of ment, worrying that regional integration Sinn Féin, the mainstream Republican the deal his predecessor Theresa May had would eventually lead to the reunification party, which had links to the militant IRA struck with the EU. She would have kept the of Ireland. It therefore supported Leave in (Irish Republican Army), accepted the peace entire UK in the EU customs union until the the Brexit referendum and now feels left agreement because its leaders understood conclusion of a new bilateral trade agree- in the lurch by Johnson and his Conserva- that, in the wider context of EU economic ment between the UK and the EU. Johnson tives who obviously do not care much about integration, the two parts of Ireland were adamantly opposed her deal, stating that it what happens in a small offshore territory. locked together to an extent that partition amounted to an unacceptable loss of sover- It is ominous that the leader of the DUP has was becoming obsolete. The IRA did not eignty. In October, however, he concluded met with illegal militias. In most countries, make peace because of cowardice or weari- a deal with the EU according to which there such an encounter between a policymaker ness; it had sustained a long campaign in- will be a new customs border in the Irish and paramilitary gangsters would be re- cluding serious attacks on targets in Great Sea, separating Great Britain from the whole garded as a scandal. As usual, however, the Britain, but it decided to disarm and dis- island of Ireland. UK press pays little attention to what is go- band, and is no longer active. Nonetheless, What will happen is anybody’s guess. It ing on in any part of Ireland. The budding a small minority of militant republicans still depends on the results of the British general alliance between mainstream unionism and see the Good Friday Agreement as a means election in December. If Johnson’s Brexit deal murderous loyalist thugs is now the greatest of legalising British occupation. If customs is implemented, Northern Ireland will effec- threat to Irish peace. huts, police controls and army patrols were tively remain in the EU’s single market, but re-established, the militant fringe might there would be unprecedented controls on consider them “legitimate targets” for at- traffic between this minor part of the UK and CIARÁN Ó MAOLÁIN tacks. While this threat to peace was instant- Great Britain. Radical loyalists hate the idea is a journalist based in ly obvious to the Irish, it was more than two and have reason to feel betrayed by Johnson. Ireland. years after the referendum that the British Like most republicans, most loyalists [email protected] public began to understand that fact. want peace. However, they too have a small twitter: @OMaolainCiaran

that Britain urgently had to not only in Northern Ireland English populism and Scottish “take back control”. (see main story), but also in A referendum was held Scotland, where 62 % voted nationalism in 2016, and to everyone’s sur- to remain in the EU. The pro- prise, “Leave” won. Exiting the independence Scottish Na- EU proved more difficult than tionalist Party is in favour of A wave of populism and xeno- covery after the global financial expected, however, and it may remaining in the EU and has phobia has infected many crisis and a mainstream press yet not happen at all. If the recently been gaining ground. European countries in the past controlled almost entirely by December 12 general election Opinion polls predict it will 20 years. In Britain – and espe- right-wing owners. Reckless results in a pro-EU majority do very well in the December cially England – it took the form politicians spread falsehoods or a hung parliament, the next elections. It might eventually of a movement to leave the EU. about the EU imposing stupid government might cancel Brex- lead Scotland back into the The anti-EU movement rules about everything from it or hold a second referendum. EU – and then there could be gained momentum thanks to the curvature of bananas to the The potential impact a new hard border in Great

years of austerity, the slow re- rights of criminals, and stated of Brexit has caused dismay Britain. com Ph oto: xxx

D+C e-Paper December 2019 23 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT rally for climate protection. It adds force to their protests that they are skipping lessons and thus breaking rules. This international “Swimming against the tide” movement started in Sweden, spread to other European countries and is now mo- bilising young people everywhere. This is the spirit we need. We need global action to The Bangladeshi scholar Saleemul Huq has will speed up climate protection and not rise to global problems, and global solidar- been observing international climate negoti- begin to lower the ambitions. The inter- ity must be the foundation. Nation states on ations from the start. In our interview, he national community really needs to aim their own cannot rise to the climate chal- assessed the EU’s role. The mulitlateral much higher. The climate crisis is escalating lenges. As governments tend to respond to sytem has failed he says, but he appreciates faster than even some of the most worried public opinion, however, protests may yet the European Investment Bank’s recent scientists predicted, but policymakers are make a difference, egging them on to more decion to back off from fossil fuels. not responding to the growing danger. The effective cooperation. United Nations Framework Convention on Saleemul Huq interviewed by Hans Climate Change (UNFCCC) has evidently Is it a coincidence that both the school Dembowski failed. In its context, we keep patting one strikes and Extinction Rebellion started in another on the shoulder for all too moder- Europe? In what sense is the EU important in climate ate aspirations. At the same time, extreme No, it is not. First of all, the young people talks? weather keeps having worse impacts – from want their governments to rise to the chal- It is extremely important because it is wildfires in California to drought in the Sa- lenges and fulfil environmental promises a block of rich nations which are still willing hel region and the devastating typhoons, made in the past. That is the same in the USA, to be ambitious. By contrast, the USA under cyclones and hurricanes that build up over where the young generation is demand- President Donald Trump is abandoning the all three oceans. The multinational system ing a Green New Deal. It also matters that Paris Agreement on Climate Change. His is not working. international media are still dominated by administration is now arguably the most institutions like the BBC, CNN or Deutsche corrupt government in the world. It has en- What do you want Europe to do in this set- Welle. They are based in prosperous nations tirely sold out to the special interests of fos- ting? and define what is considered important sil fuel industries. The governments of other At this point, I no longer expect much of around the world. However, they really only important countries, such as Japan, Aus- governments. What I find inspiring is the take into account what is happening in their tralia and even Canada, have not declared energy and dynamism of protest move- own world regions. Teenagers in Dhaka, our intentions to quit the Paris Agreement, but ments like the school strikes or Extinction capital city, are just as worried about global they really aren’t doing much to live up to Rebellion. The young people understand heating as members of their age group are in the promises made in Paris. The EU is thus that their future is at risk, and they are tak- Europe, but they cannot get the kind of at- the only block of prosperous nations that ing the lead. Greta Thunberg, the Swedish tention that Greta got in Stockholm. The in- developing countries can still rely on in cli- teenager, inspired millions of her peers to ternational media are only interested in our mate negotiations, and without its proactive stance in past talks, we would never have got the Paris Agreement. We must not for- get, moreover, that the prosperous nations emit much more greenhouse gases than least-developed countries do. It is therefore good that the EU, as a big group of countries, is still committed to climate action.

European environmentalists find its action unconvincing however. Yes, and they have a point. We should ac- knowledge, of course, that it is difficult to achieve consensus in a supranational orga­nisation with so many members. At the same time, there is an irritating am- bivalence. Germany, for example, tends to be a leader internationally when it comes to spelling out ambitions, but your coun- try is currently lagging behind the targets oto: Rumpenhorst/picture-alliance/dpa

your own government set. Let’s hope you Climate strike in Frankfurt in March 2019. Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 24 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

countries when we suffer disasters. They do not cover the legitimate policy demands we raise. Al Jazeera is different. It does not run the same headlines. The good news, how­ ever, is that the climate protests we have been witnessing for about a year now are indeed international.

You say the multilateral system is not work- ing. How do you assess the Sustainable Development Goals, which, by the way, EU members endorsed? I think the SDGs are valuable. They are not legally binding, so they are only soft law, but they do reorient policymakers’ attention to crucial issues. Our prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, for example, keeps refer- ring to them as a yardstick. She is also a UN Hurricane damage in the Bahamas in the summer of 2019. champion, promoting the water SDG at an international level. It is crucially important, moreover, that the SDGs are a truly global and a parliament. It has indeed pooled sov- dicted how the climate crisis would evolve agenda and not just something developing ereignty. Is that desirable? in the 1980s, so the top management must countries are supposed to finally take care Yes, I think it is. I have lived in Britain with have known too. Nonetheless, fossil indus- of. That was what was irritating about the my family for two decades. We have dual tries have always fought determined climate Millennium Development Goals. The SDGs citizenship. We very much appreciated the action and they still are doing so. emphasise global efforts, and that we need growing sense of a European identity which that, cannot be stated too often. My impres- is increasingly supplementing many peo- So they are running the show? sion is that we are all swimming against the ple’s national identity. The Erasmus pro- Well, apart from mass climate protests, there tide, but we have to keep on fighting. Per- gramme which allows students to spend is another bright light: Private-sector inves- haps we can still make a difference, and in a semester at a university in another EU tors have been shying away from coal for that context, the SDGs are a resource. member country is wonderful in this regard. some time, and are now beginning to back My son went to Spain. It is interesting to off from oil and gas as well. In this context, Soft law is not enough for rising to global note, moreover, that many Britons now ap- the European Investment Bank, a EU insti- challenges though. We need binding com- preciate their European identity more than tution, deserves praise for its recent decision mitments. Do you see the EU as a model for they ever did in the past. Before the Brexit to phase out investments in these fossil ener- supranational governance? referendum, the European flag was hardly gies by the end of 2021. Private-sector inves- As far as I can tell, various regional organisa- ever seen in the United Kingdom. Now, “re- tors pay attention to that kind of signalling. tions are copying the EU approach to trade mainers” are displaying it all the time. That It is worth pointing out that only govern- issues, establishing free trade areas, cus- said, Brexit has proven incredibly disruptive ments worried about voters in coal-mining toms unions et cetera. How effective those and it has been distracting people from more regions still invest in coal. Who knows: if organisations are, varies from region to re- urgent matters, especially the climate crisis. mass rallies manage to raise more awareness gion. The Association of Southeast Asian internationally yet, that may stop too. Nations (ASEAN) is more dynamic than the But doesn’t the British government insist it South Asian Association for Regional Co- will not trim down environmental standards? SALEEMUL HUQ operation (SAARC), which has been ham- That is what it says, but the deregulation is the director of the pered by India and Pakistan always being agenda it is pursuing speaks a different lan- International Centre for at loggerheads. However, not even ASEAN guage. The Brexiteers pretend that British Climate Change and is doing anything to stop the human-rights industries will become more competitive Development (ICCCAD) at offences against the Muslim minority in once they are basically allowed to do what- Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, and Bangladesh ever they want. Environmental regulations Dhaka. He is also a senior fellow at the must take care of the refugees on its own. obviously limit that freedom. More generally London-based International Institute for So no, I don’t see supranational governance speaking, I find it striking that climate denial Environment and Development. This interview evolving according to the EU model. is common among right-wing populists eve- took place before the European Parliament rywhere, and that is true of many Brexiteers declared a climate emergency on 28 Novem- Unlike most other regional organisations, too. It is quite evident that powerful fossil in- ber. the EU has powerful joint institutions, in- dustries are supporting this trend. We know [email protected] oto: Diaz/picture-alliance/Zuma Press

cluding an administrative body, a law court now that Exxon scientists accurately pre- http://www.icccad.net/ Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 25 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

TRADE bacco. The EPA it could take advantage of has been in force in some SADC (Southern African Development Community) coun- Moving away from simple tries since 2014. It applies to Mozambique since 2018. The new agreement does not de- pend on a state having developing-country commodity exports status. That is an advantage over the “Every- thing but Arms” (EBA) rule. EBA means that developing countries are allowed to export everything except weapons and munitions Trade can stimulate development. As of turing, generate exportable products and to the EU free of tariffs. Another advantage 2018, Mozambique has been able, in princi- thereby create jobs and income. EPAs com- is that the EPA facilitates cross-border trade ple, to benefit from an Economic Partnership ply with rules of the World Trade Organiza- within Africa. Integration into supply chains Agreement with the EU. The agreement tion (WTO), but experts disagree on whether of South African companies and from there offers the country opportunities, which it EPAs lead to the desired results (see Monika to the EU could speed up industrialisation must grasp. Hellstern in D+C/E+Z e-Paper 2019, Focus in Mozambique. Furthermore, export proce- section). dures have been simplified. By Friedrich Kaufmann and Winfried Mozambique continues to primarily The agreement could prove particular- Borowczak export commodities like coal, aluminium ly advantageous if, due to the enormous gas and titanium, as well as fish, sugar and to- reserves in the northern part of the country, While there is still relatively little regional exchange within Africa, many African coun- tries engage in robust trade with Asia, Amer- ica and Europe. Since the colonial era, trade has mostly followed the same pattern: com- modities and mostly unprocessed products are exported from Africa, while finished goods with high added value are imported. That is true of Mozambique today (see box below). The EU uses trade agreements to break this pattern. It has promoted “Eco- nomic Partnership Agreements” (EPAs) to establish free-trade zones that include it- self and regional organisations in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP). EPAs are not only meant to boost trade. They are also designed to stimulate industrial manufac- Mozambique primarily exports commodities: port of Maputo.

million in 2018, compared with exports tend to be project-re- Mozambique’s trade with $ 330 million in 2017 and about lated and therefore vary con- $ 300 million in 2016. Un- siderably from year to year. It ­Germany like in its relations with most is striking that Germany ex- of its foreign trade partners, ports grain, which is used in Germany has not done much the bread and baking indus- Germany imports coal from of raw graphite was recently to achieve an export surplus try, to Mozambique. Generally the Tete mines, raw aluminium added because a German firm with Mozambique. In 2018, the speaking, German companies from the MOZAL smelter near commissioned a graphite mine. trade deficit was $ 150 million – primarily see the country as Maputo and tobacco from cen- Conversely, sugar imported about 25 % less than in the pre- a sales market. They hardly in- tral Mozambique. Gemstones, from Mozambique has lost its vious year. vest in Mozambique and thus including rubies, round out former relevance. Germany exports ma- create rather few jobs. They the import portfolio. This pat- The trade volume be- chines, chemicals, vehicles perceive the country merely as tern has been comparatively tween Germany and Mozam- and electronic devices as well a sales market. oto: picture-alliance/Anka Agency International oto: picture-alliance/Anka

stable for years. The export bique amounted to about $ 400 as grain to Mozambique. The fk/wb Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 26 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

state income primarily through such duties. that would systematically put businesses in Moreover, the still permissible duties could a position to manufacture exportable prod- shield domestic industries from excessive ucts. The EPA could be the launch pad for competitive pressure. So far, however, there a strategic industrial policy. That opportu- is very little industry in Mozambique, so this nity, of course, will stay worthless as long as SADC STATES concern is relevant more from a theoretical the government does not grasp it. MOZAMBIQUE than from a practical perspective. Once in- fant industries are established, additional FRIEDRICH KAUFMANN safeguards can be activated. heads the Maputo office of Maputo Taken advantage of intelligently, the the German Chamber EPA could drive industrialisation and eco- Network. The office gets nomic development in Mozambique. Unfor- support from Germany’s tunately, the country still lacks an effective Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and and comprehensive policy for exploiting Development through GIZ ExperTS. EPA opportunities. Important steps would [email protected] Mozambique should someday lose its status include building infrastructure, fighting as a developing country. Thanks to the EPA, corruption, cutting red tape, breaking up WINFRIED BOROWCZAK the country would stay exempt from duties. the oligarchic cartels of the political elite is an economist and The EPA requires Mozambique to and promoting non-oligarchic business as- independent consultant who exempt from duties about 74 % of imports sociations at local levels. specialises in private-sector from the EU over the course of ten years. The business climate is currently still and organisational For fiscal policy reasons, it is allowed to too poor to encourage more investment. development in Africa and Portuguese- maintain 26 % of tariffs. The reason is that It adds to the problems that Mozambique speaking countries. Mozambique has traditionally generated does not have a coherent export strategy [email protected]

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D+C e-Paper December 2019 27 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

WORLD ORDER of oceans, deforestation, the erosion of bio- diversity – a lot needs to be done. ●● As a major civilian power, the EU must “Teetering continent” promote peace and reconciliation, but that implies that it needs a minimum level of military capacities. Relying on the USA as in the past is no longer an option. The EU has a vital role to play in global tition with social and environmental protec- Global problems require global solu- affairs, according to political scientist Dirk tion. The major challenge of the 21st century tions, and they will not be brought about un- Messner, but whether it is up to task, remains is to facilitate – within the limits of the earth less we have players with global reach. The to be seen. system – equitably shared prosperity for EU must be one of them. a world population that will soon amount to Dirk Messner interviewed by Hans 10 billion people. The EU’s strong standing Are you considering the EU’s self-interest or ­Dembowski in global trade is a good starting point. the global common good? A strong global role serves the EU’s self- The EU must be a “superpower project”. interest, but not only. Who would benefit That is what Gideon Rachman, the Finan- if the EU withdrew from the global arena? cial Times’ foreign policy columnist recently Certainly not poor economies and small wrote. Do you agree? countries. Their development perspectives Well, at very least it must muster the strength depend on a rules-bound and reasonably to position itself coherently in regard to is- fair world order. sues of great world-order relevance. Other- wise, we will be under the pressure of other Does conventional official development as- powers. The performance of the US admin- sistance (ODA) matter in this regard? istration is currently volatile. Its stance is In 2017, the EU and its members spent about at once protectionist and market liberal. Its $ 75 billion on ODA. That was 57 % of the style of governance is authoritarian and re- global total. The better the EU coordinates sembles what used to be called “crony capi- such efforts, the more they add up to a co- talism” in Washington. After Donald Trump, herent and convincing proposal in the eyes that will hopefully change again, but this of partners overseas. ODA fragmentation, is the current scenario. China and Russia by contrast, thwarts effectiveness. The focus are authoritarian regimes, though Russia must be on overarching issues such as the only has a strong military, but not a strong climate, poverty, inequality and security. economy. In this setting, the EU must pro- mote renewed multilateralism and project Does that mean that the EU should primar- a vision of capitalism that is embedded in ily reach out to developing countries? What democracy and the rule of law in ways that Facebook, Amazon und Google pay attention other potential allies are there? facilitate social welfare and environmen- to Margrethe Vestager, the competition We need new alliances, and, among other tal health. That authoritarian and populist commissioner. things, they must bridge the old north- trends are evident in EU member countries, south divide. This does not only concern adds to the difficulties, of course. the poorest and smallest countries. Some ●● In this context, digitalisation and in- 60 nations no longer belong to the least- What must the EU be capable of in the glob- novative technologies deserve particular developed group, nor are they among the al arena? attention. It is noteworthy that no single fast-rising emerging markets. Classical ODA It has to be in a position to spell out coher- nation state, with the exceptions of the USA is hardly attractive to them. Examples in- ent policies in every significant field of and China, has an influence that is even clude Indonesia, Peru or South Africa. And world politics. Five topics of overarching close to the EU’s influence on the regulation who says that we always have to cooperate relevance matter in particular: of major internet multinationals like Face- with the same partners? A climate alliance ●● The UN needs more support, and the book, Google and Amazon. Private-sector with China is not only feasible; it is impera- EU’s interest in multilateral cooperation is corporations cannot afford to ignore the EU; tive. The opposite is true when it comes to strong. Peace depends on it. Moreover, the its market is far too big. The EU would do human rights. It would be wrong, moreover, SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals, well to develop a shared vision for sustain- to only think of sovereign governments as constitute a frame of reference that endors- able societies in a digital age (see Sabine potential partners. Cooperation with sub- es universal human rights, reflects Euro- Balk on related WBGU proposals in Monitor national authorities makes sense too. Con- pean values and can guide global initiatives. section of D+C/E+Z e-Paper 2019/07). sider, for example, the governors of Califor- ●● The EU must promote a global eco- ●● Stabilising the earth system is of exis- nia or New York in the USA. Reaching out oto: picture-alliance/1/MAXPPP/dpa

nomic order that reconciles market compe- tential urgency. The climate crisis, the state to sub-national and municipal leaders can Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 28 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

be meaningful, especially in places where tection and human security. Opinion polls ship. They like to declare anything that it is difficult to cooperate with the national show, moreover, that Europeans would ap- goes well to be their own achievement, but government. Let’s not forget private-sector preciate a more effective joint foreign policy. they blame “Brussels” for any difficulties. companies and their associations. They are The European Central Bank (ECB) is in- important players. Finally, interaction with Over-indebted banks were a serious pan- creasingly scapegoated as well. One lesson scientific institutions and civil-society or- European problem a few years ago, but of the euro crisis is certainly that Europe ganisations is important. there was no joint solution. National re- needs joint solutions for joint problems. sponsibility was emphasised, so Spanish That, in turn, will mean yet more pooling of The EU looks weakened after being hit by and Irish tax money was used to bail out sovereignty in economic affairs and social crises – sovereign debt, refugees and espe- Spanish and Irish banks to the extent that protection in order to sustain the monetary cially Brexit. Is it up to task? they could service the loans they had been union. Another recent lesson is that popu- list agitation against European institutions must be avoided. Brexit is a result, among other things, of decades-long entirely over- blown right-wing anti-EU propaganda. A similar trend is becoming apparent in Ger- many, with the ECB being attacked. How- ever, the German public is hardly aware of how much our economy is benefiting from the euro. Without it, our exchange rate would be much higher, and our economy would be struggling with similar problems as the Japanese and Swiss economies are. The three economies are actually quite similar.

Is the EU a model of supranational policy- making? Well, that is how it was seen not long ago. Given its serious internal frictions, it now looks more like a “teetering continent” – to use the words with which the histo- rian Philipp Blom described Europe before World War I. In many ways, the years 1890 to 1910 resembled the time we live in now. Societies, industry and science were under- going deep and turbulent transformations. What followed from 1939 to 1945, was an era of European self-destruction, with dev- astating impacts far beyond the continent’s Decades of peace after an era of destruction: top leaders of Germany and France shores. After World War II, Europe then in- commemorating in 1984 the dead of World War I. deed became the world’s most interesting laboratory for cross-border cooperation. We must hope that, once again, the EU will That is hard to tell. It has often emerged granted by banks in Germany, France and emerge stronger from crisis. stronger from crises. Britain. Needing more money for this pur- pose, the Irish and Spanish governments Would joint social-protection policies help? incurred huge debts, were then blamed DIRK MESSNER Might tangible pan-European solidarity for irresponsible spending and had to im- co-chairs the German boost a sense of a shared European iden- pose harsh austerity on their country. The Advisory Council on Global tity? irony was that the sacrifices made in Spain Change (Wissenschaftlicher Yes, proposals of this kind are meaningful. and Ireland prevented people in Germany, Beirat Globale The citizens of member countries basically France and Britain from suffering similarly Umweltveränderungen – WBGU) and is perceive the EU to be a project of elites who harsh constraints. a director at the United Nations University. He focus on the single market. Citizens’ attitude Unfortunately, there is a long-established will become the president of Germany’s to the EU would certainly change if they felt pattern of member governments trying to Environmental Protection Agency next year. oto: picture-alliance/dpa

the EU was serving their own social pro- shield their citizens from any kind of hard- [email protected] Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 29 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

MEDITERRANEAN SEA Defining relationship EUROPEAN UNION

Libyans have mixed feelings about the EU. tern that popular uprisings have this year On the one hand, they admire what Euro­ toppled authoritarian regimes in Algeria peans have achieved, but on the other, they and Sudan. The painful backlash in Egypt, Tripoli feel let down. the security chaos in Libya and the brutal LIBYA civil war in Syria must not distract from the By Moutaz Ali and Walid Ali fact that people long for freedom. We are aware of the EU’s long history of preaching On the southern shores of the Mediterra- democratic principles. Now we find its track Many other people see European gov- nean Sea, most Libyans used to rate highly record of supporting democracy disappoint- ernments at fault – at least partially. Shying what was happening on the northern shores. ing. away from deploying boots on the ground, They considered EU countries to be models Gaddafi, the strongman who ruled they left a violence-torn country to its fate. of prosperous and well-organised societies Libya from 1969 to 2011, did his best to con- that enable people to live good lives. In the vey a sense of national unity and to foster MIGRATION WORRIES 20th century, thousands of Libyan students hostility towards the west. Many Libyans, attended European universities, and what however, disagreed. Mohamed Omar, a re- The refugee crisis is compounding the they told their compatriots reinforced the tired engineer, says: “Gaddafi was delivering problems. It bears repetition that increas- EU’s good reputation. a false message; Libyans did not see the EU ingly Libyans themselves want to leave for At the same time, many other Libyans as an enemy.” ­Europe. In the lack of visas, there are no safe have a rather bad impression of the EU. In their eyes, some of its member countries – especially Britain, France and Italy – have contributed to the security chaos the coun- try is currently suffering. After all, a NATO intervention led by European governments facilitated the downfall of Muamar al- Gaddafi’s regime in 2011 (see box next page). Security has never been resorted. For almost a decade, competing militias have been fighting over Libyan territory. Erratic fight- ing can erupt anywhere at any time. Some armed groups, moreover, are involved in the people smuggling industry. Large numbers of Africans want to migrate to Europe. Many are from sub-Saharan Africa, others are from Arab countries. As Libya has become a transit country, ever more Libyans want to move to Europe themselves. Refugees found in distress at sea off the Libyan coast in early 2018. HIGH HOPES

Everywhere in North Africa, people take As a young man, Omar studied me- routes. Moreover, Libyans who follow Euro- great interest in European affairs. Masses chanical engineering in Germany. He re- pean media tend to see the coverage distort- would like to prosper in a democratic soci- ports that he was “amazed by the well-or- ed. Libyans are normally depicted as per- ety – and that has been true for a long time. ganised and advanced lifestyle”. At the time, petrators of crimes, not as people living in Obviously, such inclinations cannot be ex- he hoped Libya would one day become like danger of violence. European leaders want pressed freely under dictatorial rule. The that. In his eyes, the country has lost a lot of refugees to stay in Libya, but they blame our revolutions of the Arab Spring revealed op- time. He would like to see it better connect- people when foreigners are mistreated and pressed people’s desires. ed to the EU and blames the current state of abused here. Do European media not un- At the time, Libya, Egypt and Tunisia affairs on “Gaddafi’s stupid ideas and disa- derstand that Libyan statehood is extremely oto: picture-alliance/Laurin Schmid/SOS MEDITERRANEE

got rid of autocratic leaders. It fits the pat- bling civil strife”. fragile? That, in itself, causes suffering. Ph

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Sajida is a six-year-old girl with a rare to Europe. Though the EU and the Gaddafi The worst problem, however, is organ- blood disorder. She required a bone mar- regime considered one another to be adver- ised crime. The revenues of people smug- row transplant. This kind of treatment is saries, they actually cooperated on several gling amount to hundreds of millions of eu- not available in Libya. Therefore, her father issues, including monitoring and restricting ros. Local gangs have teamed up with armed wanted to take her to Europe for proper illegal migration. militias in Libya as well as mafia cliques treatment. “I applied several times for vi- In the chaos following his downfall, no from Italy and Malta. sas but all my applications were refused,” authority has been able to assume the role of The power vacuum that resulted from he reports. “I think they were afraid that being an effective governmental partner for the NATO intervention has thus not only I wouldn’t be able to afford the treatment the EU. Libya is now a transit country with undermined security, it has also given rise to costs.” porous borders and ineffective state agen- a lucrative illegal industry. Daily life in Libya In 2016, he decided to sail to Europe cies. is nowhere close to the EU standards that with his daughter in a small rubber boat. Zuhier Abusrewil, a Libyan journal- people hoped for when Gaddafi fell. This dis- After 33 hours, an Italian coast guard vessel ist who specialises in migration issues, parity now defines Libyans’ idea of Europe. found them and took them to Sicily. The girl says that “Libyans in general understand got the lifesaving treatment. the rights of Africans who seek to escape MOUTAZ ALI Others are not so lucky and do not sur- to Europe looking for a better life.” In that is a journalist and lives in vive their attempt to cross the Mediterrane- sense, they do not share European wor- Tripoli, Libya. an in inadequate ships. Nonetheless, people ries. increasingly want to leave Libya in order to Migration has considerable down- [email protected] escape violence and lawlessness. They hope sides, however, as the journalist points out: to get asylum in Europe but have no safe “Libya has been negatively affected because WALID ALI way to get there. it largely relies on foreign workers.” Today, is his brother and The irony of the matter is that, in Euro- however, foreigners no longer want to stay a researcher with a master’s pean history, Libya was seen as the gateway in Libya. Now there is a shortage of workers, degree in international to Africa. Now Africans see it as the gateway and wages are increasing. relations.

intervention”. He adds that they tional Agreement in 2015. How- Disappointment in EU leaders misconceived the consequences ever, this agreement neither of Gaddafi’s overthrow and did settled all important questions not expect extended civil strife. nor ensured effective imple- In Libyans’ eyes, 2011 was not gether with Russia, China and However, many Libyans mentation. so much the year of liberation Brazil. now think that the intervention According to Ahmed Al- as the beginning of constant In view of Gaddafi pre- intentionally exceeded its R2P mugassaby, a Libyan journalist, civil strife. While they disagree paring to repress any kind of mandate by actively supporting EU members must bear some on whether the NATO inter- opposition brutally, European the rebels instead of merely block- of the blame. He says that lo- vention was legitimate or not, leaders like President Nicolas ing Gaddafi’s air force. They think cal polarisation in Libya was there is consensus on it having Sarkozy of France and Prime military action was designed to linked to different EU coun- caused permanent insecurity. Minister David Cameron of topple him in the pursuit of for- tries having different priori- Several EU member Britain insisted the UN had to eign interests. Yet others opposed ties. “Contradictory influences countries – especially Britain live up to R2P, its “responsibili- the NATO-led intervention of led to a flawed agreement in and France – played leading ty to protect” people from harm 2011 right from the start. 2015”, he says. Moreover, it has roles in bringing about the in civil wars. With a Security There is widespread con- become increasingly clear that UN Security Council decision Council mandate, NATO then sensus, however, that the inter- Italy and France have different to impose a no-fly-zone over took action. Atypically, the US national community in general agendas in Libya and form alli- Libya in March 2011. The Se- administration let European and western powers in particu- ances with local players accord- curity Council argued that this partners lead the mission. lar failed in terms of R2P. The ingly. In other words, Libyans measure would stop Muam- Today, Mohamed Khaifah reason was that, after Gaddafi’s must suffer because the EU is mar al-Gaddafi, the dictator, Elakrout, a retired Libyan dip- death, their support for a po- not united in foreign affairs. from cracking down with full lomat, says that “the majority litical transition remained in- As for Libyan politicians, Al- military force on the popular of the Libyan elite accepted the adequate. They let the country mugassaby accuses them of uprising against him. Western western intervention as they slide into civil war. not serving the public interest members of the Security Coun- believe that the ousting of the It is true, of course, that in this context, but opportun- cil endorsed that decision, long-standing dictator was im- EU members contributed to istically siding with European

though Germany abstained to- possible without an external bringing about the Libyan Na- partners. ma/wa Ph oto: xxx

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The German delegation, led by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (left), attending the conference in Rome in 1957 that concluded several agreements, including on the common market and Euratom.

HISTORY in its early years, according to Patel. On the upside, it reinforced trust and cooperation among its members, tying them closer to- An increasingly important ­ gether and turning Germany and France, the former enemies, into close allies. On the downside, the Soviet Union and its allies late-comer considered it a reinforcement of the western block. In the early 1980s, by contrast, the EU insisted on maintaining trade relations with the Soviet block and thus mitigated to Kiran Klaus Patel is a historian who does an not play an important role in reconciling the some extent Washington’s re-escalation of excellent job of deconstructing EU mythology. war-torn continent immediately after 1945. At the Cold War. He shows that, while there is a grain of truth to the time, many different international organi- In Patel’s eyes, the EU only really be- the ideas of the EU being a peace builder, sations were established to promote peace. came a major peacemaker in the 1990s after a driver of prosperity and a potential world The first precursor of what is now the EU, the the collapse of the Soviet Union by offering power, there never was a master plan to make European Community for Coal and Steel, was perspectives to Eastern European countries. that happen. Instead, its history often evolved in only started a decade later, and it had a mere EU enlargement proved very important in incremental steps in response to various crises. six members: West Germany, France, Italy, ensuring peaceful transitions. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In regard to economic affairs, Patel By Hans Dembowski The same countries started two other com- does not deny that the European Commu- munities in 1957, pooling their policymaking nity was always useful, but he argues con- Patel is a professor at the University of on nuclear technology (Euratom) and estab- vincingly that it was not a driver of growth Maastricht. His book “Projekt Europa” was lishing a common market (European Eco- in the early years. In his assessment, econo- published in German by C.H. Beck last year. nomic Community). Only by the end of the mies were expanding fast due to opportu- Cambridge University Press is preparing an 1950s, were the three communities merged, nities provided by post-war reconstruction English translation that is scheduled to ap- and Euratom was long believed to be the most and the introduction of new technologies. pear in April 2020. important component. In the 1990, the Euro- National governments, however, used the Let’s take a brief look at the three myths pean Community become the EU. European Community to manage difficult Patel deconstructs. As he shows, the EU did In regard to peacebuilding, the com- transitions. For example, joint agricultural oto: picture-alliance/dpa

serve a peace-building function, but it did munity was actually somewhat ambivalent subsidies cushioned off rural change, slow- Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 32 WHY THE WORLD NEEDS THE EU

ing down the pace at which smallholder farming was becoming unviable. In a similar sense, inner-community migration, espe- cially from southern Italy to industrialised cities in northern member countries, re- duced social tensions and helped employers cope with labour-market bottlenecks. As for making the EU a world power, Patel not only elaborates how this aspira- tion was always tampered by pragmatism, but also shows that the USA was generally supportive of its allies’ regional integration for geostrategic reasons. Washington may sometimes have found “Brussels” to be a dif- ficult partner during the Cold War, but its stabilising impact on Western Europe was most valuable. Donald Trump is the first US Under her leadership, the European Commission must rise to daunting challenges: Ursula von president to speak of the EU with open re- der Leyen ist the first woman and only the second German ever to head the EU’s top sentment. administrative body. Over time, the EU became a powerful player in trade affairs with an increasing in- fluence in other policy fields. In regard to -of differed from other international organisa- Patel’s book explains why. It elabo- ficial development assistance (ODA), for ex- tions in several important ways: rates how the EC started in the 1950s and ample, it has long been making a difference. ●● They were not merely intergovern- grew into the EU by the mid-1990s. It does A large share of member countries’ funding mental entities, but had strong supranation- not discuss more recent crises. Brexit, is channelled through the EU. While they al components which concerned admin- refugees and sovereign debt do not figure. still pursue international-development poli- istration, legislation and judicial matters. Nonetheless, the author’s insights help to cies of their own, their joint funding makes There were joint commissions that adminis- understand what the EU is today, and why the EU an additional force to be reckoned tered the joint policies, and they were later it has proven so resilient. The most impor- with. As Patel notes, moreover, the EU con- merged into a single commission. Moreover, tant point is that it serves members’ inter- tributed a lot to changing the rhetoric from there was binding joint legislation that all ests. Another is that its institutional setup one of colonial dominance in the 1950s to member countries had to implement. A joint and decisionmaking processes are flexible eye-level partnership by the turn of the mil- court of law ensured that this happened. In enough to rise to challenges. Indeed, Patel lennium. Rhetoric has a bearing on policy- other words, the member countries pooled shows, that the EU’s history is best under- making even if the latter typically does not sovereignty and that made their community stood as a series of successful responses to fulfil every promise. especially effective. crises rather than as the implementation of In some policy fields, however, the ●● The EU and its precursors played a rigid master plan. EU is still basically a non-entity. The most a crucial role in economic policymaking. The EU is a complex and multi-lay- striking example is military affairs. NATO Building the common market, which in the ered supranational organisation in which is quite obviously much more important. long term proved to be the most important national governments still play decisive What Patel fails to point out, however, is initiative, meant that market- relevant regu- roles. It makes many things easier for them. that EU members’ position within NATO is lations had to be coordinated. Such regula- Patel expresses the evidence-based hope certainly strengthened because their lead- tions have an immediate bearing on peo- that the EU is not about to disintegrate, but ers are familiar with one another, are used ple’s lives. Accordingly, major industries, more likely to evolve into an even more im- to coordinating action among one another lobby groups and trade unions paid close at- portant supranational organisation. As in and are more likely to consider joint inter- tention. This community increasingly mat- the past, he expects such a development to ests rather than narrowly focused national tered in citizens’ eyes. be marked by fuzzy compromises and sud- interests as in the past. For these reasons, the late-comer den innovations rather than to be guided by among international organisations increas- strict principles. WHAT MADE THE EU STRONG ingly overshadowed competitors. The Euro- pean Free Trade Organisation, in particular, It is important to understand, of course, why proved a less coherent and weaker initiative, REFERENCE a six-member community of West European so Britain, Ireland and Denmark switched Patel, K. K., 2018: Projekt Europa. München: countries evolved into the dominant supra- sides in the early 1970s. Since then, ever more C.H. Beck. national organisation in Europe, becoming countries have joined the EU. In spite of many English translation (“Project Europe”) a global model for regional integration. Ac- crises and the British referendum decision to forthcoming in 2020 and scheduled for April: oto: Francisco Seco/picture-alliance/AP Photo oto: Francisco Seco/picture-alliance/AP

cording to Patel, the EU and its precursors leave, it has proven surprisingly resilient. Cambridge University Press. Ph

D+C e-Paper December 2019 33 Rural areas need to become more attractive, they need better infrastructure and employment opportunities for people to stay or even come back: harvesting millet in Senegal. Page 13 Ph oto: Giling/Lineair

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