August 2010 www.un.org/africarenewal

United Nations Department of Public Information

Hopes and challenges African women’s long walk to equality Africa marks Poverty battle: a few 50 years of reasons to smile African business independence fights corruption Africa Contents August 2010 Vol.24 Nos. 2–3 Formerly ‘Africa Recovery’

Special feature 10 Africa at 50 Weighing a half century of independence Fifty years ago, 17 African countries achieved their national independence.

14 Interview with Cheick Sidi Diarra 17 A half century of change 18 ’s economy: hope rekindled 20 Good governance: central to progress 23 African media breaks ‘culture of silence’ 26 African women’s long walk to equality 28 A ‘wind of change’ 31 Visions of independence, then and now

Also in this issue For most African countries, the biggest challenge is reducing external economic 3 Poverty battle: a few reasons to smile dependence. UN Africa Renewal / Ernest Harsch 4 Hard road to the MDGs 7 African business fights corruption Editor-in-Chief Masimba Tafirenyika 36 businesses act together Managing Editor Ernest Harsch

Departments Writers Michael Fleshman 37 Watch André-Michel Essoungou 39 Agenda Research 39 Books Naututu Okhoya

Cover photo: , 1982, . Design & Production John Gillespie

Africa Renewal is published in English and organizations. Articles from this magazine Administration French by the Strategic Communications may be freely reprinted, with attribution to Marlene Tremblay-Gervais Division of the United Nations Department the author and to “United Nations Africa of Public Information. Its contents do not Renewal,” and a copy of the reproduced Distribution necessarily reflect the views of the United article would be appreciated. Copyrighted Atar Markman Nations or the publication’s supporting photos may not be reproduced.

Subscribe to Africa Renewal www.un.org/africarenewal Correspondence Africa Renewal offers free subscriptions to should be addressed to: individual readers. Please send your request The Editor, Africa Renewal to Circulation at the address above or by facebook.com/africarenewal Room M-16031 e-mail to [email protected]. Institutional United Nations, NY 10017-2513, USA, subscriptions are available for thirty-five US twitter.com/africarenewal Tel: (212) 963-6857, Fax: (212) 963-4556 dollars, payable by international money order or a cheque in US dollars drawn on a US bank, E-mail: to the “United Nations” and sent to Circulation [email protected] at the address above. Africa Renewal is printed on recycled paper. Yet the positive signs are there (see In poverty battle, pages 4–6). “Africa has, since the mid- 1990s, arguably been making the a few reasons to smile greatest progress towards the goals,” writes Shanta Devarajan, the ’s chief economist for Africa. Despite spots West African nation can claim a major “The poverty rate has been declining — but underreported — achievement: at about one percentage point a year. of success, in absolute terms, it is among those There is some evidence that child greater efforts few countries in the world where child mortality in Africa, after stagnating mortality has declined the most. for some time, is beginning to fall are needed sharply…. And in primary [school] In Niger, the rate of deaths of children completion, if you take 1999 as the under five fell from 305 per 1,000 starting point, the fastest progress has By André-Michel Essoungou live births in 1990 to 165 in 2008, been in Africa and South Asia.” according to World Bank data. And uch of the recent reporting even though Niger’s rate of child Another report by the Overseas about Niger could lead mortality remains high, such an Development Institute in the UK Mreaders to believe that beyond accomplishment is particularly and the UN Millennium Campaign political turmoil and tragic famine, significant given the many hurdles suggests that on most of the MDGs, nothing else is worth the attention. the country faces, including recurrent some African countries have regis- Yet, the United Nations reports, the instances of serious food insecurity. tered impressive progress in absolute terms. Poverty has been reduced in In fact, Niger’s case reflects a wider 76 per cent of African countries, the trend across Africa in recent years. report finds. Eleven of the 20 best Progress is indeed taking place, performing countries (also measured despite the many challenges. But more in absolute terms) are among the is needed to attain the world commu- poorest countries in Africa. nity’s global anti-poverty objectives. Yet nowhere else are efforts more Ten years ago in 2000, as a new needed to reach the targets set for millennium dawned, world leaders 2015. On virtually all of the eight assembled at the UN in New York and objectives, the continent is lagging decided it was the right time to give behind the rest of the world. If current new impetus to the goal of combating trends persist, warns the most recent widespread poverty and misery “UN Millennium Development Goals across the globe. They made a solemn Progress Chart,” efforts to reach the promise in an official declaration and objectives will fall well short in the identified eight objectives, known as sub-Saharan African region. the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to be attained by 2015. This uphill challenge highlights the These include halving poverty and gravity of the continent’s problems. hunger; improving access to health Africa’s proportion of poor people is care, water and education; providing larger than that of other regions. So women and men equal opportunities is its share of people living with HIV/ and protecting natural resources for AIDS. Greater effort is therefore future generations. needed because the road to prosperity for the majority is far longer and much A decade later, major advances have steeper than elsewhere. Nevertheless, Although Africa’s “gender gap” remains been recorded in most parts of the as various studies have shown, good wide, some countries have made strides in world, but far more challenges remain. political leadership, strong account- expanding girls’ education and improving In recent months, two UN reports have ability and adequate budgetary alloca- women’s political representation. painted a mixed picture of success and tions can help overcome such objective shortcomings, particularly in Africa. hurdles to bring success. UN Photo / John Isaac

August 2010 3 Africa’s hard road to the Millennium Development Goals Sobering numbers, but some bright spots

According to various reports by the UN and other organizations,* Africa is facing big challenges in achieving the world’s anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The overall statistics may be sobering, but some countries are showing bright spots of progress, which are highlighted below.

Goal 1: Goal 2: Eradicate extreme Achieve universal poverty and hunger primary education Although some African countries are Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the on track to meet the target of halving world’s fastest growth in primary poverty by 2015, poverty and hunger school enrolment in recent years, are on the rise on the continent. with enrolment rising from 58 per The recent global economic crisis cent in 1999 to 76 per cent in 2008 (an worsened the situation. Based on increase of 18 percentage points). Yet projections by the World Bank, sub- the continent lags behind other devel- Saharan Africa is not on course to cut oping regions and the pace of progress the rate of extreme poverty (bench- is insufficient to ensure that by 2015 marked at $1.25 a day) in half between all girls and boys are able to complete 1990 and 2015. There is no sign of a a full course of primary schooling. decline in unemployment rates or of a In 2008, 69 million children were fall in the rate of “vulnerable employ- out of school worldwide. Almost half ment” (the activities of self-employed of those (31 million) were in sub- workers and unpaid family workers). Saharan Africa.

From 2001 to 2007, In , the abolition doubled its of school fees in 2007 food production. In increased the number Ghana the number of of primary students by people who suffer from undernour- nearly 2 million. A similar measure ishment fell by 74 per cent between resulted in a threefold increase in Because of improvements in health care, 1991 and 2004. Through a national primary-school enrolment since sub-Saharan Africa has brought down the input subsidy programme, Malawi 1999 in Burundi, reaching 99 per number of children who die before the age achieved a 53 per cent food surplus cent by 2008. In , the aboli- of five by 22 per cent since 1990. in 2007, from a 43 per cent national tion of school fees in 2001 led to a

UNDP food deficit in 2005. net enrolment rate of 98 per cent for primary schooling by 2006, an increase of 97 per cent compared to 1999 enrolment rates. Zambia *Keeping the Promise, a report of the UN Secretary-General, The Millennium Development Goals also broke through the 90 per cent Report 2010, coordinated and published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, threshold towards greater access to and Millennium Development Goals Progress Chart 2010, UN Department of Economic and Social primary education. Affairs www.un.org/millenniumgoals/reports.shtml; Millennium Development Goals Report Card 2010, www.endpoverty2015.org/files/MDGReportCard.pdf.

4 August 2010 Sub-Saharan Africa has made rapid Africa’s hard road to the progress in enrolling more children in primary schools. Millennium Development Goals UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Goal 3: Goal 4: Goal 5: Promote gender equality Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health and empower women In sub-Saharan Africa, under-five Even though the goal of reducing Despite some progress, gender dispar- mortality has declined by 22 per maternal mortality has seen the least ities in Africa remain large, especially cent since 1990, making it one of progress, remarkable gains were in education and work. The number the regions with the largest number recorded in North Africa, where the of boys heavily outweighs that of of reductions of deaths of children share of women who saw a skilled girls in colleges and universities in under the age of five. On average, 76 health worker at least once during sub-Saharan Africa. Only 76 girls per per cent of one-year-olds in Africa pregnancy increased by 70 per cent. 100 boys are enrolled at that level. were immunized against measles in In sub-Saharan Africa, the propor- The gender gap is the second largest 2008, against 58 per cent in 1990. tion of urban women who received among all regions in primary school Still, in 2008 the highest rates of child antenatal care at least once increased enrolment (91 girls per 100 boys) mortality worldwide were in sub- from 84 per cent in 1990 to 89 per cent and the largest in secondary school Saharan Africa, accounting for half of in 2008. The corresponding propor- enrolment (79 per 100). Eighty-four the world’s 8.8 million deaths. All 36 tions for rural women were 55 to 66 per cent of employed women are self- countries with under-five mortality per cent, indicating that coverage has employed or work without pay within rates exceeding 100 per 1,000 live improved at a faster pace in the a family, as compared to 71 per cent births are in sub-Saharan Africa, countryside. of men. except Afghanistan and Myanmar.

In 2008, Eritrea has reduced In Rwanda, the skilled elected a majority of its under-five child birth attendance rate women (56 per cent) mortality rate by 50 increased from 39 per to its lower chamber per cent or more cent to 52 per cent of parliament, the highest level since 1990. In Malawi, the under- from 2005 to 2008 and contracep- of female representation of any five child mortality rate fell 56 tive prevalence among married country. Tanzania’s Land Act and per cent between 1990 and 2008. women aged 15-49 jumped from Village Land Act of 1999 secured During the same period, child 9 per cent in 2005 to 26 per cent women’s right to acquire title and mortality declined by 25 per cent in in 2008. The contraceptive preva- registration of land, addressed Equatorial and by 14 per cent lence rate among married women issues of customary land rights, in Zambia. , aged 15-49 in Malawi has more than and upheld the principles of non- and Niger have seen absolute doubled since 1992 to 33 per cent discrimination based on sex in reductions of more than 100 per in 2004. Between 1990 and 2009, securing land rights. 1,000 live births since 1990. The Burkina Faso showed coverage gains annual average rate of reduction of more than 20 percentage points of deaths among children under in skilled birth attendance. five rose more than 4 percentage points in Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda and Swaziland. August 2010 5 Goal 6: Goal 7: Goal 8: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria Ensure environmental Develop a global and other diseases sustainability partnership for Years of raising awareness and Africa shows one of the largest net development campaigning have contributed to losses of forests, with 3.4 million Official development assistance a decline (by 25 per cent since the hectares lost per year over the period (ODA) remains well below the UN mid-1990s) in the annual number 2000–2010. While sub-Saharan target of 0.7 per cent of gross national of new HIV infections in sub- Africa’s per capita emissions of income for most donors. In 2009, the

Saharan Africa. By the end of 2008, carbon dioxide (CO2) remain low only countries to reach or exceed the an estimated 2.9 million people in compared to those of other regions, target were Denmark, Luxembourg, sub-Saharan Africa were receiving key habitats for threatened species the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. anti-retroviral therapy, compared to of wildlife are not being adequately The shortfall in aid affects Africa in about 2.1 million in 2007. However, protected and the number of species particular. At the 2005 Gleneagles sub-Saharan Africa remains the most facing extinction is growing by the Summit of the industrialized coun- heavily affected region, accounting day. Between 1990 and 2008, access tries’ , members for 72 per cent of all new HIV infec- to clean water expanded by 22 per projected that their commitments, tions in 2008. Malaria prevention is cent in sub-Saharan Africa, but only combined with those of other donors, expanding. In 26 African countries, 60 per cent of the population is served would double ODA to Africa by 2010. use of mosquito nets by children rose so far. North Africa has already met But it is estimated that in 2010 Africa from just 2 per cent in 2000 to 22 the MDG target on access to water. will receive only about $11 bn out per cent in 2008. of the $25 bn increase envisaged at Gleneagles. In , the adult In 2006, 80 per cent HIV prevalence rate of the rural population The continent’s hopes of benefiting dropped from 8 per in Ghana had access more from the international trade cent in 2001 to 5.4 per to improved drinking system also remain frustrated, as the cent in 2007. The number of new water, an increase of 43 per cent on Doha Round of negotiations at the HIV infections among children has 1990 levels. In , the percentage World Trade Organization continues declined significantly in Botswana, of the population with at least one to face stalemate. Concluding those from 4,600 in 1999 to 890 in 2007. point of access to improved sanita- negotiations would improve market tion rose from 35 per cent in 1990 access for African products. Some to 45 per cent in 2006. In Senegal, warn, however, that its outcome could the proportion of people living in also erode the preferential advantages cities with access to improved water currently enjoyed by least developed reached 93 per cent in 2006. countries, many of which are from Africa.

Poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa: Primary school enrolment in sub-Saharan Africa: % of people living below $1.25 per day % of children in age group

62 62 80 80 76 76

60 60 60 60 64 64 58 5858 58 60 53 605853 58 56 56 40 40 52 52 50 5050* 50* 48 48 20 20 1995 1995 1995 1999 1999 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 2005 2005 2005 2010 2010 2010 2008 2008 2000 2000 2000 2003 2003 Estimate % % * % % Source: UN Africa Renewal, from data in World Bank and Source: UN Africa Renewal from data in UN Department of Economic International Monetary Fund, Global Monitoring Report 2010. and Social Affairs, Millennium Development Goals Report 2006, and 2010.

6 August 2010 INTERVIEW For African business, ending corruption is ‘priority number one’ UN Global Compact urges companies to operate ethically

he United Nations Global T Compact is an initiative to encourage businesses to volun- tarily adhere to ethical standards. Launched a decade ago in 2000, the initiative now has about 7,700 corporate participants and stake- holders in 130 countries, including 297 firms in 29 sub-Saharan African nations. Most recently, a high-level business leaders summit in New York on 24-25 June, organized by the Global Compact, declared that “embedding human rights, labour, environmental and anti-corruption principles into corporate practices benefits both society and business.” Just before the summit, Africa Renewal spoke with Executive Director Georg Kell about the Marketplace in Tamale, Ghana: Many Compact’s anti-corruption work. that there is supply and demand and African businesspeople resent the bribes both are complicit. But it is also true they must pay to corrupt officials in that the more the involvement of order to function. The Global Compact government in economic activity in Africa Renewal UN Africa Renewal / Ernest Harsch adopted its 10th principle, on fighting general, the higher the degree of abuse corruption, in 2004. In much media of power and corruption. Several coverage of corruption and in some recent reviews have confirmed that. and public sectors. It involves educa- official anti-corruption programmes, tion, the basic economic system, the there seems to be an assumption that In principle, if the rules of the game regulatory system, how the economy corruption primarily concerns the are clear and they are enforced is run and more generally the ethical public sector. Yet you focus on the strictly, if there is a distinction values which are in place. corporate world. Could you discuss between private sector competition corruption as it relates to both the on the one hand and rule making and AR Some analysts of corruption in private and public sectors? government entities on the other, then developing countries argue that it there is less opportunity for corrup- is a question of too much govern- Georg Kell Often there is a blame tion. ment involvement. Others that the game. The private sector blames involvement is not of the right kind. the public sector. The public sector Corruption, experts agree, is a In Africa, the state is generally very retorts that it is the private sector systemic issue which involves society weak, with little effective regulation. which is the initiator. The truth is as a whole. It involves both private Can you comment?

August 2010 7 networks in about 15 African coun- tries. To my amazement, all business leaders, irrespective of the country, when asked what their priority was, said that it was reducing corruption and creating an enabling environment for obtaining a license to import, export and so forth. It is always about payments. They said, “We have to pay so many institutional players and these transaction costs hold us back.” So, corruption is considered priority number one by African business leaders.

They may not say that in public, Global Compact Executive Director because they depend on the hand that Georg Kell: “Corruption is a systemic issue public institutions in enforcing and feeds them. But when speaking as which involves society as a whole. implementing what governments a collective voice they make it very at the highest level have ratified is clear that corruption is a serious It involves both private and public sectors.” partly a function of institutional problem that holds them back. Less UN Photo / Paul Filgueiras capacity. But it is also a function of corruption and more institutional priority setting, what is considered support would make them more GK The perfect balance between important. competitive and they would grow regulatory efficacy on the one hand faster. and private sector entrepreneurial- What is new today, unlike ten years driven activities on the other hand is ago, is that business is actually calling AR How do you convince a company always the ideal. I don’t think there for clear signals of the rules of the to stop paying bribes, especially in is one size that fits all. Different game. Ten years ago, business would countries where corruption is wide- economies have come from different pursue a purely liberal agenda and spread and many other companies are also paying bribes or kick-backs in order to get contracts? The clearer the rules of the game GK This is the basic dilemma. If I and the better that regulation as an individual say no to bribery, extortion and corruption and then my actually works, the less competitor gets the business, I will suffer a disadvantage. The answer corruption there is.” to that is two-fold. We must work at a policy level to improve the situa- historical trajectories and are defined argue that any form of regulation is tion. In the country where I was born, in different ways. But one can say that bad. Today that is no longer the case. , bribery was basically tax the clearer the rules of the game and They say that we need technical deductible until a few years ago. Only the better that regulation actually standards that reward good, efficient recently have Germany and other works, the less corruption there is. policies and practices. They say that OECD [Organization for Economic if corruption enforcement is not Cooperation and Development] coun- In most countries today, since the working well, not much else will be tries gotten serious about corruption. adoption of the UN Convention working either. Against Corruption [in 2003], corrup- But at the corporate level, how do tion is subject to criminal law. The AR Do African businesses share you convince individual companies? problem is effective implementation. that view? The only way forward is what we That is true not only of corruption but call collective action. You mobilize also many public domain issues, be GK I was recently at one of our a number of like-minded companies it environmental issues, health and regional meetings of African Global that all agree they would be better safety and so forth. The efficiency of Compact networks — and we have off if there is less corruption. None

8 August 2010 may want to take the first step. But if you manage to motivate them to act together, at the same time, and possibly with public policy counter- parts, then you have a good chance of making a difference. We have done this already in a few countries. One is Malawi (see box, page 36).

AR Have you noticed any differences between foreign firms and national companies?

GK Foreign companies from the OECD countries are often scrutinized quite closely back home, by share- holders, legislators and the media. So even small infringements can cause President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi signs the UN Convention Against Corruption quite a scene. African companies face in 2004: In Malawi, the government, civil society and business groups are material challenges, including how working together to combat the problem. to improve the regulatory environ- UN Photo / Gitika Noyes ment, how to overcome deficiencies in energy, transportation and so on. The focus may differ, but often the process countries, as they have more choices We have for example a network in of finding solutions can be very now and hopefully their bargaining , with a strong participation similar. In our individual country position is being strengthened of Indian and Chinese companies. networks, often local companies are through that. No other companies could do better. the majority. But we always favour Clearly massive investments were a mix between the foreign and local, AR You mentioned China. There made, and when that happens things because most of the learning happens have been criticisms from some in sometimes go wrong. But the infusion through them being together. the North that China and are of capital is very welcome, because coming in as investors and some- much of it goes into infrastructure, AR African governments are often times as donors, but not following transportation and the like, which very eager to attract foreign direct the same kind of transparency stan- would otherwise not happen. investment (FDI). In the process, are dards that the OECD requires of its they sometimes less vigilant than members. Does the Global Compact AR Reports about large-scale corrup- they should be? work with state enterprises from tion in Africa often point to the role China and India? of foreign banks, in helping corrupt GK My colleagues in UNCTAD [UN Conference on Trade and Development] not long ago developed an argument that there is a risk that Having a clean finance sector that countries underbid each other in is not a hand maiden for the abuse trying to attract FDI and therefore end up losing their bargaining sense. of power is of critical importance.” To what extent that is true is hard to see. But given the need to create GK We are very proud of our strong rulers deposit their spoils in hidden employment and to improve the networks in both China and India. offshore accounts. The recent global standard of living for a large number It is quite amazing how fast the financial crisis has also drawn atten- of people, one can understand the learning occurs, and the willingness tion to the less-than-open practices desire to attract FDI. With Asian of major companies of these coun- of many financial institutions. How countries, especially China, now tries to embrace the compact and its does the Global Compact view such major players, that increases the philosophy. problems with banking institutions? potential supply of investors overall. That is a good thing for African see page 36

August 2010 9 Fifty years ago, 17 African countries achieved their national independence. Their “Golden Jubilee” has spurred debate across Africa over what the continent has achieved over the past half century — and where it is headed. In this special series of articles, Africa Renewal examines Africans’ hopes and disappointments, as well as their ideas for unlocking the continent’s vast potential.

Weighing a half century of independence Beyond “heady days” and sobering reality lies great untapped potential

By Ernest Harsch Yaoundé

tanding before an assemblage of local and international S dignitaries in Cameroon’s capital, UN Deputy Secretary- General Asha-Rose Migiro noted that she had been too young to cele- Cameroon and 16 other African countries celebrate their 50th anniversary of brate Cameroon’s independence on independence this year. 1 January 1960. But in her own ACP Press and Information / Robert L. Iroga country she did “remember clearly the joy in my school when Tanzania from leaders like and continent.” Too many babies still die became independent. Those were to the millions of in infancy, she pointed out, too few heady days indeed for Africa.” “unsung heroes and heroines” who children find places in school, too toil daily to build a better life for their many farmers cannot get their crops Since then Africa has registered some children. to market and too many factories lie notable accomplishments, Ms. Migiro idle for lack of spare parts, skills or said at the opening of a two-day inter- “However,” Ms. Migiro added, “as investment. national conference assessing the we celebrate Africa’s achievements, 50th anniversary of nearly a score of opportunities and potential, we must This mixed assessment of Africa at African countries. The continent has also honestly address the realities 50 is typical of reactions across the also produced many great figures, and challenges that confront the continent. Togo’s celebrated singer

10 August 2010 King Mensah told a French televi- sion station, “In these 50 years, good things have happened, but a lot of work remains to be done.” He added that if his father, who died 25 years ago, returned from the grave, “he’d be able to walk home without asking anyone for directions. So little has changed. That doesn’t mean leaders have done nothing, but they have done more harm than good.”

‘Trial and error’ African leaders themselves, while Showing the flag at the Independence Day march in Cameroon: President and other often emphasizing the advances, have leaders note, however, that most African countries remain highly dependent on an nevertheless felt obliged to acknowl- international economy over which they have little influence. edge some of the shortcomings. ACP Press and Information / Robert L. Iroga President Paul Biya of Cameroon, at the 18 May opening of the Yaoundé international conference, noted how Beyond celebration, the Yaoundé originally developed in the colonial ill-prepared many African coun- conference was intended to stimulate era. President Biya noted that with tries were when the former colonial reflection by government leaders, globalization, Africa’s “national econ- powers decided to hand over the reins academic experts, civil society repre- omies are still subject to the fluctua- of national sovereignty. “We have sentatives, businesspeople, donor tions of a global economy over which undoubtedly proceeded by trial and officials and others on the continent’s its governments have little influence.” error. But could it have been other- experiences over the past half century wise?” Besides inexperience and — and the prospects that lie ahead. Others have been more severe in lack of preparation, President Biya Whatever their assessments of the their judgments, pointing to the cited “hunger, pandemics, civil war, past, most agreed that the continent’s continued political and language external pressure and even corrup- potential is enormous. ties that also closely link European tion to justify our failures. We prefer powers with their former colonies. to accept responsibility and say: ‘We ‘Unfinished independence’ “Formally, [African] states acceded have done our best’.” For Kofi Annan, a former UN to international sovereignty in 1960,” secretary-general, the attainment of Senegalese historian Ibrahima The conference, entitled “Africa 21, national sovereignty brought a basic Thioub told the French daily Le an Opportunity for the World,” was reorientation to African countries. Monde. “But that juridical change organized to mark this year’s 50th “Freed from the will of European did not mean the end of colonization, anniversary of Cameroon and of capitals,” Mr. Annan said, “they that is, of an economic exploitation 16 other African countries, mostly have sought their own governance coupled with submission to another former French colonies but also paths and political directions and culture.” Nigeria, Somalia and the Democratic built national identities. Many of Republic of the Congo (DRC). A few these countries have worked hard to While the UK, Belgium and Portugal countries in North and sub-Saharan develop functioning economies and have all maintained extensive Africa attained their independence political systems that prioritize the commercial and political relations earlier, and it took years longer for the needs of their own citizens, rather with their former African colonies, colonies of Portugal and the peoples than distant consumers.” ’s ongoing ties have been espe- governed by the white-minority cially pronounced. They also have regimes of Southern Africa to win A number of conference participants generated considerable comment, their freedom (see page 28). But 1960 questioned the extent of that change, given that 14 of the 17 countries that was the year in which the greatest however. With most African econo- achieved independence in 1960 were number of African states won inde- mies still relying heavily on foreign formerly under French rule. pendence, giving a major impetus to financing and earnings from the the liberation process for the conti- export of unprocessed raw mate- Symbolizing those links, France has nent as a whole. rials, they continue to depend on the organized annual Franco-African same patterns of exchange that were summit meetings for the past quarter

August 2010 11 When in the early 1990s much of the continent was swept by massive popular agitation for democracy, activists frequently referred to those movements as struggles for Africa’s “second independence.”

With a few exceptions, most African countries have since adopted some form of multiparty electoral system, with periodic elections of their presi- dents and parliaments. For many of the participants at the Yaoundé conference, that shift has been one of the most notable achievements of the past 50 years, along with the Waiting for treatment at a hospital in Sudan: Improvements in health care have extended emergence of an independent media Africans’ average life expectancy in most countries, despite the ravages of AIDS. and in some countries quite vibrant UN Photo / Fred Noy and active civil society organizations. Those developments, they argue, century, most recently in June in the to different ethnic, cultural and place Africa on a sounder footing for French city of Nice. Until 1989 France language groups. In such a context, dealing with the many challenges that maintained 15,000 troops at bases building new states “was no easy face it. in Africa; over the subsequent two task.” decades that number fell to 10,000, Some of Africa’s critical intellec- with about half serving on temporary The people of the DRC had long tuals believe this recent democratic missions, often under UN peace- equated Belgian rule with violence shift has been more in form than keeping mandates. and expected that independence substance. According to Achille would bring an end to such violence, Mbembe, a well-known Cameroonian In his Independence Day address on Congolese philosopher Kä Mana academic who now teaches at US and 4 April, President Abdoulaye Wade of has noted. Unfortunately, the new South African universities, “For the Senegal noted that many of his coun- Congolese state was immediately most part, Africans still are not even try’s youth, professionals and soldiers swept by violence, ethnic seces- able to freely choose their leaders. Too resented the continued presence sionist movements, army mutinies many countries are still at the mercy of a French base on the Cap Vert and political competition stoked by of satraps whose sole aim is to remain peninsula near Dakar, regarding it foreign mining companies and the in power for life.” as a mark of an “unfinished indepen- international rivalries of the Cold dence.” He announced plans to nego- War. From the 1961 assassination of The Yaoundé conference heard tiate a rapid closure of the base. On the visionary Prime Minister Patrice some stern words as well. Mohamed 9 June the French flag finally came Lumumba, through decades of repres- ElBaradei, an Egyptian who won the down and the base was transferred to sive dictatorship, to the outbreak of Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 when he Senegal’s control. two civil wars that claimed several was head of the International Atomic million lives, the Congolese people Energy Agency, commented on the Improving governance have known little peace. It was 50th anniversary: “Africa has been President Biya, in his opening “violence which has dominated the liberated — as states. The people have address to the Yaoundé conference, five decades of our independence,” not been liberated in many countries, emphasized the early difficulties that Mr. Mana has written. because they have not gained the right confronted the continent’s newly to empower themselves and to live in independent states. There were few Many other African countries were a democracy.” trained civil servants, few military also marked by political turbulence officers and few professionals and war. Most of those that managed Mr. Annan noted that despite returning from studies abroad, to escape outright armed conflict progress in the quality of African while the territories the new govern- were afflicted to varying degrees governance over the last decade, ments sought to administer were by authoritarian rule, under either “There is still a long way to go. vast and their populations belonged military or one-party regimes. There are still too many instances

12 August 2010 of corruption, of elite capture of Such improvements are all the more Africa’s Development (NEPAD), resources, of growing inequality in telling given Africa’s enormous which is intended to create a conti- wealth and opportunity, abuse of elec- increase in population. In 1960 nent of “self-confident African men toral processes and selective adher- there were an estimated 280 million and women.” ence to the rule of law.” Therefore, Africans on the continent as a whole. he said, improving governance is Today, Ms. Migiro noted, there are a “Africa has boundless potential,” Ms. Migiro affirmed. In addition to its young and talented people, it Whatever their assessments of has tremendous mineral wealth, 40 per cent of the world’s unhar- the past, most agree that the nessed hydroelectric power genera- tion potential and “vast untapped continent’s potential is enormous.” geothermal and solar resources.” the most crucial step for moving the billion, “more than half of whom are Because of its wealth, Africa is seeing continent forward. “It is strong lead- under the age of 25.” an increase in its geostrategic impor- ership and good governance that will tance on the world stage, Mr. Annan make the difference.” The continent’s relative youth pointed out. It is not only attracting poses serious challenges, President greater attention from investors but Progress and potential Ali Bongo of Gabon emphasized also acquiring a stronger interna- However much commentators have in his conference address. “What tional voice, as during the December highlighted Africa’s numerous vision does Africa have for Africa’s 2009 Copenhagen summit on climate problems over the past half century, young people?” he asked. So far, he change or in the high-level discus- most conference participants also suggested, African countries have sions of the industrialized and took note of its progress despite a not invested enough in human devel- developing countries’ Group of 20. difficult international environment. opment — including education and “Comprising a quarter of the world’s , president of the African training — or in creating jobs that states and one billion people,” Mr. Union Commission, declared himself can keep skilled and talented young Annan said, “Africa is a sleeping giant “resolutely optimistic.” After all, he Africans from emigrating abroad. about to be awoken.” pointed out, 50 years “is both much Their energy and abilities can help and little,” and it took other countries transform Africa, President Bongo and regions far longer after their inde- insisted. Moreover, “Young Africans pendence to show tangible results. can change the world and must change the world.” The statistics demonstrate that Africa has made some notable gains. Women too must acquire a more In 1960 the average life expectancy central role, argued Ms. Amina was just 42 years. But by 2007 it had Hassane Wangari of Niger, president increased to 55 years, despite the of the Businesswomen’s recent ravages of AIDS. Over that Network. Women are not only at the same period the infant mortality heart of the continent’s development, rate declined by nearly half, from she said, but can be at the heart of 153 deaths per 1,000 live births to 82 African democracy if they are able to deaths. At independence in 1960 very obtain more pivotal decision-making few African children were able to go positions. to school. Subsequent decades saw concerted efforts regarding educa- Overall, African leaders must take tion, despite the serious financial greater initiative and responsi- constraints of the 1980s and early bility for their development, argued 1990s. Thanks to a major push for Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah “education for all,” the net primary Turkson of Ghana, who spoke to the school enrolment rate climbed from conference on behalf of Pope Benedict Student in Malawi: The continent’s 58 per cent in 1991 to 77 per cent in XVI. A major step in that direction, future lies with its youth. 2006, and the rate of university enrol- he said, was the adoption by African UN Photo / Evan Schneider ment doubled. leaders of the New Partnership for

August 2010 13 ‘A lot of reasons to be optimistic’ Cheick Sidi Diarra, UN special adviser on Africa, reflects on 50 years

he United Nations Office of T the Special Adviser on Africa was created in 2003 to increase international support for Africa’s development and security, especially for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the ’s programme for economic, social and political advancement. Under-Secretary-General Cheick Sidi Diarra, who is from Mali, heads the office as special adviser on Africa. Fifty years after many African countries gained their independence, Africa Renewal sought his views on the continent’s progress and UN Under-Secretary-General Cheick Sidi challenges. Intra-African trade represents a Diarra: “A new generation of leadership is dismal 9 per cent of the overall trade coming up in some African countries.” of Africa with the international UN Africa Renewal / Marlene Tremblay-Gervais Africa Renewal When African coun- community. And Africa’s trade tries first attained their indepen- represents only 3 per cent of global Development Programme’s annual] dence, most of their trade was with trade. We have not made progress Human Development Report, you their former colonial powers, and in that area. Africa has even lost will see that among the 20 countries most of their financial assistance ground because the values of Africa’s which have performed the least in came from there. Fifty years later, commodities have dropped since terms of human development, most how much more independent are independence. The prices of commod- are African countries. African economies? ities are not fixed by Africans them- selves. They are fixed elsewhere. The current situation has many Cheick Sidi Diarra This is one of the origins. There is the lack of diversifi- more sensitive parts of the evaluation The financial system has not been cation of the economy. Although these of African independence. In the polit- developed in a way that allows the countries are commodity producers, ical field a lot of progress has been integration of Africa into the interna- they don’t process the commodities. made since the 1960s. All African tional financial mechanisms. Africa’s All the value that is added to these countries have gained independence, financial transactions represent a commodities is added elsewhere. either through liberation struggles or dismal 0.87 per cent of global finan- And there is a lack of any kind of link through a negotiated process. cial transactions, which is nothing. between the extractive industries that prevail in many countries and But the sensitive part lies with This lack of economic progress has the rest of the economy. So there is no the social and economic progress. its social implications. In the [UN spill-over effect.

14 August 2010 On average 80 per cent of the work- So a few things have to be done: supported by the international force is in the rural areas. Although adjustment of institutions, creation community. they spend the whole year working, of infrastructure, good policies. But they produce only a fraction of what what we need more is good leaders. Africans are rolling out sectoral a farmer in Europe or America Once we have good leaders, the young policies and specific sectoral projects. produces on the same size of land, people will follow. For example, on agriculture. They know how to make sustainable, productive agriculture. The rate of Once we have good leaders, the growth of agriculture should be a minimum of 6 per cent on a yearly young people will follow.” basis. There should be an investment of 10 per cent of the national budget because they don’t have fertilizer or AR For decades after independence, in agriculture. The goals are there. the seed quality is not good or they the economic policies pursued by The means have been identified. simply don’t have the know-how to African countries generally came Now they’re moving from the stage produce better. from the outside. To what extent does of continental projects to country the New Partnership for Africa’s specifics. That has brought the And infrastructure is lacking. Be Development (NEPAD), designed by NEPAD Planning and Coordinating it information and communication African leaders, represent a break Agency to have compacts with indi- technology, roads and railways or with this pattern? vidual African countries, a commit- whatever, infrastructure is missing. ment that the government makes on a CSD The first break is ownership, voluntary basis on agriculture. But there are a lot of reasons to be with its corollary, the sense of optimistic about Africa. The first one responsibility. As long as the inter- They are doing exactly the same thing is the human capital that Africa has. national community was developing in health. They are doing exactly the Africa has reached a billion people. programmes for Africa, sometimes same thing in infrastructure. This is The young population represents a without even substantive input from good, because it is concrete. minimum of 60 per cent. These young African countries, they didn’t have people are yearning for exactly the much result. The situation even NEPAD priorities are inspired by same well-being as anybody else on worsened, leading us to structural the Millennium Development Goals. the face of this planet. African young adjustment in the 1990s. When you bring these two together, people have been trained in the best you have something very strong, a universities around the world. Africa The advantage of NEPAD is that its programme that has been initiated by just has to develop policies to retain ownership is with African leaders African countries, but also supported them, to create a suitable environ- themselves. If they fail, it will be their by the United Nations. So at least ment for them to stay home and help own responsibility. If they succeed, at the policy level, there has been a build Africa. which I wish, it will be praised and

The natural resources, thank God, are still there. Now we have to develop intelligent policies for sharing in the value-added. We have to create a legal environment to attract more business, and to lean less and less on official development assistance.

For agriculture — the mainstay of most African economies — to become more sustainable and productive, governments should devote at least 10 per cent of their budgets to the sector, argue proponents of NEPAD.

UN Photo / Milton Grant

August 2010 15 CSD There is just one thing. The rest of the world has to change its percep- tion of Africa. It has to see Africa not only as a continent which is forever leaning on international aid and support. It has to see Africa as a conti- nent of huge potential.

In the 1970s, if you remember, China was seen as a threat to the rest of the world. But the leadership of China in the 1980s succeeded in changing the paradigm. From China being seen as the threat of communism, people have started to discover China as a potential market for consumption, for production. Slowly, but surely, inves- Coffee beans, one of Africa’s export crops: “The values of Africa’s commodities have dropped tors have changed their perception since independence.” UN Photo / Martine Perret and attitude, and see China as a land of opportunity and potential. change. It’s home grown and fully principles of democracy did not conceived by African leaders. prevail and most of them were This needs to happen in Africa. To simply corrupt. not see Africa only as a burden, but to AR Could you reflect on what Africa see Africa as a potential: consumers, has learned about the kind of leader- Then there is a third generation of good producers, of commodities but ship it needs? leaders. This is a new generation also possible transformation and that is coming up in some African processing. CSD There are three types of leader- ship that Africa has known. The first was the “fathers of independence.” The prices of commodities are Their role was to keep the nation together, because most African coun- not fixed by Africans themselves. tries are multi-ethnic. Community, tribes, ethnic groups sometimes They are fixed elsewhere.” prevailed above the notion of nation. So they gave themselves the responsi- countries. They have vision. They AR Any concluding words? bility to consolidate territorial integ- are young. They are strong. And rity, nation building. They did what they know how to mobilize their CSD These 50 years of independence they had to do: consolidate national people. I will not name any, because I are very short in the life of a nation. integrity and push forward the agenda would make the others very jealous. But it’s good enough to make an for the independence of the rest of the Actually, I will name one, who is not assessment of where we have come African colonies. in power anymore: Alpha Oumar from, where we are right now and Konaré [former president of Mali where we want to go. The second group of leaders are and former chairman of the African those who have come to power by Union Commission]. Never before have we had such an infringing national constitutions opportunity to influence what is and taking advantage of the social They have vision. They have aspira- happening internationally. We have discontent that the structural adjust- tions for their people. They need to be the chance to create suitable envi- ment programmes provoked. Most of supported, to show that good leader- ronments for business. We have the time, these people are military. ship pays. They need strong support the chance to give to each African History has demonstrated that almost from the international community. individual the dignity and respect he all of them have failed, because the deserves. We have a chance to have a rule of law didn’t prevail, human AR On the international community, vision. Now is the time to seize this rights were not protected, the basic how can it better support Africa? opportunity.

16 August 2010 A half century of change

Africa’s share of world exports Africa: Gross domestic product % total global merchandise exports Constant US$, per capita

7 1,000 1,200 6.0 6 5.5 879 800 1,000 983 5 5.0 4 800 3.5 600 3 504 3.2 600 2 400 2.4 400 1 280 200 % 200 1960 1960 2008 1960 2008 1970 1970 1980 1980 1960 1960 1990 2008 2008 2000 2000 $ 0

Source: : UN Conference on Trade and Development, Handbook of Statistics. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2009.

Africa’s population, millions Africa: Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births

1,000 1,200 60 160 153 40 879 55 36 800 1,000 50983 42 120 30 800 40 600 504 82 600 30 80 20 400 15 400 280 20 200 40 10 200 10 1960 1960 2008 1960 2008 1960 1960 2008 1960 1960 2007 $ 0 0 1960 2007 0 %

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2009. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2009.

Urban population Africa: Other selected indicators Sub-Saharan Africa, % total pop. Then Now Food import costs (US$ bn, constant, 1965-2008) 0.3 5.7 60 160 153 40 55 36 Cereal yield (kg per hectare, 1961-2007) 810 1,398 50 Manufacturing (% GDP, 1968-2008) 12 9 42 120 30 40 Electricity production (bn KWH, 1971-2006) 88 574

82 External debt ($ bn, current, 1965-2008) 30 80 20 0.47 90 15 Child immunization (DPT, %, 1983-2007) 33 76 20 40 10 Average life expectancy (yrs, 1960-2007) 42 55 10 Tertiary school enrolment (%, 1991-2005) 5 10 1960 1960 2008 1960 1960 2007 1960 1960 2007 0 0 % Arms imports (US$ mn, constant, 1960-2008) 122 608

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2009. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2009. *Sub-Saharan Africa only

August 2010 17 Ghana’s economy: hope rekindled

Ups and downs give way to cautious revival

By Efam Dovi

hen the church bells rang across the city of W Accra to signal the birth of modern Ghana, it was a period of hope and optimism for a better future. Victor Adams was in his home village of Shiashi, a suburb of the Ghanaian capital. At the time, in 1957, Shiashi had no electricity, roads or piped water. “There were only eight of these houses in the entire village,” recalls Mr. Adams, as he points to a mud Drying cocoa in Ghana’s Ashanti Region: house. better.” It is a feeling shared by many Will cocoa, the economy’s mainstay for the Ghanaians. past century, now be joined by oil? “This part of the village was bushy UN Africa Renewal / Ernest Harsch and we farmed the land,” he says The early decades of what is now one of Accra’s high- At independence, Ghana had a rela- priced residential areas. Today a tract tively good education system. It held of foreign exchange, dived with the of land measuring 100 metres by 80 foreign reserves of about US$481 mn, fall in world prices. Some of the state metres can fetch the equivalent of and its gross domestic product (GDP) corporations provided Ghanaians US$65,000, according to Mr. Adams, was on a par with those of Malaysia with social benefits, but those were who manages the family-owned land. and South Korea. It could afford to “expensive in economic terms,” Prices are being pushed further up provide assistance to some of its notes Joe Abbey, head of the Centre by the exponential expansion of the African neighbours. for Policy Analysis, an independent nation’s capital. think-tank. “The reality is that a lot of But as in other African countries after them were making losses.” Shiashi and its surrounding areas independence, there followed decades have been transformed since indepen- of political instability and economic Later, in the 1980s, much of the coun- dence. But signs of underdevelopment collapse. The question of why Ghana’s try’s manufacturing sector, including still abound, including poor sanita- fortunes declined “is a deep one,” says the garment industry, collapsed after tion, unpaved roads and makeshift Ishac Diwan, the World Bank country Ghana adopted the now-discredited homes. In a way, the story of Shiashi director in Ghana. structural adjustment programmes reflects Ghana’s uneven economic pushed by the World Bank and the and social development over the Ghana’s first president, Kwame International Monetary Fund. years. Mr. Adams, a middle school Nkrumah, pursued a strategy of state- student at the time of independence, directed economic growth. Many of On the political front, the overthrow says, “Our country could have done his grand projects later collapsed as of Mr. Nkrumah in 1966 initiated a revenue from cocoa, the main source series of destabilizing coups. When

18 August 2010 there were elections, no leader could mechanized farming, especially in Ghana and its industries and making complete a full term. That changed rice production, but that requires us uncompetitive.” only after Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings massive investments. transformed himself from a military While opportunities beckon, there ruler into an elected civilian presi- Industry is struggling with high input are risks as well. Mr. Abbey notes dent in 1992. His transfer of power costs, high interest rates and inad- the common phenomenon of the to a democratically elected opposi- equate infrastructure. Still, Ghana “resource curse,” in which poor tion in 2000 marked the start of the spends about $1.1 bn, or 10 per cent of management of oil, diamonds or reversal of Ghana’s political fortunes. its GDP, on infrastructure, according other natural resources can distort According to Mr. Abbey, no one can to a March 2010 Africa Infrastructure economies and breed corruption. Oil deny the role of President Rawlings Country Diagnostic Report, published production, adds Mr. Diwan, “should in helping to return Ghana to demo- by a consortium of donor and African be approached with open eyes,” since cratic governance. “You can’t take it institutions. Perhaps the “most the social impact could be huge. from him.” pressing challenge,” it says, is the supply of energy. Ghana largely relies The government insists it is deter- Turning the page on its rain-dependent Akosombo mined to get it right. With support In the last decade Ghana has enjoyed hydroelectric dam for electrical from donor agencies, the government strong economic growth rates, rising power, but with its emerging oil and is revising the legal codes that govern from 5.4 per cent at the start of the gas sector, the authorities are looking oil exploration and production, local decade to 6.3 per cent in 2008. If to promote gas-fuelled power participation and revenue manage- growth can be maintained at 6 to 8 generation. ment. In addition, a strong and per cent, some hope, Ghana may be dynamic civil society has emerged in able to achieve middle-income status The institutional weaknesses of the recent years and is pushing for trans- by 2015. West African subregion are also an parency and accountability. obstacle, says Mr. Abbey. Mr. Diwan Economic growth and fiscal expan- agrees. “Opening of the barriers in the There are reasons to be optimistic. sion have also allowed for significant whole of West Africa is very crucial” “There is a lot of robustness in the progress towards some of the UN’s to expanding the domestic market, movement towards progress,” says Millennium Development Goals he says. Mr. Diwan. “We are building on a well (MDGs), according to a March 2010 educated population, large private World Bank report on Ghana. Ghana Oil on the horizon sector and pretty organized is on track to attain the goals for Recent oil discoveries have increased government.” In managing its oil, primary school completion rates, hopes of an economic breakthrough. he believes, Ghana will succeed gender parity in school enrolment and Oil, says Mr. Abbey, may be able to where other African countries access to water. break “the chains that are paralyzing have failed.

“I think Ghana is a good example of what can be done with stability and openness,” says Mr. Diwan. “We saw agriculture based on small-scale production increase at 5 per cent year after year. We saw services emerge. And we saw a more competitive financial sector.”

Energy crucial The economy, however, is only poorly diversified. For a century cocoa has been the economic mainstay. Agriculture contributes about three- quarters of export earnings, but is still mainly rain-fed, small-scale and labour-intensive. Post-harvest losses run at 30 to 35 per cent. The govern- Marketplace in northern Ghana: Although economic growth has been strong, the economy ment has embarked on large-scale remains poorly diversified and faces energy constraints. UN Africa Renewal / Ernest Harsch

August 2010 19 Good governance: central to all progress

After decades of military and one-party Autocracy came out in large numbers and regimes, more African countries are showed considerable patience while now holding regular elections. gives way to waiting, often for hours, in front of IRIN polling stations. multi-party military dictatorships were the order elections and “For many years, free elections were of the day. Only a limited number of a dream,” Abdoulaye Baillo Diallo, people enjoyed the privilege of making greater openness an aide to one candidate, told a Wall or contributing to decisions on state Street Journal reporter. “Now it has affairs. become a reality.” Amadou Diallo, By André-Michel Essoungou an army doctor, told the New York Closed systems Times, “Before, we knew the elections In some countries where indepen- were sewed up in advance. They were dence was hard-won, nationalist ever before had pictures of rigged.” On this occasion, various parties and leaders soon established endless lines of enthusiastic observers confirmed, the process was dominant structures that wielded N voters in front of polling transparent, free and fair, raising exclusive rights to govern. In 1964, stations defined Guinea’s interna- hopes of a new dawn for the country. barely a year after independence, the tional image. But on 27 June — after only opposition party in Kenya joined 52 years of independence and a turbu- Since its 1958 independence from Jomo Kenyatta’s dominant party, lent political history — a festive atmo- France, Guinea has been ruled mostly whose rule remained entrenched sphere engulfed the West African by civilian or military autocrats. To a for nearly four decades. In Ghana, country as millions were allowed to large extent, that was a general trend ’s Convention choose their leader for the first time, across Africa from the early 1960s People’s Party (CPP) led the inde- from among 24 candidates. Guineans to the 1990s. One-party systems and pendence struggle and therefore had

20 August 2010 wide support. But in 1964 that domi- nance was codified in law as the CPP became the only legal party and Mr. Nkrumah was proclaimed “president for life.”

Elsewhere, authorities who inher- ited power from their former colonial rulers also soon suppressed competing organizations and voices. In Gabon, President Bongo declared a one-party state in 1968, a system that lasted until 1990. From 1966 neighbouring Cameroon experienced a similar fate.

Soon after independence, as discon- tent grew with regimes unable to lift up peoples’ living standards, military dictatorships came to the fore. In 1963 alone three governments fell to coups, in Togo, Dahomey (later renamed Benin) and Congo-Brazzaville. By Riot police: In too many countries, public dissent is still met with repression. 1975 approximately half the countries ACP Press and Information / Robert L. Iroga on the continent were led by military or civilian-military governments. inefficient, especially when African and economic improvements and even During most of the 30-year period countries were faced with so many national unity could not be met. from 1960 to 1990, only a few coun- challenges. Pluralism, they main- tries, such as Senegal, Mauritius and tained, would breed division and Turning point Botswana, permitted competing polit- hinder the construction of national In the early 1990s, popular protests ical parties and some civil society identity and mobilization for develop- against systems that excluded the organizations to function. ment. Public debate, criticism and majority of citizens from the political

Some proponents of one-party systems argued that multiple parties were not needed, since democratic Many took to the streets to values and institutions existed within demand a right to be heard, to traditional African cultures. Julius Nyerere, the , have free and fair elections and to suggested that African family life “was everywhere based on certain have open public institutions.” practices and attitudes which together mean basic equality, freedom voting were regarded as luxuries. process reached their height. Many and unity.” Leopold Sédar Senghor, took to the streets to demand a right in Senegal, argued that African But the lack of popular checks on to be heard, to have free and fair elec- conceptions of democracy were based leaders’ decisions contributed to tions and to have open public institu- on “palaver,” or dialogue, in which abuses of power by individuals tions. They called for radical changes everyone is able to speak in turn, and institutions, onerous despotic in the basic style of governance. “but once everyone has expressed regimes, the violation of human rights his opinion, the minority follows the and widespread corruption. With “Africans are basically asking for majority, so there is unanimity.” all legal means of political reform three things,” Edem Kodjo, a former essentially blocked, civil conflicts secretary-general of the Organization Others argued simply that multi- and uprisings erupted. Under the of African Unity (which later became party systems were costly and circumstances, the promises of social the African Union), said in June 1990,

August 2010 21 “transparency, accountability and in its first African Governance institutions has widened, the degree participation in the political process.” Report,* published in 2005. “The of their real influence over these government no longer monopolizes institutions is often limited. Access After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the public sphere; the people also to justice is frequently expensive for the end of the Cold War, most donor participate in it.” the majority, and police and armed forces are sometimes the worst human rights abusers. “The greatest Good governance is central threats to good governance today come from corruption, violence and to improving economic poverty, all of which undermine transparency, security, participation performance and promoting and fundamental freedoms,” argues economic progress in Africa.” the ECA report. —Abdoulie Janneh, executive secretary, There is general agreement on the UN Economic Commission for Africa pivotal need to strengthen gover- nance in most African countries, not only to improve political participa- powers affirmed that they supported In a number of countries (including tion, but also to advance develop- democratization. Good governance, Ghana, Zambia, Mali and Benin), ment. “Good governance is central human rights and opposition to regime change through elections is to improving economic performance corruption became important condi- becoming the norm. Presidential and promoting economic progress in tions in their aid policies. term limits are respected, and so Africa,” argued Abdoulie Janneh, the is freedom of the press (see page 23). ECA executive secretary, at a major Under such pressure for reform Human rights violations have become international conference marking from both within and without, many less common and political parties the 50th anniversary of African regimes opened up democratic space. and civil society organizations are independence in Yaoundé in late May In the Congo Republic, Benin and involved in daily debates on policy (see page 10). Zaire (later renamed the Democratic options. Republic of the Congo), among other Five decades after its most signifi- countries, national conferences But in other countries elections are cant wave of independence, the conti- were organized in which incumbent not always free, fair or transparent. nent’s mixed record on governance authorities, civil society groups, reli- Majority parties have used their and its hopes for further progress gious leaders and opposition parties control of government resources to underline the need for such innova- fiercely debated in public for the first bias the electoral process in their tive initiatives as the African Peer time. More or less competitive elec- favour, and some elected presidents Review Mechanism (APRM).** tions took place, although often in a have unilaterally modified consti- The mechanism is an outgrowth of tense atmosphere. In 1992, the peak tutions to try to prolong their stay the New Partnership for Africa’s of this surge, there were 32 presiden- in office. Press freedoms and civil Development (NEPAD), the conti- tial or legislative elections across the society activities are frequently under nent’s blueprint for economic revival. continent. threat. Established in 2003, it is a voluntary instrument in which participating End of monopolies But even in some countries that have governments agree to have various “The culture of political authori- not had regime changes for some time, aspects of their political governance, tarianism manifested in military other aspects of governance may have observance of human rights and dictatorships and one-party systems improved, as in the growing capacity economic decision-making reviewed dominant in many African countries of court systems or the representation by their African peers. So far 28 has in the last two decades gradually of women. In 2008 Rwanda became countries have joined the APRM given way to competitive party demo- the first country in the world where and 11 have undergone comprehen- cratic systems,” the UN Economic women hold a majority in parliament, sive reviews, which have identified Commission for Africa (ECA) stated with 56 per cent of the seats. specific areas requiring improvement. Continuing challenges *African Governance Report 2005, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Even though the scope of African **The African Peer Review Mechanism, http://www.uneca.org/agr2005 citizens’ representation in public http://www.aprm-international.org

22 August 2010 African media breaks ‘culture of silence’

Independent media boom At independence in 1960 most newspapers were privately owned, organs either of the nationalist political movements and parties or of businesses mostly established by European investors. But by 1970 most newspapers of any signifi- cance across the continent were government-owned. Any newspaper expressing independent editorial attitudes was censored, banned or so controlled that most of the owners gave up publishing. Besides South Africa, only Kenya and Nigeria accommodated private and inde- pendent press businesses, even then under enormous political constraints.

In a few countries, such as Gambia and Niger, the first daily newspa- pers appeared in the period of media liberalization and boom. One man, Reading a newspaper in Madagascar: Since the early 1990s, independent newspapers the Liberian journalist Kenneth have broken government monopolies on the press, but in many countries the media Best, started the first daily in remain under threat. (1981) and the first daily in Gambia UNESCO / Dominique Roger (1992). Mr. Best eventually had to flee both countries.

Journalists most of these 50 years. In fact the Since the 1990s the independent freest period for the African media media have grown like the savannah struggle to give generally has been the 15-year period grass after prolific rainfalls following voice, expand between 1990 and 2005.” a long drought. In West Africa, according to a 2006 study sponsored freedoms The media boom of the late 1980s by the UN Economic Commission for and early 1990s, accompanying the Africa (ECA), there were over 5,000 movement for democratic reforms in newspapers and radio and television By Kwame Karikari Africa, transformed the continent’s stations in 15 countries. media landscape virtually overnight. hen on 18 March this It ended near-absolute government By far the most earth-shaking year the Daily Nation, control and monopoly and ushered development was the burst of radio W one of Africa’s biggest in a vibrant pluralism. Suddenly the stations. From the capitals to the and most successful independent streets of Africa’s capitals were awash newspapers, celebrated its 50th with newspapers. The “culture of Professor Kwame Karikari is executive anniversary, Charles Onyango Obbo, silence,” imposed first under colo- director of the Media Foundation for West a columnist for the Nairobi, Kenya, nialism and then by post-colonial Africa, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, paper, wrote, “It has mostly been hell military dictatorships and autocratic and heads the School of Communication on earth for the African media for one-party states, was rudely broken. Studies at the .

August 2010 23 provinces, the booming force of Strengthening democracy discussions on the air. Radio, by private and independent voices Linus Gitahi, chief executive of incorporating many local languages initially threatened to drown out the Kenya’s Nation Media Group (NMG), more widely, has promoted positive states’ authoritarian broadcasting said at the Pan-African Media cultural identity in many communi- systems. In semi-desert Mali, for Conference during the Daily Nation’s ties. At the 10th anniversary this instance, there are today nearly 300 anniversary, “More Africans live in January of Ghana’s Radio Ada, a radio stations. In the war-ravaged relative freedom today than they did community station at Ada, a coastal Democratic Republic of the Congo 50 years ago.” town about 100 kilometres from the there are about 196 community capital, the chief lamented, “Until the radio stations. Across the conti- No doubt the media’s role has been station came here, we did not hear our nent, the Internet and mobile tele- central in strengthening democracy language on radio. We did not feel that phony augment old media to expand in those countries where there has we belonged in Ghana.” Africans’ sources of information and been tangible progress in governance means of mass communication. and respect for human rights. In some cases, however, the media have been an instrument of hate, The armed conflicts of the 1990s did Weak though they may often be, the xenophobia and crimes against not seem to hinder the emergence media, especially the independent humanity. While Rwanda’s Radio of independent media anywhere, outlets, have made remarkable contri- Milles Collines, which played a role although many media outlets did butions to peaceful and transparent in the country’s genocide, is the become targets. Somalia saw the elections in Benin, Cape Verde, most known, there have been other emergence of its first independent Ghana, Mali, Namibia, South Africa disturbing examples of media promo- press, radio and even TV after it and Zambia; to post-conflict transi- tion of ethnic hate, as in the bloody plunged into continuing anarchy. tions and the restoration of peace aftermath of Kenya’s 2007 elections. Numerous stations and newspa- in Liberia, Mozambique and Sierra Even in Ghana’s much-celebrated pers emerged in Liberia and Sierra Leone; and to sustaining constitu- successful election in 2008, some Leone during their notoriously tional rule in times of political crises radio stations incessantly preached bloody conflicts, while the state- in Guinea, Kenya and Nigeria. And violence and mobilized partisan mobs owned broadcasting systems all but many continue to push to open up the to attack opponents. In all such cases collapsed. space for freedom in suffocating envi- the perpetrating media were owned ronments. by or were supporters of powerful Today, two decades since the media persons in government, political boom, Eritrea is about the only Radio has expanded local news and parties or factions in conflicts. country in sub-Saharan Africa information production. And the in which government has a total mobile phone has enhanced citizens’ Continuing repression monopoly on press and broadcasting. participation in public affairs The progressive thrust of the media has generally come up against violent repression. When the media have dared to question or uncover crimi- nality and corruption in high places, they have usually earned the extreme wrath of “where power lies.”

Thus virtually all assassinations of journalists, such as that of Norbert Zongo in Burkina Faso in 1998, Carlos Cardoso in Mozambique in 2000 or Deyda Heydara in Gambia in 2004, have had similar motives. The report of an independent commission on the Zongo case concluded that “Norbert Zongo was assassinated purely for political reasons, because he prac- A DJ on Mozambique’s Radio Komati: The radio is crucial for reaching audiences in Africa’s ticed committed investigative jour- rural areas, and sometimes in their own indigenous languages. nalism. He defended a democratic UNESCO / Sergio Santimano ideal and was committed, through his

24 August 2010 newspaper, to fight for the respect of and People’s Rights to promote remain small operations, with poor human rights and justice against bad media rights. Some, such as the business management capacity. But governance of the public goods and Media Foundation for West Africa, a few like the NMG in Kenya and against impunity.” also use the new regional ECOWAS Multimedia in Ghana have expanded Community Court of Justice to chal- investment into other media, and Various international media rights lenge violations of journalists’ rights. extended operations across borders advocacy groups, such as the New into other countries. Yet while a few York–based Committee to Protect Constraints and limitations are growing into huge, multimedia Journalists, calculate that around 200 If violent attacks and disabling laws transnational conglomerates, many journalists have been killed in Africa have been used to arrest the media’s face the possibility of shrinkage and in the last two decades. The majority growth and relevance, professional perhaps extinction. of the victims fell in circumstances of and financial weaknesses have war. tended to limit their impact. As media pluralism grows and African economies open up, the The use of repressive legislation has Despite the phenomenal growth of media’s growing dependence on the been a major tool in reversing the the media, Professor Guy Berger market threatens to limit editorial media’s freedoms. Outside of South of the School of independence. Businesses that are Africa, where the post-apartheid transition included fundamental reforms in media legislation, the Independent and pluralistic media new atmosphere of media pluralism elicited very negligible legal and in Africa are here to stay, despite policy reforms beyond constitutional clauses reaffirming UN principles on the many challenges.” free expression. Journalism and Media Studies in visibly dominant in advertising By 2005 legislative and policy frame- South Africa insisted in 2007 that and sponsorships are reported by works in most countries were so “Africans are the least-served people journalists to be exerting pressure constraining that the ECA said in a of the world in terms of the circula- on media to do their bidding, such as study, “The need for a critical review tion of information, for the reason by killing stories unfavourable to the and overhaul of the legal and policy that this continent exhibits a mass businesses. environment in which the media media that is everywhere limited in operates across Africa cannot be terms of quantity, and also sometimes Such pressures and attacks on press overstated.” quality.” freedom have also propelled the emer- gence of advocacy and defence orga- While individual countries may Professor Berger noted, for example, nizations across the continent. The not have made significant reforms that Africa had the world’s lowest Media Institute of Southern Africa to media legislation and policy, the number of journalists per capita. in Windhoek, the Media Foundation African Union and regional bodies South Africa, the continent’s highest for West Africa based in Accra, the such as the Economic Community performer, had one journalist per Media Rights Agenda of Nigeria and of West African States (ECOWAS), 1,300 citizens, while Ghana had Journalists in Danger in Kinshasa the Southern African Development one per 11,000, Cameroon one per are among the best known. National Community and the 11-member 18,000, one per 34,000 and and regional professional journalists’ Regional Conference of the Great Ethiopia one per 99,000. associations have also stepped up Lakes have all adopted binding proto- their defence of media professionals. cols and declarations advancing press The huge deficit in trained profes- freedom and freedom of expression. sionals keeps increasing, despite Although state broadcasting persists, donor support for short ad hoc dominating the airwaves in most Most member governments may be courses and the emergence of private countries, independent and plural- violating or ignoring the protocols training schools. istic media in Africa are here to stay, they have signed, but civil society despite the many challenges. And that groups use institutions such as the Of all the constraints and limitations, may be the guarantee of the growth Special Rapporteur on Freedom of economic factors appear to be the and strengthening of democracy in Expression and Access to Information most critical threat to the survival of Africa. of the African Commission on Human media pluralism. Most media outlets

August 2010 25 African women’s long walk to equality Some gains, but an uphill climb still looms

By L. Muthoni Wanyeki

frica’s political indepen- dence was accompanied by A a clarion call to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease. Fifty years after the end of , the question is: To what extent has the promise of that call been realized for African women? There is no doubt Women in Madagascar benefit from a that African women’s long walk to constitutional protections for African micro-finance programme: African freedom has yielded some results, women — particularly in the area women’s movements are focusing not however painfully and slowly. of women’s rights and equality. And only on women’s access to resources, the last two decades have seen the The African Union (AU) now has a emergence of legislation to address but also on their control over resources. legally binding protocol to the African violence against women, including UN Capital Development Fund / Adam Rogers Charter on Human and Peoples’ sexual violence. Rights on the rights of women. The history (“herstory”) by becoming the protocol spells out clearly women’s Political representation first African country to elect into rights to equality and non-discrim- These developments have been office a female head of state, Ellen ination in a number of areas. It has accompanied by improvements in Johnson-Sirleaf. been ratified by a growing number of African women’s political repre- African states, can be used in civil law sentation. The AU adopted, from its Progress is evident, particularly in proceedings and is being codified into inception, a 50 per cent quota for countries that have electoral systems domestic common law. The AU has women’s representation, which is based on or incorporating propor- also issued a Declaration on Gender reflected in the composition of the AU tional representation. However, Equality in Africa, under which Commission. enhanced women’s representation has member states are supposed to regu- been harder to achieve in first-past- larly report on progress. Again, this standard reflects and the-post electoral systems. reinforces efforts to enhance women’s The protocol and declaration both representation at the national level. Even where there has been progress, reflect and reinforce developments South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda the question is whether increased at the national level. Many African have reached the 30 per cent bench- representation of women is catalyzing states have moved to enhance mark for their legislatures. Rwanda action by the executives and legis- has gone further — with 50 per cent latures in favour of gender equality. L. Muthoni Wanyeki is the executive director representation, it has one of the That question arises because the of the Kenya Human Rights Commission. best in the world. A few countries, battle for women’s representation is She was formerly executive director of including Nigeria, have seen women not only demographic (with political the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), a assume non-traditional ministerial representation as an end) but also for pan-African organization working towards portfolios, in defence and finance, gender equality (with political repre- women’s development, equality and rights. for example. And Liberia has made sentation as a means).

26 August 2010 Put another way, there has been a The end of that era thus saw a new Economically, women will continue shift in the focus and strategy of the focus on gender budgeting: looking to focus on the macro-level, but in a African women’s movement over at where national budget allocations deeper sense. What has emerged from the last two decades, from empha- and expenditures could enhance gender budgeting efforts is the need sizing capacity-building to improve women’s status in the economy. to actually track budgetary expen- African women’s access to resources Unsurprisingly, this approach has led ditures, not just getting information to emphasizing decision making to African governments back towards about allocations. enhance African women’s control public investments in social services. over resources. This shift was made It is also necessary to concentrate possible by real gains resulting from It is now agreed, for example, that on the macro-economic framework the capacity-building approach. the benchmark for public invest- for fiscal and monetary policies, ments in health in Africa is 15 per especially in the context of stabiliza- Education, poverty, health cent. The African women’s movement tion programmes in response to the These gains are most evident in has called in particular for more recent economic shocks. Previously African women’s education. Girls and to be directed towards reproduc- that framework was assumed to be boys are now at par with respect to tive and sexual health and rights. gender-neutral, but it clearly can have primary school enrolment. Efforts to These areas are of critical concern gendered consequences. This problem get girls into school have been accom- to women, given the impact of HIV/ must be addressed to ensure that panied by efforts to keep them in AIDS, maternal mortality and Africa’s growth will enhance women’s school and to promote role models by violence against women, particu- livelihoods. developing gender-responsive curri- cula. Gender gaps are also narrowing in secondary education. The real The upsurge of conservative challenge now lies at the university level, both in the enrolment figures identity politics constrains and and in curricula to benefit young women. So much for the “illiteracy” dangerously limits women’s element of the African independence human rights.” clarion call.

Gains for women are harder to see larly in conflict areas. They are also Finally, the women’s movement will in that call’s “poverty” element, of concern since African women’s be focusing on reproductive and however. It is true that since indepen- continued lack of autonomy and sexual health and rights. The battle dence investments in micro-credit choice over reproduction and sexu- over choice (including over gender and micro-enterprises for women ality lie at the heart of so much identity and sexual orientation) is have improved their individual liveli- suffering. So much for the “disease” now an open one in many African hoods — and therefore those of their element of the independence call. countries. It is no longer couched families. Since African women have politely in demographic or health proved that they are good lending Where next? terms. risks, micro-credit is now being Where to over the next 50 years, then? offered not just by development and In light of the experience so far, the The upsurge of conservative identity micro-finance institutions, but also African women’s movement will be politics (in both ethnic and religious by commercial financial institutions. focusing not just on political repre- terms) is fuelling conflict on the sentation, but also on the meaning continent. It constrains and danger- Yet there was a critique of such of that representation for advancing ously limits women’s human rights, investments, especially in the decade gender equality and women’s human including reproductive and sexual of the 1980s when governments rights. And given recent retreats in rights. Such notions are not harmless withdrew from social service delivery Africa (such as the rise of the consti- — they have grave consequences for as a result of structural adjustment tutional coup and “negotiated democ- women’s autonomy, choice and bodily programmes. Under those circum- racy”), the women’s movement will integrity. They therefore must be stances, such investments essentially also be focusing on democracy, peace challenged. enabled redistribution among the and security more broadly — that is, impoverished, rather than at a larger on the nature of the political system African women’s long walk to level, from the rich to the poor. itself and not just on the means of freedom has only just begun. getting into that system.

August 2010 27 A ‘wind of change’ that transformed the continent

Year of were prophetic: “The wind of change The dramatic events of 1960 would is blowing through this continent, have a far-reaching effect on Africa independence and whether we like it or not, this for decades to come — unifying the promoted African growth of national consciousness is a newly independent states around a political fact. We must all accept it as common commitment to self-deter- freedom struggles a fact, and our national policies must mination, and giving moral purpose take account of it.” Those remarks and political direction to African would come to be seen as the epitaph foreign and regional policy. By Michael Fleshman of European colonialism in Africa and the harbinger of an African nation- By the end of the long campaign alism sweeping irresistibly from the against apartheid and colonialism hen UK Prime Minister north. in 1994, Africa’s struggle had gone Harold Macmillan global. The region had successfully W addressed the whites- In fact, much of the speech was engaged the sympathies of millions only South African parliament in devoted to assuring South Africa’s of people around the world, isolated February 1960, he could not have white minority rulers that they and discredited white minority rule, known that his speech would still be remained part of the Western demo- and mobilized significant political studied by historians years later. But cratic world despite their formal and diplomatic support through the that was the year 17 African countries embrace of the apartheid system of United Nations and other interna- achieved their independence, with legalized racism a decade earlier. And tional bodies. many others soon to follow. His words the massacre of 69 peaceful black protesters by the South African police Ghana, the first in Sharpeville a few weeks after Mr. ‘liberated zone’ A rally in Cape Verde with portraits of Macmillan’s remarks was a brutal For the early African nationalists, Amilcar Cabral and Aristides Pereira, lead- reminder that the arrival of majority support for full decolonization was ers of the liberation struggle in Guinea- rule in territories with European both a moral imperative and a prac- Bissau and Cape Verde against Portuguese settler populations would be neither tical necessity. In 1945 the Fifth colonial rule. quick nor amicable. Pan-African Congress in Manchester,

UN Photo / Yutaka Nagata

28 August 2010 England, whose delegates included the future presidents of Ghana, Kenya and Malawi and intellectuals and activists from throughout the , demanded the immediate end of colonialism.

It was Ghana’s independence in 1957 under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah that is most widely seen as the beginning of the African decolonization campaign. Mr. Nkrumah, a noted pan-African activist, committed the new nation to assisting other anti-colonial movements in his Independence Day Voting in the November 1989 election to a constituent assembly in Namibia, as the UN trust speech. He declared, “Our indepen- territory moved towards independence from South African rule the following year. dence is meaningless unless it is UN Photo / Milton Grant linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” pledged its members “to eradicate all the OAU’s Coordinating Committee forms of colonialism from Africa.” for the Liberation of Africa. Julius Nyerere, the Tanzanian anti- colonial theoretician who would lead For most of the remaining colonies Headquartered in , his own country to independence in independence would come via Tanzania, the liberation committee, 1961, described that historic day in negotiations with the departing as it was known, became the primary Accra as “the beginning of the end of European powers. That would not be conduit for aid to the anti-colonial colonialism for the whole of Africa,” the case, however, in the Portuguese movements, including arms and in a speech at Ghana’s 40th indepen- colonies — Guinea-Bissau, Cape training from socialist countries and dence anniversary in 1997. “Ghana Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola rear bases and support from African was the beginning, our first liber- and Mozambique — or in the self- states. Those were dangerous times. ated zone,” he said. “But Ghana was governing white-ruled territories, the Tanzania and Zambia opened training more than just the beginning. Ghana breakaway UK colony of Rhodesia, and base camps for the Mozambique inspired and deliberately spearheaded South Africa and the UN trust terri- Liberation Front (Frelimo) guerrillas the independence struggle of the rest tory of Namibia, which was then in 1964, drawing retaliatory attacks of Africa.” under South African control. In most from Portuguese forces into their of those countries the independence territories. Guerrillas from Nelson In 1958 Ghana hosted a meeting of movements would be forced to take Mandela’s African National Congress independent African states, including up arms. would be granted military facili- Ethiopia, Morocco, and Sudan, ties in those countries the following followed by a conference of anti- African support for armed resistance year, making them targets for South colonial movements from across the commenced well before the founding African attacks as well. Frelimo continent. Those events would help of the OAU. Amilcar Cabral, the leader Eduardo Mondlane was killed lay the groundwork for the launch head of the liberation movement in by a Portuguese parcel bomb in Dar es five years later of the Organization of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, for Salaam in 1969. African Unity (OAU) and its libera- example, issued his declaration of tion committee. war against Portugal from Conakry, On the front line the capital of independent Guinea, In a memoir of the time, Tanzanian Africa at war in 1961. OAU support would prove journalist Godfrey Mwakikagile By the time the OAU was established critical for the insurgents as the described Dar es Salaam during the on 25 May 1963, the number of inde- fighting escalated, and as competi- 1960s and 1970s as “the epicentre pendent African countries stood at 32, tion for influence and allies in Africa of seismic activity on the African and the principle of self-determina- intensified among the superpowers. political landscape and beyond” and tion and majority rule was entrenched Here again the armed movements “a haven and an incubator for activ- in the organization’s charter, which would get vital support from indepen- ists and revolutionaries from around dent Africa, now channelled through the world,” because of the presence of

August 2010 29 major South African invasion of the country — a defeat that permanently shifted the military balance against the regime in Pretoria. With powerful Angolan and international forces near the Namibian border, South Africa agreed to implement the long-stalled UN decolonization plan for the terri- tory. Namibia became independent on 21 March 1990 under the leadership of Sam Nujoma, a founder of the coun- try’s anti-colonial movement SWAPO.

The failure of South Africa’s regional strategy and the steady escala- tion of mass protests at home led to Anti-apartheid rally in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1985: Independent Africa was a strong the removal of the hard-line South source of support for the struggle against white minority rule. UN African president, Pieter W. Botha, in 1989. His replacement, F.W. de Klerk, the liberation movements and their country on 18 April 1980 and the sixth released Nelson Mandela from prison supporters. front line state. the following year and unbanned the exiled anti-apartheid groups. Their The military coup that overthrew South Africa responded to the loss of negotiations eventually led to the end the Portuguese government in 1974 its Portuguese and Rhodesian allies of apartheid on 10 May 1994 when Mr. brought an unexpectedly quick end to with stepped-up repression at home Mandela became South Africa’s first Portuguese colonialism in Africa, and and a “total strategy” of military and democratically elected president. changed the strategic balance in the economic destabilization against It was, as Mr. Mandela then noted, “a region. With Zimbabwean guerrillas its independent neighbours. With a common victory for justice, for peace, now operating across the long border deadly mix of cross border attacks, for human dignity” and an historic with independent Mozambique, and support for armed proxy groups and vindication of the principles and its principal ally South Africa under economic coercion, the strategy priorities of Africa’s original anti- mounting international economic and inflicted tens of billions of dollars colonial leaders. political pressure over its apartheid in damage on the region’s fragile policies, the Rhodesian authorities infrastructure. As many as 100,000 At the launch of the African Union in had little choice but to negotiate lives are estimated to have been lost 2002, the assembled heads of state the terms of independence. Those in Mozambique alone as a result of noted that nowhere had the OAU talks, held at Lancaster House in the destabilization, both directly and “proved more decisive than in the UK, were greatly aided by a regional indirectly. African struggle for decolonization.” grouping of African countries: Through the liberation committee, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, From destabilization to they declared, “the continent worked Tanzania and Zambia, known as the democracy and spoke as one with undivided Front Line States. The Front Line States responded determination in forging an inter- to South Africa’s new strategy with national consensus in support of the Formed in 1976, the Front Line States the Southern African Development liberation struggle.” maintained military and diplomatic Coordination Conference, a regional pressure on the white minority economic federation intended to Fifty years on, the “wind of change” regimes to accept the principle of lessen economic dependence on blows across a transformed continent. majority rule. At the same time the South Africa. The body would lay the A new generation, born independent, front line presidents successfully groundwork for the post-apartheid confronts the continuing challenges demanded that Zimbabwe’s divided Southern African Development of forging unity, building democ- anti-colonial movement negotiate as a Community (SADC) 12 years later. racy and enabling development. The united front and accept some unpalat- struggle continues. able compromises in order to reach Militarily, OAU political support a settlement. As a result, Zimbabwe allowed the Angolan government to became Africa’s 51st independent call in Cuban forces to help repel a

30 August 2010 Visions of independence, then and now

Fifty years ago, independent Africa’s first generation of leaders had particular visions of where their countries were coming from, and where they were going. The assessments of today’s African leaders, personalities and analysts are varied but they are still looking for ways to achieve a better future. Following are just some excerpts from a few of the many African voices on the theme of independence.

The early years

‘Dawn of a new era’ constitutes a challenge to the colonial sun now travelling across the sky Kwame Nkrumah, first powers to make a just restitution of Africa’s redemption. The United president of Ghana, 23 for the years of injustice and crime Nations must call upon all nations September 1960, at the UN committed against our continent…. that have colonies in Africa to grant General Assembly in New York. complete independence to the terri- For years, Africa has been the foot- tories still under their control…. This One cardinal fact of our time is the stool of colonialism and imperialism, is a new day in Africa and as I speak momentous impact of Africa’s awak- exploitation and degradation. From now, thirteen new African nations ening upon the modern world. The the north to the south, from the east have taken their seats this year in flowing tide of to the west, her sons languished in this august Assembly as independent sweeps everything before it and the chains of slavery and humili- sovereign states…. There are now ation, and Africa’s exploiters and twenty-two of us in this Assembly and self-appointed controllers of her there are yet more to come. destiny strode across our land with incredible inhumanity without mercy, ‘Hard work from without shame, and without honour. every citizen’ Those days are gone and gone forever, Jomo Kenyatta, first president and now I, an African, stand before of Kenya, 27 May 1963, after this august Assembly of the United he won elections and months Nations and speak with a voice of before independence. peace and freedom, proclaiming to the world the dawn of a new era…. On this momentous day, which set Kenya on the final stage before inde- I look upon the United Nations as pendence, I ask the cooperation of the only organization that holds out every man and woman in this land to any hope for the future of mankind…. help build a new nation. The United Nations must therefore face up to its responsibilities, and ask We aim to create a fair society, those who would bury their heads where no citizen need suffer in like the proverbial ostrich in their sickness because he cannot pay for imperialist sands, to pull their heads treatment. We believe that no child out and look at the blazing African should go without education merely because his family is poor. It will be Kwame Nkrumah speaking before the the government intention to do away United Nations in 1961. with the terrible poverty of so many UN Photo / Yutaka Nagata of our people.

August 2010 31 ‘We want to remain French’ The United Nations must call Philibert Tsiranana, first president of Madagascar, upon all nations that have colonies speaking before the French National Assembly, in Africa to grant complete 29 May 1958. independence.” We think it is better to have a well- —Kwame Nkrumah prepared independence, since the anticipated political independence We do not expect to do all this from to bring glory to both our kingdoms will lead us to the worst dependence foreign charity. We are not going to and the state of Uganda. Let us not possible, economic dependence. We compromise our independence by allow our differences in nations, will continue to have confidence begging for assistance. The govern- religion and colour to be a divisive in France and count on the French ment will make it clear that our factor among our people. genius to find, when the time comes, a progress, our hope, our ambitions will formula similar to that of the British only be fulfilled if we have hard work ‘Reorient the entire Commonwealth. We Malagasies from every citizen. colonial heritage’ would never want to separate from Ahmed Sékou Touré, first France. We are of the French culture, ‘Honoured and humbled’ president of Guinea, and we want to remain French. Edward Frederick Mutesa II, 26 August 1958 first president of Uganda, ‘Your suffering has not 9 October 1962 We prefer poverty in freedom to been in vain’ independence address. opulence in slavery…. Félix Houphouët-Boigny, first president of Côte d’Ivoire, I feel both honoured and humbled … We do not confuse the joys of indepen- 7 August 1960 independence because I have lived till this day when dence with separation from France, address. the British have relinquished power to which we intend to remain tied and into our hands, after being under their with which we want to collaborate in People of my country, let your joy protection for a period of 68 years [as building up our common riches…. burst forth. There is no other people a “protectorate” of Britain]. that deserves its joy more. More than Beyond a simple feeling of revolt, we the others, you have long suffered in Now that we are independent, I are resolute and conscious partici- patience. But your suffering has not appeal to you all to work with all your pants in the political evolution of been in vain. You have struggled, but might in whatever you shall do, so as black Africa, a basic condition to not uselessly, since today you know reorient the entire colonial heritage victory. The need for dignity that you Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta, towards and for the African peoples. carry within yourselves has finally addressing a mass rally in 1965. been satisfied. You are free and with pride join the great family of nations. Bill Fairbairn ‘Independence was conquered through struggle’ , prime minister of the Congo, 30 June 1960, independence address.

Even though this independence for the Congo is being proclaimed today in agreement with Belgium, a country with which we deal as equals, no Congolese worthy of that name can ever forget that independence was conquered through struggle, a daily struggle, a fierce and idealist struggle,

32 August 2010 a struggle in which we spared neither our energy, nor our hardship, nor our suffering, nor our blood….

Because of what we have gone through during 80 years of a colonial regime, our wounds are still too fresh and painful for us to chase them from our memories. We have known hard labour for which we were paid salaries that could not properly feed us, nor dress or house us decently, nor raise our dear children. We have been mocked, insulted and struck Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba (left) at the United Nations in July 1960, with his morning, noon and night because we are [black]…. delegate to the UN, Thomas Kanza. UN Photo / MB

The Republic of the Congo has been everyone receives just pay for their children. We will review all the old proclaimed and our dear country is labour. laws and make new ones that are just now in the hands of its own children. and noble. We will end the suppres- Together, my brothers and sisters, We will show the world what the sion of free thinking and ensure we will begin a new struggle, a black man can do when he works in that all citizens can freely enjoy the magnificent struggle that will lead freedom, and we will make the Congo fundamental freedoms outlined in our country to peace, prosperity and a radiant centre for all of Africa. the [Universal] Declaration of Human greatness. We will together estab- We will be attentive so that the soil Rights…. lish social justice and ensure that of our homeland really benefits its

The view from today

‘Deep down, there is an Africa is being reborn and revived at of exploitation of Africa’s sub-soil, Africa of hope’ the grassroots, despite the surface we will not go far…. Kä Mana, Congolese signs that would make it seem that philosopher, in an opinion the continent is dying…. The real What needs to happen is a kind of article on the DRC’s 50th balance sheet of independence is continental “New Deal” collectively anniversary in the 14 May 2010 neither failure nor success, but negotiated among the different Africa edition of the Kinshasa daily success in the failure and failure in governments and international Le Potentiel. the success. powers, a “New Deal” favouring democracy and economic progress Neither in the economic realm, nor ‘If Africans want that would complete and finally close in the political realm, nor the social democracy, they must for everyone that chapter of decoloni- realm, nor even in the realm of true pay the price’ zation. cultural liberation is there anything Achille Mbembe, Cameroonian of real significance visible 50 years scholar, in an article on Africa’s If Africans want democracy, they after independence…. 50th anniversary published in must pay the price. No one else will April in and other Le Messager pay it for them. Nor can they get it on publications. Once that is said, it must be imme- credit. They will nevertheless need diately added that only a superficial the support of the new networks reading of the African situation would As long as the logic of extraction of international solidarity, a grand lead us to believe that Africa is lost. and predation that characterizes moral coalition beyond states, a Deep down, there is an Africa of hope the political economy of primary coalition of all those who believe that has been built over the last five commodities in Africa has not been that without Africa, our world will decades…. broken, and with it the existing modes

August 2010 33 the continent. We cannot turn a blind eye to corruption, nepotism or tyranny. We cannot allow the will of the people to be thwarted by electoral fraud, unconstitutional changes of government or manipulations of the law to keep vested interests in power. Peace and sustainable development need to be built on the firm bedrock of good governance.

The good news, friends, is that much is already being done — through NEPAD, through the AU’s peer review mechanism, through policy reforms and through mobilizing domestic Asha-Rose Migiro, UN deputy secretary-general: “We cannot turn a blind eye to resources. corruption, nepotism or tyranny.” UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe The bad news is that much remains certainly be poorer in spirit and rights have taken root, governance to be done and time is not on our side. humanity. has improved, civil society has been The needs of hundreds of millions of empowered, an agricultural revolu- young, vibrant Africans cry out for ‘Rapid progress is possible’ tion is beginning to take hold and immediate attention. Kofi Annan, former UN opportunities have been extended to Secretary-General, 19 May 2010, ever larger segments of the popula- ‘The struggle for at the closing of the “Africa tion…. independence is economic’ 21” conference on Africa’s Abdoulaye Wade, president 50th anniversary, in Yaoundé, The challenges before us are great…. of Senegal, 4 April 2010, Cameroon. But the many success stories of the Independence Day address. last 50 years have proven that rapid The change we have seen in our life- progress is possible — even in the In comparing our country to some of times has been enormous. I remember most difficult circumstances…. those in Asia that were at the same well how I witnessed Ghana’s inde- level as we at independence in 1960, pendence as a 19-year-old student ‘We must honestly assess we notice that they have gone much beaming with hope. Fifty years later, the realities’ faster than we have. We must reflect many of the hopes I harboured that Asha-Rose Migiro, UN deputy on this to understand why. The day in Accra have been realized…. secretary-general, 18 May 2010, struggle for liberation is therefore not at the opening of the “Africa finished. It presents itself today in The last decade, in particular, has 21” conference on Africa’s economic terms and will be won on 50th anniversary, in Yaoundé, been one of remarkable progress. the development front…. Cameroon. Unnecessary and cruel wars have come to an end. Increases in trade, With the 50th anniversary of our domestic and foreign investments As we celebrate Africa’s achieve- independence, we have concluded a have fuelled impressive economic ments, opportunities and potential, symbolic stage in the history of our growth rates. New partners are we must also honestly address the country, in order to now turn to a new being found, democracy and human realities and challenges that confront task that will take us to the 100th anniversary. And our own pace will determine the rhythm of Senegal’s We are resolute and conscious march towards that 100-year mark…. Together, we must clearly understand participants in the political that prolonged economic dependence evolution of black Africa.” will ultimately erode our political independence. —Patrice Lumumba 34 August 2010 ‘Young Africans can change the world’ The progress desired by our Ali Bongo, president of Gabon, 18 May 2010, at the opening of African youths must be at the “Africa 21” conference on Africa’s 50th anniversary, in the heart of our African Yaoundé, Cameroon government programmes.”

What visions of Africa do young —Ali Bongo Africans have? How do they see devel- opment initiatives? How can they be should be taken into account by public ■■ The liberalization of the media and integrated into the new development officials. the economy, challenges?... ■■ A consensual transition that ‘The work begun by our allowed free, transparent and We are entrusted with the aspirations elders has not ended’ democratic elections, of our citizens, and responsible for Joseph Kabila, ■■ A democracy that is certainly political stability and social cohesion. president of the Democratic young, but nevertheless real and It is our duty to not leave them on the Republic of the Congo, 30 vibrant. side of the road, at risk of falling into June 2010, Independence Day address. reprehensible behaviours…. It is equally undeniable that we have known regrettable failures, especially The hard and true reality is that The 50th is not an ordinary anni- in the areas of development, social Africa has not invested enough in its versary. It is a singular moment for progress and human rights. As a human capital to benefit from the evaluation, with an eye towards a new nation and a people, we are, while to capital represented by its youthful departure. varying degrees, collectively respon- population. In absolute terms, Africa sible for this relative shortfall in has not invested enough simultane- Where are we today, 50 years after 30 performance…. ously in ICT, health, education, trans- June 1960? It is undeniable that we port, telecommunications, affordable have experienced some remarkable My dear compatriots, freedom, housing, water, sanitation, etc. The victories. Notably: democracy and development are responsibility for that is multiple continual quests. The work begun and shared. It rests with administra- ■■ The preservation of national unity by our elders has not ended. We thus tions that have conceived and imple- and territorial integrity, have many challenges to take up. mented uncoordinated policies and ■■ The reestablishment of peace programmes, without any impact on within the country, and with our the realities and specific needs of this neighbours, Part of a large crowd in Kinshasa, youth. It is also because of them that ■■ National reconciliation, Democratic Republic of the Congo, this 30 qualified young professionals prefer ■■ The installation of multiparty June, celebrating the 50th anniversary of to take their talents abroad rather democracy and trade union the country’s independence. than serve their homeland, making pluralism, our countries nurseries of talent for UN Photo / Evan Schneider the Western countries….

More than in the past, the progress desired by our African youths — that is, our leaders of the future — must be at the heart of our African govern- ment programmes….

For my part, I am convinced that young Africans can change the world, and must change the world…. The youth of Africa have such great needs that their advice and suggestions

August 2010 35 Ending corruption from page 9 Malawi businesses act together GK The financial crisis was a wake-up ince the ouster of Malawi’s long-time autocratic president and the resto- call to many. It has driven home the S ration of multi-party democracy in 1994, various civil society organiza- message that long-term value creation tions and the media have been able to speak out openly about the need to and short-term profit maximization are combat widespread corruption in the country. Both elected presidents since not necessarily the same. The height- then declared the reduction of corruption to be a major goal. Most recently, in ened legal scrutiny, whether it is of tax late 2009, President Bingu wa Mutharika announced a crackdown on corrup- evasion, the abuse of power or corrup- tion within his own ruling party, and the country’s Anti-Corruption Bureau has tion, is most welcome. Having a clean launched investigations of several party leaders and cabinet ministers. finance sector that is not a hand maiden This has created a favourable environment for seeking to engage Malawi’s for the abuse of power is of critical business community more actively in the fight against corruption, Olajobi importance. Makinwa, who heads the UN Global Compact’s anti-corruption work, told Africa Renewal. “In the case of Malawi, anti-corruption action would not have been In looking at anti-corruption AR possible few years ago,” she said. But because the Global Compact could work initiatives in Africa, one often finds with a local group, it was able to make some notable headway. that civil society organizations and the media have played key roles. Do In 2005, the Global Compact’s network in Malawi joined with the African you find that it is easier to engage Institute of Corporate Citizenship to organize a series of business-sponsored companies in countries where there roundtables. This led to a Leaders Forum on Building Alliances to Eliminate already have been open discussions Corruption, wholly funded by the corporate sector but bringing together about corruption? leaders from government (including President Mutharika), private companies, civil society, the media and donor organizations. It created an anti-corrup- GK The notion of transparency and tion task force, which in 2006 developed a Business Code of Conduct for the engagement of different actors is Combating Corruption. very important. The deeper meaning of fighting corruption is transpar- “Wherever we have a space for civil society organization,” explains ency. The more open societies are Ms. Makinwa, “we have been able to build on that space, working with civil and the more information flows are society, the business sector and the government.” supported, the easier it is for this anti- corruption agenda to be taken up.

AR How does the Global Compact’s NEWS anti-corruption agenda relate to its AIDS breakthrough offers hope for vaccine other goals? Scientists at the US government’s use.” The antibodies, discovered in GK Our 10th principle is our most National Institutes of Health (NIH) a single person infected with HIV, fundamental one, because at its core it announced a discovery in early July attach themselves to a vulnerable means good governance at the corpo- that could lead to the world’s first spot on the surface of the virus, rate level. You cannot achieve clean effective vaccine against infection which attacks the body’s natural environmental performance, you by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. defences against infection. The cannot achieve good human rights The researchers reported that they antibodies render HIV harmless, respect if you do not have a clear notion had identified two antibodies — blood and are effective against 91 per cent of transparency and disclosure, and proteins that attack viruses in the of the known strains of the rapidly clear rules of the game under an ethical body — that prevent the virus from mutating virus. framework. It is very fundamental. infecting other cells. Dr. Gary Nabel, the head of the NIH On anti-corruption, I am very opti- Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of research team, cautioned however mistic that a growing number of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy that a vaccine is still years away, if it companies are embracing this agenda. and Infectious Diseases, described proves possible to create at all. “We’re Not because they are worried that they the discoveries as “exciting advances going to be at this for awhile,” he told may be caught and found not to be in that will accelerate our efforts to find The Wall Street Journal newspaper. compliance. But rather because being a preventive HIV vaccine for global “It will require work.” ethical does pay off.

36 August 2010 NEWS Africa Watch

World honours Nelson Mandela

he world marked the first Nelson Mandela T International Day commemoration on 18 July with films, lectures, concerts and charitable activities in dozens of countries and communities. At United Nations head- quarters in New York an audience of about 600 attended a 15 July screening of the documentary Nelson Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation, which was introduced by the producers, Jonathan Demme and Peter Saraf. The following day, the General Assembly devoted an informal meeting to the South African leader. The president of the assembly, Ali Treki, described Mr. Mandela as an “international hero” for his role in ending apartheid. The General Assembly’s decision to establish Nelson Mandela International Day, he said, “is a call to action to make the world a better place, one day at a time.”

In Israel, members of the African community and human and civil rights activists gathered in Tel Aviv for an evening of music, video presentations and speeches, while students and teachers at the Richmond Vale Academy on Nelson Mandela speaking at the UN General Assembly in 1994, the Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines shortly after his historic election as president of South Africa in marked the day with lectures, musical performances, the country’s first democratic and multiracial election. sporting events and community service activities, among UN Photo / E. Sehneide many other commemorative events in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. activities ranged from feeding the homeless to repairing In South Africa, the day was marked by a call for 67 and cleaning schools in poor communities. Mr. Mandela minutes of charitable action for the needy — one minute for was reported to have spent the day, his 92nd birthday, at every year of Mr. Mandela’s service to others. The Nelson his home surrounded by his family and children from his Mandela Foundation (www.nelsonmandela.org) reported that ancestral village.

Crusading journalist killed in car accident

pioneering Cameroonian journalist and media “The African media has lost a truly courageous individual A advocate, Pius Njawé, was killed in an automobile whose bravery in the face of government intimidation accident in the US on 12 July. He was 53 years old. served as an inspiration for other journalists in similar Mr. Njawé was the publisher of Cameroon’s leading circumstances across the continent,” said International independent newspaper, Le Messager, which he founded Press Institute Director David Dadge. The organization in 1979 at age 22, and was a tireless champion of media named him their World Press Freedom Hero in 2000. rights in Africa. Mohamed Keita, the advocacy director for the He was in the US to attend a pro-democracy meeting New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, in Washington, according to press reports. His defence described Mr. Njawé’s death as “a great loss to Cameroon’s of press freedom and resistance to censorship saw him independent press.” The committee awarded Mr. Njawé its arrested dozens of times since he began his career in 1972. International Press Freedom Award in 1991.

August 2010 37 Congo mission gets new name, mandate

he United Nations Organization Mission in the at over 20,000 solders, police and training personnel, not T Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) received counting several thousand civilian staff. Insecurity and a new mandate and a new name from the Security Council attacks on civilians remain common in the eastern part on 1 July. It is now the UN Stabilization Mission in the of the country despite a number of offensives by UN and DRC (MONUSCO), and its mandate emphasizes “stabiliza- government forces. tion and peace consolidation.” The shift, said Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa, Mr. Ban was in the DRC to attend the country’s 50th “recognizes that progress has been made” in the political anniversary of independence from Belgium, and for and security situation in the country more than a decade discussions with Congolese and regional leaders. after the peacekeepers first arrived. “This must be Further troop withdrawals, he pledged, would be done reflected in a strategic change in UN support,” he noted. in close consultation with the DRC government, and conducted “in a way that does not jeopardize the gains the The Security Council decision, coming in late May at Mr. country has made.” In remarks at the unveiling of a plaque Ban’s recommendation, continues to permit the mission honouring the 157 MONUC personnel killed in the field, to use force to protect civilians and UN staff and facili- Mr. Ban affirmed the UN’s commitment to help the ties, but mandates the withdrawal of 2,000 peacekeepers government “build the stability that the country needs from areas where security has improved. MONUSCO’s to realize its great potential.” total authorized strength is comparable to that of MONUC,

Augustine P. Mahiga of Tanzania has been Appointments named by the UN Secretary-General as his special representative for Somalia and The UN Secretary-General has appointed head of the UN Political Office for Somalia Valerie Amos, a national of the UK, as his (UNPOS). Prior to this appointment, Mr. under-secretary-general for humanitarian UN Photo / Joao Castellano Joao / Photo UN Mahiga was Tanzania’s permanent repre- affairs and emergency relief coordinator, sentative to the UN. In that capacity, he was actively involved in succeeding in that post Sir John Holmes.

UN Photo / Mark Garten Mark / Photo UN various UN reform initiatives, as well as in the negotiations that Born in Guyana, Ms. Amos has had a long established the UN Peacebuilding Commission in 2005. In his career, among other positions serving as the UK’s Africa minister new Somalia post, Mr. Mahiga replaces Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah from 2001 to 2003 and as the European Union’s special repre- of Mauritania. sentative to the African Union. Baroness Amos has also been leader of the House of Lords, chair of the UK’s Royal Africa The UN Secretary-General has appointed Society and a secretary of state for international development. Youssef Mahmoud of Tunisia as his In the latter role, she was involved in negotiations on conflict special representative for the UN Mission and post-conflict situations in the Democratic Republic of the in the Central African Republic and Chad Congo, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Liberia and other parts (MINURCAT), effective 1 June 2010. Mr. of the world. At the time of her appointment, she was serving as UN Photo / Jenny Rockett Jenny / Photo UN Mahmoud arrived in Chad in March to head high commissioner to Australia. a UN delegation to discuss with the Chadian government the future of MINURCAT. Prior to this appointment, he served as Tayé-Brook Zerihoun of Ethiopia has been head of the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB). named UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs at the UN in New York, Charles Petrie of the UK and France has replacing Haile Menkerios of South Africa been named the new head of the UN who was reassigned as the top UN official

UN Photo Photo UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB), to in Sudan. Prior to his appointment, Mr. replace Youssef Mahmoud. Mr. Petrie will Zerihoun had a long UN career, working variously on issues such also serve as the UN resident coordinator as decolonization, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. He UN Photo / Evan Schneider Evan / Photo UN and humanitarian coordinator. At the time of was the acting special representative of the UN Mission in Sudan his appointment, Mr. Petrie was the Secretary-General’s deputy (UNMIS) in 2006-2007, and was previously a mediator special representative for Somalia. He has had 20 years of in the Darfur peace talks. experience with the UN, with particular expertise in conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacebuilding and humanitarian and development action.

38 August 2010 9–11 Sept 2010 Lisbon (Portugal) 29 Nov–10 Dec 2010 Mexico City (Mexico) Africa Seventh Iberian Congress of Sixteenth Conference of the : 50 Years of Parties to the UN Framework African Independencies Convention on Climate Change Agenda Contact Inês Galvão, +49 228 815 1000, +49 228 815 +351 217 903 067, +351 217 955 361, 1999, [email protected], vii.congresso.estudos.africanos@gmail. http://unfccc.int/meetings/ 18–20 Aug 2010 Accra (Ghana) com, http://cea.iscte.pt/ciea7/en/index. unfccc_calendar/items/2655. Mediating Democracy in Africa html php?year=2010 Organized biannually and involving distinguished scholars and individuals 20–22 Sept 2010 New York (UN HQ) from Africa and the rest of the world to High-Level Plenary Meeting of examine the impact of the media on the General Assembly democracy. Contact Demay Alarbi, Known as the “MDG Summit,” it will What has +233 303 208185 / 233 20 0723197, focus on accelerating progress towards +233 303 208185, [email protected], the achievement of all the Millennium taken place www.amdmc.org/index.php Development Goals by 2015. http://www.un.org/en/mdg/summit2010 18–23 July 2010 Vienna (Austria) 18–21 Aug 2010 Lome (Togo) XVIII International AIDS Biodiversity Forum 27–30 Sept 2010 Cape Town (South Africa) Conference. Organized by the Alliance nationale des Africa Energy Week One of the largest gatherings on consommateur et de l’environment–Togo. Africa’s largest gathering of governments, the topic, with an estimated 20,000 Contact Fabrice Ebeh, NGOs and corporate investors on energy, participants from more than 185 countries. +228 2513415 / 2513416, +228 combined with an international exhibition, 2513576, [email protected], strategic oil and gas conference and envi- +41 22 710 0899, +41 22 710 www.ancetogo.org ronmental forum. Contact Shaun Quinn, 0899, [email protected], +44 207 9780 000, +44 207 9780 www.aids2010.org 2–4 Sept 2010 Accra (Ghana) 099, [email protected], Africa’s Green Revolution: www.cwcaew.com 19–27 July 2010 (Uganda) Investing in African Agriculture 15th African Union Summit Organized by the African Green Revolution 4–6 Oct 2010 Washington DC (USA) On the theme of “Maternal, Infant Forum and bringing together African heads US-Africa Private Sector Health and Child Health and Development of state, ministers, farmers, private Forum in Africa”. Contact Rahel Akalewold, agribusiness firms, financial institutions, Organized by the Corporate Council on +251 11 551 4555, +251 1 511 NGOs, civil society and scientists. Contact Africa. Contact Elizabeth Bachini or 299, [email protected], Suzanne O’Leary, Emmanuel Nouga, www.africa-union.org +1 303 996 8984, +1 303 415 3650, +1 202 835 1115, +1 202 835 1117, [email protected], http:// [email protected], http://www. agrforum.com/about africacncl.org

Decentralization in Uganda: Explaining African Crises and Social Protest, eds. Africa Successes and Failures in Local Patrick Bond, Eunice Sahle, Khadija Sharife Governance by Gina M.S. Lambright (Lynne and Jessie Lazar (Pambazuka Press, Oxford, Reinner, Boulder, USA, 2010; 300 pp; hb UK, 2010; 150 pp; pb £12.95) Books $69.95) The Curse of Berlin: Africa after the Africa’s World War: Congo, the Cold War by Adekeye Adebajo (Columbia Rwandan Genocide and the Making University Press, New York, USA, 2010; New Narratives of Women, Security of a Continental Catastrophe by 384 pp; hb $50) and Governance in Africa, eds. Awino Gerard Prunier (Oxford University Press, Frontières, espaces de développe- Okech and ‘Funmi Olonisakin (Pambazuka Northhampshire, UK, 2010; 576 pp; hb $27.95) ment partagé by John O. Igue and Kossiwa Press, Oxford, UK, 2010; 240 pp; pb £16.95) Trustee for the Human Community: Zinsou-Klassou (Karthala, Paris, France, 2010; La résolution des conflits frontaliers Ralph J. Bunche, the UN and the 216 pp; pb €22) en Afrique by Abakar Tollimi (L’Harmattan, Decolonization of Africa, eds. Robert A. The Lord’s Resistance Army: Myth and Paris, France, 2010; 250 pp; pb €23) Hill and Edmond J. Keller (Ohio University Reality by Tim Allen and Koen Vlassenroot Climate Wars: the Fight for Survival Press, Athens, USA, 2010; 264 pp; hb $59.95) (Zed Books, , UK, 2010; as the World Overheats by Gwynne Dyer Encyclopedia of Africa, eds. Henry Louis 288 pp; hb £70) (Oneworld Publications, London, UK, 2010; Gates, Jr. and Kwame Anthony Appiah (Oxford Démocratie et développement au 288 pp; pb £12.99) University Press, New York, USA, 2010; 1,184 Congo-Kinshasa by Dieudonné Kaluba Borders and Borderlands as Resources pp; hb £175) Dibwa (L’Harmattan, Paris, France, 2010; 178 in the Horn of Africa, eds. Dereje Feyissa Disarming the Past: Transitional Justice pp; pb €18) and Markus Virgil Hoehne (James Currey, and Ex-Combatants, eds. Anna Cutter After the Comprehensive Peace Abingdon, UK, 2010; 224 pp; hb $90) Patel, Pablo de Greiff and Lars Waldorf (Social Agreement in Sudan, ed. Elke Grawert Les stratégies de lutte contre la Science Research Council, New York, USA, (James Currey, Abingdon, UK, 2010; pauvreté en Afrique subsaharienne : de 2010; 288 pp; hb $30) 288 pp; hb $75) l’échec des politiques néolibérales aux Logiques paysannes et espaces Echanges et réseaux marchands alternatives potentielles by Jebril Ould agraires en Afrique by Koffi Atta and Pierre en Afrique by Tijani A. Malam Moussa, Mahmoud (L’Harmattan, Paris, France, 2010; T. Zoungrana (Karthala, Paris, France, 2010; Bio Goura Soule and Alix Servais Afouda 332 pp; €29.50) 384 pp; pb €29) (Karthala, Paris, France, 2010; 204 pp; pb €22) August 2010 39 Introducing ONLINE

www.un.org/AfricaRenewal

facebook.com/africarenewal twitter.com/africarenewal Courtesy of Apple of Courtesy

Your one-stop source for news and information about Africa and the UN

Africa is changing and so is Africa Renewal, with a new website, new features and a new commitment to supporting the partnership between Africa and the United Nations.

Africa Renewal Online. It’s a new Africa. It’s a new Africa Renewal.