Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
VOLUME 6 - ISSUE 5 NOV / DEC 2017
SPECIAL SUMMIT ISSUE
Africa-Europe relations: Time to reboot
Ensuring a more effective and beneficial cooperation René N’Guettia Kouassi, Director of Economic Affairs, African Union Commission
From walls to calls: Africa and Europe can shape the future Carlos Lopes, Professor, University of Cape Town
Breaking the silence and the vested interests Geert Laporte, Deputy Director, ECDPM
‘Africa rising’ means taking ownership of its knowledge production Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive, SAIIA
EditorialAt the end of November, African and European Heads of State will meet for their 5th Summit since 2000.
The Europe-Africa relationship has not always been a good news story. The current partnerships, such as the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, are no longer able to generate major interest and excitement. Step by step, the grand ambitions and aspirations seem to be replaced by short-term crisis management and growing indifference. Undigested history, structural dependency and vested interests still play a major role in the troubled relationship. Clearly, the recipes of the past no longer work.
To rebuild mutual trust, both Europe and Africa will have to design new and more effective types of partnerships and shake off past habits and practices. Both continents urgently need to find credible alternatives to the increasingly contested actions of China and a growing group of new partners that take a strong interest in Africa. At least on paper, the potential for strong mutual interests and shared global agendas between Europe and Africa has never been more promising than today. Both continents are ‘condemned’ to step up their cooperation in various domains.
Against this background, ECDPM invited a mix of authors - mainly African - with different areas of expertise to write up their perspectives on the evolving partnership. We are happy to present a variety of contributions, each touching upon one or more key burning issues. They focus on the overall state of the partnership, the shared values that are sometimes applied in an inconsistent manner, the complex peace and security and migration agendas, knowledge production, structural economic transformation and the Economic Partnership Agreements, the increasing use of innovative technologies to empower African societies, and the young generations as committed promoters of change.
The contributions are written by (former) officials, representatives from the private sector, civil society and think tanks, academia, journalists and young innovators. Some of the African authors are particularly critical about the partnership with the EU, while others are more moderate. Beyond the façade of the formal partnership with its multitude of official programmes, institutions and meetings, the various articles help to discover another Africa and another Europe with confident, mostly young generations that are showing their creative and innovative force. All contributors have one thing in common: they want to break with the stereotypes and habits of the past and change the course of action in the Europe-Africa relationship!
We hope that you will enjoy reading these contributions in our newly designed magazine.
Guest editorGeert Laporte, Deputy Director ECDPM
ECDPM’s Great Insights magazine offers a quick and accessible summary of cutting-edge analysis on international cooperation and Europe-Africa relations. It includes an independent overview of analysis and commentary from a wide variety of experts and high-level officials and provides updates on policy debates in Africa and Europe.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of individual authors.
Publisher ECDPMExecutive editor Virginia MucchiGuest editor Geert LaporteEditorial and production assistance Annette Powell, Nina Thijssen, Jacquie Dias, Inna Perova and Sabine MertensWeb editors Jacquie Dias and Jacques van Laar
Cover ECDPM’s multinational staff (from left to right: Karim Karaki, Philomena Apiko, Sophie Desmidt and Noemi Cascone), in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Photo by Yaseena Chiu-van ’t Hoff
Art Direction and design of cover and layout Yaseena Chiu-van ‘t HoffDesign, layout and production Claudia Backes
Head officeOnze Lieve Vrouweplein 216211 HE Maastricht The Netherlands Tel +31 (0)43 350 29 00Fax +31 (0)43 350 29 02
Brussels officeRue Archimède 51000 Brussels Belgium Tel +32 (0)2 237 43 10Fax +32 (0)2 237 43 19
ISSN: 2215-0593 (print) 2213-0063 (online)
For further information or to subscribe to our E-newsletters, visit www.ecdpm.org/subscribe. To order a hard copy of an ECDPM publication,please email [email protected]
In addition to structural support by ECDPM’s institutional partners: The Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and Austria, this publication also benefits from funding by UK Aid from the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom.
Copyright: Prior permission is not required for quoting, translating or reproducing part of thecontents of this publication, provided the source is fully acknowledged.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 3
2 Editorial
4 Ensuringamoreeffectiveand beneficialcooperation René N’Guettia Kouassi, Director of Economic Affairs, African Union Commission
11 Fromwallstocalls:AfricaandEuropecan shapethefuture Carlos Lopes, Professor, University of Cape Town
13 Breakingthesilenceandthevested interests Geert Laporte, Deputy Director, ECDPM
17 'Africarising'meanstakingownershipof itsknowledgeproduction Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive, South African Institute of International Affairs, SAIIA
20 Adialogueofthedeaf? Uzo Madu, Founder of 'What's in it for Africa'
24 TheracetoclosethegatewaytoEurope Tasnim Abderrahim, Junior Programme Officer, ECDPM
27 Radicalinnovationormuddlingthrough? Stefan Schepers, Secretary General of the independent High Level Group on Innovation Policy Management
30 Sharedvalues?Maybe.Buthoweffective arethey? Léonard Matala-Tala,Associate Professor in Public Law, ISAM-IAE Nancy
33 Theworldischanging:therelationshipneeds changingtoo. Jessica Ilunga, External Affairs Consultant, London School of Economics and Political Science
36 Technologytoempowersociety:The BarefootLawexperience Gerald Abila, Founder of BarefootLaw
39 TheAU-EUpartnershipforpeaceand security Tim Murithi, Head of Programme, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Cape Town
41 HowtorenewtheEU-Africapartnership throughtranscontinentalyouthnetworks Yentyl Williams, President and Founder of the Africa Caribbean and Pacific Young Professionals Network, and Celine Fabrequette, Secretary General of the ACP YPN
43 OurBlogs
Contents
AfricanmarketPhoto:CarmenTorres,ECDPM
NurseslistenduringatrainingprogrammePhoto:DominicChavez/WorldBank
4 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
Ensuring a more effective and beneficial cooperation
AprimaryschoolinKampala,Uganda.Photo:ArneHoel/WorldBank
Europe’s relationship with Africa has been governed by a number of international agreements. In the lead-up to the 5th African Union–European Union Summit in Abidjan at the end of November 2017, many questions arise. Have these agreements delivered the expected results? What should be done to build a mutually beneficial partnership?
ByRenéN’GuettiaKouassi
Great Insights | November/December 2017 5
InparallelthereisalsotheJointAfrica-EUStrategy(JAES)thatwasadoptedin2007attheLisbonSummit.Whatlessonshavewelearnedforthefuture?ThesearejustsomeofthequestionsthatdeserveclearanswerstorestorethecredibilityofthecooperationbetweentheAfricanUnion(AU)andtheEuropeanUnion(EU).
BreakingwithatwoheadedforeignpolicyEuropefacesnumerousinternalchallenges,fromeconomicstosecurityandmigration.Itsexternalactionisalsoconfrontedwithmanychallenges
TodaytheEuropeanUnionhasatwo-headedforeignpolicywhenitcomestoAfrica:atotaloftwenty-eight(soontwenty-sevenwithBrexit)bilateralpoliciesandaCommunitypolicyskilfullyoverseenbytheEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanExternalActionService(EEAS).
Inmostcases,however,thesepoliciesoverlapandevenclash,ratherthanharmoniouslycoexist.Theresultisthatwhereasingleissueisconcerned,Africareceivestwoormoredifferent,andsometimescontradictory,messages.TheEuropeanUnionneedstocoordinateandharmoniseitsmanypoliciesupstream(inEurope)beforepresentingthemdownstream(inAfrica).ThiswillhelppreventtheduplicationsandcontradictionsthathaveunderminedtheimageAfricanpopulationshaveofEurope.
FreeingourselvesfromthestereotypesofthepastEuropecontinuestotreatAfricaasacontinentonthebrinkofmaturity.ThemostrecentexamplewasEurope’sadoptionoftheExternalInvestmentPlan(EIP)forAfricawithoutanypriorseriousdiscussionwithAfricans.EuropebehaveslikeanarchitectwhohasdecidedtodesignahouseforAfrica.Althoughtheinitiativeiscertainlylaudable,Africansthemselveswerenotinformeduntilthearchitect,agoodSamaritanoraphilanthropist,knockedatthedoorwithtoolsandequipmentreadytogettowork.AnAfricanproverbsays'thosewhodon’t
sleepinahousedon’tknowwhereitleakswhenitrains'.Itshouldcomeasnosurprisethen,thatthefruit-to-flowerratioisoftendisappointing.SeeingAfricaasamaturecontinentandburyingthestereotypesofitspastwithEuropemustbeattheveryheartofEurope’snewapproachtoAfrica
StoppingthecycleofreinvestingundisbursedfundingTheEuropeanUnion’sefforttohelpAfricaoutofpovertyandmiseryarerecognisedbyall.ButthisunanimityquicklyevaporateswhenitcomestoperceptionsovertheeffectivenessofEurope’spoliciesvis-à-visAfricaandtheallocationandmanagementoffinancialenvelopes.TheRegionalandNationalIndicativeProgrammes(RIPsandNIPs),amongothers,aredisbursedataslowrateandAfricansfindthisdifficulttounderstand.Asaresult,awholeseriesofunusedenvelopesarepermanently'recycled',givingtheimpressionofacontinuouslyrenewedEuropeancommitmenttoAfrica.TheextremesluggishnessandcomplexityofdisbursementsfuelbeliefthatEurope’saidisdeliberatelyinefficientforonesimplereason:tocontrolAfrica’sdevelopmentlikeonemightcontrolthegrowthofayoungplant(usingprecisedosagesofwaterandfertilisation),topreventthebirthofaneconomicandpoliticalentitywhichtomorrowcouldbecomeaformidablecompetitororadversary.
AdaptingcooperationgovernancetoAfricanrealitiesThefirstAU-EUSummitinCairoin2000rejuvenatedrelationsbetweentheAfricanUnionandtheEuropeanUnionthroughtheadoptionofnewattitudesandtheestablishmentofanappropriategovernanceframework.Consequently,SeniorOfficials’MeetingsandMinisterialmeetingswereorganisedinbetweensummits.Theseframeworksallowedtheparticipantsofbothcontinentstobreathenewlifeintotheircooperationefforts.Today,inbetweentwosummits,nootherjointhavemet.
TheJointTaskForcewhichwasestablishedafterthe2007LisbonSummitisinpoorshape.TheCommission-to-Commissionmeeting,whichwassupposedtokeeptheflameofcooperationalive,isalsonotdoingverywell.TheEconomicForumsupposedlyreplacingtheTaskForcehasyettoholditsfirstmeeting.Inshort,unilateralchangesinthegovernancestructuresimposedbytheEUtoreflectthedevelopmentofitsowninternalinstitutionalapparatus,withoutpriorconsultationwithAfricancounterparts,havelefttheAU-EUcooperationlookingtiredandoutdated.
TorevitalisetheEurope-Africacooperationthereisaneedforamutuallyagreedgovernancestructure,onewhichmeetsthe
An African proverb says 'those who
don’t sleep in a house don’t know
where it leaks when it rains'.
6 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
demandsofthemodernworld.SuchagovernancestructureshouldboostAU–EUrelationsbyorganisingamoreregularhigh-levelpoliticaldialoguebetweenbothparties.
IncreasingEuropeaninvestmentinproductiveAfricansectorsTobridgethegrowingdividebetweenAfricaandEurope,Africaneedstostructurallytransformitseconomies.Inthisprocess,theEUcouldencourageEuropeansmallandmediumsizeenterprises(SMEs)toinvestinAfrica,beitthroughdirectinvestment,portfolioinvestment,capitalinvestmentorothertypesofinnovativefinancialinjections.TheseSMEscouldhaveaclearandmeasurableimpactonthelivingstandardsofAfricanandEuropeanpopulations.ItishightimethatEuropeanandothereconomicoperatorsstopseeingAfricaasahigh-riskcontinenttoinvestin.Africashouldnolongerbeseenmerelyasacontinentforshort-terminvestmentandfloatingcapitalsthatcanbeeasilyrepatriatedattheslightestindicationofinstability.SupportfortheimplementationofAfrica’sintegrationinitiativesshouldalsobeattheveryheartofanewtypeofEuropeancooperationwithAfrica.InvestinginAfrica’sdevelopmentmeanshelpingAfricanpopulationsoutofpovertyandmisery,therebyshieldingthemfromtribalandethnocentricinclinations,whichcanpotentiallyresultinallkindsofinstability.TherecentGermanMarshallPlanforAfricaisastepintherightdirection.Toensuregreaterimpact,itshouldalsobesupportedbyGermanSMEs.
TodayEuroperemainscloselyconnectedwithAfricaduetoculturalandlinguisticaffinities,nottomentionthegeographicalproximitybetweenthetwocontinents( just12kilometresseparatesthem).ThosewiththelargestamountsofresourcesineveryrespecthaveamoralobligationtosupportAfricaasittransformsitselfeconomicallyandpolitically.EuropeanattemptstohelpAfricaachievewealthwillalsogeneratesolutionstotheacuteeconomicandsocialcrisisthatEuropenowfaces.InvestingheavilyinprojectswithhighaddedvalueshouldtodaybetheforemostaxeofEuropeancooperation.Thiswillultimatelycontributetoawin-winsituationforthepeopleofbothcontinents.
ClarifyingcoexistingAU–EUandACP–EUpoliciesAU–EUinteractionsinvolvethewholeofAfrica,whileACP–EUinteractionsconcernonlysub-SaharanAfricawithouttheMaghrebregion.TheEUisconnectedtoSouthAfricaandtheMaghreb,throughspecificcooperationframeworks.Inreality,thisfragmentedEuropeanapproachhasbeendetrimentaltotheeffectivenessandharmonyoftheJAES.Atthesametime,implementationoftheACP-EUCotonouAgreementhasbeenstructurallyhamperedforadiversityofreasons.Whatshouldbedone?ShouldtheJAESandCotonouinstrumentsbestreamlinedbyabolishingoneinfavouroftheother?TheJointStrategyisbuiltonthecardinalprincipleoftreatingAfricaasasingleentity.IsthisprinciplenotaninvitationtosacrificeACP–EUonthealtarinfavourofjustonecooperationframeworkwithAfricaasawhole?WhatpricewouldAfricahavetopayifthishappened?IsthecostofthedivorcebetweenCotonouandJAESthatisthedeterrent?Shouldwestayinabadmarriagesimplytoavoidpayingthisprice?Inanyevent,thisisamajorconcernthatwillhavetobeaddressedintheongoingnegotiationsonthefutureoftheCotonouAgreementafter2020.Asingleinstrument,nottwo,wouldhavetheadvantageofbringinggreaterharmony,efficiency,visibilityandmomentumtoAU–EUcooperation,enablingittocapitaliseonitsmassivepotential.
Africa:acontinentstrugglingtotransformitself?Today,arecurrentthemeinthediscourseofmostAfricanpoliticalleadersandeveneconomicdecisionmakersatthenational,regionalandcontinentallevelistheissueof'structuraltransformationofAfrica'withallthechallengesanddifficultiesinvolved.
First,thereisawidespreadconsensusthatagricultureinAfricahasfailed.Insomepartsofthecontinent,agriculturestillcannotperformitsprimaryfunction,whichistoprovidetheAfricanpopulationwithanadequatesupplyoffood,therebyshieldingitfrommalnutritionandstructuralandendemicfamine.Today,Africaimportsmassiveamountsoffoodtomeetitsdietaryneeds.Thisnotonlyputsastrainonitsbalanceofpaymentsbutalsoincreasesitsfooddependence. Second,itshouldbenotedthatindustrialisationinAfricaappearstobeatastandstilldespitetheadoptionofmanyindustrialpoliciesandstrategiessincethe1960s.Whilethestructuraltransformationisunderway,itisbypassingthesecondarysectoroftheeconomy.Africanpopulationsareabandoningruralareas,despitetheunderdevelopmentofagriculture,tomoveintothetertiarysector.Cutbacksinstatestructuresandtheirpersonnel,undertheaegisoftheBrettonWoodsinstitutions,havebeenattheexpenseofindustry.Formeremployeesofthestate-controlledcompaniesandfromthepublicadministration,maderedundantasaresultofdrasticbudgetcuts,havebloatedtheformalandinformaltertiary
To revitalise the Europe-Africa
cooperation there is a need for
a mutually agreed governance
structure, one which meets the
demands of the modern world.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 7
sectors.TheindustrialsectorinAfricahasbeenneglectedasaconsequence. Third,Africastilllackseconomicandpoliticalintegration.Multipleinitiativeshavebeentakentofindwaystomakeitwork.Yet,thevolumeofintra-Africantraderemainsnegligible.Thecontinentisdevelopingitstraderelationswiththerestoftheworld.Likewise,Africansstilldonothavetherightoffreemovementwithintheirowncontinent.CreationofasingleAfricancurrencyisaseeminglyimpossibletask,despiteitbeingenshrinedinArticle19oftheConstitutiveActoftheAfricanUnion.Thecontinentisstillstrugglingtostandardiseitsstatisticalresources.Nationalfigurescannotbecomparedacrosscountriesduetoalackofcapacityandproblemsemanatingfrompoorinfrastructureandadearthofadequate,sustainablefundingforstatisticalorganisations.Africaalsosuffersfromalackofintegrationofitsinfrastructures.Whileitaboundsinenergysourcesofeverykind,over70percentofitspopulationlanguishesinthedark.PowercutsareeverydayoccurrencesinnearlyeverycountryinAfrica.Theseareastructuralbarriertothedevelopmentofbusinessandtoemergingindustriesandstart-ups.Althoughcapableofprovidingsufficientsustainableenergytoalargenumberofcountries,theGrandIngahydropowerprojecthasyettobecompletedforexample. Fourth,Africaisgettingnowherefastintermsofgovernanceinthebroadestsenseoftheterm.IthasratifiedtheAfricanCharteronDemocracy,ElectionsandGovernance,whichenteredintoforceon15February2012.Leadershipchangesareoftenpainfulandsometimesbloody,andtheoldhabitofamendingstates’constitutionsdieshard.Goodeconomicgovernanceatboththemicro(household)andthemacro(government)levelisprovingdifficulttoestablish. Fifth, itisnoexaggerationtosaythatAfricanschoolshavemissedtheirmark.Afterseveraldecadesofautonomyineducationandtraining,schoolshavebecomefactoriesforproducingunemployedjob-seekers.ThescientificandtechnologicalgapbetweenAfricaandthedevelopedworldisgrowingatanalarmingrate.Consequently,Africaisshortonskillstosupportcorporategrowth,whileatthesametimethereismassunemploymentamongyoungpeopleleavinguniversitiesandschools. Sixth,Africaisboggeddowninamultiplicityofpartnershipswithoutanoptimalstrategyforcapitalisingonanyofthese.Thevariouspartnershipsarequitesimilarinformandcontent,coveringsimilarareasofjointinterests.Therathersmalldifferencesmainlyrelatetofundingandimplementationmechanisms.Ultimately,however,noneofthesepartnershipshavehadmuchimpact.Muchadoaboutveryfew,ifnoresultsatall.
Itisaself-evidenttruththattheEUremainsAfrica’sleadingeconomicpartnerdespiteAfrica’sstrengthenedrelationshipwithChina.HowcanAfricamakethemostofitscooperationwithEurope?Severalavenuescouldbeexploredtoanswerthisimportantquestion.
Thedynamicsofintegration,alifelineforAfrica’spartnershipwithEuropeAfricamustspeakwithonevoicewhennegotiatingwithEurope.Theattitudeofeachactorseekingtogetthebestdealisoutdated.Indeed,eachcountryhasassesseditsrelationswiththeEUthroughitsownideologicallensandonthebasisofitsowncomparative,andeventechnological,advantages.Themostpowerfulcountrieshavealwaystakenituponthemselvestosteercooperationinthedirectionoftheirownideologicalviewsandtheneedsoftheireconomies.ThissituationhasunderminedacoherentcontinentalcooperationbetweenAfricaandEurope.Toreversethiscounterproductivetrend,itisimperativethatallAfricanactorscoordinateandharmoniseupstream(inAfrica)theirvisions,programmesandapproachesinaspiritofAfricanunityandsolidarity.Consequently,theindividualAfricancountries,theRegionalEconomicCommunities(RECs),theAUandallAUbodies,theAfricanDevelopmentBankandtheUnitedNationsEconomicCommissionforAfrica(UNECA)havetoformacommonfrontinnegotiationswithEuropeanpartners.ThisisvitalifAfricawantsitsvoicetobeheardandrespected.
BreakingfromitspastwithEuropewithdignityandresponsibilityAlthoughAfricahassufferedthedoubleblowofslaveryandcolonisation,itmustbreakwiththispainfulhistoryandfocusonitseconomicemancipation.Inotherwords,thepastshouldnolongerbeamillstonearoundtheAfricanneck.Otherregionsintheworldhaveovercomeasimilarpainfulpastandseizedtheopportunitiesforgrowthanddevelopment.WhyshouldAfricanotdothesame?Africamustmoderniseitspoliticaldiscourse,drawingonthevirtuesofthemodernage.IthastolookatEuropeasacrediblepartnerthatcansupportAfricainitsdevelopmentprocess.Towinthebattleofeconomicand
It is imperative that all African actors
coordinate and harmonise upstream
(in Africa) their visions, programmes
and approaches in a spirit of African
unity and solidarity
8 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
socialemancipation,Africamustmoderniseitspoliticaldiscourseandengageitsyouthinathirdindustrialrevolutionpoweredbynewinformationandcommunicationtechnologies.LookingatEuropedifferentlycouldhelptoestablishanewrelationshipoftrustthatcouldstrengthencooperationandmakeitmutuallybeneficial.
SteppinguppoliticalintegrationPromotingstatesovereigntyhasnotcontributedtotheriseofanAfricamarchingtothesametune.Instead,thecacophonythathasemergedhasincreaseddivisions,isolationismandnationalism.InnegotiationswithEuropeanpartners,eachAfricancountryorregionhasbeenseekingtodefendonlyitsownnationalorregionalinterests.
ThisindividualistictendencyexplainsinparttheinefficiencyofcooperationwithEurope,asithaskeptAfricafrompresentingacommonfrontandunderminedAfrica’sclout.Furthermore,ithasmadeithardforAfricatobuildrespect,tocompelEuropetofulfilitsobligationsandtosteerthedialoguewithEuropeinAfrica’sfavour.ThefacethatAfricahasshowntoEuropeisoneofacontinentthatcanbeeasilymanipulated;ofanAfricain
whichcountriescaneasilybeplayedoffagainstoneanother;ofanAfricainwhichdivisionistheruleandunitytheexception.InresponsetothemanyappealstotreatAfricaasasingleentity,notaoneinitiativehasbeentakenontheAfricansidetocallforaharmonisationoftheEuropeancooperationinstruments.Onthecontrary,eachinstitutionhasdefendedjealouslytheexistingstructuresattheexpenseofAfricanintegrationandofthecoherenceofEurope’sexternalaction.
ThePermanentRepresentativesCommittee(PRC)andtheGroupofACPAmbassadorsinBrussels:clarifyingrelationshipstoboostAU–EUcooperationThePermanentRepresentativesCommittee(PRC)isoneoftheconstituentbodiesoftheAU.Inalmostallcases,thediplomatsappointedtoitareaccreditedtotheAUCommission,UNECAandtheFederalRepublicofEthiopia.TheAfricanAmbassadorsinBrusselsareaccreditedtotheACPGroup,theEUCommissionandtheKingdomofBelgium.ThePRCandtheACPCommitteeofAmbassadorshavetwodifferentmandates.AsanAUbody,thePRCreportstotheAUExecutiveCouncilwhich,inturn,answerstotheAssemblyofHeadsofStateandGovernment,whichistheAU’shighestauthority.Thisclarificationoffunctionsisimportant
Africa must modernise
its political discourse
and engage its youth
in a third industrial
revolution powered
by new information
and communication
technologies
KwesiQuartey,theAUdeputyChairperson(left)andGeertLaporte,ECDPM'sDeputyDirector(right)withtheauthor.atameetinginBrussels,Belgium.Photo:ECDPM
Great Insights | November/December 2017 9
ifwearetobetterunderstandtheroleofthesetwoentitiesinthegovernanceofAU–EUrelations.Intheexecutionofitsmandate,thePRCoverseesandcoordinatesontheAUExecutiveBoard’sbehalfthemanagementofallthepartnershipsofAfricawiththerestoftheworld,including,ofcourse,itscooperationwiththeEU.Ontheotherhand,theGroupofACPAmbassadorsinBrussels,owingtoitsgeographicallocationintheheartoftheEU,believesthatithasanaturalrighttooverseethegovernanceofAU–EUrelations,aswellasACP–EUcooperation.
Asaresult,theBrussels-basedACPinstitutionsbelievetheyhaveasayon,andevenarightofscrutinywithrespectto,anyundertakingsthatAddisAbabamightinitiatewiththeEU.ThisconfusionisexacerbatedbythefactthatEUbodies(theEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanExternalActionService)seeminclinedtofavourtheACPCommitteeofAmbassadorsinBrusselswhenitcomestonegotiatingwithAfricaonissuesrelatedtothefutureofbothcontinents.TheongoingnegotiationsonthefutureoftheCotonouagreementsisacaseinpoint.Thereiseveryreasontobelievethatthedebateonthesubjectisbeing“heldhostage”inBrusselswhiletheAUinstitutions,includingthePRCandtheAUCommissioninparticularareexcludedfromthenegotiations.
TheACPSecretariatinBrusselsisnotaccountabletoanypoliticalauthorityinAfrica.AlltheAfricancountriesparticipatingintheCotonouAgreementaremembersoftheAU,whichshouldrequirethemtoreceivetheirmandatesfromthegoverningbodiesoftheAU.Instead,quitetheoppositeishappening.
ThisproblemneedstobesolvedtokeeptheBrusselsACPgroupfromunilaterallyadoptingpoliciesthatmaybeatoddswithAfrica’saspirationsassetoutinsuchkeyinitiativesastheAbujaTreatyandtheAgenda2063.TheACPSecretariatshouldofcourse,receiveitsmandatefromandbedulyaccountableto,thedecision-makingbodiesoftheAU.TheseexamplescallforaclarificationoftheworkingrelationsbetweenBrusselsandAddisAbaba.Thisisan
essentialconditiontostopsendingconfusingmessagesandtofurtherboostAU–EUcooperation.
Conclusion:weneedtoensurethatcooperationcontributestoasharedfutureprosperityTheprinciplesofmutualrespect,jointresponsibilityandasharedvisionwithregardtothegovernanceofinternationalpublicgoodsmustalwaysguidethecooperationbetweenAfricaandEurope.NosubjectcanbetaboointhecontextofAU–EUrelations.Allissuesmustbedealtwithfrankly,intotaltransparencyandwithoutulteriormotives.Asthesayinggoes,'friendshipthrivesontruth'.
Yesterday,EuropeknewwhatitwasdoinginAfrica.Today,itknowswhatitisdoinginAfrica.AnditalreadyknowswhatitwillbedoinginAfricatomorrow.Africa,however,isdividedanditisstillmiredinendlessquestionsaboutthetypeofpartnershipitwouldliketohavewithEurope.Thethemeofthe5thAU-EUSummitisoneofmajorimportancetobothcontinents:investinginyoungpeopletoaccelerateinclusivegrowthandsustainabledevelopment.Solutionstothisseriousproblemarecrucialforbothparties,asthevastmajorityofyoungpeopleinAfricaandalargenumberinEuropearecaughtinatrapofmassunemploymentforwhichtheconsequencesareindescribable.TheAUandtheEUcanbecomepartofadynamicsharedfuturebyofferingtheiryouthauniquemodelofsharedvaluessuchaspeace,respectforhumanrightsandfreedomofexpression.ThesummitinAbidjanmustplanttheseedsofthisnewtypeofpartnership.
ThelongerversionofthistexthasalsobeenpublishedinFrenchandisavailableat:www.ecdpm.org/bn96fr
AbouttheauthorDrRenéN’GuettiaKouassiisDirectorofEconomicAffairsattheAfricanUnionCommission.
There is every reason to believe that
the debate on the subject is being
'held hostage'...
10 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
For weekly updates on EU-Africa relations,
subscribe to our newsletter!
Go to www.ecdpm.org/subscribe
ECDPM’sWeeklyCompassisarichsourceofinformationforbusypolicymakers,analysts,activistsandtheprivatesector.
EveryTuesday,ournewsletterbringsyouthelatestupdatesonEU-Africarelationsandinternationalcooperation.YouwillalsobekeptuptodatewithECPDM’slatestpublicationsandeventsandreadbehind-the-scenesanalysisfromourexpertsonmigration,peaceandsecurity,Europeanexternalaffairs,Africaninstitutions,foodsecurity,trade,financeandinvestment,regionalintegration,theprivatesectorandmigration.
On Friday 24 November, the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), will organise a side event in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in the margins of the 5th Africa-EU Summit of 29 and 30 November. The aim of this event is:• TomakeastateofaffairsoftheJointAfrica-EU
Strategy(JAES);• To identify challenges and future perspectives
for the Africa-Europe partnership also in the light of the upcoming negotiations for a Post CotonouACP-EUAgreementin2020;
• To facilitate a reciprocal political dialogue and to foster a deeper understanding of European and African perspectives on the key issues of strategicinterestinthepartnership;
• To establish links between the Europe-Africa partnership with the global agendas and cooperation frameworks, including Agenda 2030 with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The seminar will bring together representatives from the African Union Commission, the European Union, Governments, international and regional organizations, the diplomatic community as well as international, regional and national scholars and think-thanks, business leaders, private sector representatives, civil society, media and journalists.
The Africa-EU cooperation:
Achievements, challenges and future perspectives24 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Great Insights | November/December 2017 11
Walls make a lot of headlines these days. So do sea crossings. Walls signify a desire to exercise sovereign control at a time when we are experiencing an erosion of borders and enhanced human mobility. Sea crossings are a revisit of desperation routes used by those who have nothing to lose but believe they have a lot to gain. In both cases there is drama, emotions and fear.
FROM WALLS TO CALLS: AFRICA AND EUROPE CAN
Severalpoliticalactorsattempttoputonabravefaceanddefendtheindefensible.Rationalexplanationsvaguelyassociatedwithrealfactsservetostiffenpositionsonnationalthreats,securityconcernsandeconomicvulnerability.PoliticaldebatesinEuropeareincreasinglyfocusingonthestrengthofpopulistproposalsandtheappealoffakenewsbasedonfear.
Africa,alreadyseenfromanegativelens,isbroadlyperceivedasanissue,evenbythemostprogressiveandwell-intendedminds.ItisasifthecontinentnexttoEurope-andsointrinsicallylinkedtoitshistory-wassuddenlyseenfromadifferentlens,thedemographicbulgelens,sooverwhelmingandcatastrophic.Populistsfearmigration;othersfearthelackofgoodgovernanceorrespectforhumanrightsandruleoflaw,pre-conditionsformodernity.TheyfeelinsecurewithoutitbeingthereinAfrica,andhidethesamefearunderpatronisingattitudes.
OnesolutionforaddressingthiscomplexitycouldbetofinallyensureAfrica’sgrowthanddevelopment.Manyblueprintsaredrafted,refreshingthedevelopmentindustrypreferences,
withthebestofintentions.Newjargonisintroducedandanewuniversalframeworkisnowavailable.Ifaccepteditcouldfloodtheneedycountrieswithnewinvestmentsandopportunities;whichinturnwillgoalongwaytoarrestthefloodsofincreasinglyyoungmigrantslookingforLampedusa.
Thisnarrativeissodated.But,theproblemwithdatednarrativesisthattheyarepartlytrue.
LeadersfromEuropeandAfricawillmeetinAbidjanforanotherSummitbetweenthetwocontinentalneighbours.Thehigh-levelrepresentationfromEuropewillbelessthantheattainedinthepreviousSummitinBrussels,in2015.ThistimesomeAfricanleaders,uninvitedinBrussels,mayfindaslotfortheirjetsatFelixHouphouëtBoignyAirport.Themediamaycapturethesegimmicksasthenewsworthypartofthegathering.Thedatednarrativewillcontenttherest.Thatwouldbeapity.,astheAbidjanSummitshouldbeaboutsomethingelse.
WhenJean-JacquesRousseauwrotethesocialcontract255yearsago,hecalledforintergenerationalsolidarity.Hiscallwas
ByCarlosLopes
WoodenRefugeeBoat.Photo:[email protected]
SHAPE THE FUTURE
12 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
fornothinglessthanapoliticaltreaty,precededbyastudyon...inequality!Weallunderstandintergenerationalsolidarityfromparentstochildrenor,atcommunitylevel,definedbyRousseauasfromoldertotheyoungerpeople.AfterallthebasisofthesustainabledevelopmentconceptwascoinedbytheBrundtlandCommissionin1987asthe'developmentthatmeetstheneedsofthepresentwithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds.'
Wefastforwardto2017andobservethatmostofEuropeisageingandAfricaistheyouthrepositoryoftheworld.Itspopulationwillbearoundtwobillionby2050withanaverageagebelow20.Somemaythinkitisinsane.But,let’spause.Neverinhumanhistoryhavewewitnessedthiskindofdemographicbulgewhentherestoftheworldpopulationages.Howarewegoingtointerpretintergenerationalsolidarity,sayinEurope,whenthenewgenerationisinadifferentcontinent,perceivedbysomeasfarawayandunrelated?
ThedebatesonhumanmobilityarejustthetipoftheKilimanjaro.Ifthisissueisnotproperlycontextualisedanddiscussed,itwillinsulatetheAbidjanSummitfromtherealquestions:
Answeringthesequestionscouldopenincredibleopportunitiesforcooperation,and…changethenarrative.
AproperfightagainstterroristgroupsisnotpossiblewithoutaddressingthecriticalenvironmentalthreatstheSaharaSahelianbandfacesfromcoasttocoast.Pastoralismcouldbeanimmenseresourcetoaccelerateinclusionanddevelopregionsthatrequirelittletoadvancetheirpeople’slivelihoods.Improvingagriculturalproductivitycanexpandtheofferforprocessedfoodingreatdemandbymiddle-classconsumersandurbandwellers.Africa’sagriculturalpromiseisimmense,non-usedormisusedarablelandplentifulandgrowthpotentialunmatchedanywhereintheworld.
Despitethehypeabouttechnologicaldisruptionsonproductivityandmanufacturing,Africa’slowbaseandhugeinternalmarkets(onceintegrated)offeralargewindowforindustrialisation,partlythroughcommoditiesvalueaddition.SometechnologicaldevelopmentsincreaseAfrica’sleapfrogging
potential,likereducedcostofrenewablesandfrugalinnovationacceleratinggreenindustrialisation.
Newpartnershipsaretappingintotheseopportunities.Paradoxically,thosearrivinglatearetheonesestablishingacommandingleadinthenewAfrica.ChinaForeignDirectInvestment(FDI)inthecontinentonlyranked6thfiveyearsago,whenitwasalreadybyfarthenumberonetradingpartner.Thisyearithasjumpedtothetopposition.NewcomersareovertakingEuropeanpartnersthathavealonghistoryofeconomicpresenceinthecontinent.ThediscussionswiththeEuropeanUnionmustcentreonthefuture,economictransformationandindustrialisationincluded.ThismaybeincompatiblewiththepushfortheratificationofthecurrentEconomicPartnershipAgreements(EPAs).
ThereisahighdegreeofcynicismabouttheEPAs.ItisnotacoincidencethatAfrica’sprivatesectoristhemostvocalagainstit.TheEuropeanCommissioncannotdenythelackoftransparency,andevenimposedsecrecy,inthewaytheEPAswerenegotiated.OneofthecasualtiesoftheEPAsisthefragmentationofAfricatradenegotiationsinblocksandcountriestowhomdifferentclauseswereofferedattheverymomenttheContinentalFreeTradeAgreementwassupposedtooccupyminds.Anotheristhepossiblelostopportunityforarealeconomicpartnershipbasedonthefuture.
Wheretostart?Thebestwaytobeginrespondingtothepopulistsistorecastthedemographicdiscussion.Nooneshouldassumeitiseasy.Yet,largeEuropeanmigrantpopulationsacrosstheglobeknowthatwithtime,successisdesirableandachievable.Rousseauwouldalsoagree.
AbouttheauthorCarlosLopesisProfessorattheGraduateSchoolofDevelopmentPolicyandPractice,UniversityofCapeTownandVisitingFellowatOxfordMartinSchool,OxfordUniversity.
How are we going to interpret
intergenerational solidarity,
say in Europe, when the new
generation is in a different
continent, perceived by some as
far away and unrelated?
• Why are Africa’s most environmentally-stressed areas the producers of terrorist groups?
• Why are pastoralists having a tough time adjusting to modernity? • Why are Indians, Chinese, Turkish or Emiratis ready
to invest where others hesitate? • Why is Europe making it hard for Africa to create
its own single market?
Great Insights | November/December 2017 13 MechanicalshovelbeingassembledonsiteattheRossingUraniummine.Photo:WorldBank,Flickr
Beauty(left)andHopewhoparticipateinaYouthtoYoutheducationprogramme,Zambia.Photo:JessicaLea/DFIDUK
EU-AFRICA: BREAKING THE SILENCE AND THE VESTED INTERESTS The upcoming Summit, the next months and years should provide unique opportunities forEurope and Africa to move into a different type of partnership. Will the EU and the AU seize this momentum or will the success of the Summit in Abidjan be measured by the number of participating Heads of State?
ByGeertLaporte
Weurgentlyneedtorealisethatthecontextofourcooperationhaschangeddramaticallyandthatourpartnership
withAfricaisoutdated. (…)Weneedtobeawareoftheurgencyandtheneedtoreviewthispartnershipfromscratch(…).EuropeneedstoconstructwithAfricathemostimportantofallitsexternalpartnerships(…).WestronglyquestionthepertinenceoftheACPGroup…'(Le Monde, 29 September 2017)
Justafewweeksbeforethe5thsummitofEuropeanandAfricanHeadsofStateinAbidjanon29and30November,thelargestFrenchprivatesectorassociationMEDEFgaveanurgentwake-upcallforanewandambitiousEurope-Africapartnership.ThiscomesatamomentwhenEuropeanandAfricaninstitutionsshouldbefinalisingtheagendaoftheSummitafteralong'sleepwalk'sincethelast2014BrusselsSummit.
InthepastthreeyearsalothashappenedinEurope,Africaandbeyond.TheEuropeanprojecthasbeenunderincreasingpressurebecauseofBrexit,themigrationandrefugeecrisis,terrorismandrisingnationalismandpopulism.InAfrica,the'boomingcontinent'discourseseemstobemetwithgrowingscepticism.ManyAfricancountriesarecopingwithmultiplechallengesrelatingtodemography,economictransformation,
14 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
security,governanceandclimatechange.TheTrumpPresidencyhasalsoputpressureonthecurrentinternationalliberalorderandChinaisincreasinglyofferinganalternativecooperationmodelfuelledbylargefinancialsupporttoauthoritarianAfricanregimeswithoutstringentconditions.
TheAbidjanSummittakesplaceatamomentwhenAfricafeaturesprominentlyintheEuropeanpolicydiscourseonmigrationandsecurityandinactionswiththeEmergencyTrustFundandtheExternalInvestmentPlan.ItalsohappenstobeatamomentwhentheJointAfrica-EUStrategy(JAES)celebratesits10thanniversaryandtheEUandtheACPGroup(largelycomposedbysub-SaharanaswellasCaribbeanandPacificcountries)arepreparingforalengthyrenegotiationprocessoftheCotonouACP-EUpartnershipthatshouldbeconcludedbyearly2020.
Againstthisbackground,onewouldexpectplentyofstrategicagendaitemsforHeadsofStatetochewonduringaSummit,thattakesplaceonceinthreeyears.Butthisurgencydoesnotseemtotrickledowntothehigh-levelpolicymakersandtheiradministrationsinbothcontinents.Inthesametraditionofthepast,bothsidesstressinloftywordingstheir'greatattachmenttothisimportantpartnershipamongstequalpartners'.Atthesametimetheyavoiddiscussingopenlytheimportant,butpotentiallycontroversial,issuesthatriskspoilingtheparty.Onceagain,itlooksasifthesuccessoftheSummitinAbidjanwillbemeasuredbythenumberofparticipatingHeadsofStateandnotbythequalityofthedialogueortheconcreteoutcomes.
Youthasthecentralthemeinarisk-aversepartnershipInthiscontextitisnotsurprisingthatbothpartiesselectedasthethemefortheirsummit“investing in youth for a sustainable future”.Whiletheissue
ofyouthisofgreatconcerntobothcontinents,itisalsoasafetopicthatmostprobablywillgeneratefairlygeneralstatementsandpolicydeclarationsexpressing'theneedtocreatejobsandtackletherootcausesofmigration'.Itlooksasiftheunderlyingfrustrationsanddiscontentaboutthecurrentstateofthepartnershipwillbekeptunderwraps.Thiswouldbeapityandamissedopportunity,notatleastfortheEuropeanCommissionandtheEuropeanExternalActionServicewhohaveexpressedthewish'toliftthepoliticalpartnershiptoahigherpoliticalstage'intheirMay2017Communication.
StructuralimbalancesinthepartnershipThequestionswhichshouldberaisedare:whyisitsodifficulttoopenlyaddressissuesofdisagreementbetweenbothcontinents?Whyistherestilladeep-rootedmistrustamongtheleadersofbothcontinents?WhyisitsodifficulttobuildthenecessarypoliticaltractionintheEurope-Africarelationship?TheEUtransfersaidmoneytoAfrica,viaitsstatebureaucraciesandelites,andinreturnexpectsloyaltytotheEuropeanagendas.Thistypeofrelationshiplacksreciprocityandithasgivenrisetothe
generalisedperceptioninAfricathat "the EU sets the agenda and hardly makes concessions on issues that really matter to Africa".
Inspiteofallthejargonaboutanequal'contractual'partnership,jointdecision-makinginstitutionsandco-management,thepartnershiphasneverbeenoneof
The4thafrica-EuropeYouthSummitPhoto:Africa-EUPartnership.org
Successive Lomé Conventions and the Cotonou Partnership Agreement may have been quite innovative in the previous century. But they also perpetuated a North-South relationship of dependency, based on unilateral aid transfers and a heavy bureaucratic system with strong vested interests.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 15 MechanicalshovelbeingassembledonsiteattheRossingUraniummine.Photo:WorldBank,Flickr
equals.Overaperiodofseveraldecades,considerablefinancialenvelopesoftheEuropeanDevelopmentFundhavecreatedstrongvestedinterestsinbothEurope,AfricaandtheACP-EUinstitutions.Supportedbythissubstantialaid,theEUcouldpresentitselfasthe“do-gooder”inAfricainaratherpatronisingandpaternalisticway.AidconditionalitiessoughttoputpressureonAfricangovernmentstoundertakethenecessarygovernancereformsandtoaccepttheEU’stermsfornewtradeagreements(EPAs).Butinthecurrentrapidlychangingenvironment,therecipesofthepastnolongerwork.Africahasbecomeanattractivebrideandcanselectitspartnersoutofamuchbroadergroupofcandidates.AgrowingnumberofassertiveAfricanleadersopenlyquestionwhetherforeignaidshouldstillinterfereintheinternalmattersoftheircountries.Inthemeantime,wehavealsolearntthatEUaidconditionalitieshavelittleornoimpactonchangingthecourseofundemocraticregimesinAfrica.
SlowlytheEUseemstounderstandthesenewrealitiesandinvariouspolicydeclarationsonAfricatheEUnowstronglyadvocatesa'newandmorestrategicinterestdriventypeofpartnershipbeyondaid'oraforeignpolicythatisbasedon'principledpragmatism'.Butthisisonlypartofthestory.Whilesomepoliticalleadersinbothcontinentsseemtoadvocateanewtypeofpoliticalpartnership,alargepartoftheEuropeanandAfrican'aidbureaucrats'seemtohavethegreatestdifficultiestodoawaywiththefamiliardonor-recipient'clientelistic'systems.ThishelpstoexplainwhymanyactorsonbothsideswouldratherkeepanoutlivedandasymmetricACP-EUcooperationsystemalivethanreallytransformEU-Africarelations.Keepingthestatusquoandthecontroloversubstantialaidresourcesisthekeyincentivefortheseconservativeforces.AtamomentwhentheEUandACPinstitutionsaremorerisk-aversethanever,itisseenasinappropriateandeven
dangeroustochangeoldhabits.ThisisthereasonwhyEUandACPinstitutionshavebuiltanalliancetoprotectwhatexistsandtocontinuewithmoreofthesame.ItalsoexplainswhytheimportantPost-CotonouissueisnotontheagendaoftheAbidjanSummit.
ItisdifficulttounderstandwhythemostimportanthighlevelencounterbetweenEuropeanandAfricanleadershasnointentionwhatsoevertodiscussthefutureof'theoldestandmostcomprehensivecooperationagreement'atamomentthatthisagreementisupforrenegotiation.AvoidinganydiscussiononthismatterbeforeandduringtheSummitmaybeaconvenientapproachintheshorttermbutitisamajorstrategicerrorinthelongrun.ItisaparticularlypuzzlingdecisionbytheAfricanUnionandtheAfricanRegionalEconomicCommunities(RECs).Reflectingtheemergingbutstillfragileregionaldynamics,theyshouldtakealeadingroleindesigninganewandmoderntypeofpartnershipwiththeEUthatisfitforthe21stcentury.Butbecauseofalackofstrategicvision,andproblems
ofinternalcohesionandcapacity,theAfricanregionalbodiesseemto'submit'themselvestoanACP-EU'umbrella'inapartnershipofthepastthatlackslegitimacy,credibilityandeffectiveness.
FundamentalshifttowardsastrongerpoliticalpartnershipSo, whatshouldbedonetoreversethisdeadlock?Whatshouldbedonetobuildamorepoliticalandstrategicpartnershipbetweenbothcontinents?OntheEuropeanside,theEUinstitutionsandtheMemberStatescoulddobetterinstrengtheningthecoherenceof
Chrysocolla&Malachite,KipushiMine,Kipushi,Lubumbashi,Shaba,Congo(Zaire)Photo:TJflex/flickr
Africa has become an attractive bride and can select its partners out of a much broader group of candidates.
16 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
theforeignpolicyframeworksandinstrumentsdealingwithAfrica.Thecacophonyofsometimescompetinginitiativesandadhocagendasandinitiatives(forexample,individualMemberStatesresponsestothemigrationcrisis)donotcontributetothedesirable,morecoherentEuropeanforeignpolicyasspelledoutinthe2016EUGlobalStrategy.CompetingsilosandinterestswithintheEUinstitutionsandtheMemberStatesfurtherweakentheEuropeanpositionandunderminethecoherenceofaction.ThenegotiationsonthenextMultiannualFinancialFrameworkandtheiralignmentwiththeEUGlobalStrategyandEUConsensusonDevelopmentshouldbeafirststepinthedirectionofpromotingamoremodernglobalapproach.
TheEUwouldgainmoretrustandrespectontheothersideoftheMediterraneanifitwereclearaboutitsinterestsratherthanstressingoverandoveragainthatitisAfrica’slargest'altruisticdonor'.Avoidanceofdoublestandardswouldalsohelptorebuild
trust.Playingthemoralhighgroundisgoodifconsistencyinexternalactioncanbeguaranteed,butthisisincreasinglybecomingaproblem.ThelucrativedealswithtotalitarianregimessuchasSudantocurbmigrationandtoreturnrefugeesareacaseinpoint.Theystrengthentherepressiveapparatusinthesecountries,whichinthelongerrunwillincreasetheflowsofrefugeestoEurope.ForEuropeanandAfricancitizensandtheyoungergenerationsinparticular,this'horsetrading'isunderminingthecredibilityoftheEUthatalwaysreiterateditsfullestsupporttothedecisionoftheInternationalCriminalCourttoissueanarrestwarranttopresidentOmarAl-Bashirforcrimesagainsthumanity.
ThereisalsohomeworktobedoneontheAfricanside.AstrongerandmorecoherentAUleadershipandmoreassertiveandself-sufficientinstitutionsareabsoluteprerequisitestomakeAfricaandthepartnershipwiththeEUwork.TheAUandsomeoftheRECsinAfricahavethepotentialtobecomerepresentativeinstitutions,butthegapwiththeEuropeanInstitutionsintermsofpowers,capacitiesandresourcesisstillbig.The2016KaberukaPlanhascreatedexpectationsregardingthesustainablefinancingoftheAUthroughalevyof0.2%onimportsenteringtheAfricancontinent.Thiswouldgeneratearevenueofmorethan1billionEurosayeartofundtheAU’soperationalprogrammeandpeaceandsecuritybudgets.StructuralsystemstoensurefinancialautonomyareessentialforthecredibilityofAfricaninstitutions.However,thisisnotonlyaboutfinancialresourcesbutalsoaboutstrategicleadershipandpriorities.TheAUandRECsshouldre-assesstheirstrategicinterests.InaPost-CotonoucontexttheyshouldmakeclearchoicesandavoidthattheEUdividesthecontinentandweakenstheAfricanleverage.
Inconclusion,theupcomingSummit,themonthsandyearsahead,shouldprovideuniqueopportunitiesforEuropeandAfricatomoveintoadifferenttypeofpartnership.WilltheEUandtheAUseizethismomentum?EuropeandAfricaare‘condemned’toworktogetherbecauseoftheirstronginterdependence.ThegoodnewsisthatAfricahasreturnedtothetoptableofpoliticaldecision-makinginEurope,albeitforsecurityandmigrationreasons.AfricaandEuropeurgentlyneedtofindcommonsolutionstothedemographicexplosion,thegrowingdiscontentoftheyoungergenerations,thecatastrophicimpactofclimatechange,thethreatsofterrorism,migrationandgovernanceissuesaffectingbothcontinents.Onpaper,thepotentialforstrongmutualinterestsandsharedglobalagendashasneverbeensopromising.Thereisnoshortageofstrategiesandpolicyframeworksforcooperation.Yet,aforumofgenuineandregularpoliticaldialogueoutsideoftheSummitsisneeded,forexample,atthelevelofMinistersofForeignAffairs.Butevenwiththesenewlevelsofpoliticaldialogue,itremainstobeseenwhetherbothpartieswillbeabletoshakeoffpasthabits,breakwiththevestedinterestsofthepastandfundamentallychangethecourseofaction.MoreofthesamewillserveneitherAfrica’snorEurope’sinterests.
AbouttheauthorGeertLaporteisDeputyDirectoratECDPM.
A stronger and more coherent AU leadership and more assertive and self-sufficient institutions are absolute prerequisites to make Africa and the partnership with the EU work.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 17
African think tanks must move more proactively into the Africa-EU policy analysis and advice realm by exploiting the potential to collaborate with existing EU-Africa research networks. At the same time, African governments should also contribute to ‘growing their own’ by recognising the role that African think tanks can play in evidence-based research around this importantstrategic partnership.
HeraldedasapartnershipofequalswhentheEU-Africapartnershipwaslaunchedin2007,theaspirationdidnotmaskthemanyasymmetriesintherelationship-fromactualhumanandfinancialresourcestothechallengesofcoordinationbetweenapartiallysupra-nationalentity(theEuropeanUnion-EU)andapurelyintergovernmentalone(theAfricanUnion-AU).Nevertheless,Europeremainsasignificantexternalpartner.TheEuropeanUnionafterallisthe
continent’sbiggestpartnerindevelopment(EU-28andbilateral),andasignificanttraderandinvestor.EquallyimportantisitscontributiontoAfrica’speaceandsecurityarchitecture.
WhilesomeoftheEU’smembershavecolonialbaggage,theEUisamuchmorecomplexinstitutionthatdefieslabellingasanimperialistorcolonialpower.It’sanimportantglobalsoftpowerwitha
significantmultilateralrole.AndwhileAfricansandEuropeansdon’talwaysagree,bothareconvincedoftheimperativeofmultilateralismastheroutetoarules-basedsystemratherthanonedeterminedpurelybythepowerofthestrongest.AfricaandEuropearealsoneighbours,andthemigrationcrisishasbroughthome,perhapsinthestarkestpossibleterms,thatindustrialisedEuropecannotbeanislandofprosperityina(southern)seaofpoverty
ByElizabethSidiropoulos
‘AFRICA RISING’ MEANS TAKING OWNERSHIP OF ITS KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION
Photo:ChristianWeidinger/Flickr
18 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
IronoreloadedtrainsattheSaldanhaterminal,SouthAfrica.Photo:Jbdodane/Flickr
FROM AFRICA TO COUNTRY MINING VISIONS
andinstability.NorcanitsMemberStatesactwithimpunityinLibya(andelsewhere),andexpectnopoliticalandeconomicconsequencesfortheirownterritory.Therearebothvalueandinterest-basedreasonsforAfricanthinktankstospendmoretimeonin-depthpolicyresearchandengagementonAfrica-Europethemes.
ChangingwhodeterminesthedebateEuropehasasizeableresearch‘industry’thatfocusesonAfricanissuesandtherelationshipbetweenthetwocontinent.Historically,muchofthishasbeendrivenbythedevelopmentdimensionoftheengagement,butmorerecently,theunderlyingdriverhasbecomesecurity(counteringviolentextremism)andmigration.ThesearenegativedriversofinterestinAfrica,andforcetheEurope-AfricadebateintoanarrowsilothatregardsAfricaasathreatandsourceofinstability–it’saboutprotectingthe‘empire’fromthe‘Huns’,amplifiedbythepopulistandxenophobicsurgeinEurope.ItalsostandsinmarkedcontrasttothemannerinwhichChinacontinuestoarticulateitsengagementwithAfricaandtheopportunitiesthecontinentpresents.WhileChinaisthenextglobalsuperpowerandAfricanstatescannotandshouldnotignoreit,theEU’srules-basedapproachtoglobalissuesanditssoftpowermakeitanimportantpotentialallyandpartneronmanyterrains.
Foracombinationofreasons,Africanthinktanksarenotdoingasmuchresearchorpolicyengagementastheyshouldonaregionthatisbothcloseanddiplomaticallyandpoliticallysignificant.
TheycannotrivalinresourcesthoseoftheircounterpartsinEurope.Moreimportantly,theyarenotoftenacknowledgedenoughbytheirowngovernmentsaspotentialknowledgebanks.Theybattleforlimitedfinancialresourcesandwherethesecomefromexternalparties,thinktanksmaybecastigatedforbeingagentsofimperialismorotherforcesconspiringagainstthestate.Thesefactorsreinforceeachother
inamutuallyviciouscycle,resultinginAfricanthinktanksplayingamuchmorelimitedroleinthepolicydebatesonthisandotherissues.Ironically,whiletherearemanydebatesandconferencesonAfrica-EUinEurope,therearefarfewerinAfricawhereAfricansthemselveshaveinitiatedandfundedtheconversation.
AstheEU-Africapartnershipentersitsseconddecade,Africans(governments,businesses,civilsocietyandacademics)needtoscaleupthetoolsavailabletoengageinapartnershipofequals.Forallthetalkaboutapost-truthworld,independentknowledgeandanalysisremainimperativesforeffectivedecision-makingandpolicymakinginAfrica.Infact,theyaremoreimportantnowthanever.Thecontinentboastsmanycredibleandqualitythinktanks.Overtheyearstheyhavegrowninnumberandqualityandarecultivatingnetworksacrossthecontinent.Someoftheseactivitieshavebeenspurredbysupportfromexternaldonors,andyettheyhavedevelopedamomentumoftheirown.
AfricanthinktanksmustbecometheknowledgeproducersforAfricanstatesandtheAUasthesenavigateglobaluncertainty–fromBrexitandCotonouto
theEconomicPartnershipAgreementsinaworldwhereWTOisbeingundermined,andmigrationbecomesthefixationoftheage.
Bolsteringimpact:independenceandevidence-basedresearchSohowdowestrengthenAfricanthinktanksintheareaofEU-Africaresearchandpolicyengagement?
Overthelastfewyears,Africanthinktankshavesoughttocooperateandexchangeviewsnotonlyonthemajorissuesoftheday,butalsoonthebusinessofthinktanks.Bothareimportantifthecontinent’sthinktanksaretostrengthentheirinputintopolicyatthecontinentalandgloballevel,astheresearchparadigmshouldnotbethatwhenEuropeandAfricameettheyshouldtalkaboutdevelopmentandwaronthecontinent.WhathappenselsewhereintheworldmaybeequallyimpactfulforAfrica-EUrelations.
Thus,moreeffectivelinkagesbetweenAfricanthinktanksandtheAfrica-EUpolicyworldwouldrequireanumberofelements.Firstandforemost,Africanthinktanksneedtoberecognisedasresourcesby
The Africa Portal provides a digital platform for think tank leaders across the continent and beyond to share their informed perspectives on matters related to African development, economics and politics. In a world moving along at breathless speed, accuracy matters. We aim to take you above the noise and bring you information you can trust.
The Africa Portal also curates a comprehensive collection of research material. Our library holds over 5 000 research reports, occasional papers and policy briefs. The entire repository is open access, equipped with a sophisticated search function and available for free, full-text download. The material in the library has been provided by Content Partners of the Africa Portal who benefit from wider dissemination of their research to a global community.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 19
theirowngovernmentsandsocialactors.Thismeansrecognisingtheimportanceofanalyticalindependenceandprovidinginstrumentstoallocatefinancialresourcesto‘growingourown’,ratherthanrelyingonexternalconsultantsandanalysts.Itcannotbeachievedovernightanditrequiresthinktankstoconstantlyseekengagement;regulardialoguechangesperceptions.Second,thinktankleadersneedtoplacemoreemphasisonrelationssuchastheEU-Africaone,whichplayssuchanimportantroleinthecontinent’saffairs.ThisshouldincludeallocatingresourcestoconsideringandunderstandingbetterthedynamicsatplayintheEuropeanCommissionandtheCouncil,inthesamewaythatEuropeanthinktanksanalyseanddelveintotheinstitutionsoftheAU.AfricanthinktanksshouldalsoplaceamuchhigherpremiumonbetterglobalunderstandingratherthanonlyonengagingattheAfricanlevel.TheongoingchallengeishavingdiscretionaryfundsforsuchworkevenintheabsenceofsupportfromAfricangovernmentsandinstitutions.
Asthinktankleaders,weareoftencaughtupinavortexofproposalwriting,projectexecutionandfinancialconstraints,butwecannotabandonourroletothinkaboutcriticaldimensionsofAfrica’sdevelopmentandstability,undertakeevidence-basedresearchandengagewithAfricanandEuropeanpolicymakersonourwork.
ThereismuchqualitypolicyworkonthecontinentandAfricanthinktanksmustworktogetherincreatingplatformsthatbetterprofiletheirworkinglobalmedia.Poolingcommunicationsresourcescanhelptooptimiselimiteddisseminationinstruments,althoughthe‘democratisation’ofthesocialmediaspacehascreatedmanyopportunitiesevenforsmallthinktankstobringtheirworktotheworld.Here,initiativessuchastheAfricaPortalinitiativeoftheSouthAfricanInstituteofInternationalAffairs
(SAIIA)andtheCentreforInternationalGovernanceInnovation(CIGI)–aone-stopshopforAfricanproducedresearch–areworthleveragingintheEU-Africadebate.Furthermore,tomaximisetheimpact,Africanthinktanksshouldexplorewaystocooperateamongthemselvesonpolicyresearchwellinadvanceofmajorpolicywindows,suchastheAfrica-EUsummit.
Inthisregard,existingresearchnetworkscanalsobeleveragedmorestrategically.TheannualAfricanThinkTankSummitcouldbecomearegularplatformfordebatingandcommunicatingpolicyinsightsonAfrica’skeychallengesaswellasimportantexternalrelationships.Inaddition,suchgatheringsshouldalsobeseenastheopportunitiestoreflectnotonlyonAfricanthemes,butbroaderglobalchallenges.EarlyintheEU-Africapartnership,theEurope-AfricaResearchNetwork(EARN)wasestablishedwiththeaimofbringingtogetherthinktanksfrombothcontinentstoundertakeworkonthisveryimportantrelationship.Yet,itfailedtobuildadeepnetworkofcollaboration.In-depthresearchrequiresfinancialresourcesandAfricanthinktanksinparticularwerehamstrunginthetypeofcommitmentstheycouldmakewithintheexistingmeans.Thiscompoundedtheasymmetrythatcharacterisedmanydimensionsof
thepartnership.Nevertheless,initiativessuchasEARNarevitalinbuildingupeffectivepolicyengagementbyAfricanthinktanks.Asthestrategicpartnershipentersthenextdecade,Africanthinktanksshouldexplorethewaystoovercomeconstraintstomakethisareality.
AbouttheauthorElizabethSidiropoulosistheChiefExecutiveoftheSouthAfricanInstituteofInternationalAffairs,(SAAIA)Johannesburg.
African think tanks and the Africa-EU policy world
would require a number of elements. First and
foremost, African think tanks need to be recognised as
resources by their own governments and social actors.
This means recognising the importance of analytical
independence and providing instruments to allocate
financial resources to ‘growing our own’, rather than
relying on external consultants and analysts.
20 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
A DIALOGUE OF THE DEAF? The European Union (EU) and Africa continue to engage in a dialogue of the deaf, in which both parties are seemingly unresponsive to what the other has to say. A 'Normative Europe' narrative in which the EU is the global guardian of norms and values, exporting them in its external relations, puts the EU-Africa relationship on an uneven keel. Meanwhile media bias and an Africa which engages with the EU in several different configurations means the dialogue of the deaf may well continue.
ByUzoMadu
Thebasisofanyhealthyrelationshipiscommunication,yettheEuropeanUnion(EU)andAfricacontinuetoengageinadialogueofthedeaf-inwhichbothpartiesareseeminglyunresponsivetowhattheotherhastosay.WhilsttheEUspendsitsvastresourcesattemptingtoshapenormsandvaluesinAfrica,ithasapaternalisticapproachtotherelationship,speakingatAfricaratherthanwithAfrica,andcommunicating,attimes,forthesakeofglobalagendasettingandpositioningratherthanhavingacredibleexchange.The
EU-AfricarelationshipisproblematicbydefinitionasAfricaisinteractingwiththeEuropeanUnioninamyriadofdifferentconfigurations,notonlyasaninstitutionalwhole-theAfricanUnion(AU)-butalsoattheregionalandcountrylevel.Thiscreatesspaceforamuddledconversation,onethatlacksclearandconsistententrypointsforcommunication.Outsidethestrictlimitsofinstitutionalcommunication,thereisalsothecancerousmediabiastowardsAfricafrommainstreamoutlets,whicharelargelyhousedintheWestandoccupythelaptops,
PeopleworkoncomputersattheBusyInternetcomputercenterinAccraPhoto:JonathanErnst/WorldBank
Great Insights | November/December 2017 21
mobilephonesandTVscreensofalargepartoftheworld.Thereductionoftheentirecontinentduetotheissuesofdeath,despair,waranddiseaseisreproducedandreinforcedbymanyWesternmedia.
NormativePowerEuropeNormativepowerisaspecificformofpower-poweroveropinionorideologicalpower.AccordingtoacademicsSchiepers&Sicurelli,itenablesitspossessortoshapeglobalconceptsof‘normal’whilesimultaneously"depicting other actors as inferior, thereby disempowering them rhetorically".Theterm‘NormativePowerEurope’wascoinedbyIanManners.HesuggeststhattheEUnotonlyactstochangenormsintheinternationalsystembutthatitalsoshouldacttoextenditsnormsintheinternationalsystem.Thispoliticalbackdropmuddiesthediscoursebetweenthetwocontinents,creatingandsupportingacontextwithinwhichtheEUisviewedastheglobalnormandvaluewatchdog,whilstAfricaisseenasthelaggard,notobeyingitsmaster'sorders.Theconditionalityattachedtoaidfunding,albeitrarelyimplemented,underthecontroversialArticle97oftheCotonouAgreement,isanindicationofsuchanapproach.Thiscontextalmostbecomesamatteroffact.EurActiv,anonlinenewsoutlet,recentlyranastorywiththeheadline‘EUcapacitytopromotevaluesindevelopingworlddeclining’,pointingtothis"NormativeEurope"undertone,whilstarecentFriendsofEuropeanalysisabout‘TheperceptionsoftheEUandChinainAfrica’startsitsopeningparagraphwith"In Africa, the European Union is perceived both as the home of former
colonial masters and as the greatest promoter of free trade and liberal democracy". Theseexamplessuggestthe"NormativePowerEurope"narrativeisaliveandkicking.Thus,thecontextualdiscoursetendstoframetheEU-Africarelationshipincharitableterms,nottoodissimilarfromthe"civilisingmission"narrativeusedduringthecolonialperiod.NormativePowerEuropehasaroletoplayinreinforcingEuropeannormativityinEU-Africarelations.ThisnarrativeinformsandshapesglobaldecisionsonAfricaninterestsandcloudsthejudgementofthoseinpositionsofpowerandinfluence.Arecentstatementpointingtoa"civilisation"probleminAfricaandFrenchPresidentEmmanuelMacron'sreferencetoComoriansasgoodsnotpeople,reflectsaccuratelytheaudacityofNormativePowerEurope.WhatPresidentMacronsaysmatters,becauseheisandwillcontinuetoshapetheEuropeantone,especiallywhenitcomestoitsrelationswithAfrica.
OneshouldalsobeparticularlymindfulofthefactthatinAfricathenormsandvaluesdiffersignificantly.Forexample,acrossdifferentAfricanculturestherearesimilaritiesinthewayclosekinshiprelationsarevalued.AccordingtoGabrielE.Idang,SeniorLecturerattheUniversityofUyoinNigeria "The synergetic nature of the society that allows people to build houses and work on farms together is directly opposite to the Western individualistic model".
Lookwho’stalkingAfricaisinteractingwithEuropeinamyriadofdifferentconfigurations,notonlyasaninstitutionalwhole-astheAfricanUnion(AU),butalsoattheregionallevel.ThemainlegalframeworkforAfrica’sinteractionwithEuropeistheCotonouAgreement,anagreementthatalsoincludestheCaribbeanandPacificcountriesandthatis,toalargeextent,aEuropeaninvention.Ontopofthis,therearetheAfricanRegionalEconomicCommunities(RECs)whicharealreadyaspaghettibowlofoverlappingorganisations-onlysixcountriesretainexclusivemembershipofoneREC,plustheAfricanUnionitselfonlyrecogniseseightoftheexistingfourteen.Then,therearethecountrylevel
PresidentJunckersigningEU'sEmergencyTrustFundPhoto:EuropeanCommission
I have yet to meet many consultants [who] actually understand how African elections work. - Nicholas Cheeseman of the University of Birmingham
22 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
interactionsbetweentheEUandcertaincountries.SouthAfricaforexampleistheonlycountryonthecontinentthathasastrategicpartnershipwiththeEU,alongwiththeEuropeanParliamentaryDelegation.Thesecomplexlayersofinteractionsareafertilebreedinggroundforconfusionandmiscommunication,butbeyondthat,italsomakescreatinganAfricannarrativetowardstheEUextremelydifficult.ThisiswhytheAfricanUnionhascalledforallinteractionsbetweentheEUandAfricatohappenattheAUinstitutionallevel.Thankfully,the2017SummithasbeenrenamedintotheAU-EUSummitaddressingsomeoftheseconcerns,howeveritremainstobeseenwhetherthiswillbeimplementedinpractice.
TheEUisresponsibleforthebulkofcommunicationsactivityontherelationship,specifically51.8%more.AfterconductingasearchofkeytermsofboththeAUandEUwebsites,IfoundthattheAfricanUnionmentions‘support’initscommunicationsmaterialsreferringtoEurope35%ofthetime,whiletheEUusesit73%ofthetime.Whereasasearchoftheterm"partnership"incommunicationsmaterials,inthosesamewebsites,showedthattheEUusesit43%ofthetimeandtheAfricanUnion47%ofthetime.Thisindicatesthemismatchinnarratives.TheAfricanUnionisframingitscommunicationinreferencetoEuropemainlyintermsofa"partnership"whereastheEUseesitselfmoreinasupportiverole.
WeshouldalsoconsiderthattheEUhasvastcommunicationresourcestodrawfrom.Notonlydoesithavedifferentcommunicationsdepartmentsforeachofitsthreemaininstitutions,theEuropeanCommissionalonehasadedicatedDirectorate-GeneralforCommunicationwithapproximately300staffmembersandin2016itreportedlyputoutabidforatwo-yearcontractworth130millionforcorporatecommunicationevents.Incomparison,theAUCommission'sthirdstrategicplan(2014-2017)allocates 13.8million($4.5million)tocommunicatingandengagingwiththeMemberStates/stakeholdersindefiningandimplementingtheAfricanagenda.TheEUalsobenefitsfromtheweightandcredibilityofworld-leadingPRandcommunicationsfirmshousedintheircapitals.TheAfricanUnionhasacentralisedcommunications
unit.Furthermore,inbilateralrelationsitisthetaskoftheindividualAfricancountriestoreportonandcommunicatetheactivitiestakingplacebetweenthemselvesandtheEU.ThisiswhydeliveringontheimprovementofAfrica’sglobalrepresentationandvoiceisgoingtobekeytocounterthisimbalanceandtoensurethatAfricaspeakswithonevoiceontheglobalstage.
ImportingAfricannarrativesThepropensityfortheAfricanrulingclasstoselectPRandcommunicationsagenciesfromandbasedinWesterncapitalslikeWashington,LondonandParistoreshapetheirimageabroad,carriestheriskofAfricannarrativesbeingcontrolledandshapedbythoseoutsidethecontinentandthosewithlessvestedinterestsinitslong-termprosperity.Forexample,stirringupracialtensioninSouthAfricaisaremoteproblemforaLondon-basedfirm.ItisnotthatWesternfirmspersecannotandshouldnotrepresentAfricangovernmentsorbrands;ratheritisuptothoseAfricangovernmentsandbrandstochoosethosewithavestedinterestinthelong-termdevelopmentofthecountryorregion,ratherthanmereshort-termprofits.Letmegiveyouanotherexample.Itwouldbegoodtochooseagenciesthathaveseniorstaffontheground,asopposedtoflyingtalentinandoutofEuropeorAmericaforthedurationoftheproject.ItiscrucialtobepresentinlocalmarketsanditisevenmoreimportantinAfricabecauseofitsfragmentation,withthousandsoflanguagesandcultures.Itisvitalhavingpeoplewhospeakthemother-tongueandknowhowtonavigatetheculturesandpoliticalprocesses.
UsingthediasporawithinthesePRandcommunicationsagenciescanalsobeawayofbridgingthecommunicationgapbetweenAfricaandtheWest–theAUitselfhascreatedasixthAfricanregionforthediasporatoincreasetheparticipationofactorslocatedoutsideofthecontinent.TheAfricanrulingclassneedstotakeadvantageofitsownassetswhenshapingthenarrativesforglobalconsumptioninsteadofrelyingexcessivelyonwesternconstructednarratives.
Western media reporting (especially in the United States) is a reflection of the western institutions, politics and public policy towards Africa. - Ms. Tinga, Blogger
Since political risk is ranked as one of the most important factors when investing in Africa, clearly investors’ perceptions of African politics will have an impact on foreign direct investment. - Victoria Schorr, Afrinnovation
Great Insights | November/December 2017 23
MediabiasBinyavangaWainainapointstotheinferioritynarrative,reflectiveofNormativeEuropeinaction,whenEuropeans(andAmericans)talkaboutAfricainhisseminalessay,‘HowtowriteaboutAfrica’.Therealityisthatthemainstreammedialandscape,whichislargelyWestern(readEuropean),developsandperpetuatescaricaturesofAfricancountriesandtheirpeople.
Thelackofnuancebetweenthe "Dark Continent"andthe "Africa Rising'" narrativemeanstheelaborate,diverseandtexturednatureofthis55-countrycontinenthousingover1.2billionpeople,isoftenlostinamonolithicshorthand.ThereismuchlesscontentoccupyingthevastspacebetweentheSavannah'sandSafarilandscapesofplaceslikeKenya,TanzaniaorSouthAfricaandontheothersidethepoverty,corruption,diseaseandwarwhichislazilyassignedto‘Africa’asifitwereacountry.M.NeelikaJayawardanepointstothissuperiorityofEuropeanvaluesinthecontextofphotojournalism.InarecentAlJazeeraarticletitled,‘TheproblemwithphotojournalismandAfrica’sheexplainsthat“unless international news agencies based in North America and Europe such as the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse pick your work, you are a nobody.” Africa’struthsandstoriesarethereforeasubjecttotheEuropean,ormorewidelyWestern,credibilitycheckbeforebeingdeemedacceptableforconsumption.
Whattodo?AnanswertotheseeminglyobligatoryprescriptionthatEuropeisthegatekeeperofvalues,specificallyinitsrelationswithAfrica,accordingtoUeliStaeger,PhDcandidateattheGraduateInstituteGeneva,ispan-Africandecolonisation.Inthemediacontextthiswouldmeananincreasinglynetworkedmedia,onewhichis“co-creating and collaborating with the audience on news, so their voices are becoming part of the story, and the journalist is no longer some sort of patrician commentator.” accordingtoAnjaKröll,HeadofInternational
NewsattheSalzburgerNachrichten.Thiscouldplayapartinthedevelopmentofthecontinent.Politicaldecisionsareprecededbypublicdiscussions,whichlargelyplayoutinthemainstreammedia.Decisionscanthereforebebettermadewhenbasedon“valuesofrationality,impartiality,intellectualhonestyandequalityamongparticipants.”Manymainstream(European)mediaoutletshaveexpandedandcontinuetoexpandtheirAfricanofferings,fromthelikesofFrance24,TV5MondeAfrique,BBC,mostnotablywiththelaunchofBBCPidginandthelaunchofAfricanewsbyEuronews;buttherealneedisforAfricatofinditsownunifiedmouthpiece-itsownAlJazeerathatspeakstotruth,contextandmostofalldeliversnewsstoriesbyAfricans,fortheconsumptionofAfricansbecausefortoolong,asProfessorEricAseka,VCattheInternationalLeadershipUniversityputsit,“African media, has failed to aggressively market an African identity and authenticity to challenge the one imposed by the West.” AnAfricanAlJazeerabecomesincreasinglypossiblewheninvestmentsinmoldinganAfricannarrativecometofruition,notleastbecauseofcommunicationinvestmentsbykeyinstitutions,liketheAU,butalsoitsfinancialindependence,whichwillunlockthecontinent'sabilitytoshapeitsownpolicyremitandconversations,notonlywiththeEUbuttheentireworld.
AbouttheauthorUzoMaduisthefounderof‘What’sinitforAfrica’,anonlineplatformdedicatedtoEU-Africacurrentaffairs.
Photo:existentist/Flickr
African media, has failed to aggressively market an African identity and authenticity to challenge the one imposed by the West.- Eric Aseka, International leadership University
24 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
THE RACE TO CLOSETHE GATEWAY TO EUROPE
ArefugeeinGreecemakingacallhome.Photo:SpirosVathis/Flickr
As irregular migration to European countries continues, both the EU and its Member States have stepped up their efforts to reach a solution through the transit points in North Africa.
ByTasnimAbderrahim
Sincethebeginningof2017,nearly100,000migrantshavearrivedinItalybyboatwhileanother2,410havediedwhilstmakingthetreacherousjourney.Mostofthesearrivals,themajoritycomingfromSub-Saharancountries,departfromthekeytransitpointinNorthAfrica,Libya.Assuch,Libyaremainsunderthespotlight.Proposalsonaddressingthecrisisinthe
centralMediterraneanhavemultipliedsinceMarch2016,whentheEUsucceededinsealingadealwithTurkeytocurbtheflowsthroughtheEasternMediterranean.TheEUhasstrivedtoreachagreementswithsourcecountries,butwithlimitedsuccess.ItthenfounditselfcompelledtoturntotransitcountriesinNorthAfricaasalastresorttocounterthechallenge.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 25
ArefugeeinGreecemakingacallhome.Photo:SpirosVathis/Flickr
Libya,thegatewaytoEuropeInlate2016,someEuropeanofficialsproposedtointerceptmigrantsatseaandplacetheminrefugeecampsinTunisiaorEgyptwheretheycanapplyforasylumbeforeenteringtheEU.SomeevensuggestedimposingtradesanctionsforcountriesnotwillingtocooperatewiththeEUonthisissue.Theseproposals,whilenotendorsedattheEUlevel,wererejectedbytheconcernedcountries,whoarguedthattheywerenotmainexportersofmigrantsandthattheywerealreadyrespectingagreementsonbordermanagementwiththeEU.ArangeofinitiativeshaveensuedtofindasolutionthroughLibya,acountrytornbyinternalconflictsincemid-2014.DuringtheMaltaSummitheldinFebruary2017,EuropeanleadersadoptedthejointcommunicationaddressingmigrationintheMediterranean.TheplanseekstodevelopthecapacitiesoftheLibyancoastguard,disruptthesmugglers’businessmodel,andsupporttheUN-recognisedGovernmentofNationalAccord(GNA)inmanagingitssouthernborders.TheplanalsostipulatesincreasedcoordinationwithLibyanlocalauthorities,internationalorganisations,andLibya’sneighbours.
AccordingtotheMaltadeclaration,EUleaderswouldcontinuetosupportMemberStates’initiativesseekingtoengagewithLibya.TheythuswelcomedtheMemorandumofUnderstandingsignedbetweenItalyandLibyainFebruary2017,accordingtowhichItalywouldprovidetheGNAwithmoney,trainingandequipmenttosupportbordermanagementandenhancethecapacitiesoftheLibyancoastguard.Inafollow-uptotheMaltaSummit,theEUTrustFundforAfricaadopteda€90millionprogrammeonprotectionofmigrantsandimprovedmigrationmanagementinLibya.AccordingtofiguresreleasedbytheEuropeanCommission,theInternationalOrganizationforMigrationhasfacilitatedthevoluntaryreturnof7,084migrantsbetweenJanuaryandSeptember2017,incomparisonto2,775inallof2016.PresidentTuskannouncedthattheEUhassofarsucceededin“thetrainingofLibyanNavyCoastguards,thearrestsofmorethan100smugglersandtheneutralisationofmorethan400oftheirvessels”.Yet,commitmenttothisworkplanseemstodifferamongMemberStates.IntheEuropeanCouncilMeetingoflastJune,PresidentTusknotedthatsomeMemberStatesarenothonouringtheirfinancialcommitmentsandthattheyneedtodomore.
Italy’smigrationpolicyshiftItalyhasrepeatedlyaskedforEUsupportasitfounditselfturningintoahotspotformigrants.IncreasedbordercontrolsbyAustriaandFranceresultedinmigrantssettlinginItaly.FeelingleftalonebyotherEuropeancountries,ItalysteppedupitscooperationwiththeGNA.InearlyJuly2017,theEUCommissionadoptedanactionplantosupportItalianefforts.Afewmonthslater,Italy‘spolicyshiftstartedtobearresults,whileinAugust2016,21,294arrivalswereregisteredinItaly,this
numberdecreasedto3,914inAugust2017.Untilveryrecently,Europe-boundmigrantsusedtoberescuedbyEuropeanships;nowhowevertheyaremostlystoppedinLibya.Thisnewpolicyispredicatedonseveralelements,includingsealingdealswitharmedgroupswhocontrolsmugglinghotspotsalongtheLibyannorth-westcoast,tohalttheboatsfromleavingtowardsEurope;sendingItalianshipsintoLibyanwatersandassistingLibyainestablishingitsownsearchandrescuezone;anewNGOcodeofconductlimitingsearchandrescueoperations;negotiationswithtribesinsouthernLibyatocontroltheborders;andincreaseddiscussionswithChadandNigeronmigration.WhileItalydeniesreachingagreementswithsmugglers,manyreportsnotethattheItaliangovernmentispayingmilitiasusuallyinvolvedinsmugglingtoassumetheroleofpushback.TheItaliangovernmentreportedlynegotiatestheseagreementsandmakespaymentstothesegroupsthroughinterlocutorssuchasleadersoflocalcommunities.Italy’splantodeployamissionofnavyshipsinLibyanterritorialwaters,alongwiththepossibilityofusingplanes,drones,andhelicopters,triggeredheateddiscussionswithinLibya.WhileItalystressedthatsendingitsmilitarymissionwasuponarequestfromtheGNA,Fayezal-Sarraj,HeadoftheGNA,initiallydeniedsubmittingsucharequest,insistingthathisgovernmentonlyaskedfortrainingandarms.Politically,Sarraj’srapprochementwithItalydidnotpleasehisrivalineasternLibya,GeneralKhalifaHaftar,supportedbytheFrench,whoeventhreatenedtotargetItalianshipsdockinginLibyanports.TheproponentsofItaly’smovearguethatmigrationisasharedconcernbetweenbothcountriesandthatasolutionisneededtoprotectLibya’sborders.
Demonstration:StillstrugglingforalegalrighttostayfortheLampedusaRefugeesPhoto:RasandeTyskar/Flickr
26 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
FrancestepsinInlateJuly,FrancedecidedtotaketheinitiativeandinvitethetworivalsSarrajandHaftarforameetinginParis,undertheauspicesoftheUN-andwithoutinformingItaly.Themeetingheldon25July2017resultedinajointdeclaration,includinganagreementonceasefireandelectionsforearly2018.Afterthemeeting,theFrenchPresidentMacronstatedthathewantedtoestablishhotspotsinLibyawherethemigrants’asylumapplicationscanbeprocessed.Thatsameday,Macronsaidthathotspotsarenotactuallybeingconsideredandthatinstead,FrancewillhelptocreatemissionsoftheOfficefortheProtectionofRefugeesandStatelessPersonson'Africansoil,insafecountries',withoutspecifyinganytimeframe.TheFrenchinitiative,deemedasa"diplomaticsuccess",wasnotverywelcomedbyItaly,whoperceivedthatFranceshouldnotrepeatpastmistakesinLibya.ThedayafterthemeetinginParis,SarrajmetwiththeItalianPremierPaoloGentiloniinRome,inamovethatemphasisestheGNA’sneedforItaly’ssupport.Sarraj’smovecouldalsohavebeenmotivatedbyconcernsabouttheFrenchsupportforHaftar,theself-proclaimedleaderwhohasenjoyedFrench’sendorsementinrecentyears.
Lightattheendofthetunnel?WhileItalyhaspromoteditsrecenteffortsasacontributionto"Libya’spathtowardsstabilisation",someperceivethatitsapproachcouldleadtomaintainingorexacerbatinginstability,asitincreasestheleverageofmilitiasandcouldpotentiallyresultinconflictsbetweenarmedgroupsovercontrollingtheflows.TheGNA,whileendorsedbytheUN,isnotastrongpartnerandthearmedmilitiasarenotreliable.BesidesthefocusonreducingmigrationthroughtheMediterranean,discussionsinEuropearealsoshiftingtowardshowtodealwiththethousandsofmigrantstrappedinLibya.EstablishingorimprovingreceptionconditionsformigrantsinLibyaincooperationwithinternationalorganisationshasbeenrepeatedlysuggested.Itisnotclearhowever,ifinvolvingthemilitiasinmanagingLibya’sdetentioncentersisarealisticplan.Atthesametime,thecurrentdecreaseinarrivalsinEuropecouldofferawindowfordiscussingmorelong-termalternativesthatcouldbeintheinterestofbothEuropeandAfrica.
TowardsamutuallybeneficialcooperationonmigrationMigrationcurrentlydominatesEU-AfricarelationsanditrankshighontheagendafortheupcomingSummit.Thechallengestoamutuallybeneficialpartnershiponmigrationarenumerous.Despitetheexistenceofvariousframeworksfordialogueonmigrationbetweenbothcontinents,divergentnarrativesstillimpedeafruitfulcooperation.WhiletheEUisgenerallyperceivedasprioritisingreturnandreadmission,Africanstatesviewmigrationasanopportunityandemphasizeinter-Africanfacilitationoflabourmobilityandthe
creationofmorepathsforlegalmigration.ThisrunscountertotheEuropeanemphasisonbordermanagementandreadmission.ThereareconcernsthatfundingundertheEUEmergencyTrustFundforAfrica(EUTF),designedtoaddressrootcausesofirregularmigration,isbeingdirectedtowardssecurityissuesratherthandevelopment.
Thepushforbordermanagementwithinthecontinentcanultimatelythreatenintra-Africanmobility.BecausemigrationissuchapolarisingissueintheEU,ithasbecomeincreasinglydifficulttodiscusslong-termdemographicshiftsinEuropeandlegalmigrationfromAfrica.Thisposesthechallengeofreconcilingshort-termwithlong-termobjectivesandusingdifferenttoolsformanagingmigration.DifficultsecurityandeconomicconditionsintheAfricancontinentarelikelytopersist.Currentmigrationtrendswillcontinue,especiallywithsuchalargeyouthpopulation.ThisrequiresAfricancountriestoinvestseriouslyintheirhumancapital.TheAU’sMigrationPolicyFrameworkforAfricaadoptedin2006,identifiesprioritiesandprovidesrecommendationsforMemberStatesandtheRegionalEconomicCommunities(RECs)ondifferentmigrationissues.WhilethisframeworkpromotesthefreemovementofpeoplewithinAfricaandtheprotectionofrightsofrefugeesandmigrants,itlacksthenecessarymechanismstomonitor,enforceandguideMemberStatesindevelopingtheirownmigrationpolicies.WhatcouldbeneededbytheAUandtheEUisanintensifieddialogueonthemigration,developmentandregionalintegrationnexusthatcanpotentiallyreconcileconflictingagendas.MigrationwillcontinuetobeacriticaldimensionofEU-Africarelationsforalongtime,butthisfocusonmigrationshouldnotoverrideotherissuesofcriticalimportance.
AbouttheauthorTasnimAbderrahimisaJuniorProgrammeOfficeratECDPM.
Despite the existence of various frameworks for dialogue on migration between both continents, divergent narratives still impede a fruitful cooperation.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 27
InaTrap?Africancountriesfindthemselvesinthemiddle-incometraporlow-incometrap,frustratingthehopesoftheirfastgrowingpopulationforabettertomorrow.Insteadofreform,governmentsseemtofavourthestatusquoandpathdependency.AccordingtotheWorldBank,themiddle-incometraphasmanycauses,differingfromcountrytocountry,butprimarilyitresultsfromalackofinvestmentinscienceandtechnology,educationandindevelopmentoftheirowninnovationecosystems(WorldBank,2011).Thelowandmiddle-incometrapsarelargelyhomemade.
Ofcourse,therearecontextualconditionswhicharenecessaryforgrowthandinnovationtosucceed.Theyareinthefirstplacetheruleoflawandtheabsenceofcorruption,necessaryconditionsfortrustofcitizensandinvestorsinthegovernment
andforaneconomicallyefficientallocationofpublicresources.Equallyimportantareopennessandcollaborationwithavarietyofstakeholderstoensurecreativityandserendipityinthepublicdebate.Socialinclusionhasrecentlybeenrecognisedwidelyasakeyingredientofsuccessfuleconomictransformation;withoutastrongandlargemiddleclass,whowillbuymanyofthenewproductsandservices?Inparticular,smallandmedium-sizedcompaniesneedasolidhomebasetoo.Thelowandmiddle-incometrapismostlytheresultofinnovationfailures:strengthsandopportunitiesavailableorachievableareunderusedornotdevelopedbecauseofafailureofsystemicinnovation.Thisrequiresnewconceptsandmethodsofgovernanceinthepublicandprivatesectorsalike(SeferSener&StefanSchepersed.,Innovation,GovernanceandEntrepreneurship,2017).Unfortunately,thereisnoAfricancountryamongthebestperformingcountriesintermsofeconomicinnovation
RADICAL INNOVATION OR MUDDLING THROUGH?The European Partnership Agreements, under conclusion or negotiation with the European Union, will help to stimulate inclusive growth, but only if governments, business and centres of learning put in place the right framework conditions.
ByStefanSchepers
ZanakiPrimarySchoolreceivedaSchoolImprovementGrantin2016financedbytheWorldBankforitssubstantiallyimprovedstudentperformanceonthenationalPrimarySchoolleavingexamination.Photo:SarahFarhat/WorldBank
28 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
capabilitiesandglobalcompetitiveness.IntheWorldEconomicForumranking,Africancountriesarenearthebottomofthelist,withMauritiusplacedhighestin45thplace,followedbySouthAfricain53rdplace.TheinnovationrankingofINSEAD,CornellUniversityandtheWorldIntellectualPropertyOrganisation(WIPO)explainswhythecompetitivenessrankingissolow.TheAfricancountryfirsttoappearisagainMauritiusin53rdplace,followed,again,bySouthAfricain58thplace.WhydoesnoAfricancountrycomenearthetop30ofcompetitiveandinnovativecountries?
Africa’sgrowthisstilllargelydrivenbytheglobalcommoditiestrade,withsomeagriculturalandevenlessmanufacturingtradeinaddition.Itsregionalmarketintegrationisstillhighlyinsufficient,deprivingitfromoneimportantsourceofinternaltradeanddevelopment.Itisimportingtechnology,ratherthanfocussingonimprovingitseducationsystemswhichwouldallowittodevelopitsowntechnology.Becauseofthisandforotherreasons,itisveryvulnerabletodevelopmentselsewhere.
Butcanoneexpectcountries,whicharestillcopingwithamultitudeofstructuralproblems,toinvestininnovationpolicywhentherearesomanyotherpressingdemandsonpublicbudgets,notleastpovertyalleviation?Yes.Cancountrieswithlimitedgovernmentcapabilitiesandasmallresearchinfrastructuredoit?Yes.Andcanacomprehensiveinnovationpolicyfacilitatesolvingthecomplexstructuralproblems?Yes.Therearetwoseriousmisunderstandingsaboutinnovationpolicy:itisnotamatterofhighpublicspendingonresearch,butofcreatingtherightframeworkconditionsforpeopleandcompanies,smallandlarge,toinnovateinthemarket;anditdoesnotconcernonlyhigh-technologysectors,butallsectorsoftheeconomy,includingthemosttraditionaloneswhichtendtoofferthegreatestscopeforinnovation.
Thekeyobjectiveofaninnovationpolicyistocreatevalueforsocietybyenhancingthequalityoflifeofitscitizensandthe(global)competitivenessofitsenterprises.Thishappensthroughintelligentinteractionbetweenavarietyofstakeholders,principallyeconomicactors(companiesandotherentities),publicgovernancesystems(AfricanUnion,regionalmarketstructures,national,provincialandevencitygovernments),universitiesandothercentresofknowledgeandoftenalsocivicsocietyandconsumerorganisations.Itrequiresleadershipandanopen,collaborativemindsetfromgovernments,notahierarchical,authoritarian,bureaucraticapproach.Africa’ssurvivingcommunaltraditions,itsproclaimedUbuntu,couldhelptoinnovategovernancetomakeitappropriateforthe21stcentury.
Valuecreationimpliestostartfrombroad,inclusiveconceptsofdemand.Itrequirespermanentstrategicagility,scanningtheglobalcontext,scoutingforopportunitiesandattentionto
economicandtechnologicalcontinuitiesordiscontinuities.Theemergenceofnovelconcepts,processes,productsorservices,isoftentheresultofout-of-the-boxthinking,improvisation,repeatedtrialanderrorandtheemergenceofnewtacitandexplicitknowledgeuntilsomeformofconsolidationtakesplace.Toachieveaninnovativeeconomicandsocialcontext,akindofecosystemmustemergethroughcarefulnurturingandreforms.Anecosystemofinnovationaimstoemulatenatureinitsorganisationalcomplexityandtocreatethedynamics,interactionsandfeedbackthatproducedesiredoutcomes,spin-offsandcumulativeeffects.Paradoxically,itrequiresaparalleleffortofconstructionanddeconstructionandofcreationoftherightframeworkconditions,whichcanonlybedonethroughconsistentholisticsteering.(KlausGretschmann&StefanSchepers,ed.,RevolutionisingEUInnovationPolicy,2016).
Orlikeanantelopeforward?Africaisnotlackingsomuchincapacities,butitdoeshaveaseriousproblemofcoherenceofvisionandpurpose,ofcreatingcumulativeeffects,andofpoliticalculture,duetoorganisationalfragmentation,persistenceofmultiplebarriersinmarketsandtheabsenceofasystemapproach.Itdoesnothavetherightcultureandgovernancetoolstodevelopanecosystemofinnovationappropriateforthepresentchallenges,becauseitcontinuestoomuchonthegovernmenttrajectoriesinheritedfromthecolonialage(MoeletsiMbeki,Thearchitectsofpoverty,2009).
Itistimeforanewapproach:developinginnovationecosystemsinAfrica,respondingtoitsownneedsandopportunitiesandtakingtheglobalmarketcontextintoaccount.Clearandconsistentleadershipfromthetopwillbeneededtocreatetheframeworkconditionstofacilitateotheractors,primarilycompaniesandcentresofknowledgeandtodevelopandmanagethedynamicinteractionswhichleadtomeasurableinnovationandaddedvaluecreation.Itcanbedoneonacountrybycountrybasis,withoutignoringtheopportunitiesfromcooperationacrossbordersandsectorsandcross-fertilisation,andinvolvingbusinessleaders,centresorresearchandcivilsocietyorganisations.Correctlyassessingcontextualchangeisadifficulttaskbecauseofatendencytocomparetothepast.Itisthereforeessentialtodeveloparealisticcognitivemap,basedonanassessmentoftheinteractingdevelopments,withHorizon2030andonthebasisofforesightstudies.
TheresultingscanofinnovationchallengesandopportunitiesforAfricashouldbeformulatedsolutionneutral.Thiswillenabletheemergenceofcreativeideas,whicharetheembryonicsolutionswhosepotentialimpactcanthenbefurtheranalysed.Itwillalsoavoidthatfutureinnovationeffortsaredeterminedbytacticalconsiderations.Thepersistentgapwiththemostdynamiceconomiesmustbeovercomebyleapfroggingandbytrendmutation.Itisnotjustthecasetocatchupinsectorsofhigh
Great Insights | November/December 2017 29
innovationandrapidproductivitygrowth,whereAfricacontinuestoseriouslylagbehind,butalsointraditionalsectors,wherethereofteniscompetitiveadvantage,andinpublicgovernance,whosepoliciesandaccumulationofrulesarethemaincauseofthislackofcompetitiveness.Itrequiresradicalthinking,‘outside-the-box’.
Toachieveahigherdegreeofinnovativeness,newmethodsofgovernancemustbeconsideredandimplemented.Thefocusininnovativeeconomiesisoncollaborativegovernanceandonpublic-privatepartnershipsandalearningmindset,movingbeyondacultureofregulationandcontrolandtowardsacultureofappropriatestewardship.
Coherenceisakeyingredienttobringcumulativeeffectsinaninnovationecosystem.Itdemandsanoverallperspective,basedonthelong-termforesightandinparticular,intheearlystageofinnovationdevelopmentwheninertiaandstatusquoapproachesrisktounderminetheneedforradicalnewdepartures.Toproperlyalignthevariousagendas,itisessentialtoinvolvealltheeconomicactors,becausetheyoftenpossessanunderstandingofmarketneedssecondtonone.Thisdemandstodevelopthecultureandthetoolswhichgobeyondmechanisticconsultationprocedures,tobringasharedvision,engagementandcooperationduringimplementation.Researchandcenturiesofexperienceshowthatthereisapositivecorrelationbetweenasociety’sdegreeofopennessandtolerancefortheindependent,creativeandentrepreneurial-mindedanditseconomicsuccess
Finally,regularpeerreview,scrutinyofprocessandevaluationofachievements,orthelackthereof,byindependentmulti-stakeholdergroupsofexperts,isessentialtoensurefirmnessofpurposeandagilityofmethodologies.Experimentingwithfundamentallynewmethodsandabandoningormodifyingprogrammeswhentheyappearnottomovefastenoughtowardstangibleresultsmustbeafullpartofaninnovationecosystem.Allthiswillbearadicaldeparturefromexistingbureaucraticcultureandrequiresstrongleadershipsupport,transparencyandcommunicationwithstakeholders.
Evaluationispartofconstantlearningundercircumstancesofuncertainty.Learningcapacitiesandriskacceptancearemajorcharacteristicsofaninnovationecosystem.Theyprovidethebasisforadjustmentsandoftenleadtoadditionalinnovativeness,tobettervaluecreationandcompetitiveadvantage.Anexplorationofinnovationecosystemdevelopmentwillhelptomovetheeconomiesforward,butitshouldneverbeforgottenthatthesolepurposeistoimprovethelivingconditionsofallpeople.
AbouttheauthorStefanSchepersisSecretaryGeneraloftheindependentHighlevelGrouponInnovationPolicyManagement,ChairmanofEPPA,visitingProfessorEuropeanStudiesatHenleyBusinessSchoolandChairmanofMazungumzo.
Constructionworkersonsite.Photo:ArneHoel/WorldBank
30 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
SHARED VALUES? MAYBE. BUT HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY?
LawmakersmeetduringasessionofParliamentinAccraPhoto:JonathanErnst/WorldBank
Since 2007, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have pursued the joint Africa-EU strategy (JAES), which “reflects the Euro-African consensus on values, joint interests and common strategic objectives”. At a time when both partners are working to replace the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) in 2020 and on the eve of the 5th Africa-EU Summit, it is a good moment to reflect on the effectiveness of shared values.
ByLéonardMatala-Tala
ThegrowingnumberofcrisesintheEU,inAfricaandtheworldleaveEuropeandAfricalittlechoice:eithertheydefendtheirinterestsatallcosts,usingeventhosemeanswhichareincompatiblewiththeirvaluesortheymakethesevaluesessentialelementsoftheirpartnership.
AsolemndeclarationofvaluesAtthe4thEU–Africasummitin2014,allpartiesagreedonaroadmapforfivepriorityareasfrom2014to
2017:peaceandsecurity;democracy,goodgovernanceandhumanrights;humandevelopment;sustainable,inclusivedevelopmentandgrowth,andcontinentalintegration;andglobalandemergingissues.AsthefirstparagraphoftheJAESstates,“AfricaandEuropeareboundtogetherbyhistory,culture,geography,acommon
future,aswellasbyacommunityofvalues:therespectforhumanrights,freedom,equality,solidarity,justice,the
ruleoflawanddemocracyasenshrinedintherelevantinternationalagreementsandintheconstitutivetextsofourrespectiveUnions.”
BoththeEUandtheAUshareatleastthefollowingninevalues:peace,humandignity,humanrights,genderequality,freedom,democracy,theruleoflaw,justiceandsolidarity.Thevaluesunderlinedabovewillbehighlightedaspointsofcomparison.Althoughsolidarityisnotliterallyspecifiedinany
Great Insights | November/December 2017 31
AUdocument,itismentionedhereasasharedJAESvaluebecausesolidarityhastraditionallybeensuchacommonrecurrentthemeinmanyAUspeeches.
Thesevaluesareuniversal.Theyapplytoallhumanbeingsandhavebeenadoptedbyanumberofstatesandorganisationsaroundtheworld.Thisuniversalitycanbeseeninthegradualstrengtheningoftheindividual’splaceinsocietyandinthelegalandpoliticalframeworkscreatedtoprotecttheindividual’sautonomyvisàvispower.Thesetwofactorspromotetheestablishmentoftheruleoflaw,anessentialbasisfortheexpressionofvalues.Assharedvalues,theyformtheveryfoundationsoftheedificeonwhichthisAfrica–EUpartnershipisbuilt.
Howeffectivearethesevalues?Valuesmatteronlyiftheyareprotectedandrespected.Onthefaceofit,onemightthinkthatthereisagreatdisparitybetweentheAUandtheEUinthepracticalapplicationofthesevalues–theEUbeingthemodelpupilincontrasttoafalteringAfrica.Inreality,althoughEurope’strackrecordwouldappearmoresolid,bothcontinentsarefacingmajorchallengesonanunprecedentedscale,allofwhichconstitutepitfallstheycanneitheravoidnormanagewithoutcompromise.WithintheEU,memberstateshaveintegratedthesesharedvaluesinto
theirworkingmethods.Theircitizenshaverightsenforceableagainstthepublicauthoritiesandguaranteedbytwointernationalcourts–theCourtofJusticeoftheEuropeanUnion(CJEU)inLuxembourgandtheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights(ECHR,CouncilofEurope)inStrasbourg,inadditiontothenationalcourts.WhilepeaceisnowestablishedonEUsoil,thecurrentcrisesaretestingsuchvaluesastheruleoflaw,solidarityandrespectforhumandignity–particularlyinAustria,Hungary,Poland,BulgariaandRomania.
Theelectoratevotesforpopulistpartieswhoclaimtohavebettersolutionstokeyproblems(asseeninAustria,France,Hungary,Italy,theNetherlands,PolandandtheUK).TheEUfindsitselftornbetweendefendingsharedvaluesandrespectingthenationalidentitiesofitsMemberStates.WhilethePresidentoftheCommissionrecognisedinhisStateoftheUnionAddresson13September2017theurgentneedtoimprovetheinhumaneconditionsinwhichmigrantsarelivingindetentionandreceptioncentresinLibya,theVisegrádGroup(i.e.Hungary,Poland,SlovakiaandtheCzechRepublic)refusestoimplementthedecision(OJ2015,l248,p.80)takenbytheCouncilofMinisterstorelocaterefugeestohelpItalyandGreece,whicharecurrentlyoverwhelmedbytheinfluxofmigrants.
On27July2017,theEuropeanCommissionlaunchedthereasonedopinionprocedurewhich,shouldthesestatesfailtoact,willopenthewayforajudicialreviewbytheCJEU.On6September2017,thatsameCJEUrejected(C-643/15andC-647/15)theappealbroughtbyHungaryandSlovakiawithPolishsupportagainstthe2015decision.Moreover,thereformsintroducedinHungaryandPoland(involvingthejudiciaryandthemedia,forexample)callintofurtherquestionthevalueoftheruleoflaw.ThesecrisesdemonstratethelimitsoftheguaranteesputinplacetoprotectthesevalueswithintheEU.Whatwillhappennowthattheselimitshavebeenexceeded,withHungaryhavingdecidednottocomplywiththeCJEUdecisionof6September2017?Withagrowingdistrustfortherulingclassandgiventoday’spoliticalratingsculture,eventhelawisunderpressure.DemocracyitselfissufferingfromthedisengagementofEUcitizens.
InAfrica,peacestillstrugglestotakerootineverydaylifefollowingchronicpoliticalinstability.Theregularitywithwhichconstitutionalchangesaremadetokeeptheleadingpresidentandgovernmentinpower,thelackoffreeelectionsandthefailuretorespectpluralismareahindrancetotheimplementationoftheruleoflaw,evenwhenseveralAUvaluesemanatedirectlyfromit:therejection
VALUES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION SHARED AU-EU VALUES VALUES OF THE AFRICAN UNION
PEACEHUMAN DIGNITYFREEDOMDEMOCRACYEQUALITYRULE OF LAWHUMAN RIGHTSPLURALISMNON-DISCRIMINATIONTOLERANCEJUSTICESOLIDARITYGENDER EQUALITY
PEACEHUMAN DIGNITYFREEDOMDEMOCRACYRULE OF LAWHUMAN RIGHTSPLURALISMNON-DISCRIMINATIONJUSTICESOLIDARITY
PEACEGENDER EQUALITY HUMAN RIGHTS DEMOCRACYRULE OF LAWGOOD GOVERNANCESOCIAL JUSTICE REJECTION OF IMPUNITYREJECTION OF POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONHUMAN DIGNITYREJECTION OF TERRORISM
32 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
ofimpunity,politicalassassinationandunconstitutionalchangesofgovernment.In2008,theAUmergedtheAfricanCourtofHumanRightsandtheAUCourtofJusticetosetupanewAfricanCourtofJusticeandHumanRights.Theaimwastoestablishaneffectiveregionalcourtwiththenecessaryresourcestodefendtheruleoflaw,humandignityandhumanrights.Butwillthiscourtreallyhavethemeanstofulfilitsaims?Willitsucceedwheretheothertwohavefailed?Respectforhumandignityisimplementedinavarietyofways.WhileAfricanconstitutionaltexts(e.g.theMaputoProtocolandtheconstitutionsofBurkinaFaso,Benin,IvoryCoast,Madagascar,MaliandNigeria)guaranteetheprotectionofwomen,mutilationandslaverystilloccurinsomeregions.Finally,solidarity,oftenheldupasanAfricanvalue,haslittleinfluenceontheground.MalnutritioninSouthSudanandtheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,terroristconflictsandattacksincertaincountries(suchastheCentralAfricanRepublic,MaliandNiger)donotsparkstrongmobilisationbyneighbouringstates,orevenbytheAUitself.Indeed,helphascomeprimarilyintheformofforeignaid.
WithintheAU–EUpartnership,sharedvaluesareproclaimedloudandclear.Butaretheyadequatelyprotectedorevenrespected?Dowetrampleonvaluesabroadwhichweconsidersacredathome?TheagreementstheEUhassignedwiththearmedgroupsinLibyaandAlBashir’sSudanontheTurkishmodelformigrationcontrol,theshrinkingspacelefttotheoppositionandcivilsocietyinmanyAfricanstates,andthelackofsolidarityonthepartofstateswhicharebecominginwardlooking,arejustsomeexamplesofthefragilityofthesesharedvalues.
Certaincrises,includingmigration,aremerelythevisibleeffectsofvalueswhichhavelongbeenignored.,Wecanreversethistrendonlybyputtingtherespectofvaluesbackatthecentreoftheagenda.EuropeansmustencouragereformsinAfricawhichhelptoestablishlastingpeaceandtheruleoflaw,ratherthansupportingregimeswhichdonotrespectthesevalues.TheircredibilityandthesuccessoftheJAESareatstake.Jean-ClaudeJuncker’sappealinthisyear’sStateoftheUnionAddressbearsrepeating:“Europeisandmustremainthecontinent
ofsolidaritywherethosefleeingpersecutioncanfindrefuge.”Africansmustworktogethertomakethesevalueseffective,startingwiththeruleoflawandhumandignity.ThisisthepricetopayifAfricanyoutharetohaveenoughfaithintheircontinenttostaythereandinvestinit.ThevaluessharedbytheEUandtheAUneedtoguidedecisionsandactionstoguaranteethesolidityandsustainabilityofthepartnershiptheywanttobuild.
AbouttheauthorLéonardMatala-TalaisassociateProfessorinPublicLawatISAM-IAE,UniversitédeLorraine,Nancy.
AyoungSomaligirlrunsinfrontofanAfricanUnionMissioninSomali.Photo:StuartPrice/UNPhoto
Great Insights | November/December 2017 33
THE WORLD IS CHANGING: THE RELATIONSHIP NEEDS CHANGING TOOIf European countries want to safeguard their relations with Africa, they must treat the continent as an equal and valuable partner in practice and not just in rhetoric.
ByJessicaIlunga
DaresSalaamPort,Tanzania.Photo:RobBeechey/WorldBank
34 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
RapidandsignificantchangesintheglobalarenaarereshapingAfrica’srelationswiththerestoftheworld.AsemergingglobalplayersareexpandingtheirfootprintinAfrica,Europeancountriescannotrelyontheirsharedhistorywiththecontinenttoguaranteetheirplaceunderthesun.Farfrombeinganasset,Europe’scolonialpastisinfactitsgreatestliabilityasitsmembersseemunabletomoveawayfromtheirtraditionalneo-colonialandpatronisingattitudetowardsAfricadespiteEUleaders’benevolentrhetoric.Inthisnewera,whatAfricaneedsistobetreatedasanequalandvaluablepartnerinpracticeandnotjustinrhetoric.Asweapproach2020whichmarkstheendoftheCotonouAgreement,theEUhastheopportunitytoredefinethefoundationsofitspartnershipwithAfrica,whichisessentialifitwantstokeepadecentshareofthefruitfulAfricanpie.
AdaptingtodisruptiveglobalforcesTheworldisrapidlychangingandatleastthreemajortrendshavethepotentialtoreshapeAfrica’srelationswiththerestoftheworld.Thefirstimportanttrendistheriseofemergingeconomiesasmajorinternationalplayers.Overthelastfewyears,countrieslikeChina,RussiaandIndiahavetakenamoreprominentroleontheinternationalscene.Notonlyhastheirvoicebecomemuchstrongeronglobalissueslikeclimatechange,buttheyhavealsoincreasedtheireconomicfootprintinAfricathroughtradeandinvestment,threateningthelong-standingpositionofEuropeancountries.Forinstance,injusttwodecades,ChinahasbecomeAfrica’slargesttradepartnerandAfrica-Chinatradehasbeengrowingatabout20percentperyearsince2000,reaching$188billionin2015.ThisismorethantriplethatofIndia,Africa’ssecondbiggesttradepartner.LinkedtothisfirsttrendisthestrongerdesiretobreakawayfromWesterndominanceacrossAfrica,especiallyamongitsyouth.Thegrowinganti-CFAfrancmovementinFrancophoneWestAfricaandthecontinuousattacksagainsttheInternationalCriminalCourtarejustafewindicatorsofthechangingattitudeoftheAfricanpopulationtowardstheperceivedWesterndominanceandintrusionintoAfricandomesticaffairs.Astoday’syouthwillbetomorrow’srulingeliteofthecontinent,buildingagoodrelationshipwiththisyouthisessential.
Lastly,astrongercommitmenttowardsregionalintegrationisincitingAfricancountriestofocusinwardforgrowthandpovertyreduction.Afterthedramaticfailuresoftherapidliberalisationpoliciesimposedbyinternationalpartners,theprioritiesonAfrica’sstructuraltransformationagendaarenowthedeepeningofregionalintegrationandtheincreaseofintra-Africantrade.ItcanbeexpectedthatasAfricancountriesarebecomingeconomicallystrongerandmoreunited,therewillbe
moreresistancetotradeandcooperationagreementsthatarebeingperceivedasdetrimentaltoAfrica’sintegrationefforts.
France’sdecliningpositioninAfricaFrancehaslongbeencriticisedforitsneo-colonialattitudetowardsAfrica.Thedebatearoundthecountry’scolonialpastresurfacedduringthelastpresidentialelection.Asayoungandseeminglyprogressivepresident,Macron’selectionraisedthehopethathewouldbreakawayfromhispredecessors’neo-colonialapproachtowardsAfrica.HiselectionrhetoricsoundedindeedpromisingandsuggestedadesiretoloosenFrance’sgripoveritsformercolonies.
However,afterhiselection,hemadeafewPRblundersthathavecosthimhisprogressivereputationinAfricancircles.Freshlyelected,MacronfirstcameunderfirelastJuneafterbeingcaughtcasuallyjokingaboutComorianmigrants’boats,whicharealsodubbedthe“boatsofdeath”becausesomanymigrantshavesunktryingtosailfromtheComoresislandtotheFrenchislandofMayotte.Justamonthlater,hesparkedanotherrowwhenheexplainedthatAfrica’sproblemswerecivilisationalduringapressconferenceattheG20summitinHamburg.
WiththecreationofthePresidentialCouncilforAfrica,Macronistryingtogiveayounger,andmoreacceptablefacetoFrance-Africarelations.Officially,theroleofthecouncilistoadvisehimonAfricanmattersandpreparehistripstothecontinent,especiallybyhelpinghimdraftkeyspeechesrelatingtoAfrica.Thisisaninterestinginitiative,howeveritishighlyunlikelythatthiscouncilwillcontributetoafundamentaltransformationofFrance’sAfricapolicy.
TheCouncilforAfricaagainsttheFrançafriqueGoliathWithoutquestioningtheindividualqualitiesofthecouncilmembers,itisprettyclearthattheydonothavethepowertocounterbalancetheinfluentialFrenchinstitutionsandfigureswhoarethecornerstonesoftheFrançafriquesystemthathasbeenaccusedofbeingthesourceofpovertyandpoliticalinstabilityinformerFrenchcolonies.
TheeconomicarmofFrançafriquetakestheformofpost-colonialagreementsthroughwhichFrancehascheapandeasyaccesstothenaturalresourcesthatitneedsforitsindustries.ThishasbeenaverylucrativebusinessforFranceanditslargestcompaniesstillholdaquasi-monopolyoverstrategicsectorsofFrancophoneAfricaneconomies,includingelectricity,telecommunications,infrastructure,airportsandharbours.Forinstance,Bolloré,whichistheregion'slargestlogisticsgroupbyturnover,isactiveinmorethan40Africancountries.Itoperates
Great Insights | November/December 2017 35
17portsinAfrica,includingthoseofAbidjaninCôted'Ivoire,DoualainCameroon,LibrevilleOwendoinGabonandPointe-NoireinCongo.
Beyondtheeconomicaspect,thereisalsoaculturalresistanceintheFrenchpopulationtomoveawayfromitstraditionalpolicyinAfrica.AddressingthewoundsofthepastistheprerequisitetodevelopingamoreequalandtrustingrelationshipbetweenFranceanditsAfricanpartners.However,Frenchnationalidentityisintrinsicallylinkedtothecountry’scolonialpast,whichisseenasasourceofnationalprideandglory.AndanycriticismofFrance’scoloniallegacyisseenasanunpatrioticattackagainstthecountry’shistoricachievements,eveniftheFrenchempirederiveditspowerfromtheexploitationofpeopleacrosstheglobe.ThenecessarytransformationoftheFrenchpublicopinionisclearlyoutsidetheboundariesofthemandateofthecouncil.
ThecolonialundertoneofEUdevelopmentpolicyTheEU’sdevelopmentpolicyfindsitsoriginsinthelegacyoftheFrenchimperialruleinAfrica.Itisthereforeunsurprisingthat,inspiteofanapparentevolution,thereremainsastrongcolonialundertoneinthesuccessivecooperationandtradeagreementsbetweentheEUandAfricancountries.
Signedin2002,theCotonouAgreementistheEU’smostcomprehensivedevelopmentcooperationpartnershipwithanyregionintheworld.ItscoreobjectivesarepovertyandthegradualintegrationofAfrican,CaribbeanandPacific(ACP)countriesintotheworldeconomy.Whileintheorytheagreementisbasedontheprincipleofequalpartnership,therelationshipbetweentheEUanddevelopingcountriescontinuestobedeeplyunequalwithAfricancountriesbeingplacedinasubordinateposition.
ThisinequalityappearsmoststronglyintheapplicationofpoliticalconditionalityandthenegotiationprocessoftheEuropeanPartnershipAgreements(EPAs).TheAgreementstressesthatbothpartnersmustpromotedemocracy,humanrights,ruleoflawandgoodgovernance.However,incaseofviolationofoneoftheseessentialelements,onlytheEUhasthepowertocontrolACPcountriesbyrestrictingtradeoraid.
Furthermore,theEUdidnothesitatetouseitssuperiorpositiontoforceACPcountriesintotheEPAs.SeveralAfricancountries,supportedbylocalcivilsocietygroups,openlyopposedtheEPAsbecausetheycontaindetrimentalpoliciesfortheirlocalmarketsandindustries.However,tospeeduptheprocess,theEUthreatenedtonotonlywithdrawforeignaid,butalsoendthepreferentialaccesstoEuropeanmarketsforexistingexport
productsfromreluctantstates.Therefore,eventhoughtheEUlikestobranditselfasavalue-driveninstitutionthatpromotespeace,security,democracy,andhumanrightsaroundtheworld,inpracticeittendstobehavelikeanauthoritarianbullywhentryingtosecureitseconomicinterestsinAfrica.
AnewapproachforaneweraInthisneweraandgiventherecentglobaldynamics,Europeancountriesshouldstopwiththeirpatronisingdevelopmentdiscourseandoutdatedtradeandpartnershipmodels.Ultimately,Africa’stransformationwillcomefrominternalpolicyclarity.ThemostpressingchallengeforAfricancountriestodayisthustoclearlydefinethetypeofdevelopmenttheywantbasedontheirownvisionandpriorityforthefuture.
Politically,Africanstatesdonotneedexternalincentivestopromotedemocracy,humanrightsandgoodgovernance.Theyalreadyknowthattheseuniversalvaluesareessential.Whattheyneedistobeabletointernallydecidehowtheseuniversalvaluescanbeappliedtotheirownreality.Economically,theydonotneedhelptointegratetheworldeconomy.Whattheyneedistostayawayfromskewedinternationaltradeagreementsthatkeepthemdependentonrawmaterialsexport.Theirpriorityshouldbedeepeningregionalintegrationandboostingintra-Africantradebeforeopeningdomesticmarketstothepressureofmoredevelopedcompetitors.
TreatingAfricaasanequalandvaluablepartnerandrespectingitspolicyspacearetheonlywayforwardforcountriesthatwanttopreservetheirrelationswiththecontinentinthefuture.Amutuallybeneficialpartnershipmightseemscaryforcountrieswhichhavebenefitedfromsuchanunfairandunequalrelationshipforsolong.However,inthelongrun,thisisthebestoptionforeveryone.Afterall,aneconomicallystrongandpoliticallystableAfricaisnotonlygoodforAfrica.Itisgoodfortheworld.Notonlywillitsolvesecurityandmigrationthreats,whicharethemainconcernsofEuropeancountriesatthemoment,butitwillalsogiveotherregionsacredibletradepartnerwithanever-growingconsumermarket.
AbouttheauthorJessicaIlungaisanExternalaffairsconsultantcurrentlyworkingfortheDemocraticRepublicofCongo.
36 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
BarefootlawattheUN.Photo:Barefootlaw
TECHNOLOGY TO EMPOWER SOCIETY: THE BAREFOOTLAW EXPERIENCE
A new generation of young African entrepreneurs are taking on the major challenges in their society, using technology and innovative thinking applied to their local context. They are providing a potential blueprint for solving other problems across the continent. In this regard the Partnership between the African Union and the European Union could play an important role if the available instruments were more flexible to reach out to these younger generations.
ByGeraldAbila
InnovationinaglobalcontextInmostcases,thewordinnovationorindeedthewords‘innovation’and‘technology’,immediatelyevokeanimageofcuttingedgedevices,systemsorapplications,developedfromthefast-pacedSiliconValleyintheUS,orothertechnologyleadingspacesacrosstheglobe.Itcouldbethelatestbreakthroughinaugmentedrealitytechnologyhelpingnearlyhalfabillionpeopletoplayagame,suchasNintendo’sPokemonGo!,ortherapidmainstreaming
ofmarket-changingapplicationsthatareturningtraditionalbusinessesontheirheads,suchasUberorAirBnB,wherefromhavingtostandoutonthestreettohailataxi,oneisnowabletoorderarideandsplitthebill,whilestillatthedinnertablewithfriends.Inthiscontext,innovationoftenchallengesamarketthatisalreadywellstructuredwherethenewutilityisanimprovementonanalreadyexistingone.Infact,manyoftheseinnovationsarebasedonthebestandlatesttechnologyavailable.
Mostimportantly,whentheseinnovationsoccur,theyalmostalwaysneedtobecomeglobalsuccessestobeconsideredtruly‘worldchanging’.ItisonlywhenyouuseUberbothinNewYorkandinKampala,thatyougraspthelevelofimpact.
Therealityisthatthiscontextrepresentsafairlyaccuratedepictionofwhatinnovationisgloballytoday.Innovationisbig,itisbold,itiscuttingedgeanditisleadingfromthefront.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 37
InnovationintheAfricanspaceHoweverthisisnotthefullpicture.ThisisonlywhatIwouldcalla‘mainstream’contextofinnovationasopposedtoa‘global’context.Takeforexample,thefinancialtechnology(FinTech)space.GreatbigleapsonFinTechhavecomeoutofAfrica,mostnotably,theemergenceandrapidgrowthoftheuseofmobilemoneyservices.
InKenya,Safaricom’sM-Pesamobilemoneyservice,whichenablesthetelecomnetwork’ssubscribertotransfermoney,payforservicesandeventakemicroloans,hasrapidlychangedthewaythemoneyandfinanceisaccessedinKenya.ThesameappliesinotherAfricancountrieswheremobilemoneyisused.Withlittlemorethana15EurofeaturephoneandaGSMconnection,usersareaccessingandusingmoneyinpreviouslyunthought-ofways.
Fromaninitialbasicservicethatallowedtwopeopletotransferaslittleas0.4euro(50Kenyashillings)viatheirmobilephones,M-Pesahasnowmorethan26millionuserswithover55.9meuroworthoftransactionsin2017.TheM-Pesa
revolutionhassetinmotionseveralotherinnovations,providingservicevendorsanavenuetocollectrevenueandaplatformonwhichotherserviceappscanbebuilttoservethepublic.Manyoftheseotherinnovationsarerunbyyouthful,energeticAfricanswhoaretakingtheopportunitytodevelopsolutionsfortheircommunities.
Whatthisdemonstratesisthatinnovationcancomefromanywhere,andstillbe‘worldchanging’;itcanprovideanewandbetterexperienceforpeople,whetheritisanewgamingexperienceorabreakthroughinmicrofinancethatupliftssmallscalefarmersinruralcommunitieswithsmallloans.Innovationandtechnology,theBarefootLawstoryThisiswheretheBarefootLawstorycomesin.BarefootLawwasestablishedin2013inUgandaasanorganisationworkinginthelegalsectoronimprovingaccesstojustice.
Itallstartedfromaverymodestidea.WhenIwasastudentinlawschool,Istartednoticingthehugegapinthe
knowledgeofthelawandhowthisgapaffectedpeople’sdailylives.Itmightbeapersonbeingheldinpolicecustodywithoutknowledgeofhisorherrights,orpeopletakingjusticeintheirownhandsbecauseoflackoftrustinthejudicialprocess.Itbecameclearthattherewasaneedtoprovidethisinformationtothepublic,toempowerpeopletomakebetterdecisionsand,ultimately,applytruejusticeandtheruleoflaw.
BarefootLawstartedwithaused3GiPhone,byprovidinglegalinformationtothepubliconaFacebookpage(www.facebook.com/barefootlaw).Initially,onlyafewpeoplecheckedit,inquiringondifferentsectionsofthelaw(tobehonest,mostofthemwerelawstudentsatmylawschoolandfriends).Thiswashardlyaninnovationatthetime.Facebookhadalreadybecomeaglobalphenomenon,andpageswerebeingusedforeverythingfromnewsandentertainmenttosellingproducts.
However,thedemandforthisservicegrewincrediblyfastanditwasnotbeforelongthatpeoplestartedaskingforlegalsupportonhowtoundertake
Barefootlawinaction.Photo:suppiedbyauthor
38 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
courtproceduresastheyhadnomoneyforalawyer.Indeed,withinashortperiodoftime,wewerealsofacedwithachallengetoprovidethisservicetothosewithbasicfeaturephones.WehadtoexpandourworktoprovidethisinformationonotherplatformslikeSMS(shortmessagingservices),websites,andevenusingtraditionalmethodsoflegalaidsuchasgoingoutintocommunities.
ThiswasdrivenbytherealisationthatformostofAfrica,technologydoesnotoperateinavacuum,andservicesbasedonnewtechnologysuchasmobilephonesweremerelycomplementingalreadyexistingsystemsandservices,simplymakingthemmoreefficient.Itseemsthatourrapidgrowthwastheresultofabiggapinaccesstolegalservicesinthecountry.BarefootLawquicklyrealisedthatwithsuchagreatneedforlegalsupport,therewasaneedtoinnovatetobringtheseservicestomorepeople.
Fiveyearson,BarefootLawprovidesfreelegalsupporttomorethan450,000peopleeverymonthacrossallourplatforms.Inthenearfutureweexpecttoimprovethetechnologiesweusetobecomeevenmoreefficientinprovidingthisserviceandtoexpandacrossborders.
Innovationcanalsocomefromunusuallocations,usingsimpletechnologies.Couplethiswithyouthfulenergyandbeliefs,criticalinsightonproblemsandlocalcontexts,thenyouwillseeemergingveryusefulideaswiththepotentialofbeingreplicatedacrosscountriesandregions.BarefootLawisonesuchexample.
MorethanjustaoneoffWeareonlyoneofseveralexamplesofyouthfulinnovationstacklingrealandpresentproblemsintheirsocietieswithinnovativeideasandmakinguseof
technologyforgreaterimpact.InKenya,Kytabuareprovidinganenrichedlearningexperiencebymakingcurriculumcontentavailableonmobiledevices,creatingopportunitiesforstudentsandteachersalike.InGhana,Farmerlineusesmobiletechnologytoprovidemarket-drivensolutionstoover200,000farmerstoimprovetheiraccesstomarkets,inputsandinformation.Andthesearejustafewexamples.
Whiletheimpactofourorganisation(andmanyothersacrossthecontinent)mightnotyetbedescribedas‘worldchanging’,thenumbersindicatethatwearehavingarealimpactonindividualsandcommunitiesand,moreimportantly,wearedoingsoinauniqueway.
Theseinnovativeinitiativesarefillingagapthatshouldbefilledbyproperworkinggovernanceormarketsystems.Notonlytheyhelptosolvespecificsocialneeds;theyalsoallowustolearnalessononidentificationofthemarketandonusageandcontextofresources.
WhatmorecanbedoneandwhocantakepartAndyet,thisisonlythebeginning.AtBarefootLawforexample,weareexploringautomationandmachinelearningforsomeofourservices.Thereisalottolearn,andthisiswherethecuttingedge/leadingedgetechnologyspacesworldwideshouldworktogethertocreateusefulknowledgeexchanges.Formanyothers,attractingtherightkindof
capitaltosupporttheirgrowthiscrucial.Whileventurecapitalhasincreasedacrossthecontinent,thereisstillabigneedforlongtermcapital,asthespacewithinwhichmanyoftheseentitiesoperateisnotyetwelldefined,andalotoflearningneedstohappen.
Thereisalsoaneedtopartnerwithdifferententitiesandinstitutions-suchastheEuropeanUnion-withaglobalfootprinttohelpjumpstartthescalingacrossborders.Therefore,moreinternationalorganisationswithinterestinbringingsocio-economicchangeoughttolookintohowtopartnerwithinnovationonthecontinentandthewaystheirworkcanbeextended.
ThereisaneedforthegovernmentsinAfricatosetprioritiesandcreateenablingenvironmentsforinnovationstoprosper.Thiscouldbethroughtheestablishmentofyouthinnovationgrants,ortheprovisionofsubsidiestoyouthinnovatorsonthecontinent.IftheinnovationthatishappeninginAfricacanbefostered-throughpartnershipandsupport,itwouldempowerandencourageyoungentrepreneurstochallengethecurrentstatusoftheircommunitiesandbringchangethroughentrepreneurshipandinnovation.
ThisiswhyinnovationandtechnologyinAfricawillplayabigroleinachievingtheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andindoingso,contributingtobuildingaprosperouscontinentforgenerationstocome.
AbouttheauthorGeraldAbilaisthefounderofBarefootLaw.
BarefootLaw provides
free legal support to
more than 450,000
people every month
across all our platforms.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 39
THE AU-EU PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND SECURITY
The European Union (EU) has been a long-standing partner for peace since the African Union (AU) came into existence. As the AU marks its 15th year, it is useful to reflect on what the partnership between the two continents and organisations has achieved and to identify specific initiatives for the future in terms of ongoing cooperation.
ByTimMurithi
MakingtheAUFitforPurposeInJanuary2017,tomarkthe15thyearsincetheorganisationwasformallylaunched,theAUAssemblyofHeadsofStateandGovernmentadoptedareporttitledThe Imperative to Strengthen Our Union,containingrecommendationsforinstitutionalreformoftheAfricanUnion.ThisreportwascompiledbyPresidentPaulKagameofRwandawiththecollaborationofapanelofseniorAfricanleaders.Thereportidentifiesclimatechange,violentextremistideologies,diseasepandemics,andmassmigrationasbeingamongstthekeyissuesthaturgentlyneedtobeaddressedby“focusedand
effectiveregionalorganisations”.TheKagamePanelreportlaments:“theunfortunatetruthisthatAfricatodayisill-preparedtoadequatelyrespondtocurrentevents,becausethe African Union still has to be made fit for purpose.ThisisaforthrightandhonestappraisalofthestateoftheAfricanUnion15yearsafteritwaslaunchedwithmuchfanfareandgreatexpectationsin2002inDurban,SouthAfrica.The15thyearoftheAfricanUnion’sexistencealsomarkedthearrivalofanewleadershipteamwhen,inMarch2017,MoussaFakiMahamat,theformerChadianforeignminister,becamethechairpersonoftheAUCommissionandKwesiQuartey,
ScenesfromIfo2RefugeeCampinDadaab,Kenya,Photo:UNPhoto/EvanSchneider
40 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
thedistinguishedGhanaiandiplomat,becamehisdeputy.ItispromisingthatMoussaFakiandhisteamofCommissionersareapproachingtheirmissionattheAUwithadegreeofpragmatismabouttheconstraintsandpossibilitiestheyface.Specifically,on14March2017,duringhisfirstpublicaddressastheAUCommissionchairperson,MoussaFakioutlinedsixpriorities,includingtheneed“toreformthestructures”oftheorganisationtomakeit“atoolcapableoftranslatingintorealitythevisionofourleadersandaspirationsofourpeoples”.Inaddition,MoussaFakiemphasisedtheneedtoaddressthecontinent’sconflictsandenhancetheparticipationofwomenandyoungpeopleinpromotingpeace,developmentandtherevivalofthecontinent.MoussaFakialsoidentifiedthepromotionofeconomicintegrationwithaspecificfocuson“increasinginter-AfricantradeandfreemovementofpeoplesothatAfricanscanfinallyceasetobeforeignersintheirowncontinent”.HearguedfortherevitalisationofAfrica’sprivatesectortoenhancewealthandjobcreation,andforstrengtheningAfrica’sengagementininternationalrelations.TheseareallimportantentrypointsfortheEUtorevitalizeitsengagementwiththeAUandadvancethestrategicpartnership.
AperennialconstraintintheAfricanUnion’sabilitytoassertitselfontheinternationalstageisitsrelianceanddependencyondonorstopaysalariesandfinanceitsoperationsandprogrammes,includinginthesphereofpeaceandsecurity.TheEUhasbeenakeypartnerinthisregard.However,therehavebeenincreasinglevelsofcriticism,fromobserversandpoliticalleaders,abouttheAU’sinabilitytoowntheirpeaceandsecurityinitiatives.Specifically,thisremainsachallengefortheAfricanPeaceandSecurityArchitecture(APSA)andtheAfricanGovernanceArchitecture(AGA),andhasraisedquestionsaboutthetrue“ownership”ofAfrica’sinstitutions.Consequently,inJuly2016,theAUAssemblyofHeadsofStateandGovernmentadoptedadecisiononfinancingoftheUniontoinstitutea0.2%levyoneligibleimports.Theimportanceofthisdecisionwas
reiteratedinthereport‘Securing Predictable and Sustainable Funding for Peace in Africa’byDonaldKaberuka,theAUHighRepresentativeforthePeaceFund.ThisisthefirstgenuineattempttoweantheUnionanditsinstitutionsoffitsdonors,particularlyinthesphereofpromotingpeaceandsecurity.OverthenextdecadeoftheEU-AUstrategicpartnership,bothinstitutionsshouldsupportthislevyinitiative,toavoidinsinuationsthattheAUisnot“owned”byAfrica.Concretely,theEUcanfurtherassisttheAUinpolicyreflectionontheuseofleviestofinancinginternationalorganisations.Theprospectiveincomestreamgeneratedbyself-fundingwillenabletheAUtounderwriteitsowninitiativesandprovideabasisfortheorganisationtoengagemoreeffectivelywithAfricancitizensacrossthecontinent.
ConsolidatingPeaceandAccountabilityTheUN'sSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andinparticularGoal16,callsfortheconsolidationofpeace,securityandaccesstojustice.Thismeansthatoverthenextdecadeofthestrategicengagement,boththeEUandtheAUwillneedtofocustheirenergiesonnationalandregionalreconciliationprocessesacrossthecontinentthroughthepromotionofaccountability,redress,andrestitution.Africa'sexperienceindealingwiththepastandmanagingsocietaltensionsmeansthat‘dialogueplatformsondiversity’couldhelpEuropeancommunitiestolearnfromtheirAfricancounterparts,giventherisingtideofidentitypoliticsandproblematicposturetowardsimmigrantsinsomecountries.ThiswouldalsochallengetheperceivedtrendinknowledgeandskillstransferfromAfricatoEurope,whichhashistoricallybeenunacknowledgedandunder-emphasized.
ThenextdecadeofthestrategicpartnershipbetweenEuropeandAfricawillwitnessareconfigurationofthenatureoftherelationshipastheAfricancontinentbeginstoassertitselfmoreontheglobalstage.ThisishowevernotareasonforEuropetobecomeconcernedorinward-lookingbecausesucharemakingofglobalorderwillensurethatprosperitywillincreaseonbothsidesoftheMediterraneansea,whichwillultimatelybebeneficialforthepeopleofbothcontinents.
AbouttheauthorProfessorTimMurithiisHeadofProgrammeattheInstituteforJusticeandReconciliation,CapeTown,andExtraordinaryProfessorofAfricanStudies,UniversityoftheFreeState,Bloemfontein,SouthAfrica.HeiseditoroftheRoutledgeHandbookofAfrica’sInternationalRelations.
The next decade of the strategic
partnership between Europe and
Africa will witness a reconfiguration
of the nature of the relationship
as the African continent begins to
assert itself more on the global
stage.
Great Insights | November/December 2017 41
HOW TO RENEW THE EU-AFRICA PARTNERSHIP THROUGH TRANSCONTINENTAL YOUTH NETWORKS
ACPYPNinaction.Photo:ACPypn.com
The African Union (AU) declared 2017 the ‘year of harnessing the demographic dividend through Investments in Youth’ and the European Union (EU) renewed its Youth Strategy; this is timely given the focus of the upcoming AU-EU Summit on ‘youth’.
ByYentylWilliamsandCelineFabrequette
TheupcomingSummiton‘youth’isauniqueopportunitytoplaceyouthintegrationandinclusioninpolicyanddecision-makingprocessesattheheartofrelationsbetweentheAfricanandEuropeancontinents.Yet,the new strategy must be innovative, visionary and dedicated. First,therenewedpartnershipmustbeinnovativethroughthedevelopmentofjointobjectivestoensureyoungpeopleplayanactiveroleinthedecision-makingandtheimplementationofthepartnership.Second,itmustbevisionarybygoingbeyondmerestrengtheningofrelationsonanation-to-nationorregion-to-regionbasis,butalsothroughhorizontalandverticalcooperationwithyouthcivilsocietytosupportthereframingofsocial,economicandpoliticalvalues.Third, itshouldbededicatedtoharnessthealreadyinnovativeinitiativesthatyoungpeopleareimplementingtoempower
theirpeers–beitonentrepreneurship,educationandpoliticalengagement–tobringatransformativechangetooursocieties,whichcanadequatelyprepareusfortheglobalandcommonconcernsofourgenerations.So,strongpartnershipwithyouthorganisations,includingyouthcivilsocietyandyouthdiasporaorganisations,willbekeyfortherevitalisationoftheEU-Africapartnership.Acaseinpointistheinnovationandthevisiondemonstratedbytheyouth-ledandyouth-ownedtrans-continentalnetworkACPYPN,theAfrican,CaribbeanandPacificYoungProfessionalsNetworkinBrussels(EU).
Innovation-horizontal&verticalyouthcooperationTheAfrican,CaribbeanandPacificYoungProfessionalsNetwork(ACPYPN)providesaplatformforyoungpeopletohaveanactiveroleinpolicy-makingprocessesatthenational,regionalandinternationallevels.Theplatformwasinspired
42 | Great Insights | November/December 2017
bythelegallybindingcommitmentsthattheEUandtheACPgroupofstatestookonyouthcooperation(Article26CotonouPartnershipAgreement).Theteamusednewtechnologytobuilditstrans-continental“YouthExpertDatabase”foryoungpeopletorealisetheirpotentialandtostimulatetheuseofthisambitiouscommitmentoncooperation.
AllofACPYPN’sactivitiesandadvocacycontributetoensuring‘responsive,inclusive,participatoryandrepresentativedecision-makingatalllevels’(target16.7)toprovidesolutionsforyouthandinstitutionsglobally(inlinewiththeSustainableDevelopmentGoal,SDG16).Inparticular,withtheforthcomingrevisionoftheEU-ACPpartnership,ACPYPNestablishedhorizontalandverticalcooperationtoensuretheinclusionofyouthintheconsultationprocesslaunchedbytheEU.Thenetworkwastheonlyyouth-ownedorganisationtosubmitaresponsetotheEuropeanCommission’sconsultationonthefutureofACP–EUPartnership.
ACPYPNcarefullyanalysedwhereyouthhadbeenleftoutofthepartnership,formorethanfortyyears,andcreatedtheACP-EUJointParliamentaryAssemblyYouthForum.TheForumestablishedaformalspaceforyoungpeopletomeetwith100+EUandACPparliamentariansforthefirsttimesinceparliamentarymeetingsbeganin1963andwasrecognisedasanofficialparliamentbytheJPAin2016.TheNetworkhasalsobecomememberoftheEU-CaribbeanForumJointConsultativeCommitteethatmonitorstheEconomicPartnershipAgreements.TheorganisationhadbeenalreadymonitoringtradeagreementsintheEuropeanParliamentforthepastthreeyears.
Vision–Co-developingayouth-centeredpartnershipInnovationcannotlastwithoutavision.Horizontalandverticalcooperationshowsthateffectiveyouthparticipationispossiblebutitmustbeaccompaniedbyvisionaryinstitutionalpartnerships.Inthiscase,effortscannotcomeonlyfromyoungpeoplebutalsofromtheinstitutions.TheAUisalreadyengagingwithyouthfromthediaspora,alsoknownasthe6thregion.ACPYPNisamemberoftheAUYouthAdvisoryBoard(YAB)attheAfricanUnionHeadquartersandamemberoftheAUYouthDiasporaTaskForceoftheAUmissiontotheEU.Thenetwork,interalia,collaborateswiththeAUYouthDivisiontodevelopandimplementactivitiesandpilotinitiativeswithotherAfricananddiasporayouthorganisationstofosteryouthemployment.ThenetworkisadirectinterlocutortotheAUinstitutionsandtheiryouthprogrammes.IntherunuptotheAU-EUSummit,ACPYPNhasbeenactivelyharnessingtheinteresttheInstitutionshaveinyouthpartnerships–throughitsactiveparticipationintheEU-Africa
CivilSocietyOrganisationForum,orinitsco-hostingoftheS&DAfricaweek’sYouthWorkshopattheEuropeanParliament–toensurethatinnovationisalwayscoupledwithvision.ItisthereforenotsurprisingthatACPYPNwastheco-organiseroftheAfrica-EUYouthsummitanditactivelyparticipatedinavarietyofdifferentinitiativespromotingyoungpeople'sissues.TheseincludethePanAfricanYouthUnion(PYU),TheAfricanDiasporaYouthNetworkinEurope(ADYNE),theEuropeanYouthForum,theNetworkofInternationalYouthorganisationinAfrica(NIYOAH)andtheAfricanDiasporaYouthForuminEurope(ADYFE).
Dedication–lookingtothefuturetogetherWhatweneedtoseenow,isdedication.Transcontinentalyouth-ledandyouth-ownedorganisationlikeACPYPNcanoffermuchfoodforthought.Itiskeytokeeponlearningfromthelessonsandexistingbestpractice:thisistheonlywaytogeneratetheinnovationandvisionthatisneededinarenewedEU-Africapartnershipdedicatedtobewithyouth.
AbouttheauthorsYentylWilliams(left),isthePresidentandfounderoftheACPYPNandCelineFabrequetteistheSecretaryGeneraloftheACPYPN.
Innovation cannot last without
a vision. Horizontal and vertical
cooperation shows that effective
youth participation is possible but
it must be accompanied by visionary
institutional partnerships. In this case,
efforts cannot come only from young
people but also from the institutions.
Great Insights |November/December 2017 | 43
Read our latest blogs
Trade and food security in West AfricaBruce Byiers, 30 October 2017
‘The West African economy is an informal economy. So trade facilitation is about working with informal trade’. So stated Laurent Bossard, Director of the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign of Affairs recently. Bossard’s comment came during the presentation of SWAC’s work on cross-border cooperation and policy networks in West Africa and on West African food markets.
A message to African and European leaders: ‘More of the same is not good enough’Geert Laporte, 23 October 2017
In a few weeks’ time, African and European leaders will gather in Abidjan for the fifth AU-EU Summit. There are plenty of important issues for them to chew on and yet, the agenda once again stays clear of the potentially controversial topics that divide both continents.
What the Dutch iron lady has in store for Europe and AfricaEwald Wermuth and Jeske van Seters, 30 October 2017
Sigrid Kaag has been appointed as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands. The media referred to her as the Dutch iron lady in her role as head of the international mission overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. What can Europe and Africa expect from her in this new position?
Finding the middle ground: Is the EU changing its engagement with middle-income countries?Mariella Di Ciommo, 6 November 2017
In one of his humorous talks, the Swedish statistician Hans Rosling shows us a beautifully designed data story on the emergence of ‘the middle’: people out of extreme poverty who however still live below acceptable standards. Across two centuries, we progressed from a poverty-ridden world to one with a big gap between the rich West and the rest.
Our blogs aim to deepen the dialogue on policy issues and get to the heart of the matter in an honest and concise way
OUR NEXT ISSUE OF GREAT INSIGHTS WILL BE ON MIGRATION, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018, VOLUME 7 - ISSUE 1
To subscribe to Great Insights please go to www.ecdpm.org/subscribeTo read previous issues of Great Insights, go to www.ecdpm.org/great
africa-europe relations
On 29 and 30 November, African and European leaders will gather in Abidjan
for the 5th AU-EU Summit. Their goal: to strengthen political and economic ties
between the two continents, discuss the future of the Africa-Europe partnership
and talk about issues of common concern.
Which issues will European and African leaders discuss exactly? Which topics
will they stay clear of and why? What is the current status of the relationship and
how can it be strengthened? Will both parties be able to shake off past habits,
break with the vested interest of the past and fundamentally change the course
of action? How can we make sure to link up discussions on the Africa-Europe
partnership with negotiations on the future partnership between the EU and
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States?
Ahead and after the Summit, ECDPM will try to answer these questions. This
dossier collects our analysis, blogs and events linked to the Summit. In the weeks to
come, you can expect many new blogs, articles and publications – so stay tuned.
Go to: www.ecdpm.org/africaeurope