China-Africa Civil Society Dialogue : Development Challenges in Africa and the Chinese Development Experience Beijing, P.R. China, October 18th -19th , 2010 For most of the past five decades African countries were locked out of international capital markets. As a result, they have largely been spared the twin woes of the 2008 financial turmoil and subsequent world economic … [Read more...] about CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION – THE STAKES
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The Slave Ethos and the African Economy
DAKAR – The slump in prices for Africa’s natural resources, which led to chronic deficits in the past, has been reversed. Consumption, fueled by huge Asian demand for African commodities, is on the rise across the continent. For much of Africa, this turn of events should mark a decisive break with endemic poverty. But, unless African leaders change their ways, it will … [Read more...] about The Slave Ethos and the African Economy
Africa’s Linguistic Divide: French vs. English
Another of our Wednesday rendezvous with Africa... We will be looking at how former British colonies have fared in comparison to their francophone counterparts. Part of our tribute to 50 years of independence for many nations across the continent this year, our series in partnership with sister station Radio France International. Most of those countries are former French … [Read more...] about Africa’s Linguistic Divide: French vs. English
France-Africa leaders’ festivities : What to celebrate ?
As the former French colonies of Africa head to Nice to celebrate the 25th France-Africa Summit at the end of May, Sanou Mbaye questions the enduring legacy they’re honouring. Following decades of political and economic tyranny forged by French politicians, the citizens of former colonies continue to absorb the impact of chaotic and ruinous policies left over from their … [Read more...] about France-Africa leaders’ festivities : What to celebrate ?
Françafrique at 50
DAKAR – This month, Africa’s Francophone countries will mark the 50th anniversary of their independence, and of the ties they maintain with France. But is there much to celebrate? Even before French President Charles de Gaulle took office in 1958, he foresaw the wave of revolutionary nationalism that would soon sweep across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. … [Read more...] about Françafrique at 50
PROJECT PROPOSAL : CREATION OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA INVESTMENT BANK (ADIB)
The promoter of the African Diaspora Investment Bank (ADIB) is the London-based Senegalese banker Sanou Mbaye, a former member of the senior management team of the African Development Bank, and the author of “L’Afrique au secours de l’Afrique” (Africa to the Rescue of Africa). African migrant remittances to their country of origin is such an important source of finance that … [Read more...] about PROJECT PROPOSAL : CREATION OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA INVESTMENT BANK (ADIB)
CHINA – AFRICA : Matching China’s activities with Africa’s needs
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) Regional Office for East & Horn of Africa, Nairobi, and Fahamu Kenya brought together Chinese experts on Africa and representatives of African civil society organizations, providing a platform to exchange views and perceptions, and discuss areas of concerns to both sides, based on various country and thematic case studies. I. CHINA’S … [Read more...] about CHINA – AFRICA : Matching China’s activities with Africa’s needs
Overcoming Africa’s North-South Divide
The late President Mobutu Sese Seko of former Zaire once declared that the North African countries, which pride themselves on their Arabic descent, should be excluded from the then Organization of African Unity. Mobutu's rule was, of course, deeply flawed, but he was not alone within the pan-African movement in such thinking. The antagonism between the blacks of sub-Saharan … [Read more...] about Overcoming Africa’s North-South Divide
China’s Grand Africa Strategy
Ever since the Berlin conference of 1883, which Belgium’s King Leopold II called “the sharing of Africa’s cake,” the West has assumed exclusive rights over sub-Saharan Africa. But, while centuries of struggle to end colonial rule and apartheid have not changed this much, now Western influence is being challenged by China, which likewise covets Africa’s rich reserves of minerals … [Read more...] about China’s Grand Africa Strategy
China explosive drive into sub-Saharan Africa
Ever since the Berlin conference in 1883 in what Leopold II, the king of Belgium, had dubbed “the sharing of Africa’s cake”, Western countries tend to have assumed exclusive rights over the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Centuries of struggle for political and economic freedom to free themselves from colonial rule, remove apartheid and win their independence did not change … [Read more...] about China explosive drive into sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa’s Leadership to Nowhere
Why are the countries of sub-Saharan Africa the poorest in the world? One reason is the set of ill-designed development strategies that the IMF and the World Bank have implemented in the region for nearly half a century. But the centuries-old culture of leadership that is ingrained in many African societies has played an equally disastrous role. Indeed, the overwhelming … [Read more...] about Sub-Saharan Africa’s Leadership to Nowhere
West African expectations of Europe
Institute for peace support and conflict management (IFK) Africa-Workshop January 26th to 27th, 2006: Sorting Out the Mess: Wars, Conflicts and Conflict Management in West Africa To assess the expectations West Africa can look forward to from Europe, there is, first, the need to understand the root causes of the problems that have beset the populations and the … [Read more...] about West African expectations of Europe
Starving for Capital in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa's appalling poverty and living conditions have been exposed repeatedly through television and the Internet. But these agonizing pictures represent only the symptoms of an underlying - and largely unreported - malady: capital flight. Capital flight stems from myriad causes: debt servicing, the awarding to foreign firms of almost all contracts financed by … [Read more...] about Starving for Capital in Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa ‘s Oil Rush
It takes a threat to oil supplies to get world leaders to pay attention to Africa . Usually neglected by globetrotting statesmen, the continent recently saw visits from US President George W. Bush, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Brazil 's Lula Da Silva, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and many other world leaders. Their public comments were typically devoted to development, … [Read more...] about Africa ‘s Oil Rush
How the French Plunder Africa
France's unchallenged political, economic, and military domination of its former sub-Saharan African colonies is rooted in a currency, the CFA franc. Created in 1948 to help France control the destiny of its colonies, fourteen countries--Benin, Burkina-Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Bissau … [Read more...] about How the French Plunder Africa
