Africa rising: China, Obama and Pope Francis

INTRODUCTION

If one is in doubt about the mantra of “Africa rising”, pay attention to the high-level events that have recently taken place in Addis Ababa, dubbed Africa’s capital city. July saw the 3rd international conference on Finance for Developmant (FFD3). And then President of the United States Barack Obama visited Addis Ababa to address the AU heads of states on 28th July 2015—the first time a USA head of state has done so at the AU. President Obama headed to Ethiopia after his trip to Kenya where he attended the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. This goes to demonstrate that Africa is becoming a continent of choice as far as investment and innovation are concerned. Finally, Pope Francis too is arriving in November to make his first visit to the rising continent. What is going on here? A lot.

CHINA IS IN AFRICA

China’s presence in Africa is best illustrated by the massive $200-worth AU headquarters that the Chinese government donated to the African Union. It is an impressive building hugging the African skies. The dome where the main conference hall is located is a spectacle to behold—it looks like a huge African pot bottom-up.

China has also invested heavily in infrastructural development across the continent (China’s investment in Africa is estimated at about 220 billion $ USD) : in Angola, in Nigeria, in Kenya, in Ethiopia and many more countries. Roads and buildings across Africa are being constructed by Chinese companies like never before. Stories are told of a number of Chinese-looking babies being born across the continent. Evidence of Sino-Africa solidarity. One can imagine what will happen in the next 100 years.

What is clear is that China has taken a different approach to African development: Invest in heavy-duty infrastructure and leave Africans to address their human rights and governance issues. Of course issues are being raised about the quality of Chinese goods in Africa. Chinese goods are being spoken of as though they are a parable about poor quality. Others quickly point out that you get the quality of goods you can afford.

It is not only infrastructure that is announcing China’s presence in Africa. Chinese language is being taught in some African countries with Confucian Institutes attached to some African universities. Millions of Africans are glued on TV watching CCTV, a Chinese television channel based in Nairobi that has now rivaled BBC and Al Jezeera in reporting about Africa.

OBAMA ARRIVES

Africa rising mantra has also caught the attention of the most influencial leader on the planet, President Obama of the United States. Where China is, US also comes. Recall that China is the second largest economy in the world after the USA. The choice of Kenya and Ethiopia was not arbitrary. Kenya is home to major UN agencies and a regional hub in terms of tourism, capitalist investment and it is the largest economy in the East African region. When ICT innovation is talked about, Kenya’s M-pesa comes to mind. Kenya has the highest internet connectivity and mobile connectivity in the East African region. No wonder that the Global Entrepreneurship Summit took place in Nairobi. Kenya is also Obama’ s ancestral home.

And Obama arrived in style. Pavements in Nairobi were redone. Streets were cleared of vendors and traffic. New trees were planted. The African philosophy is that when a guest comes you put up a show and make things look new. This is the same philosophy that makes people only eat meat on big feasts such as Christmas and Easter or when an important guest has come. Obama too arrived with Air Force One and “Beast” (his special Limousine) massaged the streets of Nairobi. Security was beefed up not just because of the threat of Al Shabaab, but also to put up a show—president of the sole Super Power was in town.

Back in Addis, military helicopters were hovering above the city. And people came out of their houses to catch a glimpse of what was happening; some wondering whether war had broken out. Strategic streets were sealed off, flights delayed, and security personnel took control of the whole city. Why all this drama? Obama was in town. Indeed by delaying a visit to the East African region, Obama who is no stranger to political drama had created an effective strategy of dramatic suspense. It paid. The welcome was phenomenal and electrifying. Now we know why it took him so long to arrive. Do not forget the adage that: “One who laughs last laughs best.”

In terms of US foreign policy and especially the war on terror, Kenya is one of the strategic allies of the US in addition to Uganda and Ethiopia. Security issues caused by armed Islamic extremists such as Al Shabaab and Boko Haram cannot allow the US to stand-by and look on. Business interests and democratic values that the US stands for are at stake amidst Islamic militants in the Horn of Africa. But the most efficient means to counter extremism as Obama argued at his AU summit in Addis Ababa is good governance and investing in human capital. Obama had come to declare a new policy imperative for the African continent amidst the rising influence of China.

The main issues that Obama addressed during his tour of Africa namely corruption, democracy and war terrorism, outline his administration’s foreign policy priorities for Africa. The logic is clear: to fight terrorism you need a democratic and accountable government. Obstacles to democracy singled out include: altering constitutions to extend presidential terms; desire to rule for life; wanton corruption; and violation of human rights especially suppression of press freedom. These issues were addressed by Obama with a touch of humor: “I am actually a good president. If I stood again I could win.” This was clearly a veiled reference to African leaders who argue that because they are good leaders therefore they should stay power.

And he got a little direct on terms limits and democracy: "Africa's democratic progress is also at risk when leaders refuse to step aside when their terms end." And he became even more directive: "No one should be president for life" Obama emphasized. His most compelling argument about term limits is the direct critique he made of those leaders who claim to be the only ones who can lead. This is how he eloquently put it: "If a leader thinks they're the only person who can hold their nation together, then that leader has failed to truly build their country," Obama said. He cited the example of Nelson Mandela who led South Africa well but still retired while he could still do more. He even offered some advice that there is in fact life after leaving the presidency using his life as an illustration: "And, frankly, I'm looking forward to life after being president. It will mean more time with my family, new ways to serve, and more visits to Africa."

On the usual challenge of whether security should take priority over freedom he quoted an apt line: “If you trade freedom for security you risk losing both.”. The image of Africa also needs to be re-examined. On this Obama asserted: "As Africa changes, I've called for the world to change its approach to Africa." Africa suffers from stereotypes and so Obama called for a new perspective: "A half century into this independence era, it is long past time to put aside old stereotypes of an Africa forever mired in poverty and conflict. The world must recognise Africa's extraordinary progress."

To demonstrate the new approach, President Obama made a case for more trade, and stated that the United States is to do more business with the continent of Africa. “So many Africans have told me: we don't just want aid, we want trade that fuels our progress. We don't want patrons, we want partners who help us build our own capacity to grow. We don't want the indignity of dependence, we want to make our own choices and determine our own future." This message must have resonated with many who were listening to him. This message comes at a time when the world is discerning on the best way to finance development.

And in case the reader is not aware that Obama knows a thing or two about China’s massive investment in infrastructure across the continent listen to how he put it with a crypt critique: "Economic relationships cannot simply be about other countries building infrastructure with foreign labour or extracting Africa's natural resources." Then he offered his alternative, stressing capacity building and job creation: "Real economic partnerships have to be a good deal for Africa. They have to create jobs and capacity for Africans. That's the kind of partnership America offers."

Another point of great divergence in US and China foreign policies in Africa is the issue of terrorism and conflict. Some observers of Sino-Africa relations have pointed out China’s seeming neglect of issues of security and conflict preferring to leave these issues to sovereign states. Not Obama. He rightly argues that you cannot have progress without security and peace. "As Africa stands against terror and conflict. I want you to know the United States stands with you," Obama assured.

The other issue where Obama takes a different approach from China is corruption or graft. He termed it the “cancer of corruption.” At a time when debate has shifted to financing for sustainable development, Obama’s words are timely: "Nothing will unlock Africa's economic potential more than ending the cancer of corruption." The billions of dollars lost in corruption can be used to provide health care and employment to many unemployed youth in Africa. He also argued that ending corruption is closely linked to democratic rights.

And of course there is the issue of South Sudan conflict. Obama gave some indications on what the international community should do on the situation. The deadline given the protagonists Riek Machar and Salva Kir of 17 August to resolve their differences is to be take seriously, lest the international community takes stern measures. This might entail targeted sanctions.

POPE FRANCIS ARRIVING

Global leaders are not yet done with Africa. Pope Francis is also arriving for his fist tour of Africa in November 2015. He will visit Uganda from November 27 to 29 2015. During the same trip he will also visit Central African Republic and Kenya. Kenya will be lucky to host the Pope after Obama’s landmark visit in July. What does Pope Francis bring to the rising continent?

Unlike China and Obama, Pope Francis will be after the souls of the Africans. Even though he is a head of state—the Holy See or the Vatican—Pope Francis is primarily a pastoral leader concerned about the spiritual and moral wellbeing of his flock, as Christians are affectionately referred to in relation to their church leaders. But Pope Francis has some message that will touch on social, economic and political issues judging from his official documents known as encyclicals. In his most recent encyclicals he has raised issues of global economic justice, increasing inequality in the global economy, international policies that exclude the poor, and ecological sensitivity. His most recent encyclical is dedicated to ecology, where he argues that since we have the environment as our common home, we should take good care of it. Therefore economic and technological activities that destroy the environment need to be re-examined. He called for what he termed an “ecological conversion” and “ecological citizenship.” Christians are used to conversion from personal sins according to the Ten Commandments. Pope Francis has rightly observed that we sin against the environment by our lifestyle of wanton consumerism and lack of consideration for future generations.

Human beings are used to being identified with their respective countries and hence nationality and citizenship by state. Pope Francis rightly observes that since humanity has a common home that we call the universe and ecosystems that know no boundaries, we need to think of ourselves as citizens of the universe hence ecological citizens. This is a radical appeal. This new understanding is consistent with cosmopolitics that some political thinkers like David Held and Daniel Archibugi have been arguing for. This concept of ecological citizenship can resonate well with African cosmic worldview and vital force. This is the view that human beings are intimately linked to the universe with a web of forces. If well understood this view can be a basis for regional integration and pan-Africanism rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu.

What will Pope Francis bring to the debate of Africa rising? Clearly he will continue his previous themes of global justice, care for our common home, giving hope and calling for global solidarity in support of Africa’s social, economic and political programs. The choice of Central African Republic is deliberate. This country represents all the African countries torn apart by armed conflict rooted in religious intolerance. The Pope cannot visit all African countries at war. One country will serve as an expression of his concern for suffering Africa.

Uganda is another excellent choice. The war in Northern Uganda left many displaced and there is some reconstruction happening. Joseph Kony incidentally is in the forests of Central African Republic. Uganda has had its fair share of political turmoil as a result of failed democratic experiments. At the time of the Popes’ visit Uganda will be in the middle of hot political campaigns. And Uganda’s elections are as exciting as they are controversial. The international community is watching intently whether this season of elections will be peaceful, free, credible and democratic since a lot is at stake. Probably the Pope will say a thing of two on governance and democracy.

The choice of Kenya is also well justified. There is a lot of talk about entrepreneurship in Kanya. Real estate business is booming. Shopping malls are all over the place and yet, there are also enormous slums in the suburbs of Nairobi—a crying reminder of uneven capitalist development. The Pope will most likely say something about this yawning gap between the rich and the poor amidst affluence. Of course there is terrorism in Kenya thanks to Al Shabaab from Somalia. In addition to bringing hope to victims of terror in Kenya, the Pope will most likely call for tolerance and peaceful co-existence among religions.

Pope Francis arriving to rising Africa is no doubt a great opportunity for Africa to increase her visibility in global politics and international relations. If the Pope can take Africa seriously, so should other global players. But as Obama has pointed out, the international community including the global church should look at Africa a new. The rising continent is also becoming the hub of new and creative forms of Christian expression and praxis. The hitherto missionary territory needs to redefine itself and play a new role. Africa risings is not just an economic phenomenon but also an ecclesiological phenomenon. Churches across Africa are bursting with the faithful.

But one wonders whether these churches overflowing the believers are also equipped with relevant doctrines (what experts call theology). One wonders whether these churches are confident enough to take a lead making the Christian faith a catalyst for social change and transformation. The continent that is rising is also home to armed conflict, unstable democracies, and high levels of illiteracy when the Church has been around for more than a century (in some ancient states like Ethiopia and Egypt Christianity has been around for close to two millennia). Why is the rising continent lagging behind in social, economic and political progress, with millions of Christian-educated citizens? These could be some of the issues that the Pope Francis is contemplating as he thinks of his trip to Africa, and he may shed some light on them.

CONCLUSION

Africa is rising, China is in Africa, Obama arrived and Pope Francis is arriving. This is the glorious moment for Africa to rise and shine. The world is fascinated by Africa as never before. The potential is great. But this euphoria needs to be translated into concrete programs for social progress for the good of all. For this to happen we need ecological conversion and ecological citizenship as Pope Francis has insisted in his recent encyclical Laudato Si. Africa is the best placed continent to celebrate the harmony between nature and human beings. But Africa is also the best placed continent to find strategies to harness natural resources for its own good and not to be trapped in a resource curse.

Let me conclude with a thought experiment. Suppose the three most powerful leaders on earth—the President of China, the President of USA Obama, and Pope Francis—held a summit to chart a way forward for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals with special focus on Africa. The three: China, USA and the Vatican (representing the Catholic Church), are best positioned to solve most of the pressing issues facing the African continent. If the three most powerful leaders were to meet for a closed door session and dialogue until they have agreed on practical strategies to solve Africa’s challenges, and then agree to provide the solutions as well. These powerful institutions are already in Africa anyway. Instead of them each trying some separate strategy in a spirit of competition, it would better to reach an agreement and common strategies and even harmonize their approaches and present these to African leaders and peoples for endorsement to ensure ownership and full participation. Let Africa rise.

* Dr Odomaro Mubangizi teaches philosophy and theology at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Addis Ababa and is Dean of the Philosophy Department, as well as Editor of Justice, Peace and Environment Bulletin.

* THE VIEWS OF THE ABOVE ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PAMBAZUKA NEWS EDITORIAL TEAM

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