Africa - The Trawler.org
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Onyango-Obbo: “Watch out for Somalia, the regions next success story” (The East African)
298 days ago by Deika Mohamed
On July 25th Somalia’s National Constitution Assembly (NCA) convened for the first time in Mogadishu, marking a milestone in its transitional period. The 825 members conferred on ratifying the forthcoming provisional constitution, which will be put to a referendum in late August. Subsequently, the country will hold its highly anticipated elections and establish its first democratically elected government since independence. The author argues that, at its current pace, Somalia may have the most legitimate democracy and political system in East Africa. Onyango-Obbo points out the irony that the described “failed state” will hold a freer election than its regional neighbours (e.g. Uganda and Ethiopia), and it will be predicated on a publicly approved constitution, unlike Kenya. The NCA will no doubt face impediments after postponing the second convention because of mortar shelling in the capital on July 27th. Still, the events of the summer demonstrate unprecedented promise. (Full article)
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ARMAN: “Sudan’s Bashir won’t go down without a fight” (Sudan Tribune.com)
313 days ago by Deika Mohamed
Tensions in Sudan have only increased since demonstrations erupted on June 19. Though initially protesting over austerity measures, protesters are now demanding that the National Congress Party (NCP), headed by Omar Bashir, ought to step-down. The party has governed for twenty-three years after it assumed power through a military coup on June 30, 1989. Columnist Fatah Arman claims that due to its totalitarian nature, the regime change will be complicated. He argues that there must be four key factors present to force a presidential resignation. First, protests must spread into all regions of the country to prevent their dispersion. This will lead party members to defect in order to avoid association with a fallen regime. Next, the international community should place a spotlight on Sudan as they have with other ‘Arab springs’ and confirm its support of the protesters. Finally, the Sudan Revolutionary Front, which has long since opposed the NCP, should protect protesters from clashes with the military. (Full Article)
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Duale: “There’s is more to Somalia than disaster management”
321 days ago by Deika Mohamed
Amid famine, terrorism and ‘failed state’ rhetoric, CEO Abdirashid Duale wants to steers discussions on Somalia toward a path of optimism. Duale draws on his experience as a Somali businessman familiar with the ongoing changes in the country and offers a positive outlook on the state of Somali affairs. He cites international summits in London and Istanbul as cursors for future development. Both conferences created strategic policies to curb violence and promote growth. Moreover, the rising non-agrarian economic sectors have international investors eyeing potential new ventures. Regarding donor countries, $350 million in Turkish aid alone will establish much needed physical infrastructure in the private and public sectors to provide a foundation for long term investment opportunities. (Full article)
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Wallingford: “Kenya a failed state? On what evidence?”
328 days ago by Deika Mohamed
After reviewing the 2011 Failed State Index produced by United States think-tank Fund for Peace, columnist Ben Wallingford was stunned to see Kenya made the top 20 – nesting in 16th place of the world’s most ‘vulnerable states.’ It appears all of East Africa was designated as being ‘in danger.’ The author denounces the organization’s brazen essentialism and stereotyped depictions of the continent including the ‘Postcards from Hell,’ which display carnage, violence and destitution. Writing as an American expatriate living in Kenya, Wallingford believes Kenya’s position on the list is unsubstantiated. He cites Kenya’s thriving telecommunications, transportation and financial sectors, as well as the country’s GDP growth index, which registered 5% growth at $71 billion. Moreover, various multinational corporations have forged links with the East African state. However, Wallingford does not employ these statistics to mitigate extant problems in Kenya and does not doubt the challenges it faces. Instead he implores western media, development agencies and think-tanks to curb their myopia in discourses on Africa. (Full Article)
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Reeves: “Sudan at the tipping point: Khartoum May Portend Regime Change”
332 days ago by Deika Mohamed
In an emulation of Greece, protests have erupted in Sudan over austerity measures as the government fights bankruptcy – events that have sparked speculation of another Arab spring. The body of dissent comprises the students, the unemployed and the members of the ‘informal sector,’ and is reminiscent of anti-government protests of 1995. With the government in Khartoum cracking down heavily on both the protesters and the media, Eric Reeves of the South Sudan News Agency inquires as to whether these outburst may signify a regime change in the recently divided state. Officer corps are agitated over various conflicts within the country and with renewed conflict with its southern neighbour – each of which are money guzzlers. Ultimately it is the collapsing economy, partly due to lost oil revenues from South Sudan, that make these protests unique. Inflation is on the rise and investors are pulling out of funding projects because the country cannot provide its previous oil collateral. Reeves contends these are all signs of an imminent, although challenging, regime change. (Full article)
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Gaustadsæther and Ridolfi: “As they talk in Rio, Uganda walks the talk in Mubende”
336 days ago by Deika Mohamed
With the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development underway in Brazil, the ‘Rio+20’ summit hopes to institutionalize frameworks for sustainable development and to promote green economies. In their article published in New Vision, European ambassadors Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther and Roberto Ridolfi argue that Uganada’s Mubende region may be a model ‘green economy.’ Said economies are defined as increasing growth and reducing poverty levels without excessive environmental destruction. Mubende is able to achieve this through its thriving commercial tree-planting initiatives under the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme. Funding opportunities provided by national governments and international donor countries offer incentives to the private sector to support financial initiatives using environmentally friendly methods. These measures provide employment to several communities while adhering to strict regulations preventing interference with natural ecosystems. This new forestry industry should be used not only as a model for green economics, but also as a model for economic development. (Full article)
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Kisero: “Are East African Ministers Visionaries or in Denial?”
339 days ago by Deika Mohamed
Since the East African Community (EAC) released its 2012 budget estimates, Jaindi Kisero questions the feasibility of the assessments. Acknowledgements of inflation and deficits were evaded during the speech given by Mwananchi Mlalahoi. Spending measures seem bloated, especially since financial projections show a loss in revenue. Moreover, expenditure is siphoned-off to pay civil service and debts in the respective countries of the EAC, leaving little to finance proposed operations. Large portions of the budget appear to be buttressed on lending from European, Asian and other African banks. The author does not doubt the importance of borrowing to build infrastructure; however, can the EAC’s debt remain sustainable without economic growth? Kisero explains in greater detail the fundamentals of the EAC economies and the fundamental problems of the EAC budget proposal. (Full article)
Onyango-Obbo: “Watch out for Somalia, the regions next success story” (The East African)
298 days ago by Deika MohamedOn July 25th Somalia’s National Constitution Assembly (NCA) convened for the first time in Mogadishu, marking a milestone in its transitional period. The 825 members conferred on ratifying the forthcoming provisional constitution, which will be put to a referendum in late August. Subsequently, the country will hold its highly anticipated elections and establish its first democratically elected government since independence. The author argues that, at its current pace, Somalia may have the most legitimate democracy and political system in East Africa. Onyango-Obbo points out the irony that the described “failed state” will hold a freer election than its regional neighbours (e.g. Uganda and Ethiopia), and it will be predicated on a publicly approved constitution, unlike Kenya. The NCA will no doubt face impediments after postponing the second convention because of mortar shelling in the capital on July 27th. Still, the events of the summer demonstrate unprecedented promise. (Full article)
ARMAN: “Sudan’s Bashir won’t go down without a fight” (Sudan Tribune.com)
313 days ago by Deika MohamedTensions in Sudan have only increased since demonstrations erupted on June 19. Though initially protesting over austerity measures, protesters are now demanding that the National Congress Party (NCP), headed by Omar Bashir, ought to step-down. The party has governed for twenty-three years after it assumed power through a military coup on June 30, 1989. Columnist Fatah Arman claims that due to its totalitarian nature, the regime change will be complicated. He argues that there must be four key factors present to force a presidential resignation. First, protests must spread into all regions of the country to prevent their dispersion. This will lead party members to defect in order to avoid association with a fallen regime. Next, the international community should place a spotlight on Sudan as they have with other ‘Arab springs’ and confirm its support of the protesters. Finally, the Sudan Revolutionary Front, which has long since opposed the NCP, should protect protesters from clashes with the military. (Full Article)
Duale: “There’s is more to Somalia than disaster management”
321 days ago by Deika MohamedAmid famine, terrorism and ‘failed state’ rhetoric, CEO Abdirashid Duale wants to steers discussions on Somalia toward a path of optimism. Duale draws on his experience as a Somali businessman familiar with the ongoing changes in the country and offers a positive outlook on the state of Somali affairs. He cites international summits in London and Istanbul as cursors for future development. Both conferences created strategic policies to curb violence and promote growth. Moreover, the rising non-agrarian economic sectors have international investors eyeing potential new ventures. Regarding donor countries, $350 million in Turkish aid alone will establish much needed physical infrastructure in the private and public sectors to provide a foundation for long term investment opportunities. (Full article)
Wallingford: “Kenya a failed state? On what evidence?”
328 days ago by Deika MohamedAfter reviewing the 2011 Failed State Index produced by United States think-tank Fund for Peace, columnist Ben Wallingford was stunned to see Kenya made the top 20 – nesting in 16th place of the world’s most ‘vulnerable states.’ It appears all of East Africa was designated as being ‘in danger.’ The author denounces the organization’s brazen essentialism and stereotyped depictions of the continent including the ‘Postcards from Hell,’ which display carnage, violence and destitution. Writing as an American expatriate living in Kenya, Wallingford believes Kenya’s position on the list is unsubstantiated. He cites Kenya’s thriving telecommunications, transportation and financial sectors, as well as the country’s GDP growth index, which registered 5% growth at $71 billion. Moreover, various multinational corporations have forged links with the East African state. However, Wallingford does not employ these statistics to mitigate extant problems in Kenya and does not doubt the challenges it faces. Instead he implores western media, development agencies and think-tanks to curb their myopia in discourses on Africa. (Full Article)
Reeves: “Sudan at the tipping point: Khartoum May Portend Regime Change”
332 days ago by Deika MohamedIn an emulation of Greece, protests have erupted in Sudan over austerity measures as the government fights bankruptcy – events that have sparked speculation of another Arab spring. The body of dissent comprises the students, the unemployed and the members of the ‘informal sector,’ and is reminiscent of anti-government protests of 1995. With the government in Khartoum cracking down heavily on both the protesters and the media, Eric Reeves of the South Sudan News Agency inquires as to whether these outburst may signify a regime change in the recently divided state. Officer corps are agitated over various conflicts within the country and with renewed conflict with its southern neighbour – each of which are money guzzlers. Ultimately it is the collapsing economy, partly due to lost oil revenues from South Sudan, that make these protests unique. Inflation is on the rise and investors are pulling out of funding projects because the country cannot provide its previous oil collateral. Reeves contends these are all signs of an imminent, although challenging, regime change. (Full article)
Gaustadsæther and Ridolfi: “As they talk in Rio, Uganda walks the talk in Mubende”
336 days ago by Deika MohamedWith the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development underway in Brazil, the ‘Rio+20’ summit hopes to institutionalize frameworks for sustainable development and to promote green economies. In their article published in New Vision, European ambassadors Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther and Roberto Ridolfi argue that Uganada’s Mubende region may be a model ‘green economy.’ Said economies are defined as increasing growth and reducing poverty levels without excessive environmental destruction. Mubende is able to achieve this through its thriving commercial tree-planting initiatives under the Sawlog Production Grant Scheme. Funding opportunities provided by national governments and international donor countries offer incentives to the private sector to support financial initiatives using environmentally friendly methods. These measures provide employment to several communities while adhering to strict regulations preventing interference with natural ecosystems. This new forestry industry should be used not only as a model for green economics, but also as a model for economic development. (Full article)
Kisero: “Are East African Ministers Visionaries or in Denial?”
339 days ago by Deika MohamedSince the East African Community (EAC) released its 2012 budget estimates, Jaindi Kisero questions the feasibility of the assessments. Acknowledgements of inflation and deficits were evaded during the speech given by Mwananchi Mlalahoi. Spending measures seem bloated, especially since financial projections show a loss in revenue. Moreover, expenditure is siphoned-off to pay civil service and debts in the respective countries of the EAC, leaving little to finance proposed operations. Large portions of the budget appear to be buttressed on lending from European, Asian and other African banks. The author does not doubt the importance of borrowing to build infrastructure; however, can the EAC’s debt remain sustainable without economic growth? Kisero explains in greater detail the fundamentals of the EAC economies and the fundamental problems of the EAC budget proposal. (Full article)
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