The Baobab Tree

A fine reflection on a peculiar tree.

Detribalizing Africa?

The extent to which elements of African 'traditions' were, or are being, invented has been discussed by Africanists for a while now. This discussion has, however, hardly moved from the academy into politics . . . until now. South Africa recently cut down the number of traditional chiefs it recognizes from 13 to 7 arguing that those who did not make the cut were appointed by apartheid governments with the intention of dividing the people. It may well be that this is a move designed to save the country some money since funds are allocated to each traditional chief. However, the move is one of the rare occasions where the debates of scholars have political ramification. It may not be necessary to reduce the number of chieftaincy in order to unite the people but doing so may help the process of unity by not unnecessarily multiplying identities. The move may lead to further dispute but the reason given for the move is historically sound and may foster unity. Such moves may help end situations like this one in Kenya.

When China First Came to Africa

Africa and China have had a long relation of mutual interaction even though the Chinese memory of this relation is currently being ravished by oil and Zheng He and his massive ship that sank off the coast of Kenya.

Taxing Africans To Build Africa

It is well known that many African countries rely on external sources of funding for development projects. Such reliance, however, puts the economic development of the continent largely out of the control of its people. In order to build a strong internal base of funding, it is being suggested that African countries should develop and strengthen their systems of taxation. Because taxes are a dangerous political issue, many governments would like to be seen as cutting taxes. However, people cannot be expected to claim ownership of the development process if they do not foot the bill. Although it may be unpopular, Africans must come to see that there can be no development without taxes. Governments must see to it that people are enabled to make money so that they can pay taxes that would in turn be used for economic development. In fact, people are prevented from effectively participating in the economic and political processes of their countries if they do not pay taxes. Worse, it increases dependency on foreign sources of funding for the survival of many countries. The fact that far too many people do not pay taxes in most African countries shows the inefficiency, rather than the magnanimity, of governments. It shows the tendency of governments to remove their people from the political process: since the people do not pay taxes they have no right to demand that government provide any public good.

China's Sierra Leone - Through a Western Eye

A dairy:

Austin, and the others at the table, had no illusions about China, or its role in Africa. "It's good, and it's bad," said Austin. There were angry complaints around the table about how Beijing was "buying up" Sierra Leone's government, flooding the country with inferior products, and building a new foreign ministry in Freetown just to curry favour with those in power.

"China's agenda in Africa is not just economic. It's looking to be a superpower and the more countries it controls, the more it can achieve that," said Austin. He wasn't too impressed with China's journalism either - "too many barriers, too many conditions, the opposite of western journalism," he concluded. But he and his colleagues reserved most of their scorn for attitudes in their own country. "We are failing - we want everything to be put on a plate," said Austin. "Politicians here are driving us crazy. They're self-centred. They only want to enrich themselves, not develop the country. Africa can learn so much from China's determination to succeed."

Oil Disputes in Ghana

The discovery of oil in Ghana is already causing problems between the country and powerful interests. Hope oil does not become a curse in Ghana, too.

Ethiopia and Foreign Aid

Ethiopia is a good case for Dambisa Moyo's Dead Aid.