China and African Agency

The Conversation published on 15 October 2018 a commentary titled "Ties between African Countries and China Are Complex: Understanding This Matters" by Yu-Shan Wu, University of Witwatersrand, Chris Alden, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Cobus van Staden, South African Institute of International Affairs.

The authors argue that African governments exercise more agency than they are given credit for. This includes frequently playing China and traditional Western development partners off against one another.

Ethiopia: History, Religion and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Pambuzuka News published on 15 May 2018 an analysis titled "Dr. Abiy Ahmed's Ethiopia: Anatomy of an African Enigmatic Polity" by Odomaro Mubangizi, dean of the Department of Philosophy at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology.

The author, whose analysis draws extensively on Ethiopia's history and religious diversity, concludes that Ethiopia remains an enigmatic polity that defies clear-cut categorization. He adds that Ethiopia has great potential and its new Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has come at the right time when the country needs fresh insights to propel it into the middle income category by 2025.

Agricultural Transformation: Rwanda and Ethiopia Score Best in 2017

The African Union Commission has released its 2017 draft progress report on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.

Its ranking of countries in Africa places Rwanda (score of 6.1) at the top of the list followed by Ethiopia (5.3), Malawi (5), and Mauritius (5). The benchmark for African countries was 3.9, which is the minimum score for a country to be on track for implementing the Malabo Declaration. Twenty-six countries failed to reach this score and twelve failed to report. Other countries in the Horn of Africa scored poorly such as Djibouti (3.2) and Sudan (1.9) or failed to report: Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan.

China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation: Mutual Benefits or Self-Interest?

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published in September 2014 a study titled "China-Africa Agricultural Co-operation: Mutual Benefits or Self-interest?" by Rex Ukaejiofo.

The author concluded that China's investment strategies in Africa are not completely self-serving as some critics argue.  China's engagement with African agriculture represents an opportunity for African states to gain some form of partnership for development, an alternative that promises mutual benefit.  The author adds that Africa must do better in leveraging Chinese engagement for maximum benefit.  The challenge is to develop new models for doing business with China, establishing ethical codes, and elevating practices that are rooted in a commitment to implement the demands that meet the needs of Africa. 

China in Africa: Devil or Angel?

Pambazuka News published on 19 February 2014 a commentary titled "China in Africa: Devil or Angel?" by Luo Jianbo, director of the Center for African Studies, Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and  Zhang Xiaomin, associate professor at the Beijing Foreign Studies University.  They conclude that China is an "angel" in Africa. 

African Union Handbook 2014

The African Union Commission and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade recently published the African Union Handbook 2014. This nearly 200 page document provides a detailed description of the organs of the African Union.  It begins with a history of the OAU and AU and has the following sections:

• Assembly
• Executive Council
• Specialized Technical Committees
• Peace and Security Council
• African Union Commission
• Pan-African Parliament
• Judicial and Human Rights Institutions
• Financial Institutions
• Permanent Representatives Committee
• Economic, Social and Cultural Council
• New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
• African Peer Review Mechanism
• Regional Economic Communities
• African Development Bank
• UN Economic Commission for Africa
• Other Bodies Related to the AU
• External Partnerships
• Budget

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Looks At 50 Years of OAU/AU

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/African Union, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made comprehensive remarks at Chatham House in London on 13 May 2013.

One of the issues he highlighted was progress in Africa on democratic governance.  Foreign Minister Tedros commented that "as we chart the way forward, I believe there is a clear need to mobilize our efforts to consolidate peace and stability, deepen the roots of democratic governance and bring about structural transformation to sustain the growth momentum.  This is essentially the major focus of our short, medium and long term strategies." 

These are noble goals.  It is important that Ethiopia pursue them, especially the need to "deepen the roots of democratic governance."