Join us as we exchange ideas on how to improve African government policy.
Posted Nov 12, 2007 in the Foreign-PolicyImmigration category.
‘Obviously hardly noticed by the public the United States will soon establish permanent military bases in sub-Saharan Africa. This US Africa Command (Africom) will oversee all US military and security interests throughout the region, excluding Egypt. Africom is set to launch by September 2008.
The full article appeared in The Nation November 19, 2007
Posted Nov 1, 2007 in the Foreign-PolicyImmigration category.
China’s presence in Africa creates some kind of euphoria that may soon fade away. There is this belief in some quarters that China is bringing with it the much needed foreign direct investment (FDI) into African economy. My question is with the so-called flow of FDI, to what extent are technology, skills and know-how being transferred? China seems to be everywhere in Africa, in Sudan they are the major investors in oil, in South Africa they have their hands in almost every pie, in Nigeria they have made a deal with United Bank for Africa. The China story seems to be everywhere in Africa and the rhythm is very loud. Whether it is India, China, EU, US the story is almost the same. I am strongly of the view that Africa needs genuine strategic partnership in almost every sector of the economy. My problem is not about EU or the US, I will like to see the true spirit of partnership played out during the AU/EU summit. Africa needs highly-skilled manpower development and not favorable foreign immigration policies and laws that will further deepen brain drain. I think these are some of the issues that AU should take with them to the negotiating table, it is not about FDI, it is not about creating jobs for the highly skilled African immigrants, it is not about frenzied take-overs or building of industries, it is about genuine and sustainable development effort in African countries.