Author: Admin

Ssemanda Allawi is a Senior Research Fellow at DWC and author Global Governance and Norm Contestation: How BRICS is Reshaping World Order.

In BRICS, Africa’s Interests Are Safe!

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By Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu

Finally, the 15th annual BRICS summit is happening, and it is taking place on the African continent. There has been a lot of talk about it this time as though it’s happening for the first time but that is because of where the world finds itself at the moment. Ukraine-Russia crisis is impacting everything and the BRICS summit is not unique to the fact after all the “R” in the “BRICS” is at the forefront of what the Kremlin has eloquently blamed on what they call NATO’s eastward expansion spree which threatens Moscow’s national and strategic interests. There is no doubt, this ongoing crisis which the west is fueling pumping arms into Ukraine has changed public opinion about the current World Order which the BRICS sees as biased to them.

BRICS started in 2001 as BRIC and it got its name from a report by Jim O’Neill who was an economist at Goldman Sachs and he predicted then that Brazil, Russia, India, and China would be the world’s leaders economically by 2050 because of the trajectory the four countries economies where taking. In 2010 South Africa joined to form the current BRICS that the whole world is talking about now which analysts argue it puts the G7 on spot especially that unlike G7, BRICS in all ways stands for the interests of the so-called emerging economies while speaking for entire global south.

Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is not the only reason the 15th BRICS summit is making headlines, but global problems like climate change are key to the agenda and also the over 40 requests from countries to join the formation is keeping the West on its heels.

At the moment, the formation is made up of about a population of 3.2 billion humans that can be also termed a labor force and market, a GDP of $ 24.44 Trillion that seems small compared to the population but an average of $ 7,500 GDP per capita is a dream for many in the global south especially in Africa.

At a time when the world is looking for an alternative to the current world order that is shaped by the US dollar the way BRICS operates seems like the best option going forward.  It’s rumored that Egypt, Algeria, Argentina, and Iran are close to membership then it’s a matter of time before everyone jumps onto the formation. Every developing country would desire this kind of forum that offers consultation and cooperation on significant economic and political issues between member countries and seems to be working.

Through the annual BRICS summit like the 15th South of the African continent, we should expect working groups on areas such as finance, trade, investment, science and technology, and health to set up and they are open to even those countries who are just willing to join. These working groups will then continue to meet as they from time to time identify areas of mutual interest and coordinate their efforts to foster inclusive development a major tenet of the BRICS.

As the formation meets on the African continent BRICS fits the current narrative by African leaders of complete independence from the West’s domination. BRICS members agreed at the start and going forward to strive for inclusive economic growth and to eradicate poverty, to fight unemployment, promote social inclusion, promote innovative economic development based on new technologies like blockchain and develop skills of citizens at the same time strongly cooperating with other countries.

Africa has a chance not to leave anyone behind through the BRICS formation since the ground in the group has proven the antithesis of elitism with its original intention of a restructured political, security, and economic outlook of the world. Africa also has conditions that are in line with the founding members of the BRICS for example fastest growing and emerging economies like Nigeria that is seeking membership, low labor costs that is being brain and muscle drained to Europe, favorable demographics of youths, and natural resources. These conditions need economic cooperation and development through multilateralism to have win-win situations at the end of the day.

To Africa, BRICS through the New Development Bank NDB can offer funding for infrastructure and sustainable development projects as it relives the pressure created by the Bretton Woods systems institutions like the IMF and World Bank that recently decided to stop funding in places like Uganda. For those countries that will go on to attain full membership, BRICS has the Contingent Reserve Arrangement CRA which is a financial safety net that provides liquidity support to members in case of balance of payment difficulties.

As AfCFTA works by boosting intra-African trade from 12% to 30% BRICS through Bilateral and Multilateral areas of trade, investment, technology transfer, Cultural exchange, and matters of security the Free trade Area on the continent can be unstoppable. BRICS along AfCFTA with the free movement of people would bring about people-to-people exchange programs and then foster research and innovation. Cultural exchange, enhance economic and social ties within the formation to create countries that can take on the West. Maybe even the International Criminal Court would be restructured and made to make more sense than being a tool for the West.

Apart from offering hope to Africa and the entire global south BRICS is so important that it offers a workable framework that can be exploited for real and true development that is inclusive. With BRICS bringing Africa on board the world Rebalancing will not be just a song but a reality. As Modi of India, Xi of China, Lula of Brazil, Ramaphosa of South Africa, and Putin is being represented by maybe Lavrov, since he has a war to attend to and just survived a mutiny come together BRICS through the NDB can start the process of dollarisation in Africa where US designed sanctions are used and hurt most.

By Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu is a Junior Research Fellow at the Sino-Uganda Research Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRICS STRUCTURE TO DEVELOPMENT MORE RELEVANT TO AFRICA

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By Balongoofu Daniel

The steady traction of the emergence of the BRICS in the contemporary global order reflects a potential shift of the global governance structure to a more economic led mechanism of cooperation through trade and the formulation of coordinated political positions on global issues to secure and under guard a collective path to economic development. The BRICS, a bloc that represents emerging economies; Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have gained much traction in the international arena due to their firm positions and structures of engagement specifically favorable for south-south relations, a structure that the global south has upheld to achieving economic development.

This year’s BRICS summit currently underway in south Africa is one of the most followed and widely anticipated political engagements globally due to the blocs’ spread popularity and attraction of interest from over 40 states including the UAE, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia among others.  The state of turbulence in global governance characterised with war, economic recession and post -pandemic recovery have made this 15th summit a much anticipated one on forging a way through for development. However, I find the bloc’s structure to development a more relevant reality to Africa and the global south as follows,

In this year’s summit’s special mug, a compilation by the south African government highlights the blocs’ special achievements, challenges and way forward in south Africa’s context thus far seeks to  highlight the beauty and advantages of the adopted strategy for BRICS economic partnership that looks forward to increasing access to each other’s markets, promote mutual trade and investments and creating a business friendly environment for investors in all BRICS countries. The authorities in south Africa further highlight that the most important part of this strategy is to diversify the trading of finished products as opposed to raw materials, a strategy that Uganda, Africa and the global south needs to broadly adopt in order to realize home production and control trade deficits.in the same vein, south Africa notes that its exports share to the BRICS countries have recorded strong growth since 2016 and registered a 7.1% per annum on average reaching US 817.6 billion in 2022. The mug further highlights that the principal contributor to such growth was exports to china over the same period.

In light with the AFCTFTA, an economic initiative by the African union that seeks to achieve a liberalised African continental market and to address the challenges of Africa’s low level of participation in the global economy and world trade, the south African authorities highlighted the importance of merging markets and the building of more partnerships with the BRICS under such an initiative. This will not only unlock trade possibilities but also mutually beneficial opportunities for investment and infra structural development. This further underscores a much broader market and   more liberalism in trade and also promote self-reliance through encouraging industrialisation for production. It should be noted that BRICS brings together a 3.27 billion population of people that makes the question of market and diversity a more achievable reality necessary for production.

The relevancy of the New Development Bank (NDB) that the cooperation achieved through availing of funds for development seeks to solve the global south long unanswered question of funding. It should be noted that the bank has catalyses availability of funds for development that so far US$ 32.8 billion worth of developmental projects have been funded using this bank availed financial resources. So far, the funds have been invested in building and upgrading of 820 bridges, building and upgrading of 35000 housing units and the generation of 2800mw of renewable and clean energy. This therefore is a blessing and an alternative source of funding from the IMF and world bank that the global south has arguably criticised for politicising funding and unfair repay policies.

Balongoofu Daniel is a Junior Research Fellow at Sino-Uganda Research Centre

 

The Multilateral Trading System: The U.S Should Stop Undermining Global Practice

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The Multilateral Trading System: The U.S Should Stop Undermining Global Practice

By Alan Collins Mpewo

It is not in doubt that the United States of America (US) has is always doing their best to stabilize global economy through various measures for selfish gains. Indeed, the US was among the spearhead as of what has popularly in recent times to be known as the Multilateral Trading System that has wide reception globally. This game after the second world that had seen an increase in various shortfalls especially during and shortly after the Cold war with the Soviets. The inception of this system lead to a finality of the General Arrangement on Tariffs and Trade. The Multilateral Trading System also saw the birth of the Uruguay Round sometime in 1980. Because of the growing conflict in the economies of scale between the competing blocs of the West and the Eastern globe there was need to set up formal rules to follow during international trade and business. Because of this, the United States was one of the founding members of the World trade organization and consequently part of the formulation committee over the World trade organization rules that would later bind all existing partners States at the time and those that would later in the near future adopt and assent to the World trade organization. Countless achievements have been since achieved by the World Trade Organization due to the recognizable leadership over the United States of America. It therefore goes without saying that the United States of America has made its solid contribution to the growth and periodic stabilization of the world’s economy.

Most important under the World Trade Organization rules was and still remains the dispute resolution mechanisms that have constantly been explored by the various parties whenever conflicts arise. The United States of America has without a doubt being on the forefront of always making sure that no more devastating consequences arise which would greatly affect majority of the global stakeholders in dangerously unimaginable levels. It should therefore be understood That’s that the United States of America has made various contributions as aforementioned herein, it has also in equal measures benefitted from the Multilateral Trading System. It is therefore safe to state that the system has been important in elevating various economies globally. The role played by the United States of America remains pivotal given that it is the world’s leading economy and ranks among the top three investment Nations in the world. Understanding that comes with major implications on how it exercises its dominance and authority in the various circles to which it trades and has power.

It is not bad for any Nation to come up with policies that seek to put it first ahead of other global key players’ interests. The United States of America in 2017 also came up with a major slogan and policy formulation along that line of “America first.” However, while it is a noble thing to do, friction and antagonism has since ruptured between the United States of America’s internal policies and the aspirations of other global actors under the Multilateral Trading System. The U.S has constantly deviated from the very ideas to which it was a founding state. Its trade protectionist policies have rather been hurting other trade stakeholders by closing the windows to trade information and active participation on the American soil. From commencing with ideas of globalization, the Multilateral Trading System has now come into an uncertain trade abyss and now every country does as it wishes under the current structures of global economics.

Among other things that explain the above State of affairs is the constantly unchecked bullying through its hegemonic tendencies that are used to exert unwarranted sanctions and dominance through the guise of “National Security.” In other instances, depending on how it chooses to act or react to other countries, it uses the connotation of “Human Rights.” It has been seen with the Middle East and due to the sanctions and blockages there has been deprivation of equity, debt, and investment in many countries because trade diplomacy ends up as a victim. Additionally, dispute resolution and settlement mechanisms have also been greatly undermined by the United States of America. An example can be cited before 2022 when the United States of America blocked the requisite appointments of the new members to the Appellate body. That alone has paralyzed the various efforts by concerned countries in trying to resolve the different disputes that have been arising on an appeal point of view. The United States of America holds a very important vote and by December 2022, it has refused the outcries from the other members of the World Trade Organization to have the Appellate body constituted for purposes of dispute resolution. While Article 17.2 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding gives the legal reception for the appointment of the members to the Appellate body, enforcement has been stalled by the United States of America. By February 2023, 29 appeals are still pending as a consequence of US’s actions.

Some other practices have included, offending export control, often undermining other members’ legitimate industrial policies, unwarranted sanction measures, economic coercion, disrupting industrial and global supply chains, among many other. Other strong economies and lead actors like China and Mexico and the World Trade Organization have constantly called out the United States of America over the above practices but the endeavors have met unresponsiveness. And therefore, while the U.S’ reaction remains an impediment, if unchecked, the once booming Multilateral Trading System is a route of demise.

Alan Collins Mpewo, is a Law and Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Centre.

15 th BRICS Summit: Is this Africa’s Time to Step Up onto the Global Stage?

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By Moshi Israel

From the 22nd of August 2023 to the 24th, BRICS nations will be holding their 15th annual summit themed; BRICS and Africa- Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism. The summit will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa will chair this summit as agreed by all five member states of BRICS who host the annual summits on a rotational basis. The heads of state for Brazil, China, and India will attend in person with the exception of the Russian president. Mr. Putin will be represented by his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov because the former has an arrest warrant from the ICC out for him and the host nation is a signatory to the criminal court. He is expected to attend via a video link.

BRICS countries represent around 42% of the world’s population and about 25% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The five members also account for around 18% of international trade. Since its creation in 2009, BRICS has been courted by over 30 eager countries that have either applied to join or have expressed interest to be part of the group. Some of these countries include; Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt. This interest highlights one of the summit’s key agendas of focus, BRICS expansion.

The expansion of the bloc is being pushed by China and Russia with Brazil and India still on the fence. The seriousness of the expansion agenda can be deduced from the fact that well over 60 countries have been invited to the summit, including all African countries. Also, the fact that the last day of the summit is dedicated to ‘Friends of BRICS’ focusing on talks with leaders from other countries speaks volumes. The invited countries span four oceans; Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. 

Economic cooperation will also be key on the agenda as the member states seek to improve their economic ties. Discussions will center on trade and investment opportunities in sectors ranging from energy cooperation and infrastructure development to the digital economy and the job market. Under the umbrella of strengthening ties, special attention will be given to the relations between BRICS and African countries which blends in with the theme of the summit. A major area of focus will be the exploration of opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It is unfortunate that the world’s recent and current crises are what it took to bring a major focus on the role of the African continent on the global stage. The pandemic saw Africa do well in mitigating the spread of the virus, the global oil crisis has put a focus on Africa’s major oil producers and the War in Ukraine has shown Africa as a potential peacemaker. The competition among the West, Russia, and China to have Africa in their corner also highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the continent. The trajectory is slowly shifting from Africa being a backyard market for the global north to being a respected partner in international discourse.

It is up to African countries to step in and show up when a positive light is shining on the continent. The recent events in Niger present an interesting conundrum. But African states must handle the issue diplomatically with African interests in mind and not at the behest of any foreign power. BRICS presents an opportunity for the continent to get on board something that has been and could be even more mutually beneficial. African countries are still lagging behind the digital revolution and our social and physical infrastructure is still in need of upgrade. These are the key issues African leaders and representatives should aim to address during the summit.

The BRICS National Development Bank (NDB) can play a vital role in Africa’s growth. It was created in 2015 as an alternative to major lending institutions of the IMF and World Bank. The BRICS bank has had over $30 billion in investment in infrastructure development projects both for members and other developing countries. Moreover, the bloc aims to boost local currency fundraising and lending within the NDB. According to South Africa’s finance Minister Enoch Godongwana; local currency use will aid in de-risking the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.

Furthermore, Brazil and China have signed a bilateral agreement to settle their trade in their local currencies. This adds meat to the bone of the notion that BRICS seeks to use member’s national currencies for trade and perhaps even adopt a common payment system long-term. However, a South African senior BRICS diplomat, the ambassador at large; Asia and BRICS during a press Briefing in July said that there will be no talks about a common BRICS currency.

Another important development at the BRICS summit to watch out for is the previous month’s announcement by BRICS education ministers expressing interest to create their own international university rankings system. This comes at the heel of Russia’s complaint that the current global university rankings are biased against it and extremely Eurocentric.

In the current global political atmosphere, it is impossible to talk about BRICS without mentioning China. As the second largest global economy, China’s geopolitical moves are always under scrutiny by both its allies and adversaries. During this summit, President Xi Jinping will co-chair the China-Africa leaders Dialogue as reported by the Chinese foreign ministry. This is an event that should be paid special attention to and could have significant implications for African countries. China’s presence on the continent keeps growing and presents new opportunities.

Therefore, African countries, should pay close attention to this summit and take this moment to step up and contribute significantly to global discourse. This summit must exceed expectations and produce some major announcements. The fight for a functional multipolar world could formally begin here on the mother continent. It is high time African countries stopped playing for different teams and play for themselves by taking the mantle presented by BRICS and run away with it into a new era of global order.  

The Writer is a Senior Research Fellow with Development Watch Centre.

 

As Ugandans noted, China’s Cooperation with Africa is a Win-win Cooperation

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By Arnold Katende Ricky and Ssemanda Abdurahim

Dear Editor, on Thursday 27th July 2023 Sino-Uganda Research Centre, a Ugandan Think Tank dedicated to analysis of Uganda’s foreign policy and diplomacy in international milieux with focus on China-Uganda relations left me deeply thinking much about China-Uganda cooperation.  The symposium which ran under the theme “A New Era of China-Africa Relations: What is in it For Uganda?” saw different scholars and researchers discussing different topics among others China’s development path to modernisation and what lessons can Uganda and Africa in general draw from it, and role of women in development among others.

Partly organised to discuss likely implications of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in regard to China-Africa Cooperation as well as the outcomes of the China-Uganda cooperation, Sino-Uganda Research Centre released results for research entitled “perceptions about China-Uganda Relations: Public and Key Stakeholder’s Perspectives,” towards China-Uganda relations. The findings showed that majority of Ugandans are happy and support China-Uganda cooperation with 76% of Ugandans commending China’s role in supporting Uganda’s development plans especially through infrastructure funding support crediting the support for improving the countries road sector, creating employment opportunities to Ugandan and training as well as offering scholarship opportunities.

While according to Sino-Uganda Research Centre, only 22% of Ugandans believe China’s loaning terms to Uganda are fair, with the discussion of China’s development assistance, one can conclude that this area is always left out by Ugandans and Africans in general to be analysed and discussed by western media who arguably always want to criticise China’s engagement with the rest of the world. This is partly because; by playing a positive role in economic development of developing countries, China shrinks the so-called traditional development partners’ role who are largely western countries and secondly, because in most of Chinese funding are implemented by Chinese firms, a negative narrative is created since these Chinese firms take contracts which western countries firms normally want. Therefore, the negative feeling of Chinese loans to African countries should always be expected because of western media narratives and propaganda.

Indeed, Professor Timothy Kerswell of Chinese University of Hong Kong explained that most of negative views towards Chinese loans are as a result of what he described as “penetration of the so-called ‘Western Debt’ trap Narrative” which lacks facts.

While lauding Sino-Uganda Research Centre for investing time and resources in research that focuses on shaping Uganda’s interests, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, who represented the Vice President Jessica Alupo under scored importance of researchers and think tanks being independent while conducting their work. She stressed that; “aware that credible and independent research is very important in guiding policy formulation and implementation, I would like to encourage and urge you to make sure that your work is done in total observance of the principle of independence in research for the benefit of Uganda, China, and the world.”

Kadaga stressed that for the last 61 years, China and Uganda have enjoyed good relations which has seen China’s continued support to Uganda in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, industry, and energy sectors emphasised Uganda government is commitment to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, explained that the Chinese Path to Modernisation is socialist modernisation under the leadership of the CPC, and emphasised that it is “based on China’s national reality, and draws on other countries’ experience.” Ambassador Lizhong argued that as part and parcel of humanity’s modernisation, Chinese modernisation path contains what he described as “elements that are common to other countries’ modernisation, such as industrialisation, urbanisation, greater democracy, and rule of law. Meanwhile, it also has unique Chinese features as it is rooted in the Chinese context.”

If we critically analyse ambassador Lizhong’s words in regard to China’s development path, it is not a surprise that when China announced that the country had eliminated extreme poverty, United Nations described the rate at which China achieved this as a record time. The point of emphasis here is that China took a path that that is/was compatible to the country because, their development path is/was “based on China’s national reality.”

Upon that background and recalling the failed structural adjustment programs (SAPs) which Bretton Woods Institutions particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed on Africa, it looks clear that China’s path to development if considered may be the magic bullet for African countries to attain development and modernisation, more importantly, modernisation. Put differently, while African countries may learn from other countries’ development path, it is important that like China which decided to take a development path with Chinese characteristics or which is compatible with their national realities, African countries must also take a path that is compatible with our national realties but not simply following any program as it was in 1980s when IMF forced many of developing countries especially in Africa and Latin America to follow SAPs.

The other interesting revelation was arguments by Ambassador Lizhong that China’s modernisation path is premised on a view that modernisation should not be considered as a reserve of one country or individual stressing that Chinese modernisation is the modernisation of common prosperity for all, and will open up a broader path to common development of all countries. “Modernization should not make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Common prosperity for the whole world requires prosperity of all countries,” argued ambassador Lizhong.

In a nutshell, looking at China’s continuous engagement with African countries and Chinese leaders’ consistency in their communication, there is no reason to doubt or question China’s relations with Africa. As a Ugandan, I have no reason to conclude that as Africans let’s joint our hands together, to open up a new chapter of China-Ugandan friendship of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, and jointly build the China-Ugandan and China-Africa Community of Shared Future in the New Era!

Arnold Katende Ricky and Ssemanda Abdurahim are Research Fellows at The Development Watch Centre.

China’s BRI and a formidable AfCFTA in the face of Globalisation

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By Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu

After many years of planning, discussion and negotiations on the 1st day of 2021, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) came into existence. Now the basis for a free trade area is free movement of people and free movement of goods and commodities across countries’ borders. This whole process revolves around transportation. There is talk that “it’s easier to fly to France than fly directly to West Africa from East Africa” because there is barely any infrastructure to support intra African travels.

The Trans African highway system can easily come off as a myth if you looked at the figures for Intra-African trade.  For example, in East Africa, Kenya Exports about $ 1 billion worth of goods to the United States and $ 500 million to EU but it only exports $ 69 million to Ethiopia who they share a land border with. Of course, we can’t water down the impact of tariffs amongst African countries but there is need for ground infrastructure to foster an African free trade area.

We are yet to see the benefits of AfCFTA but in the last 10 years, there is something that has sprang up and it’s a remarkable vehicle for the African Free trade area. In September 2013 China’s President Xi Jinping put in place his grand political-economic project and in it came the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and at the moment it links about 155 countries and 32 International organisations. AfCFTA on paper brings together 55 markets of 1.2 billion people with a total GDP OF $ 2 trillion. The BRI project at the moment has 52 African countries out of its total 155 worldwide.

A close look at the BRI, one will understand how much China is subconsciously putting in an African Free trade area that benefits the European Union more since Exports to Africa stand at 36% against China’s 9%, EU imports from Africa including uranium for their weapons and energy are at 33% against China’s 5% but its China that is blamed to over invest in Africa’s infrastructure. One would say China uses its Silk Road history to link to Europe and maximise the African supply chain but then that would fit the definitions of Globalization which is the future.

In China’s bid to facilitate free movement of goods and services Beijing set up $ 3.3 billion in the Nador Med West industrial port in Algeria and it’s said that route is the North African link to West Africa through the Trans-Saharan Highway. In West Africa we have witnessed China set its foot on projects like the Abuja-Kaduna railway line that was done by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) as Africa’s giant embarks on setting up a standard gauge across the country. In 2023, we saw China sign a deal that would see oil pipeline in Niger and set up an industrial park.

The El Hamdania Central Port is one of the largest in Africa and its part of the BRI in Algeria on top of it China has done a 750 mile East-West road that connects Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. At the peak of the resent Ethiopian civil war, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway was a source of contest but no one ever mentioned that it was a BRI by-product that links Landlocked Ethiopia to the Sea and the Ethiopia-Djibouti Water Pipeline all financed by EXIM Bank.

 

There is a 10,228 KM road that starts from the many ports of Egypt and ends in Cape Town. The great Trans African Highway. This route is full of Chinese projects that are bettering transportation and industrial infrastructure. It’s said Egypt could be the most important part of the BRI with projects like the Chinese Industrial zone in the Gulf of Suez, the electric train system for Egypt’s new capital. Of course, geopolitically, Egypt has always been a prize for world powers and China is not being left behind. Apart from the African Cup of Nations there, nothing that has made Egypt more active in African affairs like the AfCFTA.

Down The great Trans African Highway in Sudan, China has been part of the rehabilitation of railway lines by the Chines Company CRRC Ziyang. China is at the forefront of the oil industry in Sudan and it has promised to have a nuclear power station be set up in future.

Along the great Trans African Highway is the East African Community and the BRI has seen the development of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway and also Kenya’s biggest infrastructure project since Independence that spans 470 km in 4 hours and half, boosting the GDP by 1.5% and creating about 40,000 jobs for Kenyans. In Tanzania, the BRI has put in place a 2,561 km line that links Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria and will further go to Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, there is the Entebbe-Kampala Expressway that connects Uganda to the world in a shortened time.

The BRI could be China’s plan to speed up trade with Africa but at the end of the day chokepoints are eliminated they in turn benefit the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) since there is this new mix of rail, road and water transport infrastructure being put in place. As China tries to reach more so called less developed countries, Africa is being opened up for Intra-African trade. Then AfCFTA will be able to lift 30 million African from poverty in no time.

Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu is a Junior Research Fellow at Sino-Uganda Research Centre.

 

 

 

 

A New Era in China- Africa Relations: What’s in it for Uganda?

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By Moshi Israel

Yesterday, on the 27th of this month, Sino-Uganda Research Centre (SURC), the lead Think Tank on China-Uganda relations, and Development Watch Centre, Uganda’s leading Think Tank on foreign policy analysis hosted a symposium at fairway hotel in Kampala. The theme of the symposium was to have an in-depth look at a new era of China-Africa relations and what Uganda in particular could gain from it.

 

Several experts, dignitaries, members of the media fraternity, and Politicians from Uganda and China attended the symposium. The Guest of Honour was Her Excellency the Vice President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, represented by the Right Honourable Rebecca Kadaga the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs. H.E. the ambassador of China to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong also graced the event with his presence. Also, delegates from major Chinese companies in Uganda such as CNOOC, Sinohydro, and China Communications Construction Company were present and were given the opportunity to discuss their work and challenges in Uganda.

In her speech, the chief guest acknowledged the vital role of think tanks in guiding policy formulation and implementation and recognised the key role SURC could play in making this a reality in Uganda. She pointed to the importance of independence in research exhibited by the Sino-Uganda Research Centre and noted its importance for the benefit of Uganda, China, and the world.  Furthermore, her speech emphasised the need to discuss China-Uganda relations candidly. In one of her key points, the guest of honor pointed to the need for Africans, in general, to control the narrative of cooperation with China without leaving room for distortions from cynics. This is an important point because for the most part relations between China and Africa are distorted by Western media and often painted in a negative light. Therefore, think tanks have an urgent role of setting the record straight through unbiased research that seeks to find the truth. The new era of China-Africa relations should be one in which the two parties control the narrative and avoid the use of Western frames to approach and debate issues.

The speech also, called upon governments in Africa and Uganda in particular to engage more with think tanks in setting national agendas. For the SURC to be the only think tank in the whole country to study and drive debate on the relationship between Uganda and one of her biggest trade partners shows that there is a gap between academia and government that needs to be covered. The chief guest was jubilant in pointing out the milestones China and Uganda have achieved since the bilateral talks in Beijing on 25th June 2019, between Presidents Xi and Museveni where they agreed to lift the two country’s relations to a comprehensive cooperative partnership. This set the stage for the betterment of China and Uganda relations which have hit a peak in recent years.

The vice president appreciated the fact that China does not seek to interfere in Uganda’s internal matters and assured the Chinese that Uganda is open and safe for China. She hinted at the fact that Uganda as a developing country has a lot to learn from China. The vice president understands that whereas China achieved modernisation and poverty alleviation through adhering to the principles of a socialist economy with Chinese characteristics, Uganda as well as Africa can create a development path with Ugandan and African characteristics.

Another important area that Her Excellency touched on was trade and investment. Uganda’s trade with China keeps growing and bilateral trade between the two states grew by 28.8% in the first quarter of this year. However, Uganda’s market in China is still low and has room for improvement as long as “Ugandan farmers produce high-quality products with value addition.” In a world facing a resurgence of nationalism that has left more countries hostile to anything foreign; for example, the countries that engaged in vaccine nationalism, the Vice president through her representative the Right Hon, Rebecca Kadaga thanked China for standing with Africa in supplying free vaccinations in a show of true friendship and win-win partnership.

H.E. the Ambassador, Zhang Lizhong also addressed the symposium and strongly condemned all efforts to undermine the relationship between China and Africa. He commented on the various projects that Chinese companies have accomplished and are on the verge of completing with Uganda. The ambassador also lauded his tours around Uganda and his most recent visits to western Uganda. Uganda has great tourist potential and beautiful scenery which the ambassador noted could play a significant role in Uganda’s economic development. The ambassador noted that China has extended a tax-free incentive to Ugandan exports. Furthermore, China will continue to expand its assistance to Uganda in the health sector, infrastructure, energy sector, Agriculture, and all other potential areas of cooperation.

The ambassador shared his perspectives on the role of government strategic planning in China that led to the elimination of absolute poverty and the modernisation of China. The emphasis was also placed on China’s development path which seeks to cooperate with the rest of the world through the concept of mutual benefit. Projects such as the Belt and Road are landmarks of China’s commitment to the development of African nations. He noted that the CPC (Communist Party of China) will always champion international cooperation instead of confrontation and that China-Africa, and in particular China-Uganda relations can only go higher in this new era.

The symposium also held a panel discussion where Ugandan experts and delegates from Sinohydro, CNOOC, and other Chinese companies shared thoughts on China’s projects in Uganda, challenges, and potential solutions. The representative from CNOOC shared the progress of the Tilenga oil project at King Fisher in Hoima. CNOOC has been instrumental in improving the lives of people in local communities surrounding the project and all Ugandans generally. CNOOC has employed thousands of local workers in both skilled and unskilled, provided scholarships for numerous Ugandan engineers who have subsequently been employed by the company, and just recently CNOOC has announced another round of scholarships for talented students. The company has built health centers in the local areas of Kikuube and eased access to water by constructing the Buhuka Gravity Scheme that supplies safe and clean water to over 1300 local residents. CNOOC has also engaged in environmental protection in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority by aiding and providing tools to ease law enforcement in the Bugoma forest reserve. This also aims to reduce the negative impacts of climate change in the Albertine region.

The symposium has been a milestone and is a potential trendsetter in the think tank domain within Uganda. Through the activities of SURC and Development Watch Center, the debate for a better, more knowledgeable, and progressive Uganda has been given a vital push forward. The Executive Director and founder of both think tanks, Dr, Allawi Ssemmanda noted that it is high time think tanks got the recognition they so deserve in Uganda as stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation. He emphasised that think tanks and academicians can play a crucial role in propelling a country like Uganda forward by leading the debate on issues that matter by analysing and providing a nuanced understanding of complex global and domestic issues for all citizens.

Moshi Israel is a Researcher with Development Watch Centre.

 

 

China’s Cooperation with Africa is a Win-win Cooperation

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By Arnold Katende Ricky and Ssemanda Abdurahim

Dear Editor, on Thursday 27th July 2023 Sino-Uganda Research Centre, a Ugandan Think Tank dedicated to analysis of Uganda’s foreign policy and diplomacy in international milieux with focus on China-Uganda relations left me deeply thinking much about China-Uganda cooperation.  The symposium which ran under the theme “A New Era of China-Africa Relations: What is in it For Uganda?” saw different scholars and researchers discussing different topics among others China’s development path to modernisation and what lessons can Uganda and Africa in general draw from it, and role of women in development among others.

Partly organised to discuss likely implications of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in regard to China-Africa Cooperation as well as the outcomes of the China-Uganda cooperation, Sino-Uganda Research Centre released results for research entitled “perceptions about China-Uganda Relations: Public and Key Stakeholder’s Perspectives,” towards China-Uganda relations. The findings showed that majority of Ugandans are happy and support China-Uganda cooperation with 76% of Ugandans commending China’s role in supporting Uganda’s development plans especially through infrastructure funding support crediting the support for improving the countries road sector, creating employment opportunities to Ugandan and training as well as offering scholarship opportunities.

While according to Sino-Uganda Research Centre, only 22% of Ugandans believe China’s loaning terms to Uganda are fair, with the discussion of China’s development assistance, one can conclude that this area is always left out by Ugandans and Africans in general to be analysed and discussed by western media who arguably always want to criticise China’s engagement with the rest of the world. This is partly because; by playing a positive role in economic development of developing countries, China shrinks the so-called traditional development partners’ role who are largely western countries and secondly, because in most of Chinese funding are implemented by Chinese firms, a negative narrative is created since these Chinese firms take contracts which western countries firms normally want. Therefore, the negative feeling of Chinese loans to African countries should always be expected because of western media narratives and propaganda.

Indeed, Professor Timothy Kerswell of Chinese University of Hong Kong explained that most of negative views towards Chinese loans are as a result of what he described as “penetration of the so-called ‘Western Debt’ trap Narrative” which lacks facts.

While lauding Sino-Uganda Research Centre for investing time and resources in research that focuses on shaping Uganda’s interests, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, who represented the Vice President Jessica Alupo under scored importance of researchers and think tanks being independent while conducting their work. She stressed that; “aware that credible and independent research is very important in guiding policy formulation and implementation, I would like to encourage and urge you to make sure that your work is done in total observance of the principle of independence in research for the benefit of Uganda, China, and the world.”

Kadaga stressed that for the last 61 years, China and Uganda have enjoyed good relations which has seen China’s continued support to Uganda in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, industry, and energy sectors emphasised Uganda government is commitment to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, explained that the Chinese Path to Modernisation is socialist modernisation under the leadership of the CPC, and emphasised that it is “based on China’s national reality, and draws on other countries’ experience.” Ambassador Lizhong argued that as part and parcel of humanity’s modernisation, Chinese modernisation path contains what he described as “elements that are common to other countries’ modernisation, such as industrialisation, urbanisation, greater democracy, and rule of law. Meanwhile, it also has unique Chinese features as it is rooted in the Chinese context.”

If we critically analyse ambassador Lizhong’s words in regard to China’s development path, it is not a surprise that when China announced that the country had eliminated extreme poverty, United Nations described the rate at which China achieved this as a record time. The point of emphasis here is that China took a path that that is/was compatible to the country because, their development path is/was “based on China’s national reality.”

Upon that background and recalling the failed structural adjustment programs (SAPs) which Bretton Woods Institutions particularly the International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed on Africa, it looks clear that China’s path to development if considered may be the magic bullet for African countries to attain development and modernisation, more importantly, modernisation. Put differently, while African countries may learn from other countries’ development path, it is important that like China which decided to take a development path with Chinese characteristics or which is compatible with their national realities, African countries must also take a path that is compatible with our national realties but not simply following any program as it was in 1980s when IMF forced many of developing countries especially in Africa and Latin America to follow SAPs.

The other interesting revelation was arguments by Ambassador Lizhong that China’s modernisation path is premised on a view that modernisation should not be considered as a reserve of one country or individual stressing that Chinese modernisation is the modernisation of common prosperity for all, and will open up a broader path to common development of all countries. “Modernisation should not make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Common prosperity for the whole world requires prosperity of all countries,” argued ambassador Lizhong.

In a nutshell, looking at China’s continuous engagement with African countries and Chinese leaders’ consistency in their communication, there is no reason to doubt or question China’s relations with Africa. As a Ugandan, I have no reason to conclude that as Africans let’s joint our hands together, to open up a new chapter of China-Ugandan friendship of solidarity, friendship and cooperation, and jointly build the China-Ugandan and China-Africa Community of Shared Future in the New Era!

Arnold Katende Ricky and Ssemanda Abdurahim are Research Fellows at The Development Watch Centre.

China – US Climate Change Talks: China Still Resolute on its Commitments

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By Alan Collins Mpewo

While China’s role in the new world as is today get downplayed due to the geopolitical nature, sometimes its contribution to world stability cannot be dismissed. Climate change is a topic that concerns all, regardless of race and origin. Climate change is to be greatly faulted on human activity and China very much knows that its population (the highest globally) contribute not less than 19% of carbon emissions for example. Such numbers are not only dire but call for a joint fight because the collective data shows that everyone globally has a crucial role to play in mitigation of the probable consequences. It’s of little wonder therefore, that a US Envoy was in Beijing on 17’th July, 2023 over the same talks on climate. In deed, US Envoy John Kerry acknowledged on 20’th July, 2023 on the need of a common purpose without a look at any possible differences in a bid to contribute to the already ongoing implementation of the Glasgow Climate Change resolutions.

China hasn’t only been running internal policies to mitigate the climate change consequences, but has also showed commitment by formalizing such objectives with treaties, agreements, and memorandum of understandings with various global stakeholders. Sometime in 2021, China and a collection of other African partners under the Forum on China (FOCAC) assembled at yet another ministerial conference in Dakar, Senegal to which resolutions were later made. While global international relations centers have majorly focused on the economic implications for both parties to the FOCAC communique, they bury their attention to some other salient resolutions therein.

 

It goes therefore without saying that before the Glasgow Convention, China has always publicly showcased its unreserved commitment to making earth yet safe for all that live on it. The Dakar Action Plan is meant to span from 2022 to 2024. Point 7 goes with the title “Green Development.” The center stage of this action plan is to lower and perhaps mute the use of fossil and other carbon emitting fuels in the near future. China understands the negative effects that come with large amounts of carbon emissions. People globally have been losing their lives at young ages or their lifespans cut short, due to the chronic illnesses and other effects they have on mankind.

The fight for green development in China has mainly been based on renewable energy such as wind and the sun. Wind energy and solar energy as the epitome of this action plan. China has since encouraged the Global South to take this route, and by doing so, led the way into setting up de-carbonization campaigns in some townships like some that form part of Shanghai, in order to pave way for more establishments of windmills the coastal areas of the country where there is more wind pressure to propel gigantic windmills. This system has since worked, and although there isn’t much energy to be emitted to every household, and limited hours of potential use, it’s a positive step towards realizing global climate change mitigation.

Under 7.1.1, the African partners and China agreed that this point would be to propel global environmental governance. There had been exchanges in terms of expertise, logistics, and technology in as far as climate change mitigation can be achieved. Of the end goals, was ecological protection, and this has been seen for example in Uganda with the various environment impact assessments that have been done with the Albertine region in Uganda. The wildlife of Buliisa Game Conservation Area, the relocation of persons in the affected sites to new areas with newer areas of residence, and available safe methods of mitigating any potential consequences.

Be that as it may, there is the China-Africa Cooperation Center that has been operating with a goal of realizing that which has been agreed on by the partner states on the environmental conservation front. While it faces challenges which were realized at the time of issuing the Dakar Action Plan, there’s soon to be established a China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center. Revitalizing China’s role in environmental conservation while responding to climate crisis by cooperation with partners of FOCAC under the China Africa Environmental Cooperation Center will be pivotal in maintaining the perfect balance of climate diplomacy. 10 green development projects are set to be a implemented on the Africa continent by China appreciating the continent’s role on global climate stabilization.

It can’t be Intentional to overlook the role of the youth in the climate change fight. While FOCAC partner states know the importance of all ages, they understand that the youths are the solid grounds of tomorrow. The trajectory of societal habits and various determinants inform society that the future isn’t going to be any better with the growth in technology, mechanics, and antagonisms that often come with wars. For Africa, vegetation cover has been fairly maintained and this has since been rewarding in climate change mitigation. Thus, FOCAC sought it wise to propagate the Green Envoys and Green Innovation Programs. These and their sister programs have much focus on the youth to enable them spark their abilities and desire to take part in the conversation efforts, but with more impact for the future.

Alan Collins Mpewo, is a Lawyer and Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Centre.

 

 

NATO Leaders’ Remarks on China are Hypocritical and Super Reckless

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By Allawi Ssemanda

Leaders of NATO from 11-12th of July met in Lithuania’s capital. The two days summit was attended by among others U.S President Joe Biden, United Kingdom ruler Rishi Sunak, Canada’s Justin Trudeau and France’s Emmanuel Macron. The Summit ended with leaders of the alliance issuing a communique containing 90 different points. In what appears to be a deliberate move to malign China, NATO leaders claimed that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) challenged the alliance’s so-called interests, security and values with what they called China’s “stated ambitions and coercive policies”.

Looking at the choice of words in the communique and the reality on the ground, it is clear that NATO is now out of closet and is becoming what they have always hidden. It is America’s arm being used by Washington to rejuvenate their failing hegemony.

They claimed that “the PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up,” adding; “the PRC’s malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security.”

If we critically analyse these claims, it is NATO’s big brother the U.S that has always used political, economic and military tools to other countries while projecting power. For example, America’s unilateral sanctions against countries Washington deems unfriendly simply for trying to follow independent foreign policy or standing up against U.S’ hegemony. U.S normally uses its political influence in the region to target and isolate such countries while maligning them. Such countries include among others; Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Since 1945, the U.S has been using economic tools to suffocate other countries and force them into accepting or supporting Washington’s imperialistic foreign policy. Long-arm jurisdiction is one of economic tool the U.S has been using. U.S based Brooking Institute estimated that as a result of America’s unilateral economic sanctions, affected countries lost abilities to effectively contain COVID-19 pandemic. Iran alone lost over 13,000 people to COVID-19 which was worsened by U.S sanctions.  Therefore, it is inconceivable for the U.S and its walking stick – NATO to accuse China of using the so-called economic tools to disadvantage others yet for decades, this has been America’s practice!

A study by a U.S based Cato Institute, “Unfair Trade or Unfair Protection? The Evolution and Abuse of Section 301” concluded that the U.S used long-arm jurisdiction as an economic tool targeting Chinese firms in violations of World Trade Organisation (WTO). In 2018, the U.S threatened Rwanda when Kigali banned importation of second-hand clothes to help her textile industries. The U.S threatened to suspend application of duty‑free treatment to all African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)-eligible goods in the clothing sector for Rwanda. With such, U.S lacks moral authority to accuse others of using economic tools for selfish gains.

Also, NATO leaders claims that “the PRC’s malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security.” Of course, these claims are baseless and a creation of NATO warmongers. This is partly because, when it comes to claims of disinformation they accused Beijing of doing, it is the U.S side that has always been engaged in such hiding under the so-called intelligence information.  Indeed, former U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told us that America’s intelligence bodies are taken through courses to lie explaining that; “I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole… we had entire training courses,” Pompeo told cheering Texas A&M university students adding that their training “reminds you of the glory of the American experiment.” With Pompeo’s admission’s that at CIA “lying, stealing and cheating” are part of their “training courses,” NATO leaders who partly get intelligence reports from CIA have no moral authority to accuse any country of spreading disinformation and their claims shouldn’t be taken serious.

NATO leaders further accused China of what they called “deepening strategic partnership” with Russia adding that Moscow and Beijing were involved in what NATO called “mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order.” They argued Beijing to play what they called “constructive” role as one of United Nations Security Council permanent members and condemn what they called “war of aggression against Ukraine”.

If critically analysed, NATO leaders exhibited arrogance and assumed moral authority they hugely lack. The PRC is an independent country! It is an insult for NATO leaders to think or even imagine that it is their responsibility to dictate to China which country to have deepen and strategic partnership with. Also, one wonders who gave NATO leaders authority to define what is “constructive role.” It is ridiculous of them to imagine it’s their responsibility to tell China what position to take in regard to Ukraine crisis. Unlike NATO leaders who have been fuelling Ukrainian crisis with arms, China has played a neutral role and offered to mediate to end the crisis. On 24th February, Beijing suggested 12 points dubbed China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. Earlier in April 2022, President Xi Jinping introduced Global Security Initiative (GSI) showing need for world peace—especially through dialogue, development, and negotiation. All the above shows China is committed to championing world peace. They don’t need lectures from NATO leaders.

It should be noted that China has never waged a war against any country. It is NATO member countries lead by the U.S that have always invaded countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria among others.  In all NATO’s aggressive wars like in Iraq and Libya, China never supported them. It is therefore hypocrisy for NATO warmongers to assume moral authority by telling China what to do when it comes to countries invading other sovereign nations.

In conclusion, NATO leaders must stop their cold war mentality, their arrogance and start working for peace. Their claim that China is a threat in Indo-Pacific to justify NATO’s eastward expansion is not just wrong but also a stupid claim. Department of Défense data shows that the U.S has 56,000 active-duty soldiers in Japan, others in South Korea and over 313 military bases in Asia alone. With such, it is China that should be complaining not war hawkers in NATO. NATO is being used by the U.S and their goal is not peace they claim is under threat but rather, Washington’s desire to rejuvenate their failing hegemony. This to work, U.S must create more vasal states under NATO alliance, and exaggerate threats to make their case. Even Ukrainian crisis the U.S and NATO claim that it is the reason for NATO expansion if analysed, it is not primarily their concern but using the crisis to advance their hegemonic interests. As Michael Wallace, an Irish MP in the European Union Parliament noted in a tweet, “Why is anyone shocked that #US Empire #NATO have been using Ukraine for their own Geopolitical agenda and not giving a damn about Ukraine? It is not Zelensky who’s doing the suffering as he adds to his millions, but the powerless Working-Class Ukrainians. What are they dying for…?”

Allawi Ssemanda, PhD is a Residence Fellow at the Afro-Diplomacy ANALYTICS

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