Tag: Global South

Africa’s Historic Moment at the G20 and What it Means for You

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By Musanjufu Benjamin Kavubu

It turns out the global South was able to score big at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil going by the Leaders’ Declaration at the end of the event that happened from the 18th to the 19th of November. For Africa, it was a historical summit because the African Union was attending for the first time as a permanent member after being admitted into the grouping at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, India.

For 24 years, South Africa was the sole African member of the G20, having joined at the start of the club in 1999. That meant they basically represented the rest of the continent and with the assistance of China that strongly advocated for an inclusive and effective G20. Beyond rhetoric, China was the first major power to explicitly endorse African Union’s bid for membership as from time to time President Xi Jinping and his Foreign Minister Wang Yi repeatedly voiced the importance of Africa in global governance. The BRICS Summit in Johannesburg as recent as 2023 was one such incident when Xi highlighted the need for Africa’s enhanced role in global decision making. China worked closely with Indonesia and South Africa to lobby for support for Africa Union to be admitted as they leveraged multilateral diplomacy to build consensus.

Africa now has its seat at the table represented by South Africa and the African Union. The G20 has evolved since it’s foundation in 1999 from being responsible for global financial crisis of the late 1990s to now taking on broader political, environmental and security issues that the world faces at the moment. The G20 represents about 66.6% of the world’s population and Africa Union takes 1.5 billion people to that table meaning that is about 28% of the blocks population according to population today and Worldmeters’ data. These numbers can mean markets for the rest of the 19 members of the G20 especially with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ) being the biggest trade area in the world.

Africa Union’s 1.5 billion people are also the least advantaged in the G20 and would benefit from the development frameworks that are being advanced within the club. Africa’s voice is guaranteed to be amplified in the G20 and all other international fora. The leaders’ declaration at the G20 2024 Brazil reiterated the formations strong support to Africa including through the Compact with Africa and the G20 initiative on supporting industrialisation in Africa and LDCs, and support the African Union to realize the trade and economic integration and aspirations under its Agenda 2063 as it enters its second decade of implementation.

Africa can now take advantage of the 85% GDP of the G20 and the 75% of global trade that make up the club through the multinational avenues that are available and the myriads of working groups within the formation. It’s no secrets that despite Africa’s abundant resources be it natural or human resources the continent is still struggling with feeding itself, huge loans that have led to debt vulnerabilities, a climate crisis that the continent knows nothing about because they didn’t cause it, a failing health sector and education system that is in a state of inertia and struggling intra-African trade even with trans-African solutions like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China and the AfCFTA by African Union.

The G20 comes with avenues like the Development Working Group that focuses on implementing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations through sourcing finances and capacity building for infrastructure to tackle health, education and poverty eradication which are also part of the goals for the AU Agenda 2063. The G20 also has a Finance Track Working Group called the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) that deal with financial literacy and access to inclusive financing. This framework is for the citizens to have access to banking and it supposed to go a long way to support small and medium businesses in the effort to boast commerce.

For the 55 countries with the African Union the International Financial Architecture Working Group can be a vital opportunity because it’s sole responsibility is to address debt sustainability and resources mobilization. It’s through this working group that better debt treatment mechanism and better access to concessional loans is lobbied for by the G20 permanent members. For the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) the Trade and Investment working Group can be utilized to improve Africa’s Geoeconomic competitiveness as the working group aims at open trade, investment flows and global integration into supply Chains.

Africa sent some of the biggest delegations to Azerbaijan for the Conference of Parties 29 (COP29) because of the continent’s dedication to take on climate change in any means possible. G20 Summit through the Leaders’ declaration is looking forward to a successful New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) outcome in Baku. The formation pledged it’s support to the COP29 Presidency and committed to successful negotiations in Baku. The G20 also pledged to support the COP30 Presidency, in 2025. Further the formation committed to accelerating clean, sustainable, just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions, in line with SDG7, the Paris Agreement and the outcome of the GST-1, adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28), that leave no one behind, especially the poor and those in vulnerable situations (like Africa), taking into account different national circumstances. It’s now up to the African Union members to take advantage of the G20 Climate Sustainability Working Group to take on the climate crisis through securing funding for climate-resilient infrastructure and environmental conservation projects especially in the renewable energy field and again the Energy Transitions Working Group comes in closely on the environmental front. If Africa goes by the energy sector and environment concerns crossroads then the continent will have figured out it’s path to industrialization.

For a while Africa’s place on the United Nations Security Council has been making headlines and some hollow offers have been made by the West. The G20 2024 did clearly outline the need to reform the UNSC and the United Nations as a whole to meet today’s problems. This was a win for the global South and now that Africa Union is a permanent member of the formation they can lobby the great powers to see this through to create global balance. Now that Africa has a seat at the table there is hope for the continent on the global stage.

The writer is a research fellow at the Development Watch Center.  

Global South & China’s interests at the G20 2024 Summit

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By Nnanda Kizito Sseruwagi

On November 21st -22nd 2024, world leaders from the world’s biggest economies will convene at the 2024 G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss pressing global issues. The Development Watch Center, a Uganda – based think tank focused on international relations, foreign policy and diplomacy is one of the think tanks representing at the G20’s social participation forum constituted as “Think Tanks (T20),’’ which produces, discusses, consolidates and presents ideas on how to engage contemporary challenges that may be addressed by the Group of 20 (G20). The T20 is also constituted by G20 research institutes and countries invited by the rotating presidency.

A number of six topics were provided by the T20 Brasil organizing committee to be addressed at the summit. These include: Combatting inequality, poverty and hunger; sustainable climate action and inclusive and fair energy transitions; reform of the international financial architecture; trade and investment for sustainable and inclusive growth; inclusive digital transformation; and strengthening multilateralism and global governance.

The foregoing topics are not all there is at the G20 2024 Summit. They are only part of several other dialogues that were shaped by the Brazilian presidency, of course alongside other topics that are traditionally addressed in the T20 in the successive presidencies of the G20 forum.

China and the global south share several development priorities, and have shared concerns about global economic and geopolitical issues. Some of our shared interests are well captured in the topics above provided by the T20 Brasil organizing committee.

On the issue of climate change and sustainability, I see global south countries seeking greater partnership with China in the form of climate finance and technology transfer to address the impacts of climate change. It is a common fact and common knowledge now that our countries have contributed the least to global emissions yet are the most vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, partnering with a stronger but more understanding country like China would have us in a better place to negotiate better deals for climate financing.

Additionally, China may bolster its relationship with global south countries on distributing green technology, since it is a leading global actor in the technological advancements of green energy.

Another shared interest between the global south and China is reforming global governance. It is clear to many global south nations today that international institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are biased in favor of Western interests and were designed to perpetrate Western domination over the global economy and political dispensation. Through alliance with China and other countries, we can push for reforms in the organization of international organizations, or even challenge their entire legitimacy and have them replaced with a much fairer and equitable order or form of organizations that would better represent our interests and give us a better place in influencing the decision-making processes at the world level.

It is also in China’s interest as a founding member of the BRICS Block (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to encourage greater cooperation among BRICS countries with their wider global southern cousins to challenge the dominance of the Western powers in global governance.

The global south also stands to leverage China’s leadership in digital innovations for instance in 5G technology to help global southern countries improve their digital infrastructure and expand connectivity, which will be essential for our development and modernization efforts. We also need and indeed have a vested interest as late industrialisers, in a more equitable access to emerging technologies especially Artificial Intelligence, and China remains a global leader in this field, with the highest registered patents in Artificial Intelligence innovations. It would thus be a great partner in supporting us to bridge this digital divide between us and the developed world.

One of the most enduring phenomena in the political crises afflicting the global south has historically been Western interference in their affairs. This has been the case from slavery to colonialism, up to today under globalization and its deleterious effects on our nations. As such, the G20 Summit in Rio this year presents global southern states & China an opportunity to counterbalance the Western hegemony in global affairs. China’s non-interventionist foreign policy and emphasis on respect for sovereignty also resonates with the interests of many of our global southern states which are trying to shape their way in a world policed by Western rules.

With the recent COVID 19 pandemic experience fresh to our memory, the global south also stands interested in improving its health care infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medical supplies. China stands as a reliable partner on this front, having exhibited exceptional vaccine diplomacy during the recent pandemic when most Western states hoarded millions of vaccines while Africans suffered the brunt of the pandemic.

The world is changing, and also the ways in which it changes is changing. The 2024 G20 Summit in Brasil presents a number of shared interests between the global south and China and is likely to be one of the new platforms through which international change happens.

The writer is a senior research fellow at the Development Watch Center.

 

 

 

 

Dying Empires and Shifting Powers: Western Nightmares of the Ascendant Dragon

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By Moshi Israel

The world is undergoing rapid transformation, a reality of which nearly everyone is acutely aware, thanks in large part to the advanced technologies at our disposal that capture these shifts in real time. This has led to a palpable sense of alarm over the intensity and pace of these changes. Many current and Traditional World powers are coming to terms with a noticeable shift in global political dynamics, as control seems to be gradually eluding their grasp. This situation can be likened to the precariousness of clinging to the sharp edge of a skyscraper to prevent a fall. While this might seem like a natural progression from the viewpoint of the average citizen, from the perspective of established authorities, the scenario unfolds with far-reaching implications.

Observing that the Western bloc is experiencing a decline does not constitute an assault on its integrity, although there is justification for assaulting western integrity. Moreover, such acknowledgments have even been made by Western leaders themselves. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s chief diplomat, has starkly proclaimed that the “era of Western dominance has definitively ended.” However, my perspective is not as bleak as Mr. Borrell’s. I maintain that there is still an opportunity for Western nations to reassess their approach towards global political governance. The essence of Borrell’s argument hints at a potential solution to the swift decline of the West. He cautions against dividing the world into ‘the West against the Rest’, highlighting accusations from many in the ‘Global South of double standards.’ This insight underscores the need for a more inclusive and equitable international framework that eschews divisive narratives.

Regrettably, certain Western governments are persistently engaging in divisive tactics, particularly targeting China. The underlying motivation for such actions, despite various ‘moral’ justifications presented by the West, stems from China’s rapid ascent. A number of Western political analysts and policymakers are unwilling to coexist in a world where China assumes a leading role in political, military, cultural, and economic spheres. They position themselves as the defenders of Western ‘exceptionalism,’ yet often, their views do not reflect the sentiments of the broader populace within their nations. Nonetheless, their relentless quest for perpetual dominance and their constant fixation on the potential threats posed by China’s growth have contributed to a global environment steeped in turmoil.

The global landscape is currently fraught with challenges, from the ascendancy of gangs in Haiti and the humanitarian crisis stemming from the Gaza conflict, to ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and heightened tensions across the Middle East – including in Yemen, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. Additionally, unrest in the Sahel region, renewed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the looming menace of climate change, seemingly present a formidable agenda for global leaders. Unfortunately, there is no clear plan or indication that all of these crises are being managed cooperatively within the United Nations framework. Instead, everyone is either choosing sides or completely turning a blind eye to these issues, with the notable exception being China which has overly sung the chorus of strategic cooperation to a disinterested crowd.

Recent reports indicate that Niger has severed military relations with the United States, following a similar disengagement from France, which has been increasingly displaced by Russia across Africa. Furthermore, Russia has been actively eroding Western influence globally, while efforts to manage Netanyahu have proven futile, and threats from Iran and North Korea are escalating. As Josep Borrell, European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs noted, the Global South is reevaluating its perspective on the West, and the outlook is far from favorable. The BRICS+ continuous growth is also chipping away at Western dominance. In this context, it is imperative for Western policies to evolve, focusing on genuine promotion of Western exceptionalism of democracy without hypocrisy, moral standards without double standards, Global prosperity with active Global South participation. The West indeed needs to ‘build back better’ but this time with entirely new and different construction material because the existing system is damaged beyond repair.

Many of today’s global crises could be resolved through compromise and negotiation, particularly when the parties involved hold no malice towards each other. Indeed, simplicity often underpins the solution in such scenarios. Notably, among the world’s major powers, China stands out as the most committed to pacifism.

At present, the immediate concerns for Western nations primarily revolve around Russia and Iran. Yet, in a long-term perspective, political leaders in the West have consistently identified China as the most significant security challenge to the prevailing global order. China’s ascendancy is undeniable, and in the context of its cultural symbolism, the dragon—a figure believed in Chinese lore to govern water phenomena—serves as a metaphor for the potential impact of China’s rise on the West. Depending on the West’s approach, China’s advancement could be perceived either as beneficial rainfall or as overwhelming floods.

This raises a critical question: faced with a binary choice between relinquishing global dominance or precipitating a cataclysmic Third World War, what decision will certain Western governments make?

The Writer is a Senior Research Fellow at DWC.

 

Xi Jinping’s Third Five-Year Term is Yet Off the Mark, But What’s in For Africa & Global South

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By Alan Collins Mpewo.

Earlier this month on 10th March 2023, Xi Jinping who is the Secretary General of Chinese Communist Party (CPC) was formally reappointed as the president of the World’s second largest economy, China for a third five-year term. This was after the National People’s Congress (NPC), unanimously endorsed Mr. Xi, 69, with all of its 2,952 present members casting votes in favour of his reappointment.

While president Xi’s re-election received significant number of positive comments and congratulatory messages from the globe, some controversial opinions especially from some western pundits in some western capitals shamelessly described Xi’s reappointment as a bad precedent with narrow views that he should have stepped down after two terms which they described as China’s political “tradition.” While they emphasized this weak argument, non-pointed at the fact that President Xi was voted for another term due to his good record of performance and that his re-election reflected the will of majority of Chinese people. Indeed, in the entire process of Xi’s third term re-election, there was zero complaint such as bribing voters, no voter suppression claims or vote rigging. This way, we can conclude and argue that in that people – Chinese People were at the center of President Xi’s re-election and arguably, views and opinions of others are inconsequential and to say the least undemocratic with zero resemblance of the much-desired whole process democracy which China cherishes.

The negative commentaries on Xi’s third term re-election came in a wake of global political events that have many critics posing questions that can barely solved. Well, the electoral forums of China had their say, and hopefully, in the next years, a lot will come to light and life, regarding the international relations question. The Global South still encounters its various challenges, which are generally common for each country there’s. Challenges of infrastructure, economic elevation, security, education, medical, energy, human rights, and climate change lead the charts. China has for decades now been issuing a supportive hand but there can only much done within a short time.

For sustainability, progressiveness has to be paced on a rhythm of care not to antagonize what’s already existent, but also balancing with what’s expected to hatch in a long run. In this pursuit, some forces, both internal and external keep shaping the progression of the relations between China and the global south. Much can’t be said about these forces being supportive, but rather attempts to fail the progression. Be that as it may, the two wings have remained resolute in achieving that which they find noble and beneficial to their citizens.

Xi Jinping’s third term has also arrived at the time when the CPC had announced a laid plan on which it would base to interact with the wider world through its policy of globalization and openness. The CPC has also declared a considerable number of goals it seeks to achieve with the global south in the next decades, prior to the announcement of the Chinese Parliament backing Xi Jinping for a third term. What also remains a reality is the principle of mutual respect that China maintains with its interactions with the global south. Energy access remains a priority and that has been intimidated in the various addresses by Xi Jinping.

For countries especially in the Central and Eastern Africa, this will remain a top priority. The statistics on energy access have become better in recent times, but equally, more is yet to be done to keep filling the void on those that have hardships in access of the same. For West Africa, while it has many partners that are members of FOCAC, their challenges don’t seem different, but for the high hand of inter-meddling from the Western powers. Insecurity has been maintained as a worrying factor on that end. The China rolled out the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposal which it’s seeking out the UN member states to adopt. With the current trends in the Middle East where China has been key in forging negotiations for peace among some countries that have battled with stability thus far, it’s safe to state that the initiative will broaden to West Africa.

Infrastructure is one of the strongest drivers of development in any country. It connects possibly all units of the economy, and the vice versa is equally true. This informed China and the global south partner states from the very beginning, on the need to relay the infrastructure to human sustainability standards. It’s of no wonder then, that the Belt and Road programme was rolled out. Since other means of transport such as air transportation would seem a long shot for most countries in the global south, road transportation remains the most viable in the circumstances. Infrastructure projects in most nations are still ongoing, with more yet to commence.

With the extension of technological advancements to most corners of the world, industrialization will continue being realized. This will keep healing the ail of unemployment for the fast-growing population in the global south. The win-win mentality is all that can be deduced from this aspect. That notwithstanding, the global south should also brace for complex times of haggling from some external forces, in trying to stop the diplomatic expansion of China.

With this modest assessment relayed above, no Africa countries’ developing partner has been so honest and sincere to Africa than China under president Xi Jinping. Hence, there’s just as much to feel grateful for by the Global South especially in Africa in as far as Xi Jinping’s term renewal is concerned, because unlike the speculation, China has kept their word in regard to China’s engagement with African countries and made FOCAC a priority and wouldn’t seem to be slowing down on achieving the agreed goals amongst the partners.

As Dambisa Moyo, a renowned Economist and Analysis of macroeconomics and global affairs observed in her book EDGE OF CHAOS: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth — and How to Fix It one of the major challenges identified in failing meaning full sustainable development and democracy is not leaders staying in power for long time. It is what Moyo called “short-termism” which she ably explains contributes to falling trust in government with rising polarization and gridlock which she argues is due to politicians’ eagerness to win elections which leaves them making decisions to maximize voter support rather than those that would do the most for long-term growth and hence, slowing development action to a crawl. With this, taking a third term from expert’s view is not a crime but rather a necessity for continuity which is key for sustainable development.

Alan Collins Mpewo, Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Centre.

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