Emulate China...where it fits

Rather than wholesomely criticising China in its African endeavours, the West should reexamine itself and kindly pursue a more pragmatic relationship with our continent. For example, what has the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement (or its predecessor Lome Conventions, for that matter) so far done for Africa and Africans? This brilliant pact has remained a paper tiger for ages, bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks, political gerrymandering, and even outright deceit - in some cases! How can this partnership truly work when the private sector, civil society, experts and professionals are cleverly excluded from benefits, support and participation? Everything seems tied to governments - which is not the practice in Europe - against the logic of market forces, knowledge economy, specialisation and globalisation!! Personal, private and individual initiatives are either forbidden or stifled!!!

If the pact had been proactive and honestly implemented over the years, the level of poverty in the region would have been different. It suited the parties (mostly politicians and civil servants!) to keep and sustain the status quo, even when the truth is known. After all, the EU has several diplomatic missions, and its members also do, across the ACP. How then can they pretend not to know what is on ground in these countries viz a viz the Agreement? They do. The ACP powers also do. Between them both, plenty is amiss!

Reviews and so-called revamps of the pact have failed because the raison d'etre is undermined each time. The Agreement is too complicated and burdensome in structure, its wordings are not user-friendly and its mechanisms are bureaucracy-skewed. If the EU really wants to work with ACP, it must do so ACROSS the board of the polity, economy, geography and demography. Just as it does in Europe! Why should anyone require government licence or stamp (incorporation, for instance) to benefit from development assistance, when you have missions? Do you do that in Europe? That is a sure way to put crusaders, critics, researchers, professionals, writers and journalists in the pockets of repressive regimes or under censorship. Risk takers, as researchers, entrepreneurs and crusaders, are critical forces for change worldwide, they are same for ACP - thus, EU support should be unencumbered.

China's approach is "trade & development" oriented. Yes, there are grey areas, but the West has many issues with the PRC itself yet does trillions of dollars business there! Sensible. It is better to be constructively engaged than to isolate. China is doing same in Africa.

And, hey, Africans are no fools, you know. They will not permit recolonization, you bet! Friends
are better helpers and persuaders than antagonists, I would say. Constructive engagement!

Chancellor Angela Merkel should use the German presidency of the EU to refocus and rejig the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. It will not work profitably as it stands. Real stakeholders should be brought on board from both sides, and the resources should be disaggregated. There are too many EU institutions and too few ACP players to make it profitable! There are also too many meetings, too much paperwork, and lopsided access in the whole endeavour!! It certainly needs some fresh air and new spirit in line with present realities: Free up the funds and monitor same like hell! Cast the net wider and firmer!! Do for ACP what and how you will do for Europe!!!

The ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement needs to be dynamic, realistic, creative, programmatic and BOLDLY projectised.

Farewell at ECOWAS

President Obasanjo finally? said his farewells to West African leaders at an ECOWAS summit recently. Bravo! But for his critics and persistent sceptics, it was "let's wait and see". Wicked!

I blame them not. It was an obscure press report on a press statement by the president's press secretary. It should have made headlines but it didn't. Pity.

Next time Aso Rock should arrange live telecast of such crucial presidential proclamations, to silence all doubters. Wait a minute, don't the same folks regale us with live coverage of many other less-important outings? Isn't there a State House Press Corps plus the usual state-run media crew? Why was it so low-keyed? Where are the headlines and bylines?

I give our president the 100-Day benefit of doubt. I choose to believe our own globe-trotting commander-in-chief. And I bear no grudge against those who choose not to. Yes. Not least on the score of "once Third Termited thrice shy"!

To the Nigerian Press: He leaves on May 29; so...vigil, vigil,vigil. Plus more vigil.

Peace.

The Environment

If condolences and commiserations go to all those who have fallen victims of the extreme and destructive weather situations around the globe, condemnation and clarion calls must go to our leaders for failing us in the critical challenges of The Environment.

If we are in the dark about the secret experiments and clandestine tests by various interests and powers, we now see enough evidence and have more than enough reasons to act. Pray, we must now ACT.

The devastation we witness these days is horrendous. So, how can any body in leadership and policy position fail to be moved to act? Incredible!

What kind of business mission or plan profits unconscionably from the destruction of our joint planet and common habitat? Frightening!

Now is the time for citizens to rise to ACTION. It should now be an article of faith in elections: Let's use our VOTES to save the world by putting environment-friendly leaders in office, and removing agents of global warming from power...everywhere!

Pollutants beware!!!

Neither Bush nor Blair...

Poor George! His days are not only numbered in office but are increasingly clobbered by forces home and away!! What a president, what a war!

Poor Tony! His time ticks away in blighting blips and beeps!! What a prime minister, what an untidy war for the masters of diplomacy!

You know I like these two guys at the personal level. They are both down-to-earth and quite simple folks. But Iraq has changed it all, chained them both! Pity.

With a new plan and rejigged strategy, President Bush aims to win the war. Sadly, the whole package has run into a huge storm...home and abroad! Nothing Prime Minister Blair says today holds interest in the UK...as far as his compatriots are concerned! He should just go, they say!

To worsen matters, the so-called coalition of the willing (foreign forces in Iraq) has dwindled very very badly. It is essentially now bare-boned to a US-UK Team!

As things stand this moment, we must wait and see. More thoughts later.

He sang: "making my list, checking it twice....Ban Ki-Moon is coming to town". The new UN Chief has mounted the hot-seat! Bravo to the distinguished diplomat from South Korea.

From Tuesday 2 January however he must go: "I have my list, ready to sweat...Ban Ki-Moon has NOW come into town!"

I think the secretariat juke-box and karaoke buffs should take up the successor version of the song with quiet and nerve-testing refrain.

From me, it's: "welcome aboard, steady ya steps...Ban Ki-Moon is most welcome to town!"

Goodluck and go well.