"Europe" meets "Africa"

The second summit between Europe and its former African colonies has just ended. The “summit of equals”, to quote an exceedingly zealous Mr Socrates, has failed to achieve any significant breakthrough in whatever aspect of partnership.

There are, nonetheless, a few highlights worth mentioning:

- Democracy: I think the point was clearly made in Lisbon. The model of the enlightened leader who guides the nation forward is not only obsolete but also dangerous to the stability of African nations, particularly the smaller ones which can easily fall under the grip of tyranny. All the “Robert Mugabe” type of leaders must call it a career and retire immediately. Power must be given to national parliaments instead and the personality cult must disappear from the Afro-Arab popular culture.

- Free trade is fair trade: Africa is much larger than Europe and can hugely increase its exchange terms in a truly free market. This means that all African products must be shipped out through legal routes, sold at their real prices, and carry real patents. Transparent financial mechanisms must also accompany trade deals, so that the African workman knows exactly how much profit he can claim.

- "China": I find it appalling that African leaders have to remind the world that China is investing in their countries while shutting up about their human rights record. Big deal! Qadafi used the same argument in Oxford and we sort of laughed about it, but I don’t find this funny anymore. Foreign investment does not yield any benefits in countries which violate basic freedoms; it only redirects money to the accounts and pockets of corrupt leaders and their acquaintances.

So here is my advice for the people of Africa: until corruption is eradicated from your individual countries do not expect any positive outlook for the continent. And do not rely on the EU to do the job on your behalf; I would certainly not have the slightest motive to do so if I were European!