Book Review: A Human Being Died That Night

        In A Human Being Died That Night Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela provides interesting insight into apartheid, the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the how people dealt with the aftermath of apartheid.  Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela is a black South African psychologist who interviews one of the most notorious state perpetrators of violence during apartheid, Eugene de Kock, who ran death squads in South Africa, Namibia, and in crossborder raids into Botswana to “eliminate” state targets.  The interviews took place in a maximum-security prison in Pretoria where de Kock was serving a 212-year sentence for his crimes during apartheid.

       As Gobodo-Madikizela conducts the interviews she reflects on her experience under apartheid and how it differs from that of de Kock.  She discovers that there are two sides to de Kock- “Prime Evil” who forgets how many people he has killed and also the loving fathers that is fiercely protective of his family.  She also explores the culpability of the state in sending him on missions to get rid of enemies of the state but officially deny any responsibility.  De Kock was awarded many medals for his successes, including the highest South African award, the Silver Star, but later condemned by former President de Klerk for being excessive and a rouge operator.  It was interesting as Gobodo-Madikizela broke down the system of apartheid with its support from the official Afrikaaner church, social organizations (Broederbond), security police, judicial system, and state that condemned the African National Congress (ANC) as terrorists and sanctioned de Kocks war on terror.  The apartheid state convinced its Soldiers that they had to make a stand and defend the country or else it would go the way of the Congo in the 1960s and they had to “Fight, resist, sacrifice, or you will be wiped out by the black man” (p. 73).  Gobodo-Madikizela frequently compares the apartheid government to the Nazis that try to exterminate the Jews but ultimately decides apartheid isn’t as evil.

       Near the end of the book Gobodo-Madikizela reflects more on the process of forgiveness and reconciliation with her experiences with de Kock and the TRC.  During the TRC hearings she also conducted outreach programs that gave her the opportunity to interact with others that suffered during apartheid.  Some complained that the process was “opening old scars” and digging up past trauma where the victims had “put grass over the past” (p. 88).  However, Gobodo-Madikizela concludes that the process was largely therapeutic, allowed people to move on, fostered forgiveness, and helped society begin the healing process.

 

Gobodo-Madikizela, Pumla. 2003. A Human Being Died That Night. Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin: Boston.

South Africa Rising

Ambassador Rasool addresses the crowd at Boston University 17 Feb 2012

This afternoon I attended a presentation by Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, the South African ambassador to the United States entitled "South Africa Rising." Ambassador. Rasool has visited a couple US universities to promote trade and investment in South Africa and spoke at length about South Africa joining the BRIC group (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) of emerging economic powers and how that can help Africans and investors.  South Africa doesn't compare favorably to the other BRICS countries since it is smaller in terms of population, size of economy, and growth rate but it is the gateway to SubSaharan Africa.  Ambassador Rasool also touted the ease of doing business in South Africa as it has good banks and legal system, as well as manufacturing capacity to use the abundant resources of Africa and the infrastructure (roads, rail, ports, and airports) to move both raw materials and manufactured products.  Another advantage to doing business in South Africa is that there is no debate over state regulation of the markets.  The South African Ambassador said that both the state and private sector have learned to play the violin, or work together to make good music. 

The recent creation of the African free trade area consolidates and opens a huge part of the continent for trade and investment, making South Africa more compatible with the other BRICS.  26 countries from central, eastern, and southern Africa now compose a market of 600 million customers and $1 trillion that can be accessed through South Africa.  Ambassador Rasool stated that South Africa has no special love of China, but they are the ones who want to do business now, and it would be foolish to walk away from them.  The ambassador then encouraged American legislators to expand the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and to create more opportunities for trade.  New infrastructure, such as the planned North-South railway into central Africa, would split open the new market that the BRICS and the rest of the world could access through South Africa.

One comment that struck me was that through their years of working with the IMF,  World Bank, and other finance institutions, South Africa and other developing countries were forced to give up subsidies for many of their products in the name of free trade.  However, western powers have not been required to do the same.  For example, the French protect their Champagne and are the only ones allowed to sell their sparkling wine as Champagne (the ambassador said South African champagne was better).

Ambassador Rasool also responded to several questions from the audience on Angola, corruption, South African opinion on action in Libya, and apartheid.  In response to Angola the ambassador first spoke about how Angola has become more stable since the death of Savimbi and UNITA.  Ambassador Rasool then expounded on the importance of having a diversified market not based on just one commodity like oil, because relying on a single source of income creates elites linked to the resource who do not want to give up power.  In response to the question on corruption the ambassador remarked that there are two parties to a bribe and both should be prosecuted, however many of the western bribers are not being held accountable.  The ambassador also explained how South Africa is upset about the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya. The South Africans thought that they were voting to protect civilians, not to provide an Air Force to clear the  way for the rebel advance.  Regarding apartheid, the ambassador mentioned that the younger generation have no idea what it was like to live under apartheid and are now more influenced by Hollywood and want their BMWs and Nikes.  Malema (former ANC Youth Party Leader) spoke about nationalization and redistribution of lands because there was an audience that wants to see that happen.  However, the ambassador stated, South Africa will not do that because the government of South Africa will honor its agreements with its own people, but the whites need to reward the patience of the poor with their generosity. Ambassador Rasool then spoke about the social programs the government provides for all South Africans such as limited amounts of free water and electricity as well as retirement and other social programs in order to benefit the poor.

The reoccurring theme throughout the ambassador's presentation was that Africa has become more stable, democratic, and free and now was the time to reward the progress in Africa with economic investment and development.  Ambassador Rasool repeatedly emphasized that South Africa is the gateway to the huge African market and offered huge returns on investment.  It was a good sales pitch and it will be interesting to see how the new African free trade area develops.

Shifting Military Powers in Africa

I've been invited to present a paper at the Boston University Graduate Research Conference in International Relations 24-25 Feb 2012 and will be on an Africa panel.  Here is my paper proposal: 

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Most countries in sub-Saharan Africa gained their independence in the 1960s but their former colonial masters maintained great influence over the affairs of the fledgling countries.  The newly independent countries were then swept up in the competing interests of the cold war and exploitation by world powers.  In the case of Senegal and other former French colonies the French military maintained garrisons and intervened to protect their interests.  However, since the Cold War Africa has begun to experience a shift to greater military control of their destinies with some countries becoming dominant military powers in their regions. 

Traditional military powers in Africa are reducing their footprint in Africa or withdrawing completely due to pressure at home and from African host nations.  In 2011 the French turned over multiple garrisons to the Senegalese and reduced troop levels to 300 Soldiers.  Belgian troops have left the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), few British garrisons exist on the continent outside of Sierra Leone and a training center in Kenya, and no Portuguese troops have a permanent garrison in Africa.  African nations have also been resistant to allowing permanent garrisons in their territories and have rejected proposals to base the United States Africa Command Headquarters on the continent. The only US permanent garrison in Africa is in Djibouti on a former French Foreign Legion base, which now supports US efforts in the Horn of Africa.

The Cold War changed dynamics in Africa as Western and Communist forces spent millions on arms and training in countries such as DRC, Mozambique, and Angola.  Upon the fall of the Soviet Union Cold War funding was cut off and programs in Africa were terminated. As a result weak governments that had been propped up by Cold War powers fell and their countries descended into civil war. 

The United Nations and regional economic organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened and traditional colonial powers took on supporting roles of providing aid, funds, transport, and some training.  Regional peacekeeping training centers were established on the continent and the US established the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program in 21 countries and provides training and equipment for African troops.  ACOTA trained troops have deployed to African Union (AU) and UN operations on the continent including Somalia, DRC, Liberia, Ethiopia-Eritrea but also to Beirut and Kosovo.  Other international programs such as Africa Partnership Station (APS) train African nations to patrol their waters and anti-piracy.  Western partners also support regional exercises such as Flintlock in West Africa and Natural Fire in East Africa that allow the African forces to cooperate and coordinate joint action. In these exercises Africans lead their forces and outsiders only advise as requested.

Rising military powers in Africa who have profited from assistance and have become battle hardened on the continent include South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. Rwanda, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, and Tanzania are also developing significant capacities and anchor regional security efforts.

State of Africa

Friday night the African Presidential Archives and Research Center (APARC) at Boston University hosted an Ambassadorial panel to discuss the “State of Africa.” APARC director and American ambassador Charles Stith hosted the panel. Also on the panel was Ambassador Steve Matenje from Malawi, Ambassador Tebelelo Seretse from Botswana, and retired American Ambassador Walter Carington who was Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.  

After giving a quick background on their countries the African Ambassadors commented on the need for US investment in their countries and emphasized how their countries were advancing.  Ambassador Matenje described poor road infrastructure, climate change resulting in a lack of rains, and HIV/AIDS as the greatest challenges facing Malawi.  Ambassador Seretse spoke of Botswana’s success being punished by the international community as aid and funding decreased as a result of their progress.  She also said that China has come to Africa big time and although Africans love Chinese products and appreciate Chinese offers of aid, their projects come with restrictions such as the labor must come from Chinese companies.  Ambassador Carrington (US- Retired) spoke about the recent protests in Nigeria over the removal of a fuel subsidy. Ambassador Carrington said the Nigerian unrest is more related to recent elections and not an “occupy” movement or the Arab Spring.  He also didn’t think that the recent problems in Nigeria were related to religion as Muslims and Christians had mostly peacefully coexisted for the past 50 years since independence.

After their initial statements the panel took questions from the audience.  I was chosen to ask the second question and asked their opinions of the recent (within two hours) Senegalese Constitutional Court’s decision to allow President Wade to run for third term.  Ambassador Stith replied that power is a seductive mistress and once she has kissed you on the lips its hard to walk away.  He added that Africa is making progress in this area as ten years ago there were only eleven retired African heads of state but now there are 33.  Ambassador Matenje from Malawi compared the current struggle in Senegal with an unnamed Malawian former head of state who tried to amend the law to allow him to run for a third term, but was defeated in Parliament.  Ambassador Seretse commented that Senegal is not facing a unique challenge as power corrupts and many other countries have dealt with this issue and Africa will continue to deal with this issue, as African countries are still young.  Retired American Ambassador Carrington said that President Wade was about to destroy democracy in Senegal and lamented we will all be poorer for Senegal becoming an autocratic country.  Ambassador Carrington reflected on when he was the US Ambassador to Senegal and attended President Senghor’s retirement commemoration at the Senegalese Constitutional Court and how it was sad that democracy could now be ending in Senegal.

The panel of Ambassadors also responded to questions on African brain drain and the recent (October 2011) visit of Sudanese President al-Bashir to Malawai.  Ambassador Seretse commented that brain drain balances itself out as Africans who study abroad and choose to remain abroad to work gain valuable experience that they eventually bring home.  In addition, while abroad Africans share stories about their home countries and encourage others to visit and immigrate to Africa where they add to the community.  Malawian Ambassador Matenje responded to the question about Malawi’s refusal to arrest al-Bashir during his visit to Malawi that they decided not to arrest al-Bashir since Sudan is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also believed that sitting heads of state are immune to prosecution.  Ambassador Matenje continued that the United States did not have authority to comment on Malawi’s inaction since it is not a member of the ICC and especially should not push the ICC to take action on another non-ICC member. 

More information on the African Presidential Archives and Research Center at Boston University can be found at http://www.bu.edu/aparc/

Thoughts on Colonialism

In class on Friday we had a warmup debate after reading the syllabus and introducing ourselves. The Professor started off the discussion by asking if perhaps colonialism was ended too soon and would Africa have benefited from a further extended colonial period.  After some general discussion where the merits of colonialism were lauded I offered that colonialism was bad for a number of reasons and to wish for the extension of colonialism was to recommend the continued oppression and subjugation of Africans.   Colonialism varied in its degree of severity from the Belgian Congo where family members were captured and held ransom to force the collection of rubber to kinder systems of colonial control as in Senegal where Africans were given the right to vote and had a voice in French Parliament.  However, all forms of colonialism began with the slave trade, invasion, and violent oppression of the local population. As the export of slaves became less popular Africans instead were pressed into service on plantations and other work that equated to little more than local slavery.  The people lost the right of self determination and a ruling external foreign class controlled the government.  Colonialism was primarily an exploitive activity where foreign invaders subjugated the population, made their own rules, took what they wanted, and gave little back compared with what they took.

A Nigerian student countered that colonialism wasn't that bad and varied from location to location. She commented that of course colonialism in Congo was bad but in many places it was ok and wondered if things could have turned out much better for some African nations if the colonists had resisted the demands for immediate independence in the 1960s. 

I was surprised at an African's defense of colonialism as I thought that most Africans would condemn colonialism. But I was also reminded of when my African-American friend was visiting in Ghana and met a local girl who was upset because her ancestors weren't captured as slaves and brought to America.  I wonder if the lack of progress since independence due to many corrupt governments that continue practices similar to the oppression of colonialism is the reason why some Africans look longingly back to the colonial days.  In many places infrastructure has not been maintained or improved since independence and many of the sparse colonial structures are falling into disrepair.

Kenyan Elections update

Kenya's high court ruled today that elections will be held in March 2013 instead of August or December 2012 unless the government is dissolved or the ruling coalition breaks up.  Judge Isaac Lenaola declared that parliment "expires on 14 January 2013, the elections shall be held within 60 days of 15 January 2013," allowing parliment to serve its full term before the next election.  The date of the elections has been controversial with August 2012 set as a date in the new constitution but also the current president was re-elected in December 2007 for a second five-year term.  Under the new ruling President Mwai Kibaki will remain in power until a new president is elected and takes office. Kibaki was elected to his first term in 2002 and is not allowed to run for a third term.



Kenya polls in 2013 unless government dissolved
UPDATE 2-Kenya high court delays elections to March 2013
Kenya’s polls in 2013 unless coalition fails – court

Nigerian Wedge

Next time I go to Nigeria I am gonna have to bring my board.  Check out this wave in Nigeria:

Surfer Magazine does a bit on Nigeria in the February 2012 issue.  I am gonna have to buy this issue.