New chapter
June 15, 2011
The German government's new "Concept for Africa," presented Wednesday by Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, certainly promises much. This is no less than "a new chapter of close partnership with Africa in politics, economics, society and culture," it declares on its first page.
Presenting the plan in the spectacular central hall of the Foreign Ministry before a number of African diplomats, Westerwelle put the plan into contemporary context. Linking the democracy movements of North Africa with the situation in the rest of Africa, the minister said, "What we are experiencing in Africa is possibly the most fascinating sign of our world in flux. Our aim is to use the potential of our cooperation for the good of the people in Africa, but also, and let's not forget this, also for our own good, also in our own interests."
New priorities
But the fact that the German government is so open about promoting its own economic interests in Africa troubles many critics. Susanne Anger, German spokeswoman for the United for Africa campaign, says there needs to be a shift in emphasis.
"The priority of Germany's policy is increasingly that it serves German economic interests - that we look for attractive markets," she told Deutsche Welle. "We criticize that because we think that the people in Africa overcoming poverty should be at the center."
The new policy envisions increased trade ties with Africa - Germany exported some 20 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of goods to African nations in 2010, whereas, in comparison, its exports to neighboring Austria amounted to 46 billion euros.
Concrete plans?
The new "Africa Concept" ran to all of 30 pages, and was therefore distinctly short on detail. It expresses many good intentions regarding business partnerships and human rights, but Anger hopes that it won't have a fate similar to that of previous government ideas.
"A concept for the whole of Africa that covers 30 pages can obviously only include bullet points," said Anger. "We hope that it doesn't go the same way as the '2015 program,' which the government drew up in 2002, which aimed at finding a way to execute the Millenium Development Goals. That lacked both a clear timetable or plan of action, which led to the goals not being realized.
"Those things are not apparent in the current concept, so all we can do is appeal to the government to make the proposals more concrete, in cooperation with aid organizations," she added.
Changing perceptions
But this was - as Westerwelle proudly pointed out - the first German policy statement on Africa that has been devised by several government departments working together, including the foreign, economics and environment ministries.
And despite Anger's criticisms, some have welcomed the government's initiative. Paul-Simon Handy, research director of the Institute for Security Studies, spoke in a symposium following Westerwelle's speech, and he was enthusiastic about the government's plan because it marks a change in the German attitude.
"One can only really be happy," he said. "What was different before was the perception of Africa. The view from Germany concentrated too much on what didn't work, and for too long Germany didn't see that there are things that work, not in the same way, but they work."
By emphasizing partnership and long-term business opportunities rather than aid – even if only out of self-interest - the "Africa concept" may at least go some way towards eliminating common stereotypes about Africa: that it is a hopeless, war-ravaged continent of corrupt governments that swallow up aid money. If it succeeds in that, then it will have served some purpose.
Author: Ben Knight
Editor: Susan Houlton