Life is full of mystery

2011-06-28T14:50:00.001-07:00

Trade links between Europe and Africa so far have been under the COTONOU agreement which gave African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) member countries access to the EU markets in order to promote their market competitiveness within the international economy.

The trade was based on non reciprocal preferences. However, the objectives of the preferential terms did not meet the expectations of the ACPs who were recording the diminishing import figures at the international stage. In order to solve this problem, together with the pressure from the WTO[i], the two blocs signed a binding agreement in 2001 in Benin (COTONOU) that launched an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with enthusiastic ACP member countries. It was to be wrapped up in 2007; some countries met the time frame while majority of them signed provisional agreements, others initiated the process in order not to interrupt the trade. However, the trade links between the European Union and African countries through regional groupings, under the framework of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) took effect in most countries in January 2008. It replaces the preferential trade treatment granted by the EU under the Lomé convention and COTONOU agreement. EPA indicates good results to Africa’s regional organizations.

An EPA objective surpasses the normal trade relations between the EU and Africa. They are devised towards creating trade amongst various sub regional blocs in Africa with the purpose of its incorporation within the global economy. There is a great potential in Africa, however the continent has not been doing well in improving inter regional trade because of an overlapping membership in numerous trade agreements.

Regional integration is the principal aim of the EPA deal; its proper implementation will eliminate the intra-regional trade barriers in the existing customs union and free trade agreements. Apart from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), all Africa’s regional arrangements contain internal barriers to trade like limiting rules of origin and other restrictions that hamper trade and safeguard existing businesses.

The EU commenced negotiations with West Africa in October 2003, leading to the implementation of a roadmap in Accra on 4th August 2004 – the negotiations that would permit most of the EU products to gain access to West African market. While the negotiations are still taking place, the EPAs have rejuvenated the reality of regional economic integration. Ken Ukaoha, the President of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT), reiterated at the conference held in Abuja in August that before the negotiations went underway, the West African region was in an “apparent comatose” in regards to integration. Not much was happening there apart from fighting and conflict resolution. The negotiations have led to a rising union of member states’ macroeconomic policies, as well as a more developed performance on a common external Tariff.

In the lake region, the East African Community (EAC) EPA framework that has been temporarily signed has facilitated the smooth process of integration within the region. In fact, all the EAC member states have initiated the process. The EAC is now closer to sign the EPA agreement after some of the most contentious issues, for instance, development support halted for about three years was finally ironed out. The EU consented on giving financial support to development programs in East Africa. There has also been a consensus on the development requirements connected with the EPAs in advancing sustained growth, reinforcing integration and promoting structural changes that eventually will augment production in the region.

There has been a considerable development within SADC. Four of its members (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland) became a signatory to the interim EPA. This development has resulted in a discussion on the integration projects in the region. However, there lacked consensus in some of the major issues like economic development, export taxes, as well as most favored nations were a drawback in concluding the negotiations.

Implications

Evaluating the impact of EPAs on Africa’s economy is not clear-cut considering the contentious issues that are still under negotiation. The EU is pushing forward the EPA framework in the negotiations which seems to create distress on the impact it will have on Africa’s economy towards poverty eradication, regional integration and economic development.

Under EPA, the EU expects Africa to liberalize a considerable component of their trade through reciprocity, African countries are supposed to lower and remove tariffs up to 80%-98% on its EU import for a period of 12 years[ii]. An assessment done by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in 2004 on the implications of EPAs in Africa predicted that the total removal of tariffs on the EU import would provoke public revenue losses in the continent to an average of USD 2.9 billion[iii]. This assessment is especially appalling for ECOWAS that has a fiscal loss of USD 980 million. On the other hand, removing tariffs will create a direct competition between the EU companies and the African domestic producers. Most of African producers will not have the aptitude of competing with the EU import on a reciprocity level due to supply-side constraints. The agricultural sector also will be badly affected due to inexpensive and mostly highly subsidized agricultural commodities in the EU. Moreover, it will pose a negative impact on African countries whose government budgets depend largely on tariff revenues, especially those who import a lot from the EU[iv], hence creating impediment in financing development projects. The end result is that most of African countries will face a constraint in reimbursement for the loss of revenues stimulated by the EPA.

Considering the difference in the structure of African economies and their EU counterparts in regards to intra-regional trade and attainment of integration, the method of reciprocity that is based on EPAs conditions is likely to have its ramifications on Africa’s exports trade and overall economic activities in the continent. On the other hand, African exports that are currently enjoying duty free access to the EU markets and endure supply constraints, will not considerably top up their trade in the EU market, whereas the EU exporters will expand their shares on the African market. Consequently, Africa would probably experience trade imbalances that may lead to a dwindling intra-regional trade at the expense of Africa-EU trade.

EPA has the capability of reorganizing regional organizations’ projects and improves the reliability of regional integration. Conversely, if the existing limitation that results from contradicting and overlying regional trade programs is not adequately tackled prior to African countries implementing EPA, then employing free trade agreement with the EU may lead to destabilizing the progress of regional markets. In a situation where the ongoing negotiations are deemed to fail in countering the development efforts of Africa, another deal must be made in order to maintain persistent access to the EU market.

Africa requires an organization that would provide an ideal economic understanding of significant policy questions to the negotiators. Such organization should create an emphasis on what the agreement is on, for instance, if it is prudent for African countries to open up their markets for competition. Such organization should also present unbiased and consistent information that could result in baffling circumstances. With the ongoing negotiations, it is with high hope that the EPA framework will cater for both the EU and Africa’s economic development.

[i] Preferences to ACP member countries were not commensurate with the "enabling clause" (GATT decision, 1979), that consented preferential treatment of developing countries, as they discriminated among developing countries on the basis of non-objective criteria.

[ii]SADC-EPA are to eliminate tariffs on 86% of imports from EU within 8 years, by 2016; Comoros 98%, Madagascar89.9%, Mauritius 96.6%, Seychelles 97.7% and Zimbabwe 87%, in the East South Africa ESA(ESA) group are to eliminate their duties within 14 years, by 2022. The East African Community are to eliminate duties on 80% of the value of imports within this period and 64% within the first two years of EPA. Ghana is to eliminate duty on 80.5% of the tariff lines within this period and Cote d’Ivoire on 88.7% within the period.

[iii] Regional meeting on Economic Partnership Agreement. 29th September 2005.

http://www.uneca.org/tfed/meetings/mombasa/index.htm

[iv] Most of the COMESA member states largely depends on customs duties for budgetary resources. Countries that suffer the most from the elimination of tariff reductions are Kenya, Sudan, Mauritius, Ethiopia, DRC and Seychelles.

Financial Sector Integration in the East Africa community Region of Sub-Saharan Africa

2010-10-10T07:14:00.001-07:00

For most African states, the small scale of national markets constrains financial sector growth and efficiency, contributing to higher costs, a narrowed range of financial product offerings and the exclusion of numerous Africans from formal financial services. African states have long noted the limits imposed by their scale and set various courses on the pathway of economic regionalization, establishing a mosaic of regional agreements and bodies. Each African state is a member of on average four regional agreements relating to trade and/or finance. Making Finance Work for Africa. Regional financial integration, when set within the broader context of the financial sector reform agenda, offers one set of strategies to help unlock the efficiency of scale and market forces of competition.
While Africa has taken some steps toward regional financial integration, many of the benefits seem to be elusive. What aspects of financial sector integrations have the regions attained, and what should be prioritized among that which remains? What financial regulations, infrastructure and instruments should be tapped to deepen the financial sector and drive shared economic growth? Regional economic communities in Africa frequently focus upon the long term goal of a monetary union and prioritize convergence criteria, marginalizing discussions on banking supervision, payment systems, credit information and other pieces in the backbone of financial system. Yet the regionalization of these elements can offer significant gains either in conjunction with or in absence of a monetary union. History also suggests that the timeline achieving monetary union is long, while modest interim steps can advance the larger agenda and be realized in a relatively short timeframe.

NON VIOLENCE AS A WORKING FORCE IN 21st CENTURY

2010-07-22T04:48:00.000-07:00

However much we try to attain peace and happiness, the speedy dynamic change in life still leaves us perplexed as to whether there is a likelihood of nonviolence action in this 21st century.
According to Gene Sharp (a political scientist), the politics of nonviolence is based most importantly on the means to successfully attain its goal. That the strategic violence is not passive, neither does it evade conflict. Conflict is unavoidable. Strategic nonviolEnce is basically a way of taking an active part in resisting in order to put agenda across through strategic campaigning using various means of disobedience and disruption.
A few points from the UN on the position of conflicts happening now and the urge for non violent alternatives; In this century, the turn of events have have projected things in different pesrpectives. The height of information technology, the new world order and Economic globalization. Post cold war drastically changed/ and still changing the socio-economic and political environment for better and for worse at the same time. The former being that there has been corresponding opportunities that arises with the change. The later is because there has been incessant risks to human security and freedom. Proliferation number of refugees and the displaced is a living testimony of human rights infringment. The universal declaration ‘vision of all rights for all people in all countries’ since 5 decades a go should be practised since now there are machineries, knowledge and capabilities of reaching for this aspiration.
Regardless of where one is, there is human values that we all expect to have; kindness, universal accountability, open mindedness and considerate. We are obliged to look beneath these characteristics and notice the part every one of us can play in changing the society, the corelation between our mind and actions undertaken and the rapid level of threat and the dread in gearing towards success as a result. Budding up a non-violent intellect becomes a recipe in speeding up the attainement of universal peace. It is a vision that can be reached by a person in a lifespan since it does not command any unique training and can be undertaken on the spot.
Non-violence has beneficial effects to an individual, it attains instant sense of tranquality, diminish intense stress and aggravation, personality and actual competence in yearning to helping others. This approach ,is consequential to a familly, a place of work and to the society at large.
Regarding the turn of events in the contemporary society based on the level of threat and the expression of violence such as civil wars, terrorism, person to person agressions, rape and torture, non violense should be given a first priority. The world is seaching for hope and advancement but appears to be more unsafe than it was before. Since the time of cold war to this century, there has been deadly conflicts, some are internal conflicts and impending disputes between some states. The world is looking for a way of stopping all these.
Even though we have varied experience in our lives, races, tribes, religious doctrines and cultures, we all endevour for a better and happier future regardless of miseries and concern. Everybody has been distressed by the unfolding events in the world. Political analysts have considered 21st century as being bloodier than any other in human history. Our main responsibility now is to change the course of how things have been and resort to nonviolent actions in order to find a lasting solution for peace.
In order to meet this objective, its important to consider the moral foundation of violence and nonviolent action.Non violent action starts from the mind of an individual and creating nonviolence ideology is instrumental in offering us a chance for another hope. Violence however, not only involves physical actions but it also encompasses speech and purpose. Its upon these attributes that we should act on and change the community we live in and the world at large. Violent actions should not be condoned when applied on our perpetrators neither should it be validated when a friend uses it on a common enemy. All in all, it is still violence and it leads to destruction. An action should be taken to prevent the escalation of violent activities such as prejudice, revulsion, inequality,antagonism and religious indoctrination.
The international community has worked together in peacebuilding processes and their work should not be ignored in finding a solution to the conflicts. Indiviuals should also play a bigger role whether in the community based groups or in businessess. Also education and sports are increasingly advancing in acknowledging the process. Multilateral diplomacy is thriving and giving an optimism in acquiring peace.
There is need in checking the way forward so that there can be a shift from violence actions to nonviolent activities and provide a severe deliberation to its perfomance in a commplishing nonviolent community. There are reasons fo this argument; First, it is imperative to discern that violent actions are not skin deep, nobody is born violent, it only starts from the mind of an individual. It lies upon the physical actions and speeches made. However, getting rid of violence in the mind is not an easy option, it involves bravery and fortitude.
Just like mahatma Gandhi said ‘We must be the change we wish to see not the darkness that we wish to leave’.

The Africa You Don't See on TV - Nairobi, Kenya

2010-07-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

WEST AFRICA’S REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY- ECOMOG

2010-07-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

Introduction
African continent has the most cases of conflicts and wars. West Africa however is the region in the continent that shares the biggest portion of the problems. Way back from the 90s there has been enormous number of deaths as a result of the conflict and violence in the region. Many people have also been displaced. All these consequences of conflict and violence have made the region and their regional building block, Economic community of west Africa-ECOWAS, become connected with the words such as insecurity, violence and destruction instead of collaboration and progress as defined in the key mission of ECOWAS.
Despite of numerous problems in the West African region, ECOWAS has built some mechanisms that could be instrumental in realizing the goal of peace and security in the region. Whereas upholding an economic development and cooperation as a focal point in the region.
Two decades ago, the West African community accounted for a military force that had a responsibility of resolving conflicts amongst states inside ECOWAS. The institutionalization of ECOMOG, the ECOWAS cease fire monitoring group.
The launch of ECOMOG made a record because at the time of its establishment, no any other parallel military force in Africa was there. It is not easy to say that those who established ECOWAS way back in 1977 had a prediction in the creation of ECOMOG, not to mention the role it has played in containing the political instability amongst its member states. ECOMOG actively participated in containing the Liberian war during the military take over.
Sierra Leone is another case example of ECOMOG’s active participation, where class struggle, high level corruption and misuse of natural resources changed into one of the most atrocious conflicts in the world. From 1991-2001, civilians were killed, raped, kidnapped, children were also recruited as child soldiers and millions were displaced.
In retrospect, undoubtedly ECOMOG actively played a bigger part in reinstating peace and security in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is also credible to say that ECOWAS and its military sister have advanced with the time.
During the wake of multipartism by most of ECOWAS member states; the regional body created more emphasis on negotiations and diplomacy as a first approach rather than military interventions. In cases of political coup or misuse of the constitution by one leader, the first reaction is through diplomatic intervention by way of negotiations or economic sanctions. These methods however give a first hand, in tackling the conflict before it escalates fully. This however does not imply that ECOMOG has no future role in military interventions.

MULTILATERALISM AND REGIONALISM IN SUB SAHARAN

2010-04-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Peace is a pre requisite for human development in helping countries to forge for further economic and security development, encouraging them to work individually and collectively. All the great and even emerging powers will have to confront new threats that will require multilateral cooperation; climate change, a looming energy crisis, transnational crime and terrorism are some of the non conventional threats that will drive even the most strong ones to increase cooperation. In regards to globalization as a process that embraces some advantages as well as many disadvantages for developing countries, they have used multilateral forums to move forward for a greater say
During the cold war Southern and developing countries established among others the Non-aligned movement (NAM) and the group of 77 (G77). These fora brings together a huge number of developing countries that they no longer feel the need to challenge the great powers. Their main objective of these groups was however to augment the intercontinental significance of developing countries and emerging powers and to create a conducive multipolar world. Therefore a South-South integration and cooperation from regional public goods perspective have been effective, keeping multilateralism and development in mind.
Africa has a long history of international cooperation, regional and sub-regional institutions that were established and maintained to address political and economic issues and others in addressing environmental issues. In specific, these areas include multilateral environmental agreements and institutions that are concerned with biodiversity conservation and utilization of transnational resources. Today, energy, climate change and stabilizing fragile and post conflict states are economic issues that must be built on a sense of shared responsibility for the wellbeing of global political economy and should involve the participation of major stakeholders in that economy. They are part of international security and environmental dialogue. They must be the concern of economic multilateralism as well, therefore much of the paper will cover the economic issues in addition to other global issues.
Most of the countries in Africa have been achieving rapid economic development and industrialization on the basis of liberalization and multilateralism and specifically on the market oriented strategies. They have gained from GATT/WTO system and have been actively supporting its multilateralism. Therefore the a misperception about Africa failing to ensure coherence to forge for a positive interface shall be positively highlighted.
All the 53 African countries are members of the United Nations. The UN charter has a vision of promoting international peace and development with a principle emphasis on human rights, equal rights for both men and women and nations small and big through international cooperation in getting a solution to economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character. The members of the African Union accounts for a quarter of the votes in the governing body of UN system, in fact the largest voting block.
It is clear that countries cannot stick to multilateralism only. Countries are too diverse in their developments. Negotiations under the umbrella of WTO take too much time as well. Regionalism is then an alternative to consider at least for countries geographically close to each other, especially for countries with common economic ties.
Right from the charter of the United Nations to the African Union constitution, and on the other hand to sub regional Economic institutions such as such as community for Sahel- Saharan States, Economic Community of Central and East African States, Common market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Arab Maghreb Union and Economic Commission of West African states, Africa is integrating within. These regional economic communities are primarily involved with the promotion of regional cooperation with a spotlight on economic developments. Their formation lies within the principles of sovereignty, solidarity, peace and security, human rights, democracy and security and peaceful settlements of disputes. Most of them however has embarked on extensive environmental issues.
Within the Sub regional treaty, SADC has been very active in the security and peace cooperation besides cooperating along the environmental issues adopting various protocols in shared water management 1995, energy 1996,wild life conservation and law enforcement 1999 among others. SADC also established the Zambezi Basin commission 2004 after more than two decades of failed negotiations.
Other more recently established sub region institutions includes the East Africa Community 1999. The main aim of this initiative was to expand the cooperation within the member states- Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda where conflict has been a big impediment to regional cooperation. It was established under the principles of democracy and good governance, peace and security, economic development and regional development.
The contemporary international society is composed of a large number and a variety of actors. Most of this countries are basically regional states although they might be dependent on international exchange, their fundamental foreign policy issue is on a regional level.
Multilateral forums have been quite important for developing countries in pushing for a greater say in a global governance. However, it also helps Africa to participate internationally to leverage concessions from the international community.

DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA

2010-01-23T07:18:00.000-08:00

By the end of 1980s, only a few of African states were democratic, majority were ruled by military regimes. In early 1990s the political situation in Africa changed, multi partism started, although military regimes remained in power in some states but the dominant single party states that were common after independence were totally absent from the political map of Africa.
Consequent victory by ANC headed by Nelson Mandela took enormous twist with most ministerial portfolios being held by ANC. However things took a negative turn with the 1994 Rwandan Genocide that claimed a million lives and left thousands homeless. During that period (1990s), civil wars in Angola, Somalia and Liberia hindered the establishment of national governments. Never the less during this period, Africa was undoubtedly steering towards democracy.
By 1995 most of African states held competitive elections. Indeed in most cases it was first time most African countries were holding first elections with opposition parties. In return these opposition were awarded by the superpowers in both economic and military hardware regardless whether the regimes applied oppressive manner against their own people.
The end of 1980s showed most military regimes and single party states looking for international support that gave them less supportive context for authoritarianism. Instead a number of western governments, world bank and IMF began to insist that aid and governance had to be linked to political reforms, during the same period, political conditionality was added to economic conditionality which had emerged earlier. The political conditionality was to hold aid and investments on African governments that abused human rights and political freedom to their citizens until the abuses are removed. In most cases, political conditionality was linked to democratization or for others good governance. But in reality there is no simple case in Africa that external conditionality was imposed without there being strong domestic pressure for democracy within the African states concerned.
The change in the political environment in 1980s created an external situation that was more supportive to African democracy than before and made it more difficult for the authoritative regimes that wanted to prevent it.
Although external environment played a greater role in political reforms, much of the pressure was created in Africa by Africans. In assessing the importance of external and internal pressures, most of the African scholars concluded that inner pressure have played a bigger role and that the external progress have contributed relatively modestly. I concur with the analysis of these scholars. Considering the primacy of domestic factors, every African would testify that in every African state there has been a broad-based movements for political reforms with a demand for democracy which has been defined as requiring multi-party political system.
Although democratic movements in Africa have been influenced by developments in other parts of the world, the major contributing factor had been concerned with African experiences, in a more broad plausible way, in identifying the uniformity in political change across sub Saharan states since 1990, it’s been partly predominantly influenced by the restructuring of the global political system, there has been enormous opposition against autocratic regimes both by single party and military versions, and in Africa by varied range of political forces.

CAUSES OF CONFLICT IN RELATION TO AFRICAN STATES

2009-09-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Most of the African states are being faced with a dual set of problems and challenges, namely; domestic and global, Poverty alleviation, sustainable peace, sustainable human development and economic growth constitute the domestic set. Which are somehow interdependent. Interdependency produces a degree of integration among independent and sovereign African states. One cannot be achieved without the other, but they have to be solved in a blanket or else African states wil still wallow in the sea of poverty, civil wars and deficiency in the rule of law.

The impact of Globalization on african economies is another set of problems. Africans need to give a positive approach to global issues and challenges and the opputunities that come with it, otherwise they would be marginalized from the global economy and would be the poorer of it. Africans must mobilize the human and material resources, and build or acquire the capabilities to confront the two sets of problems and challenges.

Economic growth is the basic foundation for social and economic transformation and in acquiring the capabilities to respond to the global challenges and opportunities Africa must put all the reform machineries in place in order to play a bigger role in the globalizing world.. Africa is rich in human and material resources for the driving forward of economic growth, but there has been a cleavage in achieving the required rate of economic growth because of civil unrests, poor leadership and violent conflicts. A condusive atmosphere of peace, security and embracing the rule of law is imperative for a robust economic growth.. Neither the eruption of violent conflicts nor the existence of peaceful environment or the embracing of sustainable human development occurs by themselves. They must be the consequential actions of people.

Civil unrests and violent conflict are however the end products of poor leadership blended with bad governance. The role leaders play is thus important in creating a level playing field conducive for economic growth and the promotion of various mechanisms in order to face the global challenges and opportunities that comes with it.

In this contemporary world, a good intercourse between the donors and the recipients in terms of those who provide the required services and those that are in dire need, should be mutual, not based on reprocity.This kind of relationship is as well good for African Non governmental organizations and community Based organizations. But it has to be a partnership that is beneficial to all the partners.

WAR AND POLITICS: THE UN, PEACE AND SECURITY

2009-09-09T01:29:00.000-07:00

Since 1945, there has been enormous increase of African states in the UN, this have showed a marked significance in two ways, first it exposed Africa to the international politics after so many years of slavery, in another way Africa could be an actor in the international relations rather than an object. Secondly the representation of African states in the general assembly and creation of African (regional) non permanent members in the Security Council implies that African issues can now receive international recognition.
The most contentious issues were those that were caused by colonialism, apartheid, cold war, great powers interference with states sovereignty and international economy in relation to African development. These issues not only happen in Africa but also in other developing countries though they have been felt in Africa more than any other developing countries because of their persistence. It's in Africa where the relics of colonialism remained through the three decades of UN. Due to low economic growth and lack of basic services, African states have given economic issues more priority to diplomatic activities in UN and in other international fora. The UN had acted as a refuge by all African government; as a body that might help restructure their socio-economic development. The participation of African states in the UN should not be viewed not only in accordance to the UNs objectives but also through the UN’s theoretical assumptions, however affect the way in which specific objectives can be realized or proven within the structure of the UN/org.
The UN has been viewed by all African governments as a body which might significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of their countries. The role of African states in the UN cannot be viewed mainly from the point of view of the objectives sought and the mechanisms utilized in pursuant of these goals. Account must also be taken of the underlying theoretical assumptions behind the establishment of the UN. These assumptions more or less affect the extent to which particular objectives can be realized within the framework of the organization whose primary purpose was to maintain peace and security could not ignore the dimensions of power and it's role in the international relations. The organization was not to operate as a democratic institution capable of making binding decisions on the basis of majority vote; instead the decision of the most important organ of the UN, the Security Council, could require the affirmative vote of the nine members including the concurring vote of the 5 members of the Security Council. This veto provision in the charter gave recognition to the importance of power and military capability as the key factors in international politics.
Actually the veto power just shows the impact great powers have in terms of socio-economic and technological developments, in addition to their military capabilities. This does not conform to the operational code of the UN whereby all member states should participate in the decision making instead the great powers only make the decisions armed with the lethal sword of "veto".
In relation to politics, Africa’s intercourse with UN started to show signs of mistrust during the so called Congo crisis 1960-1964, which later coincided with the shift of UN’s perceived role of the organization in crisis situations. This new shift resulted to preventive diplomacy and was considered as a substitute of enforcement action or collective military action under Security Council auspices. Preventive diplomacy was considered as a strategy of crisis management which aimed at inter-policing UN military and or political personnel between disputants with a view to preventing both the escalation of conflicts and possible intervention by the superpowers. The central thrust of preventive diplomacy was to quarantine local conflict situation and to insulate them from superpower meddling.
The Security Council lacks credibility and institutional responsibility to effectively address the contemporary international security issues.

CHINA IN AFRICA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR USA

2009-09-06T04:07:00.000-07:00

Since 1980s, Chinese leader have shown the necessity for economic development while at the same time highlighting the threat caused by emerging US supremacy. Chinese leaders who took over the national policy after Deng Xiaoping’s, however positioned their objectives opposite the American interest. Compelled by national feelings, desire to make up for the past humiliations and the push for global power, China is looking forward to substituting US as a leading power in Asia. During 1980s, China instituted diplomatic relations with most countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa. From 1990s, it expanded her diplomatic relations with countries like Israel, Republic of Korea and South Africa in addition to some of former Soviet satellites. By 2002, China had diplomatic ties with 165 countries.
The national security strategy for the US, 2006 declared that ‘ Africa holds growing geo strategic importance and is a high priority for the administration’- this must be true for a continent that supplies US with 16 % of petroleum and is a prospective oil supplier, about a quarter of it’s oil imports by 2015. Therefore the rising weight of another actor in the region could as well result under a watching eye of policymakers and other actors. The question is, is China’s bilateral relations with US the cause of criticism or is it about the Chinese foreign policy on the continent?
Never the less we must say that China does not pose any direct major threat to the US national interest, however it changes the strategic approximation in various ways. First, most Chinese firms have a competitive edge over the western counterparts because most of the companies are at least partially state owned. Their managers make decisions based on a less long term objectives rather than the financial gains, incase of long term objectives, their nation gains more. Although donor countries may provide some incentives for receiving states in Africa that do business with national firms, the OECD( which China does not belong) discourages direct connection with private and semi entrepreneurs.
Second is the separation of political and the economic involvement which gives a lifeline to states that would totally collapse under the western pressure. Sudan and Zimbabwe is a case in point ( Chinese investments have continued to flow into both countries including a coal joint venture, a glass factory, smelting plants and beef production in Zimbabwe and oil extraction in Sudan.
The international community in general and especially the US considers china’s strategy on Africa as a challenge. America may see China as a competitor for resources and growing political influence in the region, whereas Beijing may be cautious on the interference with countries internal affairs.

quote of the day

2009-05-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

Help your neighbour when is falling...dont laugh when your side is greener

Humanitarian intervention

2009-04-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

This article will try to clarify the legal status of humanitarian intervention under international law. Most of the ideas obtained were from the conference I attended from 19-22 march at the college of European studies, Natolin(Warsaw). Basically, the conference was sort of an introduction to the various aspects of international humanitarian law under the umbrella of International Law.
I would try to give an overview of the legal status of humanitarian intervention under International Law today.
Inspite of the long history of legal discourse on the matter, there is no consistence consensus as regards the legality of humanitarian intervention under international law. The opponents of formally acknowledging a right of humanitarian intervention often refer to the risk of abuse of the action and, in view of the many so-called humanitarian interventions which have been carried out for reasons of self-interest, this argument can be easily understood. Yet, others argue that situations of grave and systematic human rights violations do justify an intervention for humanitarian reasons and that such situations concerns the international community as a whole. Indeed, during the second half of the 20th century the development within human rights law shows a clear tendency towards a greater international responsibility.
Still, after having studied relevant legislation, case law and legal doctrine, it is my view that legality of humanitarian intervention is restricted to situations where there is prior authorization by the United Nations Security Council. Individual states or a community of states cannot without such prior authorization justify a humanitarian intervention on legal grounds under international law today. The following pages will portray why.
“All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” This is the wording of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter which is at the center of the debate with respect to the legality of humanitarian interventions.1 Does this provision allow for an intervention by the use of force for humanitarian reasons? Opinions differ immensely on this vexed question.
Still, in spite of the long history of legal discourse concerning humanitarian intervention, there is a lack of consistent consensus (opinio juris communis) under international law. Throughout history and still today there has been a reluctance in formally acknowledging a right of humanitarian intervention out of fear of abuse of the same. On the other hand, there are situations were an intervention for humanitarian reasons may be well founded. Many argue that the United Nations Security Council should have responded earlier to the situation in Rwanda, where the lack of action resulted in genocide. Grave and systematic human rights violations are a concern not solely to the sovereign state in which they are conducted but to the international community as a whole.
In not trying to be called a pessimist though, International humanitarian law has vividly streamlined the policies and structures needed in times of war and after war especially when dealing with combatants, wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, refugees and humanitarian aid. Most of the organizations(International committee of red cross) operating under the umbrella of International humanitarian law has however been useful in assisting the victims of war(both civilians and combatants). Much still has to be done in terms of formulating non discriminating policies.

Life...Life.....Life

2009-04-08T01:23:00.001-07:00

What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning - and some of them many times over - what do you find? That you can swim? Well - life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!

MALE FRIENDS

2009-02-01T04:18:00.000-08:00

Beware the company she keeps for they will betray you. Few people have integrity in this world and even fewer keep it when the gain is so great. It is all we have and it sells for nothing. In desperation people will lie, steal and cheat to get what they desire. This applies greatly to relationships and your girlfriends “male friends.”

There is a big problem that is running rampant in today's relationships and it's called male friends. A lot of guy's would steal your girlfriend right out from under you without a second thought. Either through lack of integrity or desperation for love and affection would they take what is not theirs leaving you confused as to why this happened.

Some women are to blame for this. They love external validation so much so that is has become an addiction to them. They gain their self esteem from the compliments and attention from others and it is a tough habit to break. They get into relationships and receive withdrawal symptoms from not having drunk guys suck up to them every weekend. Without this attention they feel ugly, useless and miserable.

They like the security that comes from a relationship because almost everyone fears dying alone but still feel the shakes as the self esteem derived from external validation leaves their system. Single and fearing dying alone or in a relationship and watching their false self esteem dwindles away?

There lies a compromise that most take: be in a relationship but keep the male companions around for validation. All the while you can pretend like it doesn't bother you when she constantly texts her “friend” who is a little too touchy for your tastes. Or like most guy's who don't like it you can keep your mouth shut and repress your irritation.

You don't like it but feel helpless in the situation. You know something is off but feel like there is nothing you can do about it. You have made far too many rationalizations in your head for this sort of behavior. You don't want to appear needy or macho so you let it go only to find the situation getting worse as the days go bye.

Few find the strength and courage to say something to the girl which only ends up in an argument. Never argue with a women, she's better at it. The argument doesn't go as you plan and you only end up feeling guilty for something that doesn't sit right with you. The uncertainty of whether or not her having touchy feely male friends is what kills you and makes you unable to stand your ground.

She tells you hes just a friend and you believe it but something still doesn't sit right in your stomach. You feel as though it's unfair that she has friends that are a little close for comfort while you would never allow any female friends to get that way. You feel loyal to the relationship and wouldn't allow anything to threaten it but would she?

That's an important question to ask any time you feel like there is a male friend of hers that you don't quite trust. Does she care about the relationship to let go of anyone who threatens it? Or does she enjoy the high she gets from external validation more? If the answer is yes that she does want to protect the relationship then the male friend needs to go.

Are You Holding on Or Letting Go?

2008-07-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

There comes a time when we have to face the reality, and in most cases, the reality don't necessarily come from our own experiences but also from others.To be honest,i don't have much experience in relationship stuff.But i have been entangled in the relationship web though(if you understand what i'm saying).It feels nice to be loved and love back,and for it to to be recognized,it has to be mutual.I'm not a love doctor, but love is like going into a river when you dont know how deep it is.when it's shallow,you might go down and break your neck,and when it's deep......that's how love is.you never know what will happen next.

At every instant in your life you are either expanding to Embrace Growth or Contracting to hold on and protect. What are you protecting?

Love and fear are opposite sides of the same vibration.

Love is not the absence of fear but Courage is the expansion of Love into fear.

Bringing light to the darkness and freedom from attachment is what letting go is all about.

Letting go of the past is an act of power not weakness.

Freedom is found in Forgiveness not Tolerance.

Completing Unfinished Business is really the art of Releasing.

If not you, Who? If not now, When?

Why not start now by planting new seeds of love in your relationships?

Embracing Growth is allowing the light of new ideas, friendships and practices to move through your life. It's about releasing and refreshing the areas where you may have been stuck or caught up in self limiting beliefs.

When it comes to love and relationships you can either be RIGHT or be HAPPY.

While that may seem like an obvious choice, most people would rather lose their loved ones, their house, health, vitality and financial stability than to admit they might be wrong. Or said more powerfully: take responsibility for their part in the relationship.

They move from one failed relationship to the next like a train wreck looking for a place to happen. Hoping for a new beginning while dragging the unfinished business from past relationships into the next.

Completing Unfinished Business is a powerful and simple technology to complete your past and create a meaningful Future.

If your relationships seem to revolve around the same old issues, there has never been a better time than now to get it complete. Resolve your Addictive patterns now and get on with a fulfilling LIFE!COME ON PEOPLE..LET'S LOVE AND BE LOVED..

YouTube - Lucky Dube - Guns & Roses (Videoclip)

2008-06-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

YouTube - Lucky Dube - Guns & Roses (Videoclip)

Quote of the day

2008-06-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

"who is but the sword in the hand of him who uses it, is not himself responsible for the death he deals." Those who act according to a divine command, or even God's laws as enacted by the state and who put wicked men to death “have by no means violated the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill.’”

Funny Football

2008-06-15T07:45:00.001-07:00

Why stereotype?

2008-06-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Is lumping people into one category stereotyping and politically incorrect? why is it wrong to stereotype groups of people?because it's wrong.sometimes,some things are just inevitable though,they show the animal instinct in us.That's just the way live goes.
Stereotyping is more an issue of prejudice -- which is like a sickness that grows in the individual who does not know how to process information properly and draws the wrong conclusions, leading to hatred of ALL people of a given trait. And that's dead WRONG.
It normally hurts to be categorized based on the physical and behavioral characteristics we posses,especially when we are innocent.However, by looking at some of the characteristics and behavioral traits,most of the secret agents are able to come up with idea on who is likely to have committed a crime,though in most cases some of their profiles of suspects seems to hold no waters.As the old adage goes"you can not take a tree for a forest" for instance,not all middle-Eastern men are suicide bombers(but,the majority of suicide bombing has been performed by middle eastern men)and this has led to a heavy scrutiny for these group of men-especially when boarding an airplane.
On the other side of the coin,profiling according to stereotypes is really relying on statistics. It's not singling out any one individual, but it is singling out a particular trait of an individual. Understandably, this is a touchy subject. But, to get anywhere in the process of crime prevention, profiling is sometimes a sad neccessity. Nobody like it. But, it is for the overall protection of society.
Sometimes, stereotyping is a safeguard that we use even to teach our children who to trust and who not trust.It is engrained in our humanity mentality-and maybe for our own protection. However, that is NOT to say that all stereotyping is good. Much of it IS bad. That's usually the case when we carry it too far or lump ALL individuals of a certain category into a pile; or if we are choosing the WRONG variables or characteristics to use as tags
Stereotyping has a place in society(may be). But, like anything else, it has to be used correctly; to relate correctly the dependent and independent variables; and to understand that it does NOT imply that ALL members of a group can be pegged accordingly. In other words, it needs to be backed up by statistics, not by personal likes or dislikes
However the Authority and the society as a whole should identify the ease in which they are handing out the basic values.

BE CAUTIOUS OF WHAT YOU POST ON FACEBOOK

2008-06-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

The reason why i chose facebook is that, it has more users than all the world’s major dating sites combined,. It has the potential to become people’s home page.
Where postcards, letters, phone calls, e-mails and meetings were once normal methods of communication, Facebook and its competitors have become individuals’ own personal town criers, exchanging tittle-tattle, news, ideas, invitations, dates, business and social interaction with virtually unlimited audiences on the web.
The more excitable prophets say that social networks are changing our lives for ever, for better and for worse. We are in the throes of a social revolution that is evolving so rapidly, few can predict either its impact beyond the next few months, or the fallout
Whatever you post on the facebook and in other social networks will in one day affect your job.
Famous faces, have found themselves embarrassed by social networks. Hugh Grant was photographed cuddling up to a bunch of attractive female students, and someone posted them on Facebook; it naturally made the tabloids.
We don’t consider that things we paste up online are there for ever, relics that will never go away. If you’re pissed at a party, passed out in a pool of vomit, that’s an image that will forever reside somewhere.

We, as users, should learn better how to conduct ourselves. Social networks will find a balance between being invasive and being helpful.

however as i always say,i'm not a pessimist,social networks have unleashed a storm of creativity, entrepreneurialism, commercial thinking and social thinking.Lets all be reponsible for our own actions!!!!

IS WORLD GETTING PRIORITIES RIGHT

2008-06-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

It’s good to embrace the height of the modern technology, it has helped a great deal in medical research, communication, covers most of the world’s science.I am not a pessimist and in no way would I want to downplay the benefits of technology, as a matter of fact I wonder how the world would be without modern technology.My big resentment is that why do rich countries spend enormous amount of money in space exploration, while there is a lot of misery in the world. my question is, is it value for money, are there scientific significance in relation to local and immediate problems? Drivers of technology, however comes from a need, and the biggest needs we have are, climatic change, global food and energy crisis(as a result of a global economic slowdown), and diseases(like malaria that can be eradicated with a dose of investment, millions of HIV positive without enough money to pay for ant iretroviral drugs).Is it a good investment for the world while there are a lot of expenditure that require immediate attention? It will be however a mistake to talk about space exploration in general in relation to the issue of finances, manned space operations consumes a lot of money more than the unmanned operations(like the recent mission to mass)the later seems to hold more importance than the former in terms of basic research like the satellite that explore the universe;-measure the nature of the universe, and relatively less expensive, should governments resort to unmanned operations entirely and channel the money for manned operations to other expenditure of the world? or do we have a choice of not doing it at all and concentrate on local and immediate problems? some will say, a lot of money was spent on Iraq war, on war on drugs and on foreign aid to finance weapons, so what’s the problem in investing in advance technology…Whats your take on this….remember..OUR FUTURE ENTIRELY DEPENDS ON THE DECISIONS WE MAKE NOW.

Why do women think that men are dogs?

2008-05-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

And also conclude that Men are not trustworthy.. but.. women say dogs are trustworthy.. so if we are not trustworthy, how can we be dogs?

WHY DO MEN PHILANDERS(CHEAT MORE THAN WOMEN)

2008-05-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

This idea never occurred to me until recently when a female friend asked me why men always have affairs more than their counter parts(girlfriends/spouses) even though they are in a relationship.The first thing that came on my mind was;why don't you ask a psychologist,but on the second thought it was worth trying,so i took a mission of asking quite a number of men(not like in a formal research)the same question, and these was part of my hypothesis.The reason why men (married and unmarried)cheat on women may sometimes not involve you(woman) and simply an ego based decision,and sometimes it may involve you and your relationship,and even lack of it.
If a man has a disinterested partner there is a good chance he will have an affair;men will sometimes cheat to get a way from an argumentative partner;some men get tired of having steak for dinner every night and want to try a humburger the same goes for sex with a womanThat’s why men don’t necessarily always cheat with women who are more attractive than their partners;when the two of you didn't have as much in common as you thought,and he has met a woman who has more in common he may check out if he is more comfortable with her under the sheets.And here is the bomb.....because you have allowed it in the past. If you have forgiven a cheating man a couple of times, they are more than likely going to cheat again because they already know if they plead enough, you will forgive them.
Anyway, the reason why men cheat can be more complex than the ones i mentioned above or even be a different combinations of reasons.Nevertheless, no reason is good enough reason to lie and be dishonest.

STOP FEELING JEALOUS AND APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE

2008-05-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is one topic i have been trying to avoid for a long time, but i think it is a high time i wrote something about it.Jealousy is a feeling just like fear or anger.Though not all people are jealous.some people are jealous because they dont have things or anything what they wish what you have...simple.The more somebody gets mature in day to day affair,prosperity follows.Generally if you have worked hard in order to prosper and the prosperity follows,you are likely not to be jealous.Moreover those who avoid working and or putting more effort are the most jealous ones.However there are some frustrated elements who pretend having put there best and always complain about others faster growth.Infact, jealousy like other emotions doesnt come from nowhere, it comes from a feeling that someone needs aren't met or someone feels threatened.People who don't feel threatened don't feel jealous.
So. the question is, why are you jealous? Jealousy is an unusual emotion, in that it's a feeling that's often built out of other feelings, such as fear or anger or insecurity. What is it that triggers the jealousy, and more important, why? When you think about the things that cause you to feel jealous, what's the first emotional reaction that flashes through your head--fear? Anger? Sadness? Rejection? Loss? What underlies those feelings--fear of loss ? Fear of being insufficient? Anger at someone else moving in on your territory? All of these? None of these?
Your true self can be known only by systematic experimentation, and controlled only by being known. I believe that emotions, though they are not rational, do usually have a reason behind them--they are the ancient part of your brain, the part that does not have language, trying to communicate with you.If you are a jealous person out there,know that you are a looser and you dont appreciate what you are given in life.It's immature and childish."Grow up"

"Who lives by the sword dies by the sword"

2008-05-14T04:27:00.000-07:00

This cliche seems hypothetical to me, however, recently a friend of mine told me that whoever invented this words was a "genius".My last post was on irrational(phobia) fear and i promised i will talk more on the rational fear we always experience.Personally i am hydrophobic(fear of water), some people are claustrophobic(fear of closed space),others are ailurophobic (fear of cats) the list is long,infact psychologists nowadays tend to use just the word phobia for fear,since very few people nowadays study Greek. Anyway, to come back to my friend's presumptuous allegations, 'to say so',i find the word quite irrelevant sometimes.People have different fears as i just mentioned some above, but this case seems peculiar to me:-i finally found that this same friend of mine is afraid to drive because he believes that drivers have a high probability of dying on the road than just the passengers(who lives by the sword dies by the sword),he further gave me an example that those possessing guns are more likely to die than those without(i think the opposite is true) i still have to know the source of his statistics.may be psychologists should one more time come with the proper word for this kind of fear.I tend to think that the correlation between risking your life and getting away with it is quite ambiguous, just like saying that people who do jobs they have a passion for excel(Gets rich).Anyway let's leave that for a debate.Why actually should somebody fear a coachroach and not a lion.This is one of life's mysteries, for real.What's your take on this?