AFRICA
GHOSTS OF THE PAST…
DEMONS OF THE PRESENT…
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
M. NATHANIEL BARNES
AMBASSADOR & PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
TO THE UNITED NATION
02/19/2008
OVERVIEW
•Portrait of Africa
•Indicators of Challenges
•Vision of Africa
•The Phoenix
•Spheres of Challenges
•Self-Reflection/Introspection
•Leadership
•Resource Management
•Relationships
•NAO
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Portrait of Africa
Americas
Europe
Asia
Africa
1995
2005
1995
2005
1995
2005
1995
2005
POPULATION
(millions)
782.5
889.1
729.8
732.6
3,451.7
3,983.0
725.7
921.2
Birth Rate
20.7
17.8
11.6
10.3
17.9
15.2
41.3
38.0
Infant
Mortality
Rate
(per 1000)
23.8
16.8
8.2
5.3
36.4
29.4
102.1
93.9
Life
Expectancy
(years)
71.9
74.5
75.7
78.2
71.4
74.2
50.7
49.1
Per Capita
Income
$12,398
$18,139
$13,901
$20,908
2,564
2,956
$738
$1,054
2001
2007
2001
2007
2001
2007
2001
2007
1.1
1.3
0.62
0.76
3.5
4.0
20.9
22.5
AIDS
Epidemic
(millions)
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Vision of Africa
“The Phoenix”
The Emergence of A New Renaissance In Africa
Indices of predictability
Fate of African Heads of State
The Pursuit of Justice
The Role of Women
The Youth Factor
Civil Society Leverage
The Frequency of Democratic Electoral Processes
Peace, Stability, Self-Reliance, Economic Prosperity, Global
Influence
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Vision of Africa
How Can Africa Actualize and Sustain This Vision
Four Spheres of Challenges
Sphere of Self-Reflection/Introspection
Sphere of Leadership
Sphere of Resource Management
Sphere of Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Self-Reflection/Introspection
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Self-Reflection/Introspection
Africa Must Come to Grips With The Specter Its Past
•The Glory of the “Cradle of Civilization” …Lost
•The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery
•The Exploitation and Divisiveness of Colonialism
•The Self-Hatred of Tribalism
•Denial
•Healing
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Self-Reflection/Introspection
Africa Must Confront and Take Responsibility for the Demons of its Present
•Poverty
•Disease
•Illiteracy
•Conflict
•Institutionalized Dependency
•Gender Inequality
•Bad Governance
•Tyranny
•Impunity
•Corruption
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Self-Reflection/Introspection
PREREQUISITES
• Courage
• Full and Comprehensive Participation


Gender Factor
The Role of Civil Society
• Justice
• Reconciliation
• Fairness/Rule of Law
• Sacrifice
• Political Will
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Self-Reflection/Introspection
Case Studies

Catharsis

Truth & Reconciliation Commissions

The Trial of Ex-President Charles Taylor

The Trial and Sentencing of Former Insurgents in Sierra Leone and
Rwanda

Expanded Role of Women in Political Leadership

The Leverage of Civil Society
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Vision of Africa
How Can Africa Actualize and Sustain This Vision
Africa Must Strategically Regroup and Take Control of Its Destiny
Sphere of Leadership
Sphere of Resource Management
Sphere of Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Leadership
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Leadership
Democratic Principles vs. Culture & Traditions
Political Interest/Agendas vs. Institution Building
The Politics of Inclusion
•Tribalism & Ethnicity vs. Reconciliation & Integration
•The Role of Women
•The Leverage of Civil Society
•The Power of the Diaspora
The Pursuit of Peace and Stability
•Justice
•Rule of Law
•The Economics of Peace & Stability
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Leadership
“THE NEW BREED” OF LEADERS FOR AFRICA
•Technocrats & Effective Managers
•Integrity
•Courageous
•Globalist
•Visionary & Good Listeners
•Action Oriented
•Politically Astute
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Resource Management
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Resource Management
Human Development
•Education
•Academic
•Primary, Secondary
•Institutions of Higher Learning
•Vocational
•Adult Literacy
•Research Capabilities
•Health Care
•Social Services
•Standards of Excellence
•Statistics & Data Collection
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Resource Management
Equal & Fair Distribution of Benefits From National Resources
•Local Participation In The Decision Making Process
•Wealth Creation
•Equity & Fairness
•Accountability
•Sustainability
•Education
•Health Care Delivery Systems
•Road and Transport Networks
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Resource Management
Sustainability
•Renewable vs. Exhaustible
•Infrastructure
The Environment
•The Paradox of Needs vs. Conservation
•“You Have Exhausted Yours To Become Rich
Now You Want Us To Conserve Ours and
Remain Poor”
•“Now We Must Pay For The Sins of the Developed
World”
•The Matter of Globalization
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Relationships
Interests/Agendas
•African Decisions…By Africans…For Africans
•Old Perceptions
•Exogenous Influences
•US vs. China
•Agendas
•Human Right Records
•Technology Transfer
•The Pursuit of Democracy
•Dynamic Balance
•“No Free Lunch”
•The Power of Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
Relationships
AID
•The Enigma of Conflict & Development
•While Donor Countries Provide Hundreds of Millions in AID
They Export Immeasurable Quantities of Arms and
Ammunitions To Africa With No Controls or Monitoring
Mechanisms Which Fuels Conflicts and Nullifies Development
They Finance
•Donor/Recipient Dynamics
•“Its Our Money, This is How We Want to Spend It”
•“Its Your Money, Tell Us How You Want to Spend It”
•South/South Cooperation
The Issue of Destiny
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
NEW AFRICA ORDER
Self-Reflection/
Introspection
Leadership
Resource
Management
Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008
NEW AFRICA ORDER
Self-Reflection/
Introspection
Leadership
Resource
Management
Relationships
Mission of Republic of Liberia
To The United Nations
02/19/2008