Issue 3/ 2009
November
JOINT M
A
G
Editorial
Welcome to the new issue of Joint
MAG. This time, we discuss the
recent
Germany,
federal
which
elections
have
frica
in
brought
about a new coalition government
between the Christian Democrats
and the Liberal party.
ermany
Far from
being a complete reflection, we
focus on the path that German and
African relations might take in the
realm of "high politics".
Germany's Development Policy After the Elections:
What Does the Future Hold?
Enjoy
reading and feel free to discuss
by Ilka Ritter, Germany
further and provide feeback on the
articles.
For the outsider, German development cooperation can be a confusing subject
due
to
the
multitude
of
actors
involved.
The
Ministry
for
Economic
Best,
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) defines the fundamental principles of
Dennis Kumetat and Linda Poppe
German development policy and participates in international fora. The BMZ,
however, does not implement development programmes. This is done by the
German development bank (KfW), German Technical Cooperation (GTZ),
Call for Contributions to the
Feburary issue of JointMAG
The Rights of Women and
Children
Based on our overview from the 2nd
issue of JointMAG, we will dedicate
the Feburary issue to the rights of
women and children. Still among
the most vulnerable groups, it's
time to take a look at their situation
and recent developments. Articles
and other contributions to this
theme are welcome. Please contact
us personally or via
go_africa_go_germany(at)yahoogrou
ps.de until December 15th.
German
Development
Service
(DED),
Capacity
Building
International
(InWent) and various faith-based or political organizations.
Like any other institution, BMZ has proven to be resistant to change: The last
Social Democrat/Conservative coalition government had far-reaching plans
about merging the two biggest players KfW and GTZ. However, the plans
never materialized. Just before the elections in September, rumours about
the future of German development policy were floating around. Is the BMZ
going to be closed down? Is the BMZ going to be merged with the German
Foreign Office (AA)? Is the budget for German development cooperation
going to be reduced significantly? Now that the elections have brought about
a coalition government of the conservatives (CDU) and the liberals (FDP),
rumours are not dying down. The global financial crisis has lead the German
government to spend huge amounts of money on saving banks and aiding
the German economy - how much will be left for development co-operation?
The new Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) pointed out that his
intention is to end a situation in which BMZ is practicing an alternative foreign
policy. However, the Liberals have recently appointed Dirk Niebel as the
Content
BMZ's new minister despite the fact that he previously advocated for the BMZ
to be closed down.
Germany's Development Policy After
the Elections // 1
Time will tell whether Dirk Niebel will be able to launch a new development
Call for Contributions // 1
policy initiative from his new post or merely become BMZ's liquidator. We will
A Word on German Policy Towards
also see if the German development scene will be reformed – and if so,
Africa // 2
whether this reform will render development programmes more effective.
Scholarship Holder Profile // 3
Above all, we have to hope that national interests and financial pressures will
Miscellaneous // 4
not lead to a step-back in German's contribution to reaching the Millennium
Imprint // 4
Development Goals.
A Word on German Policy Towards Africa
This year’s elections for the German parliament led to a change in government. The parliamentary faction of the FDP
(Free Democratic Party) increased by 32 representatives and is now part of the new
coalition government. FDP's Africa expert Marina Schuster met with first generation
Marina Schuster has been
alumnus Benjamin Zasche to discuss her views on German-African relations and
a member of the German
policies likely to be put on the agenda within her term in office.
Bundestag since 2005. Her
FDP
membership
goes
Benjamin: Ms. Schuster, it seems that the experts on Africa policy of the parties
back
represented in the German parliament do not question the necessity of a strategic
predominantly
cooperation with the African continent. However, the issue of how a “partnership at
topics
concerning
eye level” could be structured is dealt with in different ways. How would you describe
policy
and
your party’s position?
expert of her party.
Marina Schuster: First and foremost we do not want to reinforce the policies the first
Since
world had towards the third world for the longest time. The African continent has
party is in charge of the
been a receiver of aid for decades but we could not substantially change the situation
Foreign Ministry as well as
of most of the people living in poverty. There is a frustration amongst African elites
the Ministry for Economic
that call for the end of the classic development cooperation. We now have to look very
Cooperation
carefully at the possibilities of aid as well as at the problems. The Free Democrats
Development.
to
the
1997.
is
She
works
the
on
foreign
Africa
elections,
her
and
were very critical towards donating money into state budgets- the so called budget
aid - because this does not guarantee fully that the money given will be used
according to the needs of the population, in respect of human rights and under the
rule of law. Only compliance with good governance criteria can ensure that taxpayer’s
money will reach the needy.
But even with help from outside we will not be successful in helping sustainably if we
do not look at realities on the ground and spot the potential inherent to African
societies. The Free Democrats see real opportunities for sustainable development in
African countries in supporting economic cooperation with Germany and the EU. One
prerequisite for that would have to be the security situation and the rule of law.
Therefore, a first step has to be the enhancement of African security architecture like
the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Taking
African endeavors seriously and engaging in economic development by investing in
Africa means we treat each others as partners.
Benjamin: Your main concern is a re-coordination of Germany’s Africa policy. In your eyes, which would be the main
advantages of incorporating the ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ) into the Foreign Office (AA)?
Marina Schuster: First of all, I can now tell you that we have a minister from the Free Democratic Party as minister of
the BMZ. This means we will not incorporate the BMZ into the Foreign Office. Being responsible for foreign affairs as
well as economic cooperation and development will ensure that we speak with one voice in the area of foreign relations
in the coming legislative period. This is a huge improvement because political, economic and security cooperation are
interdependent.
I have seen in my day-to-day work in the German parliament that little by little, the Ministry for Economic Cooperation
would use its monetary power to influence German’s policy towards Africa. Because the budget of the BMZ has been
increasing over the years with view to adhering to the international commitments, the sphere of possibilities became
larger. As a consequence, Germany had established two policies towards many regions with different criteria and aims.
Many countries felt they could play us out because we were not precise in our commitment. Now we can ensure better
cooperation and coherence in our foreign relations which makes us more credible to our partners.
continued on page 3
Benjamin: One of the central aspects of the FDP’s foreign policy is to improve the conditions of FDI (Foreign Direct
Investment) for German companies. How do you think this goal can be reached with regard to investments in African
states?
Marina Schuster: African states have to be attractive to
For more insights, you may also check out the website
foreign investors, especially small and medium sized
of ONE Germany. The organization asked the top
enterprises or companies investing in renewable energies,
telecommunication
and
infrastructure.
This
candidates of the major German parties 12 questions
mainly
on their relation to Africa. Unfortunately only available
depends on the security environment. Few firms are
in German, it provides an interesting glance at the
willing to take the risk that something might happen to
positions of the main parties (or at least their
their employees or that they might lose their property
candidates), their differences and similarities and
due to the malfunctioning of the judicial system. We need
some typical perceptions of what Africa has (or has
to support these countries in creating an investor-friendly
not) to offer.
environment. Eventually, we have to show them that it is
in their own interest. For instance: not only do German investors bring money into the country, they also account for
knowledge transfer into countries that lack educated and well-trained workers. Another hurdle to more investment is
that many companies do not have enough information on the possibilities African countries can offer. This is why the
government has to promote an intensive dialogue between the political and the economic sphere. This could be done
through round tables bringing together the two sides on a regular basis.
Scholarship Holder Profiles
Interview with Joanna Frivet, Mauritius
by Mwenda Gatobu, Kenia
Joanna: Hi! Joanna Frivet, 22 years old, I am from Mauritius and I participated
in the the First Go Africa...Go Germany Exchange program in 2007. I am
currently doing my Master in Human Rights and Criminal Justice as Huygens
scholarship holder at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. I previously
did my law degree and my Bar Vocational Course in my country studying
Mauritian laws and now I am specializing in International Criminal Law working
with the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former-Yugoslavia
and
the
Special
Court
for
Sierra
Leone
through
the
university's clinical program.
Over and above law, my interests range from philosophy to politics via art
history, the good old literature classics and ehavioral sciences, issues which may at first glance seem unrelated but which
are interlinked in every respect. Partly because of that, I have decided, instead of focusing on one particular career path,
to explore different avenues so that I get the chance, by applying my knowledge in different areas, to figure out where I
can contribute the most. That is to say I don't have a plan. After my master I may consider going back for a degree in
political science or getting some more experience in the field of post-conflict transitional justice.
Mwenda: Turning to this issue's focus: What does the 2009 federal elections in Germany mean to Africa?
Joanna: I think that Germany by its policy especially, but not only those last years, have contributed a lot to the
strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties with African states. Our program is a good example of that and it illustrates
the extent of the commitment of the German government to get involved in all the areas of cooperation. The new Federal
Foreign Minister has actually engaged himself to further intervene in areas of security, crisis prevention and also further
into cultural support programs so I think we just have to wait and see but the trend is already laid for a stable
commitment in areas of economic and development cooperation.
Mwenda: What does Germany this year’s Federal Elections mean to Africa and
by extension the whole word?*
Miscellaneous
Joanna: I think that Germany by its policy especially, but not only those last
International Journalists'
years, have contributed a lot to the strengthening of diplomatic and economic
Programmes: The Southern
ties with african states. Our programme is a good example of that and it
African Journalists' Bursary
illustrates the extent of the commitment of the German government to get
For the tenth time, the International
involved in all the areas of cooperation. The new Federal Foreign Minister has
Journalists‘ Programmes (IJP) offer a
actually engaged himself to further intervene in areas of security, crisis
bursary to up to six young Southern
prevention and also further into cultural support programme so I think we just
African (SADC-Member States:
have to wait and see but the trend is already laid for a stable commitment in
Angola, Botswana, Democratic
areas of economic and development cooperation.
Republic of Congo, Lesotho,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
On the international scene, I have noted that Germany has always maintained a
Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa,
strong yet pacific approach to its diplomatic relations with the other states
Swaziland, United Republic of
taking the incentive to make the first move to open diplomatic avenues for
Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and
change. Being on the forefront in areas such as uniformization of the EU with
up to five young German journalists.
the Lisbon treaty, outstanding commitment on energy policies, involvement in
More...
the peace process in Afghanistan and
in building cultural links with countries
such as China, the German intervention is wide and diverse and I think that the
Kinshasa Symphony: A
policy is likely to only get more intense with the new atmosphere in the
Documentary
international relations.
Currently in the making in Berlin is a
documentary on Central Africa's one
Mwenda: In your own opinion, what do you think are some of the best ways to
and only symphony orchestra. More
strengthen the links among the scholarship holders from the three generations?
about this project and the film can be
found here.
Joanna: I must say I think it is hard to actually build an inter-generation bond
simply because we haven’t met each other, we are from different countries and
Namibia Memorial
we cannot assess each other's positions. Of course, we have all seen the
On the 2nd of October, the 105th
pictures of the new generations; we have read some of their profiles and have
anniversary of Lothar von Trotha's
followed the topics they have been addressing from far. But it is still difficult to
infamous order to brutally crush a
some extent to relate and communicate with them on a personal level and it is
Herero uprising, a memorial for the
that individual interaction that builds links for life.
victims of German colonial rule in
I think one of the options would be to actually start by having national
Namibia was revealed in Berlin.
meetings, not only in Germany where the scholarship holders of the same
Unfortunately not placed in a very
country would meet up and get to know each other. This seems one of the most
prominent location, it is the third
practical ways in which we can keep the flow of interaction going on our own
memorial for victims of colonial rule
without much resources and it is likely to get more productive as the number of
in the German capital. More
scholarship holder increase yearly.
information can be found here.
Another alternative for those who are traveling for whatever purpose is actually
to have some kind of informal welcoming network in each country where the
Climate Change and Development
previous generations would meet up with the new ones who are traveling there
A little taste of our issue on climate
for a drink or just a get together to share experiences. I am sure a lot previous
change and a nice note before the
participants would just love to get a chance to share this wonderful experience
Copenhagen Summit on Climate
that was the exchange program.
Change in December. More...
Editors: Dennis Kumetat and Linda Poppe
Editorial Team: Julian Bergmann, Mwenda Gatobu, Lerato Tsebe and Benjamin Zasche
Available online: www.bpb.de
Contact: go_africa_go_germany (at) yahoogroups.de