Since the 1980s, several Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries embarked on socio-economic transformations and governance projects aimed at building democratic culture and creating conducive environments for investment and economic growth. Unfortunately, many of such democratization projects are at a cross-road, others have reverted to what is termed ‘democratic authoritarianism.’ Even in countries where relative democratic gains have been made, there are considerable challenges regarding how to ensure internal cohesion and an all-inclusive system of governance. Efforts to understand the challenges of democratization in African countries have focused largely on state-civil society relations on one hand, and levels of economic development on the other., this paper aims to push further the boundaries of the debate on democratization in Africa by analysing the interface and interaction between indigenous political institutions and the new structures of governance adopted in the democratization process. The study departs from existing and conventional explanations by arguing that the difficulties with democratic consolidation in many SSA countries are the result of (a) embedded structural dualism and (b) poor design of institutions of governance.
Africa provides immense opportunities in development, governance and investment to its people, governments and international role players. The continuously evolving political and social dynamics of the continent creates significant challenges to any party trying to engage with or in Africa.AFRICA-Analysis steps into this breach to offer specialised and sought-after analytic products, process facilitation and capacity building. We search and present those nuggets of information that place our clients a step ahead of the competition and inform policy makers of evolving threats and opportunities.
African leaders met to discuss their positions on climate change just two months before a crucial UN summit in Copenhagen.
The forum was held last week in the country’s capital Ouagadougou and concluded that billions of dollars will be needed to cope with the impact of global warming on the continent.
Salifou Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s environment minister, said: ‘We think 65 billion dollars are needed to deal with the effects of climate change on a continental scale.’
He added: ‘That is to say that our expectations are very high. We are all on the same planet so there is a duty of solidarity to help the most vulnerable countries, like we are, implement policies to adapt to climate change.’
The discussion was part of the seventh world forum on sustainable development and is seen as an important step forward for Africa’s status in the international climate change debate.
Jean Ping, commission chairman of the African union, said that ‘Africa will have a common position’ in Copenhagen. ‘We have decided to speak with one voice’, he explained.
According to French press reports, Africa only accounts for four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions which scientists believe to be responsible for climate change. But experts predict that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions worst affected by global warming.
The World Bank estimated that developing countries will have to face 80 per cent of the damage inflicted by a warming earth while industrialised nations are the worst offenders.
Sawadago said that ‘with 30 million inhabitants the US state of Texas creates as much greenhouse gases as the billion Africans taken together.’
Ping warned that the polluting countries will have to take responsibility for their impact on the global climate. ‘Policy-makers have to agree to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adhere to the principle that the polluter pays’, he said.
Scientists and climate change campaigners hope that the summit in Copenhagen will result in a climate change deal following up on the commitments made in the Kyoto Protocol in ‘97.
After George W. Bush famously walked out of the Kyoto deal in ‘01, all eyes are now on the Obama administration. In his first speech to the UN last month, President Obama said the United States understands ‘the gravity of the climate threat.’ He added: ‘We are determined to act. A
The forum was held last week in the country’s capital Ouagadougou and concluded that billions of dollars will be needed to cope with the impact of global warming on the continent.
Salifou Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s environment minister, said: ‘We think 65 billion dollars are needed to deal with the effects of climate change on a continental scale.’
He added: ‘That is to say that our expectations are very high. We are all on the same planet so there is a duty of solidarity to help the most vulnerable countries, like we are, implement policies to adapt to climate change.’
The discussion was part of the seventh world forum on sustainable development and is seen as an important step forward for Africa’s status in the international climate change debate.
Jean Ping, commission chairman of the African union, said that ‘Africa will have a common position’ in Copenhagen. ‘We have decided to speak with one voice’, he explained.
According to French press reports, Africa only accounts for four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions which scientists believe to be responsible for climate change. But experts predict that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions worst affected by global warming.
The World Bank estimated that developing countries will have to face 80 per cent of the damage inflicted by a warming earth while industrialised nations are the worst offenders.
Sawadago said that ‘with 30 million inhabitants the US state of Texas creates as much greenhouse gases as the billion Africans taken together.’
Ping warned that the polluting countries will have to take responsibility for their impact on the global climate. ‘Policy-makers have to agree to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adhere to the principle that the polluter pays’, he said.
Scientists and climate change campaigners hope that the summit in Copenhagen will result in a climate change deal following up on the commitments made in the Kyoto Protocol in ‘97.
After George W. Bush famously walked out of the Kyoto deal in ‘01, all eyes are now on the Obama administration. In his first speech to the UN last month, President Obama said the United States understands ‘the gravity of the climate threat.’ He added: ‘We are determined to act. A
Welcome to New Africa Analysis, your independent news magazine covering events of importance in Africa. We strive to be a force for change in the continent. We do this by supporting democracy, fighting corruption and reflecting the hopes and aspirations of Africans.
We bring the latest news from Africa as it happens from a progressive perspective. New Africa Analysis provides essential reading for all those interested in progress in Africa.
Fifty years of independence, yet Africa is spoken of always in pessimistic terms. Africa, perhaps, can be compared to a delinquent child who refuses to change his ways because he thinks whatever he does would not be appreciated. Which is where we come in; we report the genuine efforts African Governments and their peoples are making to strengthen democracy and its institutions, grow their economies and improve the standards of living of their peoples.
There is, indeed, progress to report from Africa. For the first time in decades, the IMF reports sustained rates of economic growth and rising income levels in Africa. Increasing levels of foreign and domestic investment, strengthened support from development partners, and sound economic policies are bearing fruit bar the threat from the global economic meltdown.
On the other hand, to give some sense of balance, we report on the dinosaurs and haters of democracy and progress in the continent who sometimes will rather kill and torture their own people using state machinery; make them starve and die of hunger and malnutrition and disease, instead of succumbing to the aspirations of their peoples.
Additionally, we report on the activities of aid agencies operating in the continent. We will continue to outline what is being done to improve the plight of the poor and needy that these agencies aim to serve and look at issues of aid delivery, and administrative costs within these organisations and bring news on new projects.
New Africa Analysis investigates and comments on the activities of the International Monetary fund, the World Bank and other relevant financial bodies. The impact of the policies of such institutions on African economies is assessed.
We continue to probe the workings and policies of the United Nations, European Union, African Union and other relevant groups looking at the effectiveness of their policies in benefiting Africa and constantly considering the effectiveness of their interventions.
The processes of government in African countries are also explored. We look at established and emerging democracies and the various fights against the corruption that has plagued Africa. We scrutinise those African countries that do not have democratic processes and report on their politics.
The health of Africans is discussed, focussing on prevention and treatment of illnesses and diseases. We constantly report on areas of concern and the measures being taken to address them. We look at health needs that remain unmet and the plight of the poor and needy and their difficulties accessing basic healthcare.
New Africa Analysis examines the state of education in Africa, the access issues that prevent so many Africans from formal education. We look at current educational provision and standards within individual countries and policies aimed at improving education for all.
We discuss current events, emerging troubles, important talks/meetings and visits by world leaders. We aim to fully inform and engage our readers in order to enable them to reach their own conclusions on our stories.
New Africa Analysis is produced by a group of Africans in London, supported by a circle of interested Europeans. We have a network of journalists, policy analysts, seasoned academics and independent researchers in Africa, Europe and the rest of the world. This is to ensure that the quality of information and comments are insightful, interesting and topical.
We bring the latest news from Africa as it happens from a progressive perspective. New Africa Analysis provides essential reading for all those interested in progress in Africa.
Fifty years of independence, yet Africa is spoken of always in pessimistic terms. Africa, perhaps, can be compared to a delinquent child who refuses to change his ways because he thinks whatever he does would not be appreciated. Which is where we come in; we report the genuine efforts African Governments and their peoples are making to strengthen democracy and its institutions, grow their economies and improve the standards of living of their peoples.
There is, indeed, progress to report from Africa. For the first time in decades, the IMF reports sustained rates of economic growth and rising income levels in Africa. Increasing levels of foreign and domestic investment, strengthened support from development partners, and sound economic policies are bearing fruit bar the threat from the global economic meltdown.
On the other hand, to give some sense of balance, we report on the dinosaurs and haters of democracy and progress in the continent who sometimes will rather kill and torture their own people using state machinery; make them starve and die of hunger and malnutrition and disease, instead of succumbing to the aspirations of their peoples.
Additionally, we report on the activities of aid agencies operating in the continent. We will continue to outline what is being done to improve the plight of the poor and needy that these agencies aim to serve and look at issues of aid delivery, and administrative costs within these organisations and bring news on new projects.
New Africa Analysis investigates and comments on the activities of the International Monetary fund, the World Bank and other relevant financial bodies. The impact of the policies of such institutions on African economies is assessed.
We continue to probe the workings and policies of the United Nations, European Union, African Union and other relevant groups looking at the effectiveness of their policies in benefiting Africa and constantly considering the effectiveness of their interventions.
The processes of government in African countries are also explored. We look at established and emerging democracies and the various fights against the corruption that has plagued Africa. We scrutinise those African countries that do not have democratic processes and report on their politics.
The health of Africans is discussed, focussing on prevention and treatment of illnesses and diseases. We constantly report on areas of concern and the measures being taken to address them. We look at health needs that remain unmet and the plight of the poor and needy and their difficulties accessing basic healthcare.
New Africa Analysis examines the state of education in Africa, the access issues that prevent so many Africans from formal education. We look at current educational provision and standards within individual countries and policies aimed at improving education for all.
We discuss current events, emerging troubles, important talks/meetings and visits by world leaders. We aim to fully inform and engage our readers in order to enable them to reach their own conclusions on our stories.
New Africa Analysis is produced by a group of Africans in London, supported by a circle of interested Europeans. We have a network of journalists, policy analysts, seasoned academics and independent researchers in Africa, Europe and the rest of the world. This is to ensure that the quality of information and comments are insightful, interesting and topical.
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