Pandemic can add impetus to continental relations
THERE are many lessons that Africa must draw from the other regions in terms of how they have handled the pandemic, and then together with our own efforts, we can seek ways to advance the various frameworks for the continent’s socio-economic development and overall security and general progress.
In my opinion, the most important aspect for Africa is that we must not allow the degeneration of the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors, which by and large have not been severely impacted by Covid-19. We must take advantage in parts of Africa which enjoy good rainfall to ensure that we do not relax in our efforts to sustain our agribusiness.
Indeed, Africa must take these two sectors seriously, ensuring that they are not heavily affected by Covid-19, because they are very central to the continent’s efforts to recover from this pandemic. In other words, we must be able to feed ourselves, and this pandemic must be taken as an opportunity to make sure that Africa is self-sufficient in staple and essential food items.
Africa should save $44 billion (R648.9bn) on the importation of food annually. I believe that the one major lesson that Covid-19 has taught us is that we should be self-reliant in food and nutrition and in essential agribusiness implements and domestic appliances.
Other sectors of the economy have been badly affected by Covid-19 in Africa. These include air travel, air transportation, hospitality and tourism, and we will have to see how the rest of the world, where such sectors have equally been adversely affected, find solutions to manage the impact.
When looking at trade, it is important to be clear in our understanding that Covid-19 has only delayed, but not derailed, the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
We must desist from the view that the AfCFTA is now off-track due to Covid-19. This is especially so because the necessary arrangements, including the setting up of the secretariat and the appointment of key officials, have been carried out.
However, we must be mindful of and appreciate the fact that some aspects relating to the full operationalisation of AfCFTA require physical contacts, which cannot happen at this stage because of the measures put in place to deal with Covid-19. While it
is true that Covid-19 has opened up opportunities to use online platforms and modern technologies to communicate, when discussing matters of trade and movement of goods, there is a limit to what can be done online.
Covid-19 measures have put some restrictions on the movement of goods
and people, on physical and personal contact, and these have affected business transactions. These barriers were put in place in order to make sure that there is no transmission by people who are affected and who may carry Covid-19 from one place to another.
I also believe that, at times, delays may even allow you to be extra careful, and therefore, better prepared when you are launching something like the AfCFTA. So, this delay may actually give us an opportunity to do the extra hard work that requires some time so that when we eventually go into operation, we are battle-ready and do so in full force.
I genuinely believe that nothing will happen that will derail the full implementation of AfCFTA, if anything, Africa must use this situation to fully prepare itself for the operationalisation once most of these restrictions are lifted.
Happily, I observe that various parts of Africa are starting to open up to allow the movement of people and goods by sea, road, and air and this rekindles our hope that we will indeed see the implementation of our commitments to strengthen intra-African trade through the eventual full operationalisation of the AfCFTA.
I see Covid-19 as an impetus rather than a hindrance.
Obasanjo was president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This article was first published in the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes Covid-19 Conflict & Resilience Monitor
IN REFERENCE to “Nation in the dock for Islamophobia” published in the Insider on Saturday, February 12, 2021.
Following recent deadly terrorist attacks in France, the French government has prioritised fighting separatism and extremism.
In December 2020, a new law to fight separatism and promote republican principles in France was introduced before Parliament.
A number of people and organisations have used these efforts to fuel claims around Islamophobia and attacks on the Muslim community in France. These are far from the truth and paint an inaccurate picture about efforts in France to ensure freedom of speech and religious belief and root out stigmatisation.
France’s stance is and has been very clear. The French government is not anti-Islam and stands firm in its support for secularism in the country, which means the freedom to believe or not to believe. France and Europe have some of the most protective laws for religious freedom in the world, be it the French constitution or the European Convention on Human Rights. The French state is neutral on religion and everyone is free to exercise their beliefs.
The president of the republic, Emmanuel Macron, has been leading efforts to ensure this is a reality and this does, in no way, reflect a drive to erase any religion from the public space.
But just as firm as France stands in its support for secularism, it stands firm in its fight against Islamist separatism – and it is this, and only this, what is at stake with the new bill.
This extensive bill deals with a range of issues, but for now, I will briefly mention some of the main subjects, starting with associations and organisations. The bill aims to ensure associations that promote discrimination and terrorism can be dissolved. This does not alter freedom of association, a long-standing constitutional right in France.
This bill also aims to ensure that Muslims in France will benefit from representative institutions to discuss any concerns with the French government. The French government will also encourage the training of Muslim imams in France.
Lastly, this bill will secure enhanced support for underprivileged districts, which will see smaller classes in school, creation of educational cities and public service houses.
All this forms part of steps to cement a united France. It is not to divide, discriminate or stigmatise.
President Macron highlighted this when he explained the strength behind the French republic: “Our greatest treasure is that we are able to come together. We are one and plural, let us never forget it.”
¡ Lechevallier is the French ambassador
to South Africa