Topic 5: International Affairs – General Studies Notes Form 5 & 6
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International affair refers to the interactions between countries, which consist of self-interest strategies chosen by the states to safeguard their national interests both economically, socially, politically and technologically, so as to achieve goals within their international relations. The relations can be based on political, economic, diplomatic and culture relation among the nations.
It encompasses issues including International cooperation, among countries (both multilateral and bilateral one), the foreign policy, Globalization, Arbitration and reconciliation, world big powers and their role in maintaining world peace and understanding, as well as war against Terror.
AREAS IN WHICH COUNTRIES COOPERATE
The countries may form relations to safeguard their interests basing on various areas such as the following; –
1. Political relation; Is the cooperation whereby the two or more independent state share ideas above political matters
2. Diplomatic relation; Is the level of international relation whereby different embassies are involved in structuring political, economic, social and cultural matters within their home countries and the lost countries.
A diplomat is a person who officially represents his/her own country in a foreign country.
3. Cultural relation; among the nations can be started in various form like the exchange of dances troops, theater groups, Musician and also sports and games. e.g. through world cup, UEFA, Kagame Cup, FA Cup etc. different nations come together and compete. This situation develops strong culture relation.
4. Economic relation; Is the situation whereby two or more independent states share economic activities e.g. International trade. There are four forms of economic relations. These are free trade area, customs union, common market and economic union.
FORMS OF ECONOMIC RELATIONS
There are several forms of economic relations basing on the king of relation countries have chosen to enter. The following are the types;
1. A free trade area – This is a type of economic relation in which the member countries agree to eliminate trade restrictions such as tariffs, import and export quotas, which hinder free movement of goods and services, etc. in this form of economic relation, each member is free to establish independent tariffs (taxes on imports) against non member country
2. A custom union – This is the type of economic relation whereby the members have a common tariff against the non member countries
3. A common market – at this stage of economic relations, member countries establish common tariff against non member states but there is a free movement of goods and services among the member countries, i. e. capital and labour are free to move.
4. An economic union – This is a form of economic relations whereby member countries allow free movement of goods and services and at the same time institute joint ownership of certain enterprises and all economic policies are harmonized. E. g. enterprises like roads, railways, etc are jointly being carried out.
THE CONCEPT OF FOREIGN POLICY
Foreign Policy is the system established or formulated by a country in order to maintain its regular political, social and economic interaction with other states in the world. The interaction is made by diplomatic who represents their representative country. The main task for diplomats or ambassadors is to make sure that social, culture and economic activities of their home countries are globally known and to prepare a tripe for the countries ruler.
THE FOREIGN POLICY IN TANZANIA
Like other countries in the world, Tanzania has formulated the system of foreign policy to maintain regular political, social and economic affairs.
– Tanzania foreign implemented and managed by the Ministry of foreign affairs and international relation.
– Tanzania foreign policy is a policy of Non Alignment.
PRINCIPLES OF TANZANIA FOREIGN POLICY
1. Promotion of independence of all other African states.
2. Maintenance of its freedom by determining domestic and foreign policy.
3. Promotion of international cooperation and understanding through organization such as UNO, AU, and NAM.
4. Promotion of world peace and order through UNO, AU, and others international organization.
5. Promotion and maintenance of human rights and democracy in the world.
Reasons for Tanzania choosing the policy of Non Alignment
1. To avoid unnecessary international conflicts.
2. To maintain sovereignty on deciding international issues without being forced by bigger states.
3. To choose friends regardless the influence of either of the block i.e. U.S.S.R and U.S.A.
4. To strengthen international cooperation and understanding.
How Tanzania foreign policy is implemented.
Tanzania foreign policy is implemented by the Ministry of foreign Affairs and international cooperation through the Embassies or high commissions.
The main task of diplomats or Ambassadors is to make sure that social, cultural and economic activities of their home countries are globally known.
Topic 5: International Affairs – General Studies Notes Form 5 & 6
These diplomats or Ambassadors are also responsible in making, prior preparations to facilitate trips of national top leaders like president in their respective countries.
These diplomats include the following;
A diplomat: Is a person who officially represents his/her country in a foreign country. The highest diplomats are known as ambassadors or ambassadresses, high commissioner and consul
An Ambassador/ ambassadress – Is a government official representative sent to represent his/ her country in a non common wealth country to conduct business with that most country on behalf of his/her home country. The office of an ambassador or ambassadress is known as an Embassy.
A high commissioner: Is a government official representative (diplomat) posted to represent his/ her county to common wealth countries, such representatives are known as high commissioners. The offices are termed as high commissioner
A consul: A consul on the other hand is a representative of a town or city to help country men living or visiting there. The consul’s office is called consulate.
Consulates are extension of embassy or high commission to major cities of host country other than capital for specific task of social, economic and cultural ties.
Function of Ambassadors or high Commissioners:-
1. To represent Tanzania abroad.
2. To popularize Tanzania’s natural, social and cultural resources.
3. To register and assist Tanzanians who lives abroad.
4. To made preparations for facilitating trips of Tanzanians leader in foreign countries.
How Tanzania the principles of Tanzania foreign policy are implemented.
The following ways show how Tanzania implements her foreign policy.
1. Tanzania has established diplomatic relations with different countries and has officials and ambassador in those countries so as to popularize her social, economic and cultural endowment as well as promote co-operation.
2. Tanzania receives diplomatic official from different countries with their offices in Tanzania
3. Tanzania has established relations with international organizations eg. UNO, Commonwealth, Au etc.
4. Tanzania is the member of the UN as it acknowledges the objectives and principle of the UN charter accord for the equality of all states and dignity of man.
5. Tanzania has established regional and economic co-operation such as the EAC and SADC so as to secure genuine and equitable regional economic and infrastructural integration
TYPES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Bilateral relation
This is a type of cooperation which involves the agreement between two states E.g. Tanzania and Zambia in running TAZARA. In this co-operation there is no specific or common ideology governing the undertaking of the member countries
Countries involve in this cooperation can agree to cooperate in various areas such as economic, cultural, scientific and technological researches, political, security and defense.
2. Multilateral relation
This is the types of Cooperation which involve group of many countries like regional inter grouping such as S.A.D.C, E.A.C, and COMESA, NAM, AU, etc.
Multilateral cooperation is sometimes known as regional multilateral integration.
Importance of multilateral cooperation
1. The country gets aid and loans from friend nations with minimum nationalities or restrictions.
2. Promotion of both internal and external peace. The country is assured of security assistance from friendly nations and Tanzania participates in solving problems of other countries
3. Improvement of transport and communication. Tanzania is able to improve transport systems across the borders due to friendly relations with the neighboring countries. For example, though Tanzania
Mozambique Friendship Association (TAMOFA). Tanzania has been able to construct Mtwara Bridge in association with Mozambique.
4. Economic development has also been achieved through friendly relations with other countries. Investors from friendly states come and invest in Tanzania and thus contribute to the economic development of Tanzania
5.International repute to Tanzania
FOREIGN POLICY
As it has been noted above, that International affair entails International shared issues economically, socially, politically and technologically as well. Thus, these issues should be planned (designed), discussed and implemented by all national in the world. But what guides a country in implementing of foreign affairs is what “called foreign policy”.
Meaning of foreign policy
The foreign policy of the country is a system that maintains regular political social and economic contact with other states (Masatu, 2003:68). The contact and interactions is made by diplomacies that represent their respective countries. These include Ambassadors, Consuls and High commissioners. This makes sure that social, cultural, political and economic activity of their home countries are globally known by other nations. Also they do engage in diplomatic affairs.
The principles of Tanzania’s Foreign Policy
Tanzania foreign policy has the following principles:
1. Promotion and maintaining of human rights
2. Promotion of national Independence and security
3. Upholding or maintenance of her freedom by determining her domestic and foreign policies
4. Promotion of international cooperation and consultation through Organizations Africa Union (OAU) Non-Aligned movement (NAM) and the Commonwealth.
5. Promotion of world peace and order through UNO, AU and other International Organizations
6. Upholding the right of all nations and people to self determination.
Topic 5: International Affairs – General Studies Notes Form 5 & 6
Tanzanian’s foreign policy as a guide or system which leads a nation in implementation of socio, economic and political issues with other nations is addressed and implemented by the ministry of International Cooperation and Foreign affairs.
The minister for the ministry from 2015 to date has been Paramagamba Kabudi (MP). The ministry has got various functions and importance in implementation of its mission and vision.
Importance of Tanzania’s Foreign policy:
Tanzania foreign policy has got much significance to the nations and individuals of the whole world. Some importance includes:-
1. Through sending diplomats i.e. Ambassadors, Consuls and the High Commissions who represent Tanzania to other countries
2. Popularizing Tanzania’s social, cultural and economic activities in other countries.
3. Tanzania foreign policy through diplomats engages in different conflict resolutions and arbitration all over the world.
4. Promoting Tanzania relations with International organization such as UN and OAU.
5. Making preparations and facilitating trips for Tanzanian leaders in given foreign countries and arranging the visits of cultural, foreign business and tourists group in other countries.
6. Also the foreign policy department assists the people from other Nations and Tanzania civilians to secure visa, scholarship and passports.
BILATERAL COOPERATION
Bilateral cooperation is friendly relationship between two countries. In Bilateral co-operation, there is no specific or common ideology governing the relation. A type of relation on which two nations only agree on certain matter like Tanzania and China, Tanzania and Cuba, Sweden and UK and so forth. In this relationship the countries agree on some matters either investments, transfer of science and technology, provision of scholarship and so forth.
Achievements of Tanzania’s bilateral relation with other countries
Tanzania as other countries of the world have had not aligned with either Capitalist or a Socialist bloc. Thus, it has been getting friends from many countries in historical perspectives .
With this fact; many achievements have been obtained as follows.
1. Through bilateral cooperation i.e. relationship between Tanzania and Cuba, has assisted Tanzania to send a good number of science students majoring in medicine, pharmacy Surgery and others who studies in some Universities of Cuba.
2. Assistance has been flowing from countries like China to Tanzania; these include technological aid, Capital and training of human capital.
3. Also Tanzania had been able to share the common ideology of socialism with countries like USSR (Russia), Cuba and China, this has enriched Tanzania philosophy of socialism and self-reliance.
4. Beside of uplifting the philosophy of socialism and self – reliance, also Tanzania has achieved Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the available opportunities, for example, United States of America has invested in mining sector, Chinese have invested in industries and Arabs world have invested in Tourism sector.
5. The Scandinavian counties have been assisting Tanzania both economically, socially and politically as well. These countries include Norway, Sweden and Denmark. DANIDA an organization by Swedish has been boosting education sector in Tanzania.
6. Diplomatic relationship with other nations has been uplifted, profoundly; Tanzania has made sure that diplomatic relationship with friend nations has had improved at great extent. This has been realized by presence of ambassadors and other diplomats from China, Cuba, USA, and Russia.
DISADVANTAGES OF TANZANIA’S BILATERAL RELATION WITH OTHER NATIONS
Inevitably Tanzania’s bilateral cooperation has got disadvantages even though some benefits and achievements are in place. This is due to the fact that the circumstances and conditions prevailing between one country (Tanzania) and other country differ because of cultural different, technological and development and ideology.
The following are some disadvantages of Tanzania bilateral cooperation/ relations with other nations:-
1. Induce perpetuation of neo-colonialism, because of different levels of development or economy, Tanzania socio-economic and political situation becomes dictated by other nation.
2. The relationship which is into existences can profoundly lead to trade imbalance, because of different in economic development leads industrialized country to import more in Tanzania compared to what Tanzania export in such countries, for example, compare the relationship existing between Tanzania, and Cuba, UAE, USA, China, Sweden and others on International trade
3. Also outdated technology and products can easily flow into Tanzania. The bilateral cooperation induce also the provision of assistance especially technological assistance which sometime is outdated and unfit for Tanzania situation (difficulty to diffuse, adapt and assimilate), example consider Tanzania – China relationship and technology which is flowing from China, it is sometimes coupled with fake materials, but Tanzania as a country cannot question because China is best friend in historical immemorial.
4. Also bilateral cooperation relationship induce dependency, this due to the fact that the friendship is for seeking assistance i.e. aid, loan and grants , this situation creates ground for Tanzania to be dependent and hence reduce the spirit of hardworking.
5. Also it can possibly enhance the loss of revenue. This is due to the fact that the import duties, tax and tariffs for the goods from friend nations are reduced or eliminated to enhance the relationship. This reduces the collection of revenue for national development.
6. Through cultural sharing, Tanzania is easily to distort its own culture through adopting some values from masters’ culture. Though cultural distortion has been enhanced by globalization policy.
7. Exhaustion of resources in Tanzania is also possible due to the fact that, the countries in relationship possess advanced science and technology which aids them to overexploit our resources, besides; the interests on loanable fund do exert pressure on repaying the money. Also reliefs on Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) compel an expatriation of profit from Tanzania.
Generally even though bilateral relationship between Tanzania and other nations induces benefits in diplomatic relationship, economic and social relationship but is also coupled with problems which are difficult for a country like Tanzania to avoid.
MULTILATERAL COOPERATION
Unlike the bilateral cooperation, which composes relationship between two nations, multilateral cooperation is a kind of cooperation composing many countries. Multilateral cooperation composes many regional co operations such the East Africa Community (EAC), Economic Community of West Africa states (ECOWAS), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Non Aligned Movement (NAM). Multi-lateral cooperation involves therefore regional groupings which deal with social, economic and political relationship among countries in the regional.
IMPORTANCE OF MULTILATERAL CO – OPERATIONS
There are many importance of multilateral cooperation as follows:-
1. Multilateral cooperation assist much in ruling out the perpetuation of neo-colonialism, through cooperation the countries normally stand together/ having one say in World matters or any matter dictated by Western Nations.
2. Multilateral cooperation provides a wide chance or forum for Nations to discuss their social, economic and political problems prevailing in the region i.e. SADC, ECOWAS, and EAC just to mention a few.
3. The multilateral cooperation encourages the movement of people, capital and service across the borders which enhance an economic development within the cooperation. This becomes possible if barriers like custom duties, import duties and other tariffs are eliminated. E. g. The current East African Community.
4. It promotes and facilitates cooperation of the member countries in trade industry, agriculture, transport and communication. For example within SADC members’ majority are landlocked which need assistance from other non-landlocked countries.
5. Multilateral cooperation induces the operation of International trade, because the trade between one nation and another becomes widened. For example SADC, EAC, and ECOWAS member are easily to trade their goods and services in the widened market among the member countries.
6. Multilateral cooperation helps on solving some shared problems within the region; these include diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria, Poverty, Environmental degradation, Refugees, migration and wildlife protection. Besides, multilateral co operations for example the EAC, SADC, COMESA and ECOWAS have cooperated in lessening crimes such as theft, bandit operation and Terrorism.
7. Also under multilateral cooperation the utilization of idle resources is possible. This is normally compounded with the operation of International trade, investment in transport and communications and possibility of common market and custom union. The resources such as land, water, wildlife, minerals, population (People) forests and other resources are possible to be utilized. This objective has had been put by all regional co operations in Africa like COMESA, EAC, SADC and ECOWAS.
Regional co operations in a globalized world of today are inevitable; any nation at the moment must be in certain cooperation. This will assist such nation to solve social, economic and political problems smoothly by cooperating with other nations. Besides, poverty prevailing in Africa should be tackled by similar measures from other African nations.
IMPLEMENTATION OF OBJECTIVES FOR REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Prior to the establishment of any regional cooperation, the objectives are set by member states. This section has been set to assess if many objectives of Regional Organizations have been met by the member countries.
THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (E. A. C)
As other regional co operations, the East African Cooperation came into existence several decades in the past. Its root can be traced as back as 1920’s. At this conjuncture the East African Governors Conference was officially started in1923. The governors’ aim was to coordinate matters of common interest in their colonies.
By 1948 the East African High Commission was formed to replace the East African Governor Conference. The commission consisted of Governors of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika. By 1961 the East African Community Services Organization (EACSO) was established. The cooperation therefore took over control of some services and research activities.
After East Africa countries had got independence by 1960’s they decided to move from East Africa Community Services Organization to the East Africa Economic Cooperation. Thus by 6th June 1967 three head of states from East Africa countries such as J.K. Nyerere, Milton Obote and Jomo Kenyatta met at Kampala and signed the treaty to form EAC which came into effect on 1st December 1967.
OBJECTIVES OF THE EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY
The objectives of the East Africa co-operation were as follows:-
1. To promote trade among of three East Africa countries that were now independent sovereign states
2. To provide the common services in the areas such as railways, harbours, posts and telecommunications.
3. Provide a wider and more secure market for goods produced in the region
4. To facilitate free movement of people among the member countries.
5. To enhance and strengthen closer ties and understanding between the member states.
6. To establish similar custom duties and tariff to non –member states.
7. To have common currency to facilitate movement of goods and exchange
8. To provide a forum where the three member countries discuss issues of concern to them be political, social, and economic ones.
9. The East Africa cooperation had these organs.
The East Africa Authority of heads of states, the East African legislative Assembly, the Common market, Tribunal, the council of Ministers, the Secretariat, the court of appeal and the East Africa development bank.
Since formation of the East Africa some achievements have at follows-:
1. Achieved to form the East African development bank. The banks has been providing loans to the East Africa countries and funding of various project in the East Africa.
2. Research in agriculture, medicine, industries and demography has been done under the East Africa cooperation.
3. Common services such as railways, harbors, posts and telecommunication was specialized in the three countries.
4. The movement of people, capital and goods were made possible by three East African countries.
5. Forum to discuss political, economic and social problems facing the East African countries has been provided.
6. It was achieved to lessen the perpetuation of neo-colonialism for some extent.
7. Peace, security and good neighborhoods have been realized by the three East African states.
However, the East Africa cooperation didn’t last longer; it collapsed ultimately by 1977 after surviving for one decade.
Collapse of the former East Africa Cooperation
For almost ten years, the East Africa cooperation through its agencies rendered valuable services to the people of the three countries. However some political, economic and natural problems led to its collapse in 1977.
The following are reasons for collapsing of East Africa cooperation.
1. Ideological difference soon after independence, Tanzania began to lean toward socialism. Whereby the major means of production such as industry, agriculture, production, distribution transportation and even retailing and small business was controlled by government. Kenya at the time was committed to a mixed economy where individuals’ ownership of property was encouraged; it had a more open economy market than Tanzania. And in Uganda, after Idd Amin had rose into power he introduced the capitalist system. These conditions brought misunderstanding between three countries which ultimately discouraged the implementation the East Africa Cooperation’s objectives.
2. Failure to remit funds was particularly a serious problem, it was source of dispute and caused much bitterness in corporations such as the Railways and Harbours and East African Airways.
3. The difference in currency in term of value. The value of currency was different both physically and value. For example the value of the currency in Kenya was higher compared with that of Uganda and Tanzania. Then, Kenya decided to withdraw because claimed inequality of trade.
4. The border conflict, there was a border conflict between Tanzania and Uganda, and Uganda and Kenya. This created hostiliy between the East African Presidents. The conflict culminated; into Uganda- Tanzania war correctively Kagera war of 1978/79. This weakened the progress of the cooperation and ultimately a decline.
5. Dissatisfaction in the distribution of the resources and profit from the cooperation Since the outset of the cooperation the specialization in control of resources was not equally distributed among the EAC members. For example industries, airways and railways centered in Kenya, while Uganda became the supervisor of East African development bank; post and telecommunication, Tanzania specialized in Harbor operation. This means Uganda and Tanzania were at disadvantaged position while Kenya benefited more. This compelled to the decline.
6. Indebtedness of the East African countries, since from independence many African countries continued to get loans and aid from International Monetary Fund and donor countries respectively to run their government. Thus, they were to pay back their loans to the given institutions and countries. This caused them to be bankrupt and poor and consequently led the East African countries unable to implement many of its objectives
7. Multi-membership Besides of repaying debt also the problem of being in other cooperation for example Tanzania being the member of the EAC also was the member of SADC, besides Kenya and Uganda was the member of EAC at the time as well as the member of Commonwealth, COMESA, NAM and Organization of African Union (OAU) this situation reduced commitment and henceforth culminated into the decline of the cooperation.
However, it took almost two decades to revive the collapsed East Africa cooperation. The efforts done by the East African leaders sparked the revival of the new East Africa community. They agreed to lessen or remove the hindrances which triggered the decline of the former cooperation. The new objectives were to be reformed to comply with hitherto problems, situation and circumstances.
THE REVIVAL FOR THE EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY
After the decline of the former cooperation the East Africa community came in to replace the former East Africa Cooperation. The process of reviving started by 1993 when the three East Africa leaders (President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and Alli Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania, met to discuss the possible revival of the community.
On 30th November, 1993 the three leaders signed an agreement in Arusha Tanzania, reviving the East Africa Community (EAC). They emphasized the need for free movement of people, goods services and capital within the three member states. This, coupled with common services and joint policies for transport and communication, security, education, science and research would enhance regional co-operation.
During a second summit of the three head of states in Arusha on 29th April, 1997, it was decided that a process of treaty making begins that would involve further negotiations among the member states including the public. The result of the three years of consultation was a treaty for the establishment of the East African community which was signed in Arusha on the30th November, 1999. It became operational on the 7th July, 2000 the East Africa Community became effective. Currently the community is composed five countries such as Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and Burundi which joined in 2008.
Objectives of the New East Africa Community
The formation of east Africa community had the following objectives.
1. Establishment of a monetary union or Harmonization of fiscal and monetary policies.
2. Establishment of a common market in which there will be a free movement of people, labour, good and services as well as information technology.
3. Development policies and programs aimed at widening co-operation in political, economic social, defense and judicial matters for the benefit of partner states.
4. Promote sustainable and balanced growth and development among the member states.
5. Achieve equitable economic development and higher standard of living for the people to East Africa.
6. Promote the role of women in socio-economic development
7. Promote peace, security and stability within the region and good neighborhood.
8. To enhance self sufficiency, self reliance and independence to avoid being trodden upon.
9. To provide a forum where the three member countries discuss issues of concern to them, be the political economic and social.
Organs/ Structure of community
The following are some organs / structure of the East Africa Community
1. The summit – consists of the heads of state and gives direction to the achievement of the goals. Its progress considers reports given by the council and review peace and security in the community. Also reviews progress to the rise of federation.
2. Sectors Committee – consist of permanent secretaries of regional cooperation. It reports to the council of ministers and coordinates the activities of the sectors committee
3. The council of ministers – consist of ministers responsible for Regional Cooperation. Their function includes:
4. Considers and approve the budget of the institutions of the community
5. Submit annual and progress report to the summit
6. Implement the decisions and directive of the summit
7. The east African court of Justice – Consist of the maximum of 6 judges appointed by the summit and serve a term of seven years.
The East Africa legislative Assembly – has 27 members nine from each partner states. Its functions is to interprets agreements and discuss all matters of the community. Up until 2009 Abdurrahman Kinana from Tanzania had been a speaker. The post incubator can be changed time to time.
The secretariat – Is an executive body. General Secretary up until 2009 was Nuwe Awanya Mushenga of Uganda. He holds office for 5 years. The deputy secretaries are Ambassador F.M. Kazaura of Tanzania who was also the chancellor of University of Dar es Salaam and Dr. Kipyego Chelnget of Kenya.
Autonomous Institutions – are organizations which are Independent and work within the East Africa community system. They include East Africa Development Bank (EADB), Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization, Inter-University Council of East Africa and other institution.
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS TO MEMBER STATES
Since the revival of the east Africa Community (EAC) is almost one decade duration. Some achievements have had attained by member states as follows:-
There has been a flow of labours, goods, and services across the borders. No restriction on immigration between the member states.
The monetary union has induced the transaction of money, besides some banks have been invested including Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) East Africa development Bank (EADB) and so forth. These Banks provides loan and make easy transactions. Also the market widening has been possible this is because the East African countries have a lot of people who would act as the consumers for the East African products. For example, Tanzania alone exported to the East African countries from 29.5 in 2002 to 91.8 billion shillings in 2003.
Furthermore unity and solidarity have been strengthened by the East African countries in solving problems pertaining education, health, and transport through common policies between the members.
The East African custom union which started on 1st January, 2005 has been an industrial protection tools for the East African countries. The custom union impose high tariff for the goods imported by the non-East African states and this tariffs is similar across the East African countries. Thus, the Eastern Africa Countries have had been able to reduce competition for their domestic industries.
The East Africa countries have put in place the efforts of eradicating HIV/AIDS. The disease has been given first priority by many countries in the World. But, also the East African countries have adjusted their national budget in fighting with HIV/AIDS including education, taking care for the victims and buying ARVs. Besides, some bureaus to coordinate the war against HIV/AIDs have been launched for instance in Tanzania is known as TACAIDS.
The community has succeeded to enhance sports and games. Various companies have sponsored various sport and games. East African competition covers football for example Kagame Cup, athletics boxing, just mention a few. Also the community promotes peace and order among the member states in order to organize all activities pertaining sports and games more peacefully.
Besides the above achievements the community is still inflicted with problems. These problems have been an obstacle to the community progress.
Problems facing the East African Community
As already noted above, the East Africa Community is facing problems like.
1. Poor transport and communication system, these include railways, roads, harbor and airways. These have not linked properly to serve the whole East Africa community. Thus, hinders smooth movement of people, transportation, goods and services.
2. Differences in the levels of economic development, in East Africa some of its member have developed economy as you compare to others. For example, Kenya and Rwanda are developed as you compare to Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. Thus, the developed countries export more to other countries and hence distort the domestic industries, also the decisions made by community is also altered by developed countries.
3. Political conflict and instabilities. Some East African community members have been affected with unpeaceful atmosphere. The situation have had been influenced with the multipartism system coupled with ethnism. For example in 2007 after Kenya general election the civil war occurred and coasted the life of Kenyans but also political instability was noted Rwanda which culminated historical Rwanda genocide of 1994; Uganda also is still ruined with political instability. These instabilities have affected the socio-economic and political and economic progress of the Eastern African countries.
4. Poverty. Many people in Africa have been affected with poverty. But, since the Eastern African countries fall in sub-Saharan Africa countries where the majority falls below the poverty line. This situation alters the consumption and investment rate and consequently people’s standard of living becomes low i.e. Ignorance, diseases, low life expectance ruins the victims.
5. Poor science and technology, Science and technology is very experience even the process of getting it is somehow difficult. Due to poor science and technology the Eastern African countries fails to develop some important sector of development such as health sector, Small and Medium Enterprises(SME), tourism, industries, and agriculture. With these problems the innovation and initiation of various projects have been difficult. Subsequently, leads poor utilization of resources.
THE SOUTHERN AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC)
SADC is an intergovernmental organization which constitutes some states from Eastern Central and Southern Africa. Previously the community was known as Southern Africa development coordination conference (SADCC) which came into account as the result of declaration put at Lusaka in 1980. At the time, composed some countries from central, Southern and Eastern Africa such as Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
The Southern development community (SADC) therefore came into existence in April 1993 to replace the former Southern African Coordination Conference (SADCC). Some members who were in SADCC continued to be in the new SADC and included countries such as Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mauritius, South Africa which joined dafter her independence, Namibia and Seychelles (James ,op cit. 2005: 71). The formation of SADC targeted an integration of all members toward addressing social, economic and political problems.
Objectives of Southern African Development Community
The following were objectives of the Southern African Development Community.
1. To improve transport and communication within the members states. Most of the SADC members have seasonal roads, besides, some are landlocked countries henceforth the road transportation becomes difficult especially during the rain seasons. The communication is also a problem because there is no communication means covering the whole region. But, however, currently the telecommunication company like Airtel and Vodacom cover almost the whole region; also the West Union money transfer has lessened the problem.
2. To reduce dependence on developed nations, since from independence many SADC countries continued to depend on donors and World finance institution such as International Monetary Fund (IFM) and World Bank. Thus, the donors and World financial institutions have been giving their loans under conditions to the third world countries, besides the social, economic and political decisions have been given by western nations. Henceforth, the community was formed to reduce this dependence and hence avoid interference by Western countries.
3. To promote peace and security among the member states. Because peace and security induces the movement of people investment and so forth. Therefore SADC members agreed each other to make efforts on maintaining peace and security.
4. To develop agriculture and industries. These sectors of economy have close interdependence. Therefore by improving these sectors could improve the economy of the SADC members and reduction in the level of poverty facing them.
5. To promote International cooperation for the purpose of addressing socio-economic as well as political matters. International cooperation is very vital in improving the SADC members’ economies, political, social and science and technology.
6. To utilize the regional natural resources such as land, water, forest, Wild life for the benefit of the people and protection of the environment.
7. Economic growth, alleviation of poverty and promote standard of living of the people in the member states.
8. To develop own experts and personnel in different areas of specialization such as agriculture, medicine, wildlife and industries. This would reduce dependence to the Western experts.
9. To improve the social and historical linkage through improving transport and communication, agriculture and industries and use of alternative energy source for benefit of the people in the member states.
PRINCIPLES OF SADC
- Respect of sovereign equality of all members states.
- Solidarity between members, peace and security
- Respect of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
- Balanced and mutual benefits to all members
- Peaceful settlement of conflicts.
Organs/structure of the community
The SADC has got the following organs:
1. Summit of Heads of states. The summits of heads of state elect the chairperson of the community. The chairs person is the senior leader of the community. The summit of the Heads of states meets annually.
2. Executive secretary. Works in the secretariat to coordinate and manage all programs of SADC from the headquarter in Gaborone, Botswana. Up until 2004 the executive secretary was Dr. Prega Ramsay.
3. Council of Ministers. Organ on politics, defense and security which deal with maintain peace and order, stopping crimes and monitoring and observing general election in the member states.
Achievements of SADC
Since its inaugural many achievements have attained, these include the following:
1. It has provided a room for discussion and solving the social, economic and political problems for example the problem of political instability in Zimbabwe and political conflicts in DRC.
2. It has widened the market of goods produced in the region instead of dependence to the western market.
3. SADC programs of Action enabled members to undertake project which rehabilitate roads, railways like TAZARA and water ways to easy trading activities among the people.
4. The members have been able to carry out collective research of the best seeds which can be planted by the people in different climatic conditions to produce product for their daily food and cash crops needs. The action has improved and promoted high production in agriculture.
5. It has corporate with other regional grouping such as ECOWAS, EAC, COMESA – and other to build the strong unity and solidarity among the African states.
6. It has induced the movement of goods, people and capital across the borders of the member states.
Problems/ Challenges facing SADC
Besides of its success there are also some problems which are still facing the community as follow:-
1. Many countries within the region still suffering from dependence syndrome to the donors and world financial institutions. This has facilitated the exploitation and operation of neo-colonialism.
2. Shortage of fund is a serious economic problem. Majority of its members do not have adequate fund to contribute to various programs of SADC, development sectors such as regional transport and communication, training of manpower and natural resources have taken long time without realization
3. The presence of civil wars and conflicts. The political instabilities have affected many nations including DRC, Angola and Zimbabwe. Multiple memberships which reduces the commitment to SADC. For example some countries who are the member of SADC are also the members of the communities such as EAC, COMESA and African Union (AU).
4. Different level of development. Some SADC members are very rich such as Southern African and recently Zimbabwe but others are very poor such as Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. The richer countries export more in poor nations, besides acts as sole decision makers of the community.
5. Many SADC members produce similar crops which keep fluctuating in the World market, all SADC member are found in almost the same climatic conditions and henceforth produce the same cash crops like sisal, coffee, tea, cotton and sugar cane which compete for same market. Consequently their crops are bought at very low prices.
6. SADC is still suffering from lack of qualified human capital and experts like doctors, engineers and so forth. Thus, many members are sill importing experts from western nations and some Asian nations. Besides, many experts produced by SADC countries runs away to work in other nations and hence weaken the socio-economic development of SADC.
7. Different in currency, members have different currencies which make money transaction difficult.
8. Diseases like HIV/ AIDS and Ebola also pose great challenge to the progress of SADC as they cause deaths of many people in the community, and hence the community spends a lot of funds to combat the diseases and to conduct researches on the causes, factors for their spread and treatment.
However, SADC members are still having an opportunity to eradicate the above problems for a smooth development. What is needed is to be committed in implementation of its objectives, acquisition of technology, utilization of resources and reduce dependency to Western nations.
THE COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA (COMESA)
What is COMESA?
COMESA means Common Market for Eastern and Southern African States. It was established in December 1994 to replace the former PTA. COMESA is an organization which promotes cooperation on human resources, promotes peace and improve economic status of the member states.
The history of COMESA began in December 1994 when it was formed to replace the former Preferential Trade Area (PTA) which had existed from 1981. COMESA (as defined by its Treaty) was established ‘as an organization of free independent sovereign states that have agreed to co-operate in developing their natural and human resources for the good of all their people. As such, it has a wide-ranging series of objectives that necessarily include in its priorities, the promotion of peace and security in the region.
However, due to COMESA’s economic history and background, its main focus is on the formation of a large economic and trading unit which is capable of overcoming some of the barriers faced by individual states.
COMESA’s current strategy can thus be summed up in the phrase ‘economic prosperity through regional integration’. With its 21 member states, and the population of over 385 million and annual import bill of around US$32 billion COMESA, forms a major market place for both internal and external trading. Its area is impressive on the map of the African
Continent, and its achievements to date have been significant.
Apart from economic progression other objectives are:
- Introduction of a computerized system of trade and promoting trade liberalization.
- Enhance the communication system among the countries.
- Encouraging the private sector and creating a legalized system of work.
- Establishing a harmony between the macroeconomic and monetary policies in the region
A Free Trade Area
The COMESA states, in implementing a free trade area, are well on their way to achieving their target of removing all internal trade tariffs and barriers, an exercise which was planned to be completed by the year 2000. Within 4 years after that COMESA will have introduced a common external tariff structure to deal with all third party trade and will have considerably simplified all procedures.
Trade Promotion
Other objectives that were to be met to assist in the achievement of trade promotion include:
1. Trade liberalization and Customs co-operation, including the introduction of a unified computerized Customs network across the region.
2. Improving the administration of transport and communications to ease the movement of goods, services and people between the countries.
3. Creating an enabling environment and legal framework which will encourage the growth of the private sector, the establishment of a secure investment environment, and the adoption of common sets of standards.
4. The harmonisation of macro-economic and monetary policies throughout the region.
COMESA’s Institutions
Several institutions have been created to promote sub-regional cooperation and development.
These include:
1. The COMESA Trade and Development Bank in Nairobi, Kenya
2. The COMESA Clearing House in Harare, Zimbabwe
3. The COMESA Association of Commercial Banks in Harare, Zimbabwe
4. The COMESA Leather Institute in Ethiopia
5. The COMESA Re-Insurance Company (ZEP-RE) in Nairobi, Kenya
In addition, a Court of Justice was also established under the COMESA Treaty and became formally operational in 1998. Further initiatives exist to promote cross border initiatives, to form a common industrial policy, and introduce a monetary harmonization programme.
What COMESA offers
COMESA offers its members and partners a wide range of benefits, which include:
1. A wider, harmonized and more competitive market
2. Greater industrial productivity and competitiveness
3. Increased agricultural production and food security
4. A more rational exploitation of natural resources
5. More harmonised monetary, banking and financial policies
6. More reliable transport and communications infrastructure
7. Use web pages or write to us to find out more about all of these.
The Decision making process
COMESA has evolved a comprehensive decision making structure at the top of which is the Heads of State of the 21 member countries. There is then a Council of Ministers responsible for policy making, 12 technical committees and a series of other advisory bodies (including specific relations with partner countries and the business community).
In addition, each member state appoints liaison persons in their appropriate ministries who form part of the day-to-day communication process. Overall co-ordination is achieved through the Secretariat, based in Lusaka, Zambia.
Challenges of COMESA
1. Internal conflicts among the member states e.g. political crisis in Zimbabwe, Ethnic conflicts in Sudan, endless clan war in stateless of Somalia.
2. Environmental hazards like floods e.g. the floods of 2000 in Mozambique and droughts in various parts of COMESA member countries.
3. Disparity in economic levels among the member states. Some countries are poorer than others, or have very high lamentable inflation rates e.g. Zimbabwe.
4. Three – quarters of the people in the member states live below the World Bank poverty threshold level of one US Dollar a day.
5. Member counties modules the sawed type of products (raw materias like minerals or crops). There are many competitions for the available market.
6. Multi – membership among the member states is another challenge. Member countries are members of other regional integrations like, EAC and SADC, were in some cases mult-membership create problems.
TANZANIA AND COMESA
In 2000 Tanzania pulled out from COMESA, but is still enjoying two of its services:
- Banking services
- Insurance services.
Reasons for Tanzania to pull out of COMESA.
1. Claims from manufactures who said that there were a lot of cheap products getting to the country and this could lead to the decline of the local industries, that produce products at very high costs.
2. COMESA members decided to lower their tariffs so as to facilitate movement of their goods, but at the same time Tanzania had very low rates, by accepting lowering tariffs means to reduce the revenue and incur loss.
3. Tanzania was the member of other regional organizations such as EAC and SADC that their objectives are similar to those of COMESA. This could have created conflicts of interest.
4. Failure to realize its goals that are to strengthen, develop and positively maintain socioeconomic relations with other countries. The situation was evidenced by low level of Tanzania trade. Tanzania became a looser for five years. It experienced deficit by exporting less and importing a lot. This forced the country to explore more strategies of expanding trade in this sub-continent.
5. Lack of seriousness among the members in implementing settled objectives. Much was planned with little or no implementation. The reasons behind this were poor infrastructure, e.g. communication and transport networks, plus poor economic base among the members.
6. The other reason for Tanzania to withdraw from COMESA was the influence of South Africa government where it was discouraging countries to join COMESA, but at the time convincing them to join SADC, in order to create free trade in area.
7. By the fact that Tanzania withdrew from COMESA in 2000, the following had happen in the country.
8. Smuggling of goods has increased, especial in the border between Tanzania and member countries. The commodities involved include food staffs. This created loss of government revenue and jeopardized the country’s economy.
9. Tanzania lost the qualification to get credits from COMESA.
10. Possibility of Tanzania suffering from high tariffs imposed on our goods. This is more serious to the private sector.
THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WESTERN AFRICA STATES (ECOWAS)
ECOWAS is an organization of western African states which once were ruled by France and Britain. The ECOWAS came into being in 1975 after signing Lagos treaty on 28th May, 1975. Members included Benin Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Carper Verde, Togo, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, Gambia, Niger and Ivory Coast (Godia, op. cit 1970:74).
Background:
The formation of ECOWAS was the process which started before 1975 as follows:
1. By 1958 Ghana and Guinea formed a political union and later were joined by Mali, but by 1963 there was an agreement between Gambia and Senegal on currency matter, air service and trade.
2. Niger River Commission which constituted the countries near Niger River such as Mali, Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) and Niger. The commission was to coordinate and monitor how to use the Niger water.
3. The Lake Chad Basin Commission which constituted the countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. With the above cooperation by 1975 it was inevitable to form the corporation which would unite the all West African states (Baohen , 1984:171)
Objectives of ECOWAS
The following are objectives of ECOWAS as follows:
1. To set up a customs Union over fifteen years by progressive reduction of import duties, so that the whole of West Africa would then become a free trade area.
2. Free movement of people, services and capital in the region.
3. To coordinate industrial and agricultural development in the region.
4. To create peace and harmony among the member states. They realized that by maintaining peace and order could enhance socio-economic development in the region.
5. To put efforts on environmental protection, through using alternative source of hydroelectric sources of energy and so forth. Example the use of hydroelectric sources of energy has been encouraged by ECOWAS through construction of Kainji dam project.
The structure/ Organs of ECOWAS
The Economic community of West African states operates through the following structures
1. Authority of Heads of states and Government. This is the supreme organ; the member of this organ meets once annually although extra ordinary sessions may be held if the need arises.
2. Council of Ministers. It is composed of one minister from each member state. The council is responsible for the general management of an organization.
3. The Tribunal. It is charged with responsibilities of interpreting the treaty. Also interprets laws and treaty for the organization. But, also concerns with settling disputes between the member states.
Executive Secretariat
It is based in Lagos and is headed by an executive Secretary who serves a four – year tem office. Mainly charged with the day to day implementation of policies. Additionally, there are four specialized commissions dealing with the following matters:-
1. Trade, customs, tariffs, immigration and monetary affairs.
2. Industry, Agriculture and Natural resources.
3. Transport communication and Energy
4. Social and cultural affairs
It is these organs which, work independently but with an integrated mission for the benefit of the organization
The community parliament.
It composed Member of Parliament elected from the member country’s parliament.
1. The ECOWAS financial institutions .It composed with banks like Bank of Investment and Development (EBID), ECOWAS Development Bank
2. Specialized Agencies like (WAHO-West African Health Organization) and WAWA-West African Women Association.
Achievements of the ECOWAS
ECOWAS has had several achievements. The following are among of these achievements.
1. It has achieved to eliminate customs and tariffs to the member states. This was passed by 1979 by the fourth heads of states summit at Dakar. Thus, the member’s raw materials were exempted from any custom duty and tariff within the region.
2. Free movement of people, capital and services across the boundaries of many state within the regional had became possible
3. Various projects have developed and implemented by the ECOWAS for example a ten years reforestation project to check the southward spread of the Sahara desert in the Sahel region and dams construction projects.
4. The community has induced interstate relationship among the member states including students exchange between member states and an award for scholarships.
5. Transport and communication have been improved in the region. For example a telecommunication programs to link all states with direct telephone and telex services has been done; also there has been cooperation between Nigeria and Niger in the issue of transport and telecommunication.
6. They have achieved to form Economic Community Monitoring Group known as (ECOMOG) which has had participated in peace keeping operation among the member states especially in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
7. It has managed to plan strategy which put emphasizes on Agricultural and industries. All member states agreed to put more effort on implementing the strongly planned agricultural and agro- based industries.
8. Achieved success in the field of mutual defense and has actively participated in resolving conflict in the region. For example, it intervened in the civil wars in Sierra – Leone and Liberia.
Problems facing the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS)
Besides of its achievements the community is still inflicted with various problems which are still in need of solutions to address it.
Since the formation of the community though some achievements have attained but it is still facing numerous problems as follows:
1. Political instability, some member states have had ruined with political instability for example the countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and sierra Leone has been affected with a number of coup d’état beside civil wars in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Liberia has affected the progress of the community.
2. Lack of commitment to the community, this is because many nation are still having reliance either to France or Britain which were the former colonies. Besides, they are still interestingly doing business or engage in international trade with European nations.
3. Diseases, many people in the community are infected with diseases such as HIV/AIDS but also Malaria which is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Diseases reduce the manpower and become very expensive in treating the victims. This has consequently caused a great burden to the community.
4. Low level of science and technology, like other African nation the ECOWAS members also suffer from insufficient science and technology. Thus, the important sectors of economies such as tourism, Agriculture, industries, mining sector suffers from poor science and technology. Consequently it leads many resources to remain idle.
5. Neo – colonialism, neo-colonialism also still hinder the implementation of ECOWAS progress. The Western nations (donors), World Bank and International Monetary Fund dictate the socio-economic and political decisions within the community. Besides, aid and loan given to the ECOWAS members are given on certain conditions.
6. Environmental problems, also the problem connected with environment still affect the majority ECOWAS members, for example, excessive drought in Sahel region, soil erosion, environmental pollutions, global warming and deforestation have set backed the progress of ECOWAS.
THE AFRICAN UNION (AU)
African Union is the organization of African countries which originally started on 9th September 1999. The constitutive act of African Union was adopted and entered into force in 2000 at the Lome summit in Togo. In 2001 the African countries put down the plan for the implementation of the Union in Lusaka. Afterward they held the first assembly of heads of states for AU members in Durban where Thabo Mbeki of South Africa became the first Chair person.
Its headquarters is in Addis Ababa- Ethiopia (James, 2005: 173). The Union comprises fifty four countries in Africa except Morocco, which had rejoined the Organisation of African Union after a 33-year absence.
In 1984, Morocco left the O. A. U after the body decided to recognize the independence of Western Sahara, also known as Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and admitted it as a member state. Morocco has long contended that the territory is under its control.
Background of African Union (AU)
Before going in depth of African Union let first revisit the background of it. Before the formation of the African Union Africa continent had unity which referred to as Organization of African Unity (OAU) which was an organization of independent African states which was formed on 25th May, 1963. Haile Salasie of Ethiopia was the first Chairperson of the Organization.
The former OAU had the following objectives:-
1. Enhance or foster unity among African states.
2. Coordinate cooperation and efforts to bring better life for African people.
3. Defend sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the African states.
4. To eliminate all forms of colonialism in Africa.
5. To promote International co-operation in the line with UN and Universal declaration of Human rights.
6. To eradicate the operation of neo-colonialism through establishing a new form of independency economy.
With the above objectives however, few achievements were attained in almost five decades which include facilitation of unity among the African or the African continent, succeeded in eradication of colonialism and firmly fight with apartheid policy in Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively.
That means, few among of many were attained in such period because African continent continued to suffer socio-economic and political problems like extreme poverty, dependence to the donors, World financial institution and so forth, political instability coupled with civil war and coup d’état, lack of democracy and presence of dictators who abused human rights like Saad Bale (Somalia) Mongtsu Mariam (Ethiopia) Idd Amin Dada (Uganda), Samuel Doe (Liberia) just mention a few.
Besides the above problems and impediments the O. A. U had number of weakness which led its failure in attainment of her goals like.
1. Failure to punish dictators who violated human rights in Africa.
2. Failure to intervene in many civil wars in Rwanda and Burundi, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
3. Failure to detect Rwanda mass killing (genocide) which consequently led the killing of many Tutsi in 1994.
4. Failure to eradicate poverty and up lifting the standard of living of the Africans.
5. Failure to form the army, and court of justice and henceforth Africa continued to depend on International organs such as UN court of Justice at the Hague and security council under UN.
With the above problems and failure there was a need to drift from organization of African Union to the formation of the African Union. That Union was designed to eliminate the failure and problems which O. A. U failed to solve. But the formation of the AU was the process which started with African Nationalists leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), J. K. Nyerere (Tanzania) and super headed by Libya head of state Muamar Ghadafi who called the formation of the African Union and afterward the United States of Africa (USA).
Thus, the formation of African Union drifted from Organization of African Unity (O. A. U) and had the following objectives.
Reasons for transforming from O. A. U into AU
1. The OAU was formed purposely for the aim of liberation to the extent that the pace of development became very slow leading to prevalence of poverty among the member states. Therefore, the organization was more political rather than economic.
2. OAU had a limited power to solve all the problems in the continent due to the
Objectives / goals of the African Union
Before the formation of the AU a lot of targets were put in place as follows:-
1. To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural level as well as the integration of African economies.
2. To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and curtural levels as well as the integration of African economies
3. To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields
4. To coordinate and harmonize the politics between the existing and future regional economic community for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the union
5. To work with relevant international partners in the elimination of preventable disease such as malaria and HIV/AIDS and promotion of health on the continent
6. To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and people themselves
7. To promote democratic principles and institutions, promotion participation of many and good governance
8. To encourage international co-operation in the line with charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human rights.
9. To promote peace, security and stability in Africa.
10. To promote Co-operation in all field of human activity and raise the living standard of African peoples.
11. To coordinate and harmonize policies between the existing and the future Regional Economic Communities and the gradual achievement of an objectives of AU.
12. To enhance development of the continent through promoting research in agriculture, science and technology, tourism just to mention a few.
Organs/ Structure of the Union
The AU organization has got almost ten (10) organs which include the following:-
i. The assembly of Heads of States.
This is a supreme organ of the union which is the most important decision making body of the union. It is composed of heads of states from the member countries. Members’ meets annually in ordinary session, the decision made by this organ should be accepted by two thirds (2/3) of the member states. It is headed by the chairman who stays in the post for one year, on which various presidents of Africa have been the chairpersons of the union.
The functions of the organ include:-
1. Deciding on common policies for the union
2. Considering applications of membership
3. Deciding on conflict resolution
4. Appointing the judges of the African court of justice
5. Taking decisions on reports and recommendation of other organs of the unions
6. Adoption of budget for the union.
ii. The Executive council.
This is the organ composed by the Ministers of foreign Affairs of the member states.
It is accountable to the assembly. The council is responsible for the implementation of the objectives set by the assembly of heads of states based on the matters such as foreign trades, social security, food, agriculture transport and communication.
These meets twice annually. It also has to meet in extra ordinary session at the request of any member state and upon approval of 2/3 of all members. It prepares the materials for the assembly to discuss and approve.
iii. The permanent Representative committee.
The committee is comprised of ambassadors to the AU and has the responsibility of preparing the work for the executive council. It prepares the work of Executive council .It acts also on instructions of Executive council. It may set up sub – committee or groups as it sees necessary.
iv. The commission.
It works as the secretariat of the Union .The organ composed of the chairman, his deputes, the commissioners and other staffs. The Assembly is responsible to provide the functions and regulation. The chairperson of the commission since 2005 was Alpha Oumar Konare of Mali. Its functions include dealing with day to day activities of the Union, compiling files, scheduling timetable for the meetings and setting Agenda.
v. The specialized Technical Committees.
These include:-
- The Committee on Rural Economy and Agriculture matter.
- The Committee on monetary and financial affairs.
The Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration matters.
- The Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, Energy Natural Resources and Environment.
- The Committee on transport, Communication and Tourisfarfetchedness CFCsDCFx decision taken by the organization of the Union and coordinate the projects and programs of the Union.
vi. The Pan – African parliament.
This is established in order to provide a chance for full participating of African people in the development and economic integration of the continent. The first speaker since its formation had been Gertrude Mongela of Tanzania. Its functions include making laws for the union.
vii. The African court of justice
When it is fully established its functions and composition will be given by the union. Its functions include interpretation of laws to the Union, Coordination of human rights protection and so forth.
viii. The Economic and Socio – cultural Council.
This is an advisory organ which is made up of professional groups of the member states. Its function has to be given out by the assembly.
ix. The peace and Security Council.
It is a body which deals with peace keeping and conflicts settlements in the member states?
x. The Financial Institution
The union intends to have the Africa financial institution which would provide soft loan and sponsor various projects such as dam construction and roads. Some banks which have established by the Union include African Monetary Fund, Africa Investment Bank and Africa Development Bank.
Achievements of the African Union
Some achievements have attained since formation, these includes the following:-
1. Formation of Africa Union army, the AU Army has participated fully in peace keeping process in Darfur (Sudan), Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
2. Conflicts have resolved through arbitration, reconciliation and resolutions. For example the Conflicts which emerged in Kenya after 2007 general election and that of Zimbabwe were solved by some dignitaries of Africa Union (AU) .Conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia also were resolved.
3. Efforts have been exerted on some socio-economic problems which ruin the African Status, these include among of many, environmental problems like Global warming, soil erosion, desertification and loss of biodiversity. But also have tried to eradicate some diseases such as Malaria and HIV / AIDS.
4. Unity and solidarity among of Africans have been enhanced under African Union (AU) .This because (AU) Works with other regional Cooperation such as SADC, EAC, ECOWAS, and COMESA. Thus, Africans are easily unified through their regional co operations.
5. The Africa financial Institutions have been providing credit to AU Members. The money from these institutions is used in various developmental projects such as roads construction, Irrigation Schemes and Industries, The financial assistance has been provided with some banks like African Central Bank, African Investment Bank and African Investment Banks.
6. It has formed the African Court of justice which will administer the Observance of Human rights and punish such leaders who will violate the human rights.
7. It has lessened the operation of neo- colonialism. Through having a union for the whole continent it has paved the way to the Africans to speak in international arena with same voice .The Union has drawn an attention of belonging and identity to Africans against exploiters of our resources; as well as the spirit of independence economy has been drawn through formation of AU.
Problems which threaten future success of AU.
Besides of its achievements the Union is still constrained with number of problems which are to be solved by Africans themselves.
There are many problems which are still inflicting the African Union as follows:
1. Diseases, diseases especially HIV/ AIDS and some tropical diseases like Malaria, typhoid kills many people. This causes the loss of man power beside government spends a lot of money in preventing, vaccination and curing of these diseases.
2. Political instabilities in Africa .Africa continent is ruined with political instability for example many Coup d’état have occurred several time in African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia but also a good number of civil wars have occurred in Somalia , Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi, DRC and Uganda .
3. Poor transport and Communication, there is poor infrastructure in Africa whereby roads, railway and water ways, are not interconnected among of African states, beside there are no linkage in telecommunication service. This hinders proper utilization of resources and poor movement of capital people and goods
4. Corruption among of African leaders, There have been many incidents on mismanagement of public money and signing unfair contracts by government officials .The head of states in Africa who had engaged on corruption were Fredrick Chiluba of Zambia and Mabutu Seseko of Zaire
5. Poverty, many Africans suffers from absolute poverty, beside poverty also affects many governments in Africa, thus they do depends on donors and many lacks fund to run different activities. But also many people in Africa are very poor consequently they cannot access to basic need, their standard of living also suffer.
6. Unfavorable economic relationship between African countries and developed nations still makes African countries fall behind than what is required in economic and social development; they export primary products to the world market and sell them at lower price which in turn cannot develop the AU members. All these problems threaten future success of AU
7. Neo- colonialism, the western nations and world financial institutions like International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank still interfere in many of Internal affairs of the African Countries .Besides, African countries have continuously depending on western nation in turn conditions and decisions have been done by western nations.
8. Low level of science and technology. This is also hindrances factor for success of African Union. Poor science and technology leads to poor utilization of resources such as wildlife, land and water. Besides poor investment in infrastructure, Irrigation schemes, health service, Small and Medium Industries and telecommunications. This leads to poor exportation and imbalanced International trade.
Generally, With these problems the future prospects and well being of African nations explicitly depends on efforts enforced by the Africans themselves. It will in need of commitments and readiness among the African nations themselves.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING
Many nations faces different problems man made one and others being influenced by natural phenomenon .Besides of these problems, facing human races also the needs of the people differs in space and time as well.
That means there should be some measures in addressing problems facing the human being and fulfilling some needs of people in order to attain a full International peace and understanding. But before going in details one must be familiar with the concept.
International peace and understanding is the situation where there is positive interrelationship among of the people all over the world. These interrelationships should entails absence of political instability, Terrorism, wars, natural calamities such as famine (food insecurity), diseases, flood human right violation, poverty and military aggression against other nation. (Mshiu, 2000) in brief International peace and understanding is conceptualized as the situation where there is absence of military conflicts, hunger, poverty diseases and natural calamities.
But in very ordinary situation international peace and understanding is unattainable because the world is still been subjected with environmental degradation, food insecurity, poverty, violation of human rights, diseases and political conflicts /political instabilities
The causes of conflicts in Africa
Africa countries are ruined with political instability since their independence. A number of incidents over political instabilities have been reported from many African countries. The following are seemingly factors for political instabilities in Africa.
1. Religious frictions, Religious friction has caused a lot of conflicts in Africa especially between Muslim and Christianity, and between extreme Muslims and non- extreme Muslims. These conflicts have reported in Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia (between Al-Shabaab militia and the government) and Boko Haram of Nigeria.
2. Tribalism. There has been extremely tribalism in many African countries which induce conflict because of favoritism in accessing the national resources. This tribalism has been motivating killing of each other example Rwanda and Burundi are dominated by Hutu and Tutsi. Their long lasting conflicts culminated into Rwanda Genocide of 1994, Conflicts have occurred several times in Kenya because of ethnism between Luo, Kikuyu and Kamba.
3. Border Conflicts. Boarder Conflict has profoundly accelerating war in Africa. For example Uganda claimed the part of River Kagera to be its possession by 1978. The conflict resulted into what was termed as Kagera war between Uganda and Tanzania, but, also border conflict occurred between Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2000 which led to war between the two countries.
4. Emergence of dictatorship governments, in Africa several dictators have witnessed in time perspective .These dictators have enhanced emancipation struggle and opposition from their opponents .Also they have had abused human rights at great extent , the notable dictators included Siad Mohamed Bale, (Somalia) ,Idd Amin Dada ( Uganda ) Samuel Doe ( Liberia ), Mongstu Mariam ( Ethiopia ) and Bokassa ( Central Africa Republic).
5. Unfair elections. Africa has been vulnerable with unfair elections where by the ruling parties becomes reluctant to a accept changes even when they fail in general elections. The Conflict which emerges after general election causes the massacre of people and refugee movement. For example, conflict emerged after general election in Kenya and Zimbabwe in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
6. Corruption. Corruption causes conflict in Africa because it stimulates opposition of the mass against their leaders. Africa continent has many leaders who are corrupt, these leaders have enhanced poor provision of social services, bogus contracts on investment with partner countries have been signed as well as lack of transparent and accountability among the government leaders. This triggers conflict which lead war or imprisonment of the opponents for example Fredrick Chiluba(Zambia) and Mobutu Seseseko (Zaire) have mentioned as corrupt leaders by their countries (Raia Mwema, 149: 2010).
7. Neo – Colonialism. Through neo colonialism Western nations (donors) have been stimulating conflict in Africa. They have been interfering in internal affairs of many Africa countries .Besides the Western countries have been making alliance and collaboration with opponents groups (rebels) against the ruling government. Neo – colonialism therefore stimulates conflicts in Africa because of relationship which exists between the two.
8. Conflicts over natural resources. This has been very common in the bordering countries, which share some natural resources like natural gas, oil and other minerals. The conflicts of this nature tend to occur due to misunderstanding arise on the exploitation and utilization of such resources especially when there is no clear governing policy. A good example is the conflict that were likely to occur between Congo (DRC) and Uganda over the oil reserves along the border, also the same conflict is still going on between Kenya and Somalia.
However, Conflicts in Africa has led many impacts such as refugees migration, poverty, mass killing, displacement of families, poor utilization of resources due to lack of a good environment for investments and so forth.
Strategies in place for conflict resolution in Africa
Some Strategies have been put in place and used in many parts of Africa to address conflicts as follows:-
1. Education. The civil education have been provided in many parts of Africa ,syllabus have been adopted to teach pupil and students on conflict resolution .Besides, education on how to avoid tribalism has been designed in Rwanda from time when Rwanda Genocides occurred in 1994.
2. Arbitration and negotiations. Through AU (African Union) diplomatic arbitration and negotiations strategy has been used in the place with conflicts for example SADC diplomatic officers did it in Zimbabwe Conflict, president Jakaya Kikwete and UN dignitaries did arbitration and negotiation to end conflicts which emerged after general election in Kenya
3. Military aggression, African Union Army has been intervening in the place where negotiations and education strategies have failed .The African Army (Military) has interfered in place like Somalia (Ugandan army) and Rwanda (Rwandan army).Beside, Tanzania army used aggression against undemocratic government in Anjuan (Comoro) which exiled illegal government of Mohamed Bakari.
4. Sanctions imposition. Sanctions are official order that limits trade, contact with others, denial purchasing and humanitarian aid. Sanctions are both social, economic and political one .It has been fixed in many countries of Africa for example against apartheid regime in South Africa, was also done in Zimbabwe and against Mohamed Bakar’s government. Sanction has been for enforcing these nations to adjust their leadership by introducing rule of law and democratic principles.
5. Extra ordinary punishment to an offenders .Also defaulters of intentional law like dictators and leaders who violate human rights, punishment and warrant to be answerable has been rendered by international Court of Justice and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) which deals with proceeding of Rwanda Genocide cases .
The victims of human right violation have been punished like Charles Tailor and Rwandan leaders who precipitated Rwanda Genocide of 1994.Omary Ally- Bashir of Sudan has hot fingers already pointed to him , for answerable on violation of human right in Darfur. But also Kenyan leaders who caused death after Kenya general election have case in International Court of justice. This strategy has caused threat to other leaders who intend to violate human right.
The Validity of the strategies for conflict resolutions in Africa
The purpose is to test if the strategies for conflicts resolution in Africa are valid or if at all they have contributed to lessen some conflict
1. Education, the truth is that many pupils and students through their education institutes have taught on how to avoid tribalism, but also mass median have preaching national unity in countries such as Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. People have changed with this strategy. However it has been not self sufficient, because not all citizens can access to mass media and formal education.
2. Arbitration and negotiation, it has employed in Liberia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi. It has become vital tool for conflict resolutions .But however, there still in need great effort to solve some conflicts in Darfur, Somalia, Uganda, DRC and Nigeria through table negotiation.
3. Military aggressions, it is firmly strategy because induces the use of violence. Many impacts have come in as the result of using this strategy for example indiscrimination killing of innocent people, destruction of properties and refugees migration. Use of military should not be taken as good strategy for conflict resolution because it has been used in many countries but it has failed to respond on International peace and understanding for example in Darfur ,Somalia Afghanistan and Iraq .
4. Use of sanctions, Isolation of a country politically economically and socially is valid strategy for conflict resolution, but also is coupled with a number of impacts such as torturing of the mass citizen through denial to travel, denial accessing to social service like medicine but also engaging in international trade. However, this strategy has caused a great change of victim’s behaviors example North Korea, Zimbabwe and Apartheid regime in South Africa.
5. Imprisonment of the victims .This punishments have been given to many victims of human right violation but it has targeted few people and live majority. Therefore it should be designed to target some leaders in the whole cabinet not a single person for example the issue of Darfur ,Sierra Leone and other is not the work of Ally Bashir and Charles Tailor alone respectively but there are hands of other leaders from Africa and outside Africa who precipitates the conflicts.
Before application of any resolution’s strategy for any conflict, a critical scrutiny should be done to determine its advantages and disadvantages because other resolutions like use military interventions and application of sanction affect much the well being of the innocent civilians .Consequently, they are always becomes the victims of death , starvation and humiliations. In other words use of aggression and sanctions affect innocent people rather than the government officials and leaders who are always the main cause of such punishment.
TERRORISM
Nature and causes of Terrorism
An International peace and understanding is unattainable at present conjuncture. This is caused by the presence of many factors which explicitly threat the world peace and understanding. Among of these factors includes natural cause like
- presence of diseases such as Malaria and HIV/ AIDS,
- environmental hazards such as floods,
- earthquakes,
- volcanic eruption just mention a few.
But also there are manmade causes such as civil wars, apartheid, slave trade, drugs human being trafficking and Terrorism. This piece of words has been put in place to conceptualize what terrorism means, nature, the causes and consequences in the contemporary societies.
Meaning of terrorism
There is no an exhaustive/ outstanding definition of the word terrorism depending on the nature of event committed and the reason behind. Different scholars deine terrorism differenly depending on various factors.
NATO defines terrorism as “The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies so as to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives”. (The AAP-06 NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions, Edition 2014
Terrorism in the broadest sense can be defined as the use of intentionally indiscriminate violence as a means to create terror among masses of people; or fear to achieve a financial, political, religious or ideological aim. It is used in this regard primarily to refer to violence against peacetime targets or in war against non-combatants.
Ken and Dunne, (2002:28) defined terrorism as a method of political action that uses violence (or deliberately practices fear) against civilians and against civilian infrastructure in order to influence behavior, to inflict punishment or to exact revenge.
For the perpetrators, the point is to make the target group afraid of today, an afraid of tomorrow and an afraid of each other.
Terrorism is an act, not an ideology. Its instrument are assassination, mass murdering, hijacking, bombing, kidnapping and intimidation, such acts can be committed by states as well as private people.
In this regard there is complexity in defining the term terrorism, it depend the perception of individual .For example the Boers government in South Africa regarded Africa National Congress struggle as the terrorism action, but it was the legitimate struggle for independence, like Mau-Mau in Kenya was regarded by British government as the terrorism action .But also Yasser Arafat the Palestinian leader according to Americans he was nothing but a terrorist. Defining terrorism clearly depends which side you are on, and which side wins in the end.
Terrorism can shortly be defined as “The unlawful use of force or threatened violence against individuals or property in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies so as to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives”. It involves the instrument (acts) such as assassination, mass murdering/ genocide, hijacking, bombing, kidnapping and intimidation.
Some of the most prominent terrorist organizations in the world are as follows:-
1. Abu Nidal Organization (ANO), it was formed in 1974 was an offshoot of Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which was thought not to be sufficient aggressive. The (ANO) was committed to completely independent Palestinian state had bases in Lebanon and Palestine and drew support from Syria, Sudan and Libya. It was responsible for many attacks on airports in Rome and Vienna (1985) and a number of aircraft hijackings.
2. Hizbollah (Party of God) also knows as Islamic jihad (Holy war) was formed in Lebanon in 1982 after Israel invasion, Majority were Shia Muslim who embraced the doctrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, the ruler of Iran. They aimed to set Islamic state in Lebanon, also aimed to expel the Israelis from Palestine .It has been responsible in different attacks on the US embassy in Beirut in1985, seizing a number of western hostages in 1987, including Terry Waite, a special peace envoy sent by Archbishop of Canterbury, they attacked the Israel embassy in Argentina (1992) and later by (1994) attacked Israeli cultural Centre.
3. Al – Qaeda (The Base) it is the famous terrorist group at present time. It consists of mainly Sunni Muslims and formed toward the end of 1980 is as a part of struggle to expel the Soviet forces which had invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Al- Qaeda was sponsored and trained by USA. When Russia withdrew from Afghanistan al- Qaeda expanded its horizons.
It began a general campaign in support of the establishment of Islamic government, Special target was the non religions conservative regime in Saud Arabia (Osama bin Laden’s homeland) which was supported by USA and garrisoned by American troops Al – Qaeda’s aim was to force the Americans to withdraw their troops so that Islamic regime would be able to come on power, a secondary aim was to bring an end to US support for Israel.
It has organized many terrorism attacks against America. The notable terrorism attack was the 11 September 2001 attack whereby four airliners on internal flights in the USA were hijacked. The first one was deliberately crashed into the 110- storey North Tower of the world trade centre in New York. A quarter an hour later the second plane crashed into the south Tower. In the mean time a third plane was flown into the pentagon (US department of defense) and the fourth plane missed its target and crashed in a rural area of Pennsylvania not far from Pittsburgh (Low, 2005: 266 – 270)
4. The Tamil Tiger in Sri – Lanka .The member of this group were Hindus living in the North and East of Sri –Lanka, whereas the majority of the island’s populations were Buddhist. The Tiger campaigned since 1980 for an Independent homeland, using suicide bombings, assassination of leading politician and attack on public building and Buddhist Shrines. The notorious action was the assassination of Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi of India in 1991.
5. The Africa Nation Congress (ANC), it is probably the most successful terrorist group. Originally, formed in 1912.It was adopted violence method in the early 1960 when apartheid became more brutal. After long campaign the white supremacist government eventually succumbed to pressure from world opinion as well as from ANC. Nelson Mandela was released (1990) and multi-racial elections were held (1994) Mandela the former “terrorist” become the first black president of South Africa.
6. Other recognized terrorism groups include Tupamaru revolutionary movement in Peru which aimed to rid the country of US influence, Boko Haram (Nigeria), Al-Shabab (Somalia) the Islamic Group in Algeria which aim to set up an Islamic state in place of existing non-religious government and the National Liberation Army in Bolivia which aim to end the country of US influence.
Generally the terrorism groups have enforcements against the oppressors, humiliation and exploiters. They have been using violence against the oppressors. These include hijacking, insurgencies, seizing a number of western hostages, suicide bombing and direct attacking using different weapons.
TYPES OF TERRORISM
Terrorism has been broadly divided into two categories:-
i. Non – democracy terrorism
These are groups which have sparked violence against their aggressors for example Francisco Franco of Spain, the shining path in Peru under Alberto Fujimori; Africa National Congress used “Umkontho we Sizwe” against an apartheid regime. The aims of these groups were to coerce their opponents to change the ruling system. Other terrorism of this kind has been reported in Philippines, Palestine against Israel’s Jews, Indonesia, United State of America, India and United Kingdom
ii. The Religious terrorism
It is the type of terrorism performed by the groups or individual on which their motivation is typically rooted in the faith based tenets i.e. to spread or enforces a system of belief, view point or opinion. Example, of this system is Muslim fundamentalist or fanatics in the Middle East under groups like Al- Qaeda and Al- Shabab in Somalia which fight to install Muslim faith.
NATURE/ CHARACTERISTICS OF TERRORISM
Terrorism as an action which applies the use of violence has got this nature.
1. Terrorism is intentional. This means the terrorist have their intended goals .aims and mission of performing certain terrorist action, example, to liberate the oppressed people or to install certain principles i.e. religious principles.
2. Terrorism is rational. The planers for terrorism action are very careful and think critically before any action. The process of terrorism goes gradually and perfectly planed example the planning to attack World Trade Centre stated in 1996 but the action took place in 11th September 2001.
3. Terrorism is act of violence. No any peaceful means is applied by terrorists groups they rather use violence i.e. biological weapons, chemical weapons suicide bombing and other ways like aero plane hijacking.
4. Causes fear. Terrorism is inevitable causing fears among of the people. This is because the terrorist can take place any place, anywhere and anytime, thus people are normally insecure and fears because of the past incidents, example it is possible for an Americans to fear because they have been a targeted population by Al – Qaeda group.
5. Target audience or society. Terrorism action targets certain population for example Umkontho We Sizwe militia targeted Boers governmental official, buildings and offices. , September 11 attack in United States of America targeted, the Americans. Al- Shabaab group in Somalia targets the non- Muslim believers and the Somalia government.
6. For the purpose of changing behavior in that audience or society. This means any action is done to bring certain change, for example change from dictatorship to democratic principle, changing from traditional belief to more pronounced religions belief i.e. Muslim fundamental resist being occupied or colonized by other nation, to attain social justice, anti-imperialism and so forth.
CAUSES OF TERRORISM:
The causes of Terrorism is quite controversial among of the world’s Philosophers, Historians, Political scientists and Psychologists .Among of these scholars no one has given the real causes of terrorism .But the available evidences show that terrorism is caused by:-
1. Ethnicity and extremely nationalism.
In some places terrorism has been enhanced with extremely nationalism or ethinism, some tribal/ ethnic groups exerts force against other ethnic groups on a struggle to occupy certain position or appropriation of some resources for example authority, political independence, and thing like employment and so forth. This struggle induces one ethnic group to form terrorism group against the competitor.
2. Religious factors.
It is other cause of terrorism, is a kind of terrorism performed by group or individual, the motivation of which is typically rooted in the faith based tenets i.e. aim to spread or enforce a system of belief, view point or opinion. This of kind of terrorism has based on world religious group like Christianity and Islam.
In order to spread their belief to non believers they have spread it by force through terrorism action, for example, fundamentalist Muslims in the Middle East backed by Al-Qaeda group has operated all over the world operating through suicide bombing .
Another example, the Al – Shabaab group in Somalia has enforced Sharia and has been using terrorism action to traditional Muslims or non Muslim believers. However, some Western society associates Christianity theory as the main cause of terrorism.
3. Ideological factors.
Ideology is the set of belief, especially one held by a particular group, which influences the way people behave. For example, the enforcement of socialism ideology in USSR (Russian) was done through Bolsheviks terrorism group removed the monarchy class of Tsar .Others have been anti – Socialism and anti-imperialism terrorism which have profoundly operated in Africa countries.
4. A strive for freedom or political independence.
Is other cause of terrorism in the sense that, a certain group or people, struggles to be free from political impediments, example in many African Nations. African used numerous ways in liberating themselves from Colonialism. In South Africa there was a terrorist’s wing under Africa National Congress termed as Umkontho we Sizwe which strived for political independence of Africans mass against Boers regime (Apartheid).
5. Poverty and economic disadvantages.
Devastating poverty and unequal accessibility to opportunities among of the people do triggers terrorism emergence. Economic disadvantages has been spearheaded by globe change of policies included globalization .This has caused privatization which has exerted unemployment and henceforth poverty .The victims have been willingly joining the terrorism groups and engaging in suicide bombing.
6. Non- existence of democracy/ dictatorship tendencies.
The countries in which democratic principle are not prevailing, terrorism is inevitable. These include lack of rule of law, free and fair election, accountability and transparent just mention a few, do sparks to emergence of group which violate against the government. Many countries face terror because of absence of democracy example in Cuba, Philippine and Burma (Myanmar).
All in all terrorism action has been a crime which has been affecting the world community politically, economically and socially. Henceforth, there is a need of quick diplomatic remedies by an International community rather than use of military insurgence on terrorist groups. Because the later has been used but failed to come out with a positive results.
EFFECTS OF TERRORISM
There are numerous impacts caused by terrorism in the world. These impacts have adversely affecting the wellbeing of human race as follows.
1. It has led increase in government expenditure all over the world. For example, the Europeans nations and United State of America spends a lot of money in the war against terrorism. Beside, the country like united state of America formed US Army Special Reaction Teams (SRT) and Combat Application Group (CAG). Also even developing nations have increased their national budget by training their armies and buying some science and technology devices to detect terrorism movements.
2. Terrorism has motivated manufacturing of mass killing weapons. Example Al- Qaeda manufactured Anthrax which affected people in European nation, besides the manufacturing or a threat to manufacture nuclear and biological weapons has been motivated by terrorists especially in the Middle East.
3. Destruction of properties, terrorism operation has targeted buildings, transport and communication infrastructures , industries and so forth , Through suicide bombings has enhanced demolishing of buildings and infrastructures, for example underground bombing in England and Spain, India Hotel in 2010 , Bali bombing which contributed to destroy Airplane, on September 2001 world Trade Centre was demolished by Al-Qaeda hijackers. But also in Philippine the terrorist action demolished the night club .This has became difficult for the victim countries to reinstall these properties because requires a lot of money.
4. Mass killing. The operation of terrorism has caused mass killing of innocent people all over the world. For example, about three thousands people died in USA on 11th September, 2001 in United States of America. Suicide bombing has recently killed some people in Uganda when watching football match, in the middle East suicide bombings are common .Besides, wars on terror has caused the death of many people, example USA troops operation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5. Terrorism has affected much the tourism industry. Since the occurrence of terrorism incidents, tourism industry has been adversely affected in many nations of the world. This is because tourists from many parts of the world have been threatened with terrorism operation. The volume of people moving from one place to other has drastically declined .Consequently, the problems of unemployment, lack of foreign currencies and poor utilization of resources have reported in many countries of Africa, Latin America and Asia.
6. Terrorism affects industrial production and supplying chain. The Industrialized countries have been affected with terrorism operation because it has altered the smooth operation of international trade, this is because people have not always moving from one place to other due to the threats of terrorism .This has greatly affected the production and the way of supplying their products . Thus, it has consequently affected the world economic status of many countries.
7. Terrorism weakens competence in the government and political leadership of the target countries. If the government is targeted with terrorism losses confidence, also cause threat and insecurity among of government leaders. It has occurred in the countries such as Afghanistan, Philippine and Israel.
The evidences which are available reveal that from 1980’s and 1990’s suicide attacks increased in their frequency .Up until the moment terrorism has threatened the world socio- economic development and no any measures which have already put in place .Thus there is a need to have International peace and understanding through a diplomatic way, for example, arbitration and reconciliation through table negotiation with terrorist leaders
Role of big powers in maintaining world peace and understanding
The world peace and understanding is unattainable throughout the globe. Many countries are still facing the socio–economic and political problems. Thus, the big powers have responsibilities in maintaining International peace and understanding in order to make the world a better place for wellbeing of human race. But, before going in detail let us first conceptualize the meaning of big powers and its role in maintaining world peace and understanding.
Who are big powers?
These are countries or group of countries which are powerful in military, technologically and economically. These countries include USA, Britain, China, Japan, France and Italy, but also include group of countries which are forming the United Nation Organization (UNO), the Commonwealth and the European Union (EU). These organs are directly responsible in maintaining world peace and understanding.
The following are roles of big powers in maintaining world peace and understanding
1. Promoting the peaceful use of the outer space and oppose the intrusion of weapons and arms race in the outer space. China and Russia for example in 2018 submitted to the conference on disarmament draft treaty on prevention of the placement of weapons in the outer space and the threat or use of military weapon against outer space objects.
2. Oppose the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and actively take part in international non proliferation efforts
3. Building up political relations of equality, mutual trust, and seeking common ground while putting aside differences among them
4. Cooperating worldwide to cope with the challenges like terrorism, environmental pollution, etc
5. Taking preventive diplomacy to manage and alleviate conflicts within and between small powers
6. To react to massive abuses of populations by primary antagonists in internal state conflicts
7. Taking effort to combat the illicit trade and small arms and light weapons through the arms trade treaty.
UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION (UNO)
United Nation (UN) is an organization of the world independent countries which was formed to promote and maintain International peace and security; It came after the failure of league of nation to maintain world peace and security as the results of the second world war in 1939 – 1945.
The charter of the formation of UN was originally drawn by the representative of 50 countries in San Francisco USA on 26th June 1945. But the representatives made the charter on the basis of the ideas and proposal given out by the delegates from China, USSR, U.K and USA in 1944, after its formation country like Poland immediately signed the charter and became one of the original founders of UN (James, 2005:180).
On 24th October 1945 is a time when the UN came into existence where the charter formerly approved by China, France, the Soviet Union (USSR), Britain (UK) and USA and other countries from the Lowest Developed Countries .Its headquarters to day is in New York.
OBJECTIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Objectives of UN include the following:
1. Maintaining world peace and security
2. Encourage international cooperation in solving economic, social, political and humanitarian problems.
3. To develop friendly relations among nations
4. Promote international respect for human nights and fundamental freedoms.
5. In order to attain the above objectives UN becomes a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
THE STRUCTURE/ ORGANS OF THE UN
There are important organs through which UN performs its duties, such organs include the following.
1. UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Represents all member states, all member states always have one vote regardless of size and powers. Decision on issues require two third of members vote.
It has the following function
i. Discuss all mattes which endanger peace and security.
ii. Recommends on the world peace ,security ,disarmament and regulation of armament
iii. Elects non-permanent members of the security council and judges of International Court of justices which jointly work with the Security Council
2. SECRETARIAT
This is an organ which its headquarters is in New York (USA).It is under the head of General Secretary who works with several civil servants. The General Secretary is appointed by General assembly being recommended by the Security Council. Since formation of UN these have been general secretaries,
- Trygve Le of Norway ( 1946 – 1952 )
- Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden ( 1953 – 1961 )
- That of Myanmar ( Burma ) (1961- 1971 )
- Kurt Waldheim of Austria from (1972 – 1981)
- Javier de Perez de Cuellar of Peru from ( 1982 – 1991)
- Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt ( 1992- 1996 )
- Kofi Anan of ( Ghana) ,(1997 – 2008)
- Ban Ki Moon of South Korea( 2008 to the present).
The functions of the secretariat include
i. To administer peace keeping operations in many countries which have wars and conflicts.
ii. To implement the decisions of General assembly and the Security Council.
iii. To inform the world‘s communication media about the work of United Nations.
iv. It mediates international disputes.
v. Interpretation of speech and, translation of documents into the UN’s official Language.
vi. It draw annual budget of the UN.
3. THE SECURITY COUNCIL
An organ which makes decisions that bind all other UN members .Before 1963 the council had only eleven members of which six members were elected by the General assembly for a two years terms and there was also five permanent member’s.
After 1963 the number of members increased to fifteen including five permanent members such as Britain, USA, France, USSR and China and ten non – permanent members who continued to be elected for two years terms. The UN Security Council has a veto vote in which all the decisions cannot be passed unless all five permanent members approve the decisions, when any permanent, member cast a “NO” Vote decision automatically get blocked .
This situation creates dissatisfaction among other members. Today they demand more enlargement of the permanent membership seat so as to include many countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America in deciding matter of the UN .They also recommend the elimination of veto vote which is used to defend the interests of few people.
The functions of UN Security Council are:-
i. To maintain international peace and security in line with principles and purpose of the UN.
ii. To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armament.
iii. Takes military actions against the aggressors.
iv. Recommends the admission of new members.
v. Recommends the appointment of the Secretary General to the UN General Assembly.
vi. To investigate any conflict or situation which can lead to International war
4. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)
It is an organ which works through UN specialized agencies and other autonomous bodies in the UN system. It promotes high standard of living, economic and social development as well respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Several UN specialized agencies include the following:-
FAO-Food and Agriculture Organization, was founded in Quebec, Canada, on 16 October, 1945.
ILO – (International Labour Organization ) it was firstly formed under the treaty of Versailles in 1919 ,it allied with UN as a specialized agency to raise up the living standard of the Workers.
UNESCO – United Nations Education and Science Organization. Founded in December 1946.
WHO – The world Health Organization was founded on 7 April 1947 as autonomous organization to provide health for all People in the world.
UNHCR– The UN High commission for Refugees it was started in 1951 to assist people who are running their countries as a Refugees.
UNDP– The UN development program formed in (1965).
UNIDO -the UN Industrial Development Organization) formed in 1967 to promote industries.
GATT – General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, it was made in order to make developed World fixing lower tariffs and fair prices of product from developing Countries.
5. INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
This is a court of 15 judges who are elected by the General assembly and recommended with Security Council it has Head quarters at the Hague Netherlands. It judges are elected for 9 years. The court normally deals with all matters of the UN Charter council. Interprets law, proceeding of International cases and observance of human rights.
6. TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
It was an organ which was formed in 1945 to supervise the administration of the trust territories taken from the mandate status of the league of nation. The aims of the trusteeship council were to prepare the Trust territories such as Tanganyika, Rwanda, Burundi and Namibia for their self government and Independence.
The council was allowed to examine and discuss the reports from the administering authority on political social and economic progress of people in the territories. The members of the council were all five permanent members of the Security Council such as China, France, Russia, United-Kingdom and United State of America. The council ended its duties on 1st November 1994 when many countries received their independence.
The role of UN in maintaining World peace and understanding
UN as an organ for maintaining peace and security has got several roles in the whole process but the central role includes:-
1. UN cooperates with other big powers to fix sanction to aggressor countries and leaders, the human right abusers and undemocratic government all over the World. For example, sanction was recently applied to the countries like Zimbabwe, Iran and North Korea.
2. UN takes military action against the aggressors for example military action has used in the country of Middle East like Afghanistan, Iraq just mention a few.
3. Sending the UN peace keeping force in the areas affected with political instability i.e. civil wars, coup de’tate, genocide and so forth. The UN peace keeping force were recently sent in DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Lebanon, Afghanistan and Darfur.
4. UN provides humanitarian aid to victim of man and natural influences. These include things like flood, Earthquake; famine as it has occurred in the countries like USA (Katrina), Indonesia (Tsunami), China and Japan also has been ruined with earthquakes. Besides, famine has ruined the wellbeing of people in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan. UN has been able to provide assistance to the victims through its agencies such as UNHCR, WHO, and UNDP.
5. UN has been able to sponsor world environment meeting and coordinates all regulation which have been passed by UN members (countries). For example under UN the World environmental summit was convened at the Rio-de-Jeneiro (Brazil). Besides, it has been coordinating regulations suggested at various conventions’ mandates and protocols example, the Kyoto protocol (1997), Berlin mandate (1995) and Geneva’s Convention (1996). This ware coordinated under the UN conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
6. UN engages in arbitration, reconciliation and negotiations. UN diplomats have called upon table negotiation in various places which have been affected with conflicts, for example, table negotiation was called in Kenya, Liberia and DRC.
7. UN has been a very important organ (power) in solving social-economic and political problem in different parts of the world. However, besides of effort being done by UN it is still burdened with reoccurrence of problems in the World which are in need of a strong army, finance and International community’s support.
THE COMMONWEALTH
Beside of UN as a big power, other organ is the Commonwealth. The commonwealth is a voluntary association of Independent States which were formerly part of the British Empire. The member of commonwealth could be British protectorates, colonies or dominions.
Background of the commonwealth
The origin of the commonwealth can be traced from what used to be called the British Empire. The commonwealth was launched formerly but did not have a constitution. The important stage of the commonwealth attained by 1931 when the statute of Westminster came into existence. The statute could be considered as referral constitutional landmark whose contribution helped to shape the association.
The detail of this association was previously worked out in 1926 .In this year the imperial conference chaired by Lord Balfour by then the prime minister of Canada, prepared a report and incorporated it in statute known as the statute of Westminster in 1931. The statute stated that no act of British parliament could be the law of any dominion unless the dominions parliament agreed to pass it.
Also the statute defined the United Kingdom and the dominions of Canada, New Zealand and Australia as “autonomous” communities within the British Empire. All of these autonomous communities were equal in status and not subordinate to one another. These communities also could be allegiance to the crown. Many countries joined after independence through many think that the commonwealth is after British imperialist.
Principles of the commonwealth
The principles were given out by the declaration of Commonwealth at Singapore summit of 1972.The principles include
1. They believe and accept that peace and order are essential to the security and success of mankind.
2. They believe in liberty of individuals and equal rights for all people.
3. Recognize discrimination as an evil in the member Countries.
4. Oppose all forms of colonial exploitation and discrimination in the member countries.
5. Attain free flow of international trade for all countries.
6. Promote the exchange of ideas, skills, knowledge, and culture, economic and legal matters.
Members of Commonwealth
Currently there 59 members of the commonwealth majority being ex-British colonies. Although there are ex-British Colonies which are non members of the commonwealth including United states of America, Egypt and Israel.
Others are non-ex British colonies which deliberately joined the commonwealth on their interest; these include Mozambique (ruled by Portuguese) .These members shares similar culture such as use of English Language, the common law system, keeping left hand side when driving and the way of British system of administration.
The structure/ organs of commonwealth
The structure of the commonwealth comprises of the following.
1. The head of the Organization. The head of the Organization is the Queen / King of England who directs the activities of the Organization and invited to officiate the Commonwealth meeting and games.
2. Secretariat. It is based in London and headed by the secretary General. The organ deals with day to day activities of an Organization .It also organize meetings for the head of states and prime Minister of the member states.
3. The summit of the foreign affairs Ministers. Foreign affairs Minister from the member countries meets to discuss matters affecting their countries.
4. High Commissioners. They work as an ambassador to countries they are posted.
The role of the Commonwealth in maintaining world peace and understanding
Like the UN and European Union the Commonwealth plays a great role in maintaining world peace and understanding as follows:-
1. Coordinates the Commonwealth games which call upon all members of Common wealth to participate in that games commonwealth competition.
2. Provide humanitarian aid to the countries with catastrophes, these aid include food, finance, medicine and rescue team.
3. Impose sanctions to countries which abuses human rights, undemocratic countries and so forth.
4. Oppose all forms of colonial domination and racial discrimination and is committed to the principles of human dignity and equality.
5. Engagement in the process of reconciliation, arbitration and negotiation in several parts of the world .This has been done in several parts of the world to restore peace and order.
6. Provision of scholarship and international trade opportunities for the developing countries.
However, the commonwealth is inflicted with these problems shortage of fund, Ideological differences, civil wars, absence of an enforcement machinery and border disputes .This means the dreams of maintaining world peace and understanding is still unattainable.
THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
It is other group of a big power as the commonwealth, the UNO and NAM. European Union is associations of the European Nations. The European Union came from what was termed as European Economic Community (EEC)which was formed by six countries when they signed a treaty of Rome in March 1957
These countries included Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France, Italy and federal Republic of Germany . By 1967 the European Economic Community changed name into European Community (EC) creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the body known today as the European Parliament.
But by 1993 in November the European Union came into being when they ratified the Maastricht treaty .At the time fifteen countries such as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden became the full members of European Union (EU).At the moment it is formed by 27 European countries including the founder of (EEU) and (EC).
The aims / Objectives of the European Union include the following
1. To make common policies this would promote agriculture, industry, transport and social issues.
2. To facilitate free movement of labour, capital and services to the member countries.
3. To encourage Co-operation in trade by removing high trade tariffs on the goods of the members and establish the Common tariffs in trade with non European Members (EU) Members.
4. To work together to achieve closer union between the European people in order to improve the living standard of the people in the community.
5. Formation of the common currency which would insure easy transaction trade and investment
Organs/ Structure of the European Union
The Organs which were created to run the union include the
1. Executive commission which proposes policies to the members.
2. The council of Minister which has foreign affairs ministers of the member countries to make general policy decisions.
3. The European parliament which deals with consultative powers.
4. The count of justice with 13 judges to settle conflicts and other human right matters.
The role of the European Union in Maintaining world peace and understanding
Like UN, the Commonwealth and NAM the European Union plays great role in maintenance of International peace and understanding as follows:-
1. Cooperates with other big powers to impose sanction to the countries which abuses human rights and threaten world peace and understanding. For example sanctions have been put to the countries like Iran, Zimbabwe, Cuba and recently in Libya.
2. The European union’s members have participated in sending peace keeping forces (troops) through NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) .This include Germany, Britain, France and so forth.
3. European Union members provide assistance in term of technical assistance and financial assistance to the Lowest Developed countries ( LDC’s)
4. The European Union protects the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries to impose tariffs on industrial products from European Union in order to protect their home industries.
5. European Union provides scholarship for science students from third world countries in European Union’s countries.
6. Also the European Union members participates in the Stabilization of Export Earning (STABEX) to the third world countries. This encompasses some compensation losses on the raw materials which are exported to the developing countries
7. Sending General election observers in various countries of the world. This has been done to observe if the democratic principles are followed in a particular country holding general election.
However, even though the big powers contributes in maintaining world peace and understanding their efforts have yet not contributed in maintaining world peace and understanding this is because the world is still inflicted with:-
1. Natural catastrophes such as diseases, drought, flood and environmental degradation.
2. Political instability in the countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Sudan (parts of Darfur).
3. Poverty is still inflicting the third world countries in Latin America, Pacific – Caribbean, Africa and Asia.
4. HIV/AIDS is still costing the life of many people in the third world countries.
5. Civil wars and interstate wars example Israel and Lebanon war (in 2006) Eritrea and Ethiopia as well as Israel and Palestine (coupled with suicide bomb).
6. Weapons making (armament) in many countries have threaten world peace and understanding. Some chemical, biological and nuclear weapons have manufactured which disturbs world peace and understanding.
7. The widespread of International crimes have evidenced, for example terrorism activities on which the world big powers have failed to contain it.
In order to maintain world peace and understanding the International community should put some standards (Law and regulations on the best ways of maintaining world peace and understanding and avoid measures such as application of sanction, military attacks, just mention a few instead of maintaining world peace they have distorted it.
GLOBALIZATION
The contemporary countries of the world are no longer isolated from other on matters which are occurring in the planet earth. They share some socio- cultural values which are good or bad depending on the moral judgment of the given country, but also shares policies, law and regulations.
This interconnectedness have been influenced with an improved science and technology coupled with an improved communication and information technologies such as internet use, television, fax, cellular phones and others. The technological improvements have eliminated distance, geographical barriers, and socio- cultural barriers, henceforth; the global local interconnectedness has become possible.
MEANING OF GLOBALIZATION
Globalization is an increase of interconnectedness among people in the world that expands and accelerates the movement of people to far distances across borders, including exchange of ideas, culture and commodities over the vast distance
Globalization is the situation whereby the globe has interconnected in term of information and communication technology and hence what is happening in one place is easily recognized in other place, consequently, it is caused the planet earth to look like a small village.
Generally globalization can simply be defined as the process of increasing interconnectedness in policies, ideas and culture between one country and other. This inter connectedness have been enhanced with development of science and technology and so forth.
Topic 4: International Affairs – General Studies Notes Form 5 & 6
Historical background of Globalization
The interconnection and contact of the world population can be traced in several centuries in the past. The interconnection was through physical contact among of the world population. There are three phases which made people to come together in historical perspectives as follows.
i. The first phase was during mercantilism period.
This can be traced back between the 11th to 16thcenturies. In this period the merchants who were the Portuguese like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Fernando Po and Bartolommeo Diaz visited various parts of the world with the sake of trade.
These parts included Africa, North and South America, Asia and Caribbean island. Besides other European merchants participated in this trade by collecting some commodities such as gold, Silver, spices and slaves. These early traders stimulated shifting of Africans as slaves and took them in the new world. Under this system the interconnectedness of people all over the world was possible.
ii. The second phase of integration was during colonialism period
Colonialism came after scramble and ultimately partition of Africa at Berlin in 1884/85 .During this period the whole continent of Africa was divided into sphere of influence (colonies) by imperialist countries .These countries included Britain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, Dutch (Holland) just mention a few.
Thus, all Colonies became connected to the Capitalist system, the policies which were impacted in the metropolitan impacted also in the colonies. The crisis which faced the masters like great depression (1939- 1945) the first world war (1914-1918) and the second world war (1939 – 1945) fought by masters but incorporated their colonies as well. This was also the second phase on which the world integrated.
iii. The third phase has been induced by development of science and technology.
This phase started in 1990’s on which the modern science and technology has innovated especially an information technology which include use of e- Mail, Internets, Television set, cell phones and so forth .These have motivated the movement of people globally from one place to another ,facilitated development of trade and great interconnectedness in some globe policies.
Besides, refugees migration from African continent to Europe and within Africa continent has magnified in the near past years. These have contributed people all over the world to share some policies, culture, education, Arts, Language and traditions and general understanding.
How globalization has influenced social, political and economic reforms in Tanzania.
As the results of integrated policies many developing countries particularly Tanzania came with some reforms. These reforms were to comply with globalization demands. The following are some reforms among many.
1. Structural Adjustment programs (SAPs)
This was introduced by world financial institutions like the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund in 1980 to restructure the economy of third world countries. This was due to the fact that the third world countries inflicted with economic problems like decline of Per-capital Income and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
For most of sub-Saharan African countries between 1980 to 1987 the GDP declined by 20% and 4.7% respectively, increase of external debt, impoverishment of health facilities including dispensary and health centers and falling of education standard in all levels of education system. Thus, SAPS came to restructure the economy through improving the provision of social services; Tax reform and elimination of barriers on trade, devaluation of currencies just mention a few.
2. Privatization of public sector
Privatization refers to transferring assets and activities of the public sectors to be run by the private sectors or Individuals. These policy was introduced in 1980 by the world Bank and international monetary fund together with donor countries like France, USA, Denmark and Germany .
The role of privatization policy was to increase efficient of economic sectors and restructure the condition which existed in developing countries .The major goals were to enhance access to foreign markets, Capital and technology through attracting managerial and technological resources from private sector to reduce an overwhelming and challenging increase of public debt and so forth.
3. Economic, social and political liberalization
Many Africa countries and Tanzania in particular liberalized their economic, social and political status of their countries. Economically, the rate of foreign investment, operation of international trade through import and export, could be done through elimination of trade barriers such as tax, tariff and other embargoes.
Politically there was introduction of multiparty in many developing countries, the main goals were to improve democracy through institutionalizing democratic principles, but also stimulating people participation in decision making and elimination all forms of dictatorship which existed before .Apart from introduction of multiparty also some pressure groups and civil societies were to be institutionalized ,these include Civil Based Organization (CBO) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s).
These have been responsible in addressing social problems like abuse of human right, women violence ,sexual abuse and others .It is liberalization which have stimulated developing countries to adopt and assimilate the western polices and integrate them in internal affairs
4. Redundancy
Was also one among of the reform of Globalization .This enforced by the donor countries together with world financial institution .It called upon some developing countries including Tanzania to reduce the number of workers from public offices. This was done to reduce the government spending in 1990’s. It consequently, caused unemployment of many Tanzania henceforth decline of standard of living.
However, many reforms have been done by Tanzania to adjust itself in the wave of globalization. Many impacts have came in because of these reforms including unemployment, introduction of new culture, introduction of western value in our environment, International trade imbalance, new-colonialism and the burden of debt.
Impacts of globalization in Tanzania
Globalization has led to several impacts in Tanzania both positive and negative, the impacts are as follows:-
Positive Impacts
1. Led utilization of resources through free market economy, liberalization and privatization policies these includes forest, wildlife, minerals, land and generally Tanzanian.
2. It has enhanced employment for the qualified personnel. This is because private institutions encourage an employment for the qualified workers in marketing, finance, human resources, technical matters and health service.
3. Transfer of science and technology through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has become possible. The companies and individuals have allowed investing in various sectors on which they have imported science and technology example use of machines, computer and other devices which have enhanced the utilization of resources.
4. It has ruled out some bad practices (culture) which are condemned by International agencies these include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), women oppression, witchcraft and violence against women .This is because these practices cannot induces the civilization of the people.
5. Globalization has made diffusion of belief and value about broader issues on international concerns. For example value on environment protection, human nights observance and gender issues have been institutionalized by a country like Tanzania.
6. Globalization swept cultural boundaries through development of information and communication technology like internet, fax machines, satellites and cable television (Digital Television).This has managed to integrate all cultural practices in the world and have cultural vision for the present and future generation.
Negative Impacts
1. Globalization compelled to unemployment for an unqualified people .This was through redundancy of workers in 1980’s.
2. Stimulates environmental degradation, this has been motivated with various investment done by foreign companies in Industries, mining sector, transport and communication as well as agriculture sector .Foreign Direct investment ( FDI) has caused deforestation, soil erosion and pollutions which subsequently contributes to Global warming and climatic changes in general.
3. Globalization has induced the distortion of indigenous culture and values .The cultural decay has been experienced in Tanzania such as drug abuse ,gays and lesbian, indecent dressing style, table manner, embracement of western songs, ceremonies like wedding and burial just mention a few.
4. Globalization has motivated over utilization of resources. Through privatization policies and direct foreign Investment have contributed to overuse of mineral potentialities especially Gold and Diamond, besides it has overexploited the Tanzanians who are working in these investments
5. Globalization has induced underdevelopment of economies in the third Word countries particularly Tanzania. This is because promotes elimination of tariffs, tax and embargoes to the imports. it is also discourage the local industries because some imported goods like clothes, electricity device, medicine and others are of great quality compared to goods produced in our local industries, hence leads to underdevelopment of our economies.
6. Globalization spearheads the operation of neo – colonialism, some policies are made by western nations which are to be implemented in LDC’s, these include trade liberalization, devaluation of currencies and privatization just mention a few. These policies intend to benefit the donor countries, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) but not the Developing countries (nations).
Thus, globalization has caused many impacts in Tanzania both positive and negative. Due to these impacts some policies to adopt, assimilate, manage and diffuse some of these effects should be put in place. For the positive ones should be used effectively for development of Tanzania and for the negative ones should be cross checked to avoid titanic disruption of Tanzania economy in the future.
Challenges of Globalization in Tanzania
The challenges of Globalization in Tanzania are many, but, this is due to the fact that Tanzania’s economy is infant coupled with devastating poverty as well as inefficient science and technology. Thus, it becomes difficult for Tanzania to cope with Globalization’s needs.
The national plan for implementation status of Brussels plan action identified the following challenges.
1. Inadequate financing in order to build productive capacities and thus to make globalization work or productive.
2. Lack of competitiveness, innovativeness, adherence to schedule and standard confidence to venture into neighboring countries’ market and overseas by Tanzania traders and other LDC’S is the challenge
3. Low accessibility to Information Communication Technology (ICT) due to low literacy rate, low income and limited number of services provider .Example, few Tanzania have accessibility to electronic mail, Internet, and cellular phones because of illiteracy and low income.
4. Low capacity of negotiation in international markets by Tanzanian due to lack of institutions for standardization and certification of commodities produced and exported by Tanzania.
5. Many African countries and particularly Tanzania, faces with problem of low saving and investment growth. Low saving and investments is common feature for some sub-Saharan countries. Without saving, affective individual capacity of banking investment will need to be decided by foreigners who prolong the problem of financial constraints.
6. Another challenge is that domestic revenue mobilization is still substantially low, relative to huge expenditure needs due to widespread of poverty .Thus, the government is challenged to create policies on how to expand the tax by capturing activities carried out in informal sectors which were promoted by globalizationpolicies.
7. Poor Government policies incorporated with corruption also hinders smooth operation of International trade, movement of good, capital and people. Poor policies encourages unnecessary bureaucracy which stimulates some loopholes of corruption
Measures for the challenges of Globalization in Tanzania.
1. Low productive capacities in the LDC’s as well as Tanzania will be lessened by provision of transport and communication services, Liberalization of business through motivating private investment and trade.
2. Building human and institution capacities through educating the citizens in order to cope with globalization needs.
3. Enhance the role of Trade in Development through introduction of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), Development policies, and integrated industrial development programs.
4. Mobilization of financial resources through proper tax administration and persuasion on trade liberalization.
5. Develop training and research in agriculture through introduction of science and technology for quality and quantity of agricultural products. This will enhance the operation of International trade and independent economy of Tanzania as a whole.
6. The world financial institutions like the World Bank and International monetary fund (IMF) and other donors should help the poor countries by providing them with some loans, grants and aid with minimum or no conditions. This is due to the fact that the donors and some World financial institutions have been giving some aid, grant and loans at very difficult conditionality.
7. Countries in LDC is particularly Tanzania should create own strategies policies and philosophies for own development and cope with challenges of Globalization not depending on policies and strategies made by western countries.
REVISION QUESTIONS
1. International affairs deals with International matters .Identify them.
2. What are merits of International policy
3. What are demerits of multilateral organizations?
4. Write short notes on these concepts
- Neo colonialism
- Foreign Direct Investments FDI
- Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP)
- World peace and understanding
- Principles of SADC.
5. Why problems of African Regional cooperation have homogeneous problems.
6. What are rationales of African regional cooperation?
7. (.a) what is Tanzania Foreign policy?
(b) Identify some principles of Tanzania foreign policy
8. Differentiate between bilateral and multilateral cooperation
9. What benefit can be derived by Tanzania as the result being in Multilateral cooperation
10. Write short notes on these concepts.
(a) International affairs.
(b) Terrorism
(c) World big power
(d) Globalization
11. The problems inflicting the Africa regional grouping are seemingly same, support this statement with examples
12. Discuss the role of big power in maintaining world peace and understanding.
13. What are functions of NAM after liquidation of USSR and USA cold war?
14. How can challenges of globalization be addressed in Tanzania.
15. Give some salient features of Globalization
16. Culture distortion cannot be dichotomized with influences of Globalization .Discuss.
17. Account for Global Terrorism and suggest some remedies.
18. How can you assess the consequences of Globalization in LDC’s particularly Tanzania?
19. What are reforms in social, political and economic as the result Globalization?
20. Why technological backwardness and divestiture poverty leads to poor progress of our regional groupings.
21. With examples show the incidences of terrorism in the would
22. Identify the principles of UN.
23. Assets the effectiveness of strategies for conflict resolutions in Africa.
24. What are precipitates for conflict in Africa?
25. One of the setbacks of regional groupings is the problem of multi-membership. Critically discuss
26. In what circumstances the objectives of AU drift from that of OAU.
