Month: July 2016

Interest and value are one of  the basic words I valued from my undergraduate class.

There is never an engagement without a self interest! So, what are Japan national interest in Africa? through TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development). This is a question that I will not answer but I will let all of us to ponder on.

TICAD was launched by Japanese government in 1993. It’s aim was or is to promote Africa’s development, Peace and Security. Do you get the irony? (Japanese government is  concerned with solving African problems). What do they gain from helping Africa? One may argue they will invest in and trade with Africa, which will be a win-win to both parties. But I think there is much more for Japanese government as their interest that is kept private from Africans.

TICAD VI will be held in Kenya, for the first time in Africa. This will be on 27th-28th August. Does this seems a golden opportunity for Africa and Kenya as well?? Maybe it is. It all depends on us! What are we going to get from the forum! Is it just a show biz for us? Or is it a platform to get the best deals, agreement, policies, contracts… name them.

The benefits can only be achieved through coming up with best policy measures that guide such relationships. And the policies measures should be implemented effectively.

Yesterday I was previledged to  attend the NTV Live Panel Discussion on TICAD. The discussion was more about the benefits that Africa will and or are gaining from the engagement, yet they never touched on the benefits that Japan will get from the same engagement.

I think it is high time African policy makers, and Africans as a whole should be concerned on the benefits that such states ie Japan gain from these kind of engagements. By taking this step, we will be able to negotiate and come up with agreement and policy measures that will truely bring sustainable development to African states.

I must say it was an honor attending the NTV Live Panel Discussion on TICAD yesterday. Thank you to the Japan Embassy for the invitation.

It all started immediately after South Sudan separated from Sudan and became a “sovereign” state, immediately after their hero had passed away(John Garang). His great work was disgraced by the conflict.This was never his dream for his country, he imagined of a country that would well economically, politically and socially as well.

Just a tip of the iceberg on the potential of South Sudan; it is known for its richness in oil, it also has River Nile which flows through the region among many other resources. This demonstrates the country’s capability economically, both in the region and in Internationally. This can only be a reality if South Sudan has  proper governance and legislation. But sadly enough, this is not the case, in fact it falls among the poorest states in the world.

What is the conflict all about? It is a civil conflict. It all started because of the friction between the governing SPLM party, which is headed by the president Salva Kiir who comes from an ethnic group refered to as Dinka (it is the country largest group);  And his deputy Riek Machar, who is from the second largest community; the Nuer.

It is difficult to explain  whether South Sudan’s on going conflict was a planned plot, this is because it all started as a political squabble which then escalated to ethnic violence.

There have been several interventions to stop this conflict, though they have not been successful. IGAD has been playing a key role in talk to bring the country to a peaceful coexistence.

Currently, United States is or was  playing a key role in the peace process through the US Ambassador to Kenya, His Excellency Robert F. Godec. He insisted that if the parties involved in the conflict will continue fighting, there would be an arms embargo on South Sudan, travel bans would be issued to the government officials and also the AU military would be deployed to the country. The measures that was taken by the US seemed not to be supported by the Russian government. This is based on the comment that was issued byher Chancellor regarding the issue.

However, on my own personal opinion, I think that South Sudan has not yet established a ripe moment for negotiations, mediation yet this processes and agreements are being forced on them.  They should be left to discover this on their own just as it was with the civil conflict in Rwanda. Though this opinion may not seem appealing since so many lives will continue to lost in the process.

I conclude by suggesting that the external parties involved in the ongoing conflict should stop their engagement and pursue their interests in a diplomatic manner which does not involve being a catalyst in the conflict. South Sudanese leaders should also embrace the spirit of democracy and safe guarding the interests of all its citizens. The International community should also play a brotherly role in the peace process in South Sudan in various ways in which they are capable.By this practices I believe the South Sudanese will live their dreams.

By Beline Nyangi.