Editorial
Dilemma of the Diaspora
But under the circumstances, apart from our paltry remittances – a collective US$40 billion annually – there’s just too much money sitting on the sidelines here in the West. The U.S. does less than 3 percent of her entire gross domestic product (GDP) in trade with Africa. This includes all aid, business relationships and foreign direct investment and trade.
Even when all 50 American states increased exports to the continent, all this is collectively less than US$32 billion as per FY 2011/2012 figures. This is just pathetic! Even more pathetic is the fact the Americans cannot even agree on what is good for their own country. How can we expect them to come up with a comprehensive way to invest in Africa and benefit the Africans like the Chinese are currently doing?
As for the United Kingdom, not only are the English considering severing their relationship with the European Union: The former Nick Clegg/David Cameron coalition is coming apart as the country returns to recession!
What is a passionate Diaspora like ours supposed to do? This is the Dilemma of the Diaspora. We see the trillions of dollars doing nothing in American banks and in the accounts of companies that could be minting money on our continent. Then we see China cutting all kinds of deals with African leaders while looking away as these very leaders take their people astray. Looking inwards, we also see how myopic, parochial, petty and incompetent America’s leaders are in juxtaposition to the pragmatic Chinese, Indians, Brazilians and even the Turks – and we cannot muster the courage to criticize those who run Africa aground.
Thus, before we wish you a Happy New Year, we need to ask: Can we depend on the US Congress and even Obama to channel through the kind of legislation that gave us the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) in 2000? Should we worry that China is going to ‘recolonize’ as many black nations as it possibly can given its massive amounts of money? This sad state of affairs kills the pure joy of being back home.
On the other hand, our optimism propels us forward to pragmatic solutions. The Habari Network will address some of these over the next few days – starting with what a potential mutually beneficial New Deal for Africa could look like. And with this, have a Happy New Year!
Dennis Matanda
Editor – [email protected]
