The "African" climate - Today as yesterday!

Just a few years I had posted an article on the Conference of the Parties (COP) to be held in Copenhagen.

From 2009 to 2015, few changes were noted on the different topics regularly submitted to the negotiators. Developing countries whine about the same concerns, while developed countries are chanting the same promises and the same antiphons for not taking realistic and non-binding commitments for countries and the most vulnerable populations.

It is true that the United States of Obama showed better provision. It is also true that China is committed to further efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is true that the European Union take a leadership capable of giving meaning to a "Nobel Peace Prize". 

And Africa in all this? I prefer to repost the article posted in 2009 rather than update it. Read only!

Simply replace Copenhagen by Paris, and 2009 by 2015. Then, tell me if you see big changes. 

I'm optimistic, I sometimes still be sad.

NB: French version (2009) available in this blog.

The « African climate »

They will go into negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009. They will be a very small group of official representatives of their countries. They will attend a number of negotiating sessions, but do not really participate as they will be exhausted by the debates circling, each knowing beforehand what the content of the final report.

Who are they? Southern negotiators, particularly those of Africa. What difficulties they meet to mobilize, to constitute the national delegations of negotiations ... What will they have to make, again and again, to be able to join national delegations. However, once there, their main concern will be to see the official opening to end as quickly as possible so that the minister or other head of delegation countries retires at the earliest, by entrusting them later.

Number of African representatives did not follow debates. They have lots of shopping to do and friendly and parental visits previously scheduled. Their very limited staff did not allow them also to keep the pace with the European and American delegations consist of dozens of representatives, with perfect coordination and informational upgrade system and decision-making developed very well.

Never mind. The real problem is not there. It is not really useful to expect international meetings (COP, Intercessions, etc.) to develop national and regional positions. It is a matter of consultation and awareness of national interests and strategic issues for the continent.

EU delegations speak with one voice (even the members have other "shots windows"). North Americans harmonize their positions (though, when voting, they distinguish their voices). By itself, China is a significant economic weight; as well as India and Brazil. We can not ignore their positions. Although these actors in the South tend to "get closer" of Africa and others in the G77, the realities and challenges for them and Africa are not the same. It is a friendship of circumstance in which the continent derives no strategic advantage. Africa only serves as a foil.

Stumbling blocks in the debate

The United States, followed as always by Europe (EU), refuses to make a step towards the post-Kyoto. The issue of funding - and technology transfer - is also on standby. Among other reasons, developed countries invite developing countries to "establish, at least, national strategies to reduce GHGs." The height of meanness can not exceed this threshold.

But many African countries have not yet understood the real issue behind this blackmail. Indeed, developed countries are to require developing countries to stop all industrial development, just be limited to the production of raw materials. They'll take care of the rest with dedication, since they will voluntarily on behalf of humanity, marking their generous contribution to sustainable development.

“Industrialized countries would like to see developing countries to compile at least national emission reduction strategies, before they put any money on the table.” Ivo De Boer, at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Annual Meeting of the New Champions, Dalian, China, 10-12 Sept. 2009.

It means: "Africans and other southern countries whose kidneys are not strong, then let us do. Mobilize your natural and mineral resources. Place them beside the road. We will come and collect them. We will transform them to create added value. We'll bring them to you selling them with packaging and 3D logos.

We will promote through our agencies, our cinema and our cable channels. Our experts will teach you how to redistribute these, sparking appetite and dream among miners in Niger, among forest workers from Congo, among cocoa producers in Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso's cotton grower or other farmers in Senegal and elsewhere. "

"Do not bother. Do you tire more. With your resources and our technology, we will work in synergy for a better world." This is what recommends this language of " hieroglyphics ".

Another sticking point is found to be the reduction threshold. No major player among the big polluters, except China, is willing to make the effort required to reach the threshold of 15-21% reduction compared to the emission level in 1990, which would not exceed the critical threshold of 2 ° C.

A total realism invites to understand that we must concretely expect anything from governments of industrialized countries. The issue of GHG reduction and limitation of climate impacts is politically sensitive for them. Similarly, it is strategically far from the existential concerns of African populations, given the climate of insecurity prevailing in some countries, of bad governance that takes the breath and democracy that still has trouble anchor.

In the North, it is the international firms that actually decide the posture to adopt. In the south, it is the politicians who think and decide everything. Here, reflection is not necessarily extended, even "national communications" are theoretically inclusive. Southern Civil Society, consulted from time to time, does not necessarily have the ability to influence that could be expected of him. Its resources and its partners are North, his attitude to monitoring and warning is seen more as an echo of the civil society and North embassies as an attitude that is actually motivated by the awareness of local realities.

Lessons learned at the local level more used to document the reports published by the Northern partners than alert decision-makers of the South. The feedback, as in the case of producers in countries of the South compared to the creators of added value in the North, will be done by Northern lobbyists dream sellers, for the African Civil Society which becomes social mercenary for northern donors (not all of them, of course!).

POSITION

In our opinion, it is useless to have international meetings for which it is emitted enough greenhouse gas to promote the sustainability of malaria and thus justify the countless fighting fund against anything that could reduce dependence on ... "civilizing mission ".

A practical alternative is that African countries through the African Union, set up new rules that would apply to all companies established on the continent.

The carbon tax is to be paid, not more political way, through pretenses market mechanisms (CDM, carbon exchange, etc.) but rather directly and annual basis by companies operating in Africa. This requires to differentiate the approach between "African" and those foreign companies; between companies that export raw materials and those that process them.

Globalization does not mean subjection to a unilateral rationality; let alone adopt blissful and irrational positions. Thus, we invite Africans to "clean up their yards" before "dance to the music of others." One thing is sure, an "empty bag can not stand" and, by dint of returning to the same place for the same purpose, we will lose... north and south.

Mourir pour la vie ou vivre mort?

Les Africains de la Côte d'Ivoire (ceux que j'appelle gentiment les y-voient-rien, quand leurs acteurs politiques perdent le Nord) disent stoïquement que "cabri mort n'a pas peur de couteau". Dieu que c'est vrai. Qu'y a-t-il après le pire? Pire encore? Humm!

Cher.e.s ami.e.s, plus d'une fois j'ai évoqué dans ce blog les belles réflexions de mon doyen Modibo Traoré, Africain du Mali. Cette fois-ci, c'est une de ses productions que je voudrais mettre à votre disposition.

Il s'agit d'un diaporama retraçant l'histoire et le parcours de jeunes africains à travers le désert et dans leur quête d'un avenir meilleur.

En bandoulière, ces jeunes hommes et femmes (eh oui, il y en a des femmes, ainsi que des enfants, hélas) ne voyagent qu'avec la philosophie jusqu'au-boutiste du désespoir. Rester chez soi pour y attendre la mort ou tenter l'aventure de l'Europe, quitte à en mourir; sachant aussi que, si l'on n'en meure, ah, Alhamdoulilah (ou Alléluia, c'est selon), on pourra peut-être réécrire son histoire et celle des siens (du moins, c'est ce que l'on se dit pour se motiver). Y a moins pire comme motivation !

En partageant ceci avec vous, le but n'est pas de défendre l'indéfendable. Notre démarche consiste tout simplement à interpeller et à sensibiliser les uns et les autres. Ceux qui partent, ceux qui financent tout ou partie de cette aventure (y compris au sein des familles où des mères de famille vendent leurs rares et précieux bijoux, quand elles ne sollicitent pas un crédit ou ne mobilisent la totalité de leurs tontines, en dernier recours), ceux qui ferment les yeux sur ce phénomène tout en en mesurant le danger et les conséquences psychosociales (ne serait-ce que celles-là), ceux qui profitent de la naïveté et de l'impétuosité de ces jeunes, ceux qui les violentent ou les accueillent au gré du climat politoéconomique des pays d'accueil, ceux qui aiment à avoir le beau rôle en se faisant humanistes-secouristes en fin de parcours (quitte à créer des emplois d'humanitaires dans ce secteur) ; on a tous une responsabilité dans cette tragédie. Car, c'est de  cela qu'il s'agit: une tragédie. Doublée d'un dépeuplement insidieux dans l'indifférence et/ou la complaisance innommable.

Don Diègue demandait à Rodrigue: "Fils, as-tu du coeur?" parce qu'il sollicitait la bravoure et le sens de l'honneur chez son fils. Mais, une telle interrogation, si elle nous était adressée aujourd'hui, ce serait surtout dans le sens du Pape François: humanité, où as-tu mis ton coeur?

Waouw, même les familles ont à coeur de vendre leurs âmes!

Afrique, mon Afrique,
Quand te réveilleras-tu, mère Afrique
Pour comprendre que c'est chez toi que les autres viennent téter
Parce que c'est toi la mère première
Et tu devrais en être fière
Et revendiquer, restaurer ton authenticité
Afin de la proposer à l'humanité
En quête de spiritualité.

Modibo, homme sage caché pour les urgences du quotidien et les soubresauts maliens,
De grâce, parle, doyen.
Cri, interpelle mais dis-nous le fond de ta pensée,
Notre jeunesse est déboussolée
Et les anciens se disent simplement tristes et désolés.
Non, cela ne suffit pas.
Cela ne guérit pas.

Parle, Modibo,
Nous avons besoin d'entendre la sonorité d'un choeur pur
Le murmure du sage assis mais qui voit plus loin que l'enfant haut perché
Parce que le sage a appris, tandis que l'enfant n'a pas encore compris
Que l'avenir est lié au passé
Et que sans authenticité, l'Afrique ira droit dans le mur.
Parle, Modibo.

Nous t'écouterons, tu sais?
Parce que ton expérience de la vie te permet de dire
"Quand tu allais, je revenais" (Big up aux rappeurs de IAM!)

Tu es parti et tu as vu.
Ceux qui veulent partir doivent aussi savoir:
L'Eldorado, eh Dieu, c'est fini, dé!

file:///Users/kcorrea/Desktop/Barça_barzakh.ppsx 

PRAYER FOR AN AFRICAN BROTHER, PRESIDENT OF A REPUBLIC - Mungu tu anajua (God only knows)

Lord God above everything

I need You

Because my brother needs You

But he does not know it and believes he is the master of everything

He thinks that in the country, he is You

Lord, my brother needs You

Around him, some have cut all the laurels

To braid him the ageless crown of the incomparable warrior

In their enthusiasm, they clean all around, and the wilderness settled down

This suggests "that there really is no one else like him"

Academics, opponents, the founding fathers, the not-yet-born,

From Cairo to the Cape Town, there really would be no one like him.

Night and day, some people present to him refreshed scenarios

To make him believe that, without him, nothing works in the country

For others, since he is here, the country is doing so well that

Women no longer give birth to children without deadly consequences

Anopheles is so afraid of him to the point of considering to

Migrate through the Mediterranean; as a result the decline in cases of malaria.

So that the absence of trade union demonstrations is a sign of patriotism

So that young people, have become so enthusiastic defenders

So that in poorly lit street, they constantly track his destroyers

And even if they do not find work, they are not unemployed:

They are active in the party bodies

Or, they kindly leave the country

To curb the unemployment rate.

Yes, our nation is doing so well

So that 70% of new newspapers tell only of achievements

Of my brother president and his ability to stand up against imperialists in faction

If drinking water does not flow yet

It is because some dishonest individuals always subtilize the pipes

If we continue to import basic commodities,

It is because the old regime has polluted fields, sea and pasture

He would as much have favoured one ethnic group,

In public administration, in the army and in key sectors of the economy

He would as much have encouraged resources grabbing

By allies who always opportunely come to his rescue

That's what they say to my brother, Lord

This is what they send him as reports day and night, Nzambe.

Here's how the hawks introduce him "anyone who has his eyes on his chair," Allah

That is why no one dares tell him his thoughts, Imana

That is why the advisor primarily considers the advice they give him, Bwana

That is, O Yahweh, how my brother also has become a lonely hermit in the market.

Of course he has the power of signature

Of course he has a history that consolidates the fear he inspires

Of course he is also the one that regulates the temperature at his neighbors

Of course, he even helps neighbors to create the best in their home

Of course he has also promoted the sense of discipline and order in his own country

But Imana, why should a man see himself as an omnipotent?

Tell me, Bwana, why must he believe that without him, there is no beautiful weather conditions?

How, Nzambe, is it that in our countries, respect for the Basic Law

Is considered as a very less normal value?

Allah! is it not us who have set the duration

And the number of mandates of the palace occupant?

How is it, Nzambe, that one gives little credit to his own word

And in return, expects respect

Consideration and recognition of his exemplary behaviour by his people?

Is that the sense of Leadership, Bwana?

Tell me, Imana, by which language should I speak to my brother, before it's too late?

Save us, Lord, from an increasing number of deaths as a way to speak

Save us, Lord, from a growing number of refugees as way to speak

Your wisdom, Lord

Is my prayer, O Lord

I know my brother president needs me.

And me, I need You

He like me

My other African brothers like me

Need above all your Spirit of discernment

When we wake up with (this spirit)

We understand that we let ourselves entertained by vile

And short-sighted designs

When we will really open our eyes

And that we better appreciate

The time we've lost

And that we might continue to lose, we poor uncivil people.

The time that separates us from our past and our future

Or rather the well-being of future generations.

PRIERE POUR UN FRERE AFRICAIN, PRESIDENT DE REPUBLIQUE - Mungu tu anajua (God only knows)

Seigneur, Dieu au dessus de tout

J’ai besoin de Toi

Mon frère a besoin de Toi

Mais il ne le sait pas et croit qu’il est maître de tout

Il pense qu’au pays, il est Toi

Seigneur, mon frère a besoin de Toi

Autour de lui, certains ont coupé tous les lauriers

Pour lui tresser la couronne intemporelle de l’incomparable guerrier

Dans leur élan, ils nettoient tout autour, et le désert de s’installer

Qui fait penser « qu’il n’y a vraiment personne comme lui »

Les intellectuels, les opposants, les pères-fondateurs, les pas-encore-nés,

Du Caire au Cap, il n’y aurait vraiment personne comme lui.

Nuit et jour, d’aucuns lui présentent des scénarios rafraichis

Pour lui faire croire que sans lui rien ne marche dans le pays

Pour d’autres, depuis qu’il est là, il se porte tellement bien, le pays

Que les femmes ne donnent plus naissance aux enfants sans y laisser la vie

Que l’anophèle a tellement peur de lui au point d’envisager aussi

de migrer par la Méditerranée ; d’où la baisse des cas de Paludisme.

Que l’absence de manifestations syndicales constitue un signe de patriotisme

Que, d’ailleurs, les jeunes sont devenus si fervents défenseurs

Que, dans les rues mal éclairées, ils ne cessent de traquer ses pourfendeurs

Et même s’ils ne trouvent pas encore de travail, non, ils ne sont pas au chômage:

Ils s’activent dans les instances du parti

Ou alors, ils quittent noblement le pays

Pour faire baisser le taux de chômage.

Oui, elle se porte tant et si bien notre nation

Que 70% des nouveaux organes de presse ne parlent que des réalisations

De mon frère président et de sa capacité à tenir tête aux impérialistes en faction

Que, si l’eau potable ne coule pas encore à flots

C’est que des malheureux subtilisent toujours les tuyaux

Que, si l’on continue d’importer des denrées de première nécessité,

C’est que les champs, la mer et les pâturages l’ancien régime a pollué

Autant qu’il aurait favorisé une ethnie,

Dans l’administration publique, dans l’armée et dans les secteurs clés de l’économie

Autant qu’il aurait encouragé l’accaparement des ressources

Par des alliés toujours opportunément à sa rescousse

Voilà ce qu’on raconte à mon frère, Seigneur

Voilà ce qu’on lui transmet comme rapport jour et nuit, Nzambe.

Voilà comment les faucons lui présentent « celui qui lorgne son fauteuil », Allah

Voilà pourquoi plus personne n’ose lui dire le fond de sa pensée, Imana

Voilà pourquoi le conseiller entend surtout le conseil qu’on lui prodigue, Bwana

Voilà, ô Yahvé, comment mon frère est devenu aussi esseulé qu’un ermite au marché.

Certes, il a la puissance de sa signature

Certes, il a un passé qui consolide la crainte qu’il inspire

Certes est-il aussi celui qui régule la température chez les voisins

Certes, il aide même des voisins à instaurer le meilleur chez eux

Certes a-t-il aussi impulsé le sens de la discipline et de l’ordre dans son propre pays

Mais, Imana, pourquoi faut-il que l’homme se voie comme omnipotent?

Dis-moi, Bwana, pourquoi faut-il qu’il croit que sans lui, point de beau temps?

Comment se fait-il que, Nzambe, dans nos contrées, le respect de la Loi fondamentale

Soit une valeur si peu normale?

N’est-ce pas, Allah, nous qui avons, par nous-mêmes, défini la durée

Et le nombre de mandat de l’occupant du palais?

Comment se fait-il, Nzambe, que l’on puisse accorder aussi peu de crédit à sa parole

Et qu’en retour, l’on s’attende au respect

A la considération et à une exemplarité reconnue par son peuple ?

Est-ce bien cela le Leadership, Bwana?

Dis-moi, Imana, par quel langage faut-il parler à mon frère, avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.

Préserve-nous, Seigneur, d’un nombre croissant de morts comme langage

Préserve-nous, Seigneur, d’un nombre croissant de réfugiés comme langage

Ta sagesse, Seigneur

C’est là ma prière, Seigneur

Je sais que mon frère président a besoin de moi.

Et, moi, j’ai besoin de Toi

Lui comme moi

Mes autres frères Africains comme moi

Avons surtout besoin de ton esprit de discernement

Quand nous nous réveillerons avec

Que nous comprenions que nous nous laissons divertir par des desseins vils

et de courte vue

Quand nous ouvrirons vraiment les yeux

Que nous appréciions mieux

Le temps que nous avons perdu

Et que nous risquons de continuer à perdre, pauvres incivils.

Ce temps qui nous sépare de notre passé et de notre devenir.

Ou plutôt du mieux-être des générations à venir.

Mungu akubariki (Dieu vous bénisse)!