In reading this article this morning, I was struck by the deeper message of this story on Oxfam's work shaming African governments into contributing more to famine relief in Somalia. Why are African governments not leading this charge, why are the governments of the region, the nations with the most at stake, in terms of regional stability and development, not at the vanguard of this push to save fellow African lives? Where is the leadership of the great African democracies, shaming the rest of the world for inaction? How is the current situation, in which governments from the other side of the world, with little actual tangible economic and political interest in what is occurring on the horn of Africa, are leading the charge, plausible? It was reported that South Africa, the superpower of the continent, had recently upped its contribution to $1million. And the African Union, the pillar of the continental, pan-African vision? $500,000. That is a shameful, paltry sum, offensive in its meagerness. This great pan-African congress can surely muster more than half a million dollars. Why is this charge being led by Oxfam and not the African Union? The meaning here is much deeper than simple initial inspection allows. The situation is indicative of a larger mindset, which is at the least troubling, in an age in which the nations of the developing world, and Africa specifically, are to be taking the charge of their own destinies, competing in the global marketplaces through deregulation, and becoming responsible global voices. And where are these voices? Where is the governmental leadership? Where is the responsibility to take charge and act? Where is the great mutual and community regard that has carried through the ages on the continent? It again turns to the West, turns to China, for relief, for aid, for help. The domestic leadership so sorely needed, missing, desperately, sorely, missing.
Oxfam Urges African Governments to Give More to Famine Relief
Photo: AP
Children from southern Somalia, receive food in Mogadishu, Aug 15, 2011
Following a declaration by the African Union, countries around the continent are observing a day of solidarity and awareness with the victims of the ongoing famine in Somalia. But at the same time, a coalition of civil society and relief organizations gathered to criticize the African response to the food crisis sweeping across the Horn of Africa.
Since bursting into the public eye just over a month ago, response to the drought and subsequent famine has largely been led by humanitarian groups and the United Nations. Western nations, particularly in Europe and North America, have pledged significant funds to relief efforts, but Oxfam International spokesperson Anne Mitaru says African leaders have not played a large enough role in addressing the crisis.
“There is general disappointment that can be felt across the continent. What was missing is the African voice. The bold African voice, the bold African face of leadership on this matter,” said Mitaru.
And beyond leadership, Africans Act 4 Africa, known simply as AA4A, says the continent is not pulling its financial weight. People in countries like Kenya and South Africa have organized donation drives to contribute to famine relief, but with aid efforts facing a $1.3 billion shortfall, AA4A says the governments will need to get involved.
The African Union initially announced a contribution of around $500,000. South Africa also announced an initial contribution of more than $150,000. But Oxfam’s Mitaru says such contributions are unacceptable.
“When you look at the South African economy, one of the largest, actually the leading, biggest economy on the continent, $150,000 is a poor show," said Mitaru. African governments may not have the resources to entirely meet the funding gap, but they cannot not be part of the solution.”
South Africa has since upped its pledge to around $1 million, and Botswana, Sudan and other countries have pledged money. But Africans Act 4 Africa says the continent’s governments can do better. In just more than a week, the Kenyans for Kenya campaign has already generated over $2 million from private and public donations.
Oxfam and the AA4A coalition are calling for African governments to raise at least $50 million towards famine relief in Somalia. The groups released a report that breaks down how much each government can allegedly afford to contribute. The report says South Africa, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt and Algeria should donate more than $5 million each.
