As the rampage of insurgencies become the leading source of instability on the continent, Africa is correctly positioned to benefit enormously from the Global Security Initiative recently proposed by the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Xi spoke about “Rising to challenges and building a bright future through co-operation” in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022.

The ceremony was held under the theme, “The World in Covid-19 and Beyond: Working Together for Global Development and Shared Future.”

This article delves into the main tenets of President Xi’s speech, particularly zeroing in on the Global Security Initiative, as an architecture that will help to bring about world peace and stability and look at how Africa as a continent and Zimbabwe in particular can benefit from the initiative.

What is President Xi proposing?

President Xi proposed the Global Security Initiative which provides important architectural and conceptual guidelines which can help enhance the world’s security governance systems and put security on top as a precondition for development.

President Xi said “security is a precondition for development” and it is for this reason, that he proposed the initiative.

“It is important that we stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, co-operative and sustainable security and work together to maintain world peace and security, stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold non-interference in internal affairs and respect the independent choices of development paths and social systems made by people in different countries,” he said.

In Africa, there are a lot of challenges being faced by the continent, ranging from terrorism, ethnic wars, inept political leadership and insurgencies among many others.

Right now in Southern Africa, there is the burning issue of the terrorist insurgency in Mozambique which is threatening Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.

With the GSI in place, African countries that are directly affected by the political instability in neighbouring Mozambique can be able to work together to fight terrorism and bring peace and stability in the region.

“Stay committed to abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, reject the cold war mentality, oppose unilateralism and say not to group politics and bloc confrontation. Stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously,” President Xi.

“Uphold the principle of indivisible security, build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture and oppose the pursuit of one’s own security at the cost of others security.”

The Global Security Initiative also focused on coming up with rational alternative means of solving disputes between world countries while denouncing double standards by other world super powers.

“Stay committed to peacefully resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation, support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, reject double standards and oppose the wanton use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction,” he said.

“Stay committed to maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains and work together on regional disputes and global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity.”

A simple example can be drawn from the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine which has made it pretty clear that when there is instability in the world, it is impossible for development to manifest.

The US has been criticised for exhibiting double standards in how it has coerced other world powers to condemn Russia and impose destructive sanctions on the country yet it is one country that has been directly or indirectly involved in many separate military conflicts all over the world.

As much as the current instability in Europe between Russia and Ukraine did not affect Zimbabwe physically, but its ripple effects have been felt economically in the form of rising commodity prices, inflation and energy shortages.

The GSI by President Xi also called for the upholding and respect of sovereignty of individual countries and non-interference in internal affairs.

“Stay committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold non-interference in internal affairs and respect the independent choices of development paths and social systems made by people in different countries,” said President Xi.

Tackling global governance challenges

President Xi equated the international community to an integrated unit, which when you remove a single part it is tantamount to causing a malfunction, adding that unilateralism and excessive pursuit of self-interest are ‘doomed to fail’.

“In today’s world, unilateralism and excessive pursuit of self-interest are doomed to fail, so are the practices of decoupling, supply disruption and maximum pressure,” he said. “So are attempts to forge ‘small circles’ or to stoke conflict and confrontation along ideological lines.

“Instead, we need to embrace a global governance philosophy that emphasises extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, promote the common values of humanity and advocate exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.

“We need to uphold true multilateralism and firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

It is particularly important for major countries to lead by example in honouring equality, co-operation, good faith and the rule of law and act in a way befitting their status.”

Why Africa and Zimbabwe should support the Global Security Initiative

By having a well outlined global security architecture that is balanced, it will bring about stability and development co-operation for many countries on the African continent.

Political instability, terrorism, insurgencies and socio-political unity which are some of the main causes of conflict in Africa can be easily addressed by carefully applying the stipulations provided for by China’s Global Security Initiative.

The GSI proposed the upholding of sovereignty of individual nations and discouraging interference in internal matters.

Such a proposition is something that can benefit Zimbabwe in particular.

The country has been under illegal sanctions imposed by the West and the US has tried so much to sponsor regime change in the country as a way of trying to remove a democratically elected government.

The insurgency in neighbouring Mozambique threatens peace and stability in the region and with President Xi’s proposal through the Global Security Initiative, countries can be able to work collectively and combat terrorism which will bring peace in the region and the continent at large.

Author : Hanane Thamik

‼️‼️HAPPENING NOW‼️‼️

The President of the Republic of SierraLeone Dr Julius Maada Bio is currently commissioning the Myohaung Officer’s Mess at Wilberforce.

This project is a result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of SierraLeone and the People’s Republic China, PRC, that included Military aid grants to the value of 50Million Yuan ($7.2 Million US Dollars) for the construction of a five-storey building comprising 104 rooms with all modern facilities for single officers.

The President will also turn sod for the construction of the warrant officers’ and sergeants’ Mess at Wilberforce Barracks, Freetown.

More details later.

Photo credit: Facebook Page of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa

More than 100 Chinese companies have committed to offering 20 000 jobs to South Africans in the next three years.  The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Chen Xiaodong, said in a keynote address that he gave last Thursday at the 2022 Job Fair of Chinese-invested Enterprises in South Africa, which was held in Johannesburg.  He added that these opportunities cover different sectors, including infrastructure, communications, mining, automobile, and agriculture.

Organized by the South Africa-China Economy and Trade Association (SACETA), the Job Fair of Chinese-invested Enterprises in South Africa is an annual event aimed at creating employment opportunities for South Africans. According to a report by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, nearly 1300 people participated in this year’s fair among which were local students and job seekers. The participating Chinese companies were expected to offer 1000 jobs to local applicants during the event, local media reported.

Job creation, however, is only one of many means that China and South Africa plan to work on to boost employment in the African country. Some measures have also been implemented to develop the South African human capital. “China is ready to speed up the building of vocational training center projects. We are ready to provide employment assistance programs for college graduates and other special groups. We will also encourage Chinese enterprises to cultivate more competent professionals through the transfer of technology and skills training for local employees,” Ambassador Chen said.

Reducing unemployment in South Africa

Currently, unemployment is one of the main issues of concern among South Africans. Indeed, according to data released by Statistics South Africa last month, the unemployment rate in South Africa reached a record high of 35.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021, one of the world’s highest. South African officials have therefore welcomed Chinese companies’ commitment to hiring more South Africans. “On behalf of our government, I wish to express our gratitude to the people of China for this important gesture which will undoubtedly contribute to our efforts to reduce the current 35.3 percent unemployment rate,” South African Employment and Labor Minister, Thulas Nxesi, said during the event.

According to Ambassador Chen, Chinese companies’ investments in South Africa have so far significantly benefitted South Africa’s job market. “South Africa is also one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese companies in Africa. By the end of 2021, China’s investment in South Africa totaled over 25 billion US dollars, which created over 400,000 local jobs,” he said.

Providing more opportunities for South African workers in Chinese companies

Chinese companies, however, have often been criticized for not hiring enough local employees in Africa in general and South Africa in particular. Earlier this year, several media reports discussed a court action that the South African government started against Huawei’s local subsidiary for not complying with the country’s employment policies. Such policies require that not more than 40 percent of the total employees of a company be foreign workers. Yet, foreign workers made up 90 percent of the total employees of Huawei’s local unit. The Chinese tech giant then announced that it would increase its local hires and ensure South Africans make up 50 percent of its staff by 2025.

In his address, Ambassador Chen pointed out that Huawei was among the 100 companies that pledged to provide more jobs to locals and is expected to offer 450 jobs to South Africans in the next three years. He also highlighted Chinese companies’ commitment to fulfilling their social responsibilities and following local laws and regulations.

An inner-city road project contracted by a Chinese company kicked off in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city.

The 100 km project undertaken by SinohydroCorporation Limited includes drainage work, earthwork, and bituminous surfacing of the roads, which is expected to improve the road networks and facilitate transportation within the city.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia expressed joy that the Kumasi inner-city road project could begin on time.

“We are grateful to the Chinese government for the cooperation that has existed between our two countries. There is still more to come under our mutual cooperation,” Bawumia said.

Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Lu Kun commended the Ghanaian and Chinese engineers for sticking to their posts and carrying out excellent preparation for the start of the project, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I firmly believe that, with Chinese and Ghanaians joining hands, and with your wisdom and diligence, the project will surely witness a speedy and quality progress,” said Lu.

On Saturday, March 26, Senegalese President Macky Sall officially inaugurated the Foundiougne Bridge, the longest of its kind in the West African country. The 1.6 kilometer-bridge, which was named after former South African President Nelson Mandela, stretches over the Saloum River and connects the cities of Fatick and Foundiougne. The Nelson Mandela Toll Bridge should shorten the journey and reduce the cost of travel from the northern and central parts of the country to the southern natural region known as the Casamance. It should also promote the exchange of goods and people between Dakar and Banjul in The Gambia. In addition, the natural regions of Casamance and Sine-Saloum (in which Foundiougne is located) will reap various benefits from this new bridge. These include increased economic, cultural, and touristic activities as well as improved access to education and health.

A step towards realizing the Emerging Senegal Plan

According to a document that Senegal’s government information office released to the press ahead of the inauguration ceremony, the construction of the Nelson Mandela Toll Bridge was carried out as part of the ambitious program President Macky Sall initiated for the modernization and development of infrastructures in the country. Infrastructure development and modernization is a key priority in the Emerging Senegal Plan as it is considered essential for the structural transformation of the Senegalese economy.

In addition to highlighting these positive economic and social implications of the new bridge for his country, President Macky Sall also expressed gratitude for China’s support in realizing this project.

China supports Senegal’s infrastructure development

Chinese Ambassador to Senegal Xiao Han, who was also present at the inauguration ceremony of the bridge, wrote in an opinion piece that “the magnificent Foundiougne Bridge is not only a steel bridge by our side but also a bridge of friendship in our hearts, which connects the Chinese and Senegalese peoples.”

The construction of the Nelson Mandela Toll Bridge started in February 2018. A total of US$ 77 million were injected into this project, which was jointly funded by the Government of Senegal and the People’s Republic of China through its Export-Import Bank. The construction work was carried out by the Chinese company China Henan International Cooperation Group.

Moreover, Senegal has launched several other infrastructural projects intending to help the country reach emergence by 2035. As Ambassador Xiao Han pointed out, several of these infrastructural projects have seen the participation of China in terms of financing, construction, maintenance, and co-management.  A good example is the Ila Touba Toll Highway, which was financed by a Chinese loan and built by a Chinese company.kikk

Kenya’s Kakuzi has become one of the first companies in the country to receive the green light from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) to process, prepare and export fresh avocados to China. The agri-business firm made this announcement on Thursday after successfully passing a series of inspections by Kephis that landed them the approval. “At the Makuyu facility and Orchards, we maintain world-class phytosanitary standards for our exports to Europe, and the KEPHIS approval further serves to underscore our quality commitments.” Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said.

This news comes just weeks after China allowed fresh avocados from Kenya to enter its large market; a decision that has led several Kenyan firms, including Kakuzi, to seek to win a share in that lucrative market. According to a Business Daily article (https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/companies/kakuzi-seeks-nod-for-china-avocado-exports-3751784), apart from Kakuzi, Kephis has audited nine other firms to assess the extent to which they meet the quality and safety standards to export fresh avocados to the Asian country. Approval from Kephis grants Kenyan companies the status of certified exporters of fresh avocados to China.

Paving the way for the export of fresh avocados to China

In April 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta signed a deal to allow the export of Kenyan avocados and other horticultural products to China, making Kenya the first African country to export avocados to the Asian country. However, until early this year, Kenyan farmers and traders were required to freeze their crops before sending them to China. This requirement sought to prevent plant pathogens and pests commonly found in fresh avocados in Kenya from entering China. Because of the lack of appropriate facilities and limited resources, only one Kenyan firm out of 100 had the capacity to meet China’s export requirements resulting in an insignificant volume of frozen avocados exports to China since 2019.

China’s approval of the export of Kenya’s fresh avocados to its market is expected to boost the volume of avocados shipped to China, provided that avocado farmers and traders comply with strict phytosanitary regulations and meet the veterinary sanitary requirements.

Hopes for a reduced trade deficit

The decision to allow Kenyan fresh avocados into the Chinese market has been welcomed in Kenya as a means to increase Kenya’s export volume and therefore contribute to reducing the trade deficit Kenya has with China. According to Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, in 2021, Kenya imported about $3.9 billion worth of products from China while it exported a mere $131 million worth of products to the Asian country.

In 2021, Kenya was the top exporter of avocado among African countries and was featured in the top 10 producers in the world. When signing the deal with China in 2019, Kenyan officials were hoping to see the Chinese market absorb 40 percent of Kenya’s avocado produce. Such expectations, however, are far from being met due to China’s requirement to receive only frozen crops from Kenya. The approval of Kakuzi export of fresh avocados to China and the audit by Kephis of several other firms can be regarded as a step towards increased export of agricultural goods to China and towards reduced trade deficit with Beijing.

The project involves building an annual production line of 5 million compression cast aluminum parts, including automotive chassis spindle products in addition to aluminum rims, which Dicastal has been manufacturing for almost three years. This time Dicastal has decided to enrich its products to be manufactured in Morocco with new technology.

The Covid crisis has not got the better of Chinese investments in Morocco. A 3rd Dicastal factory has just been launched on Wednesday by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, in the Kenitra free zone in the presence of the Chinese ambassador to Morocco. A kick-off was also marked by the signing by videoconference of an investment agreement with the Chinese headquarters of this large structure whose construction kick-off has also just been given.

As the government official explains, this investment is intended for “high-end parts that are also aimed at high-end vehicles”. In addition, the group is developing, as detailed by the Minister, its 3rd factory after “only 3 years of presence in Morocco”. “In the first two factories, it produces 6 million aluminum rims which it exports mainly to the United States”, continues Mr. Mezzour who highlights the production, today, of high-tech parts, chassis, and aluminum motors. These products will be, as he details, “exported mainly to Europe. They will be essential parts in high-end vehicles”. “This project will make it possible to employ 766 Moroccan men and women directly with an investment volume estimated at 2 billion DH”, advances the minister. For his part, the Chinese ambassador to Morocco, Li Changlin, said: “The Sino-Moroccan cooperation project Dicastal Morocco Africa, carried out by the Citic Dicastal group, is the largest of its kind that emerged after the visit in 2016 in China and the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries”. “Similarly, it is the largest Chinese investment in Africa,” adds the diplomat who recalls, in turn, the convention of the “Belt and Road” plan signed in January 2000 between the two countries. Better still, the Dicastal plant is, in his view, “the first major project since the signing of this document”.

Production of 5 million pieces per year

In this regard, the group’s vice president, Mei Xinglong, reveals from China that “the project is to build an annual production line of 5 million pieces of compression cast aluminum, in particular, the rocket products for automotive chassis in more aluminum rims than Dicastal has been making for almost three years. This time Dicastal has decided to enrich its products to be manufactured in Morocco with new technology”. And that’s not all! “The project will also serve to supply the European market,” he adds, hoping that this project would contribute to the development of the automotive sector in Morocco.

Creation of 766 new jobs

In addition to this new plant, two others were launched in 2019 and 2020 for the production of six million aluminum rims per year. For the time being, the investment of the Citic Dicastal group in Morocco has reached 350 million Euros, thus creating 1350 jobs. By 2022, the ministry with MedZ is launching the construction of the 3rd factory for the production of aluminum rims for 180 million Euros. Spread over an area of 20,000 m² in a 12-hectare site, this project called “Dika Morroco Castings – DMC” will provide Morocco, in six months from its first plant producing cast aluminum components for power trains and chassis. This project, with a production capacity of 10 million units, will be deployed in two phases and will create 766 new direct jobs. Even better, 90% of the parts will be for export.

On February 25, 2022, the Launching Ceremony of the China-aided Project of Rehabilitation of the Sierra Leone National Stadium was held in Freetown. H.E. Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Honorable Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Francis Mustapha Kaikai, Honorable Minister of Sports Mr. Ibrahim Nyelenkeh and other distinguished ladies and gentlemen attended the ceremony.

Ambassador Hu said that H.E. President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the development of China-Sierra Leone relations. He pointed out that the rehabilitation of the stadium is another milestone in the course of China-Sierra Leone cordial relationship and practical cooperation. Ambassador Hu averred that, after the rehabilitation, the stadium will be brand new and contribute immensely again to sports development in Sierra Leone. The Ambassador said that the Chinese side will as always demonstrate utmost sincerity to Sierra Leone while conducting cooperation, walk the talk, keep promise, let facts speak for themselves and prove herself to be a reliable friend instead of paying lip services or imposing her own will onto others.

Honorable Minister Kaikai extended sincere thanks to H.E. President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people on behalf of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio and the government and people of Sierra Leone. He said that China is a true friend and the past 50 years of Sierra Leone-China relationship is based on mutual respect, trust, unity of direction, development and promotion of common interest. He assured the Ambassador that the Sierra Leonean side will continue to work closely with the Chinese side to further promote the high quality friendly relations between the two countries.

Honorable Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh and other dignitaries expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese government and people for the great support to sports development in Sierra Leone. They looked forward to the hand over of the rehabilitated stadium after the agreed two years’ period.

Honorable Minister Kaikai and Ambassador Hu then jointly turned the sod to officially launch the Rehabilitation Project.

The National Stadium was built by China for Sierra Leone under the former’s government grant and put into use in 1979. The rehabilitation work will include the restoration, reinforcement and redecoration of the main stadium, the swimming pool and its ancillary facilities, the renovation of the athletes’ hostel, the construction of more than 1,200 square meters of new buildings and facilities, the renewal of drainage, power distribution, ventilation and air conditioning, the installation of a new display screen, artificial turf, synthetic rubber racing track and new lighting equipment, etc. The 572-square-meter ring road surrounding the stadium will also be refurbished.

By then, the stadium will be revitalized to one of the most modern and comprehensive stadiums in Africa, extending its service life by at least another 30 years and creating conditions for Sierra Leone to host sports events of international standards, including the Africa Cup of Nations in the future.

A group of ambassadors from African countries on stage at the 2021 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Conference in Wuhan