Section 7. Africa
Item 1. Major Regional Developments
1. Summary
Toward the end of the 3rd decade after the year 1960 which was called the "Year of Africa," when many African countries became independent, there were major political changes in 1989 and 1990 in Africa. On March 21, 1990, Namibia-the last colony in Africa-achieved independence, and in South Africa Nelson Mandela was freed and a dialogue between the South African Government and the antiapartheid force commenced. Moves toward democratization, including a shift from the previous one-party system to a multi-party system, are under way in some countries and the political changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe put impetus on those movements.
In contrast with the drastic changes in politics, African countries still suffer from stagnant economies. Many of those countries are currently implementing measures to restructure their economy primarily through reduced roles of the government and the public sector in economic activities, and introduction of market mechanisms. These measures have been successful in terms of improved economic indicators including economic growth rate and inflation rate. At the same time, however, austere fiscal policies including such measures as reduction in the number of government employees and privatization or restructuring of public enterprises have created complaints among the general public as a result of lowered living standards, and have become a factor which may harm stability of these countries. The accumulated external debts of African countries in total is estimated at the level of $139,600 million, equivalent to 99.5% of the total GNP of these countries (43.9% for developing countries as a whole), which places a large burden on these countries in light of the size of their economies.
2. Regional Conflicts (See Chapter II, Section 1, Item 3 for Southern African problems)
(1) Chad and Libya Conflict
In August 1989, with Algeria's mediation, Chad and Libya concluded a bilateral agreement on peaceful settlement of their conflict. The agreement stated that the two countries would make efforts to settle their territorial claim to the Aouzou region - a major cause of the conflict - through bilateral negotiations within a year, and if no agreement was reached, the dispute should be referred to the International Court of Justice. No progress has been made so far in the negotiations between the two countries.
(2) Senegal and Mauritania Conflict
Tensions mounted between the two countries due to disturbances in the border area in April 1989 and resulted in severance of diplomatic relations in August 1989. Although Egyptian President Mubarak, who served as Chairman of the Organization of African Unity until July 1990 together with France, and Mali, has been making mediation efforts, there are no signs of a settlement yet.
(3) Liberian Civil War
In December 1989, an anti-government guerrilla group named National People's Front of Liberia (NPFL) infiltrated Liberia via neighboring Ivory Coast and started a battle with Government troops. The NPFL predominated in the battle all along, seizing Buchanan, Liberia's second largest port city lying approximately 100 km from the capital city, Monrovia, in May 1990. Rebel troops then proceeded to the capital city. Although President Doe sought aid from the United States, the U.S. Government maintained a neutral position and took no actions other than sending a naval fleet to off the coast of Liberia to protect American nationals staying in the country. In June, acting on a proposal by the Liberia Church Council, the Government and the NPFL started peace negotiations in the capital city of neighboring Sierra Leone, but failed to come to an agreement. In July, with the possibilities of peaceful settlement being more remote, the battles have been further intensified and the Independent National People's Front of Liberia (INPFL), a splinter group from the NPFL, launched an attack on Monrovia.
Item 2. Situation in Major African Countries
1. Nigeria
In Nigeria, steps for democratization are being taken in preparation for the shift to a civilian government scheduled in 1992. To follow up the promulgation of a new constitution in May 1989 and the removal of a ban on activities by political parties, the Government started to accept applications for official registration of political parties. In September, however, President Babangida stated that none of the political organizations which had filed the application fulfilled the guidelines for registration of political parties and ordered those parties to dissolve. He then announced that two major parties, the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention, would be organized under a Government initiative. The President stated, however, that there would be no change in the timing of transfer to civilian rule already set for 1992.
Although there exists discontent among the public the Government is steadily implementing economic structural adjustment policies and such efforts are welcomed by the international community.
But its domestic political situation is not completely stable. President Babangida had to cancel a visit to the United States scheduled in January 1990 just before the trip on grounds of a domestic political situation, and in April an abortive coup was reported.
2. Zaire
Since the establishment of the existing regime in 1965, President Mobutu has been exercising absolute power under the ruling by one-party named the Popular Movement of the Revolution. Facing the collapse of long time dictatorship in Eastern European countries, however, the government held "Consultation with People" meetings in 11 cities throughout the country in February and March 1990 to directly hear public opinions on democratization. Then, on April 24, President Mobutu announced a political reform package including the introduction of a multi-party system (consisting of three. parties), separation of. the party from the state, and the establishment of a new constitution. It should be carefully watched how the democratization process will progress in the future.
3. Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast, since its independence from France in 1960, has been ruled by the Government led by President Houphouet-Boigny, which has been highly acclaimed with its stable domestic political situation and healthy economy.
However, to cope with a recent economic downturn, the government started a structural adjustment program in 1989. With the implementation of the program discontent was heated and a wave of mass demonstrations and strikes, as triggered by demonstrations by students in February 1990. This quickly developed into an anti-government political movement which demanded democratization including the introduction of a multi-party system - affected to some extent by the changes in Eastern Europe.
To control the situation, the government decided to suspend the structural adjustment program in April and set up the ministers' meeting on social and economic adjustment program to review the program. Also, it abandoned the one-party system under the Parti Democratique de la Cote d'lvoire (PDCI) and decided on the introduction of a multi-party system, which was implemented without delay. Twelve parties have been recognized official parties up to June.
Although these measures worked to bring the internal turmoil under control for the time being, there still exist uncertain factors such as the appointment of a qualified successor to the aged President Houphouet-Boigny, and the re-start of the structural adjustment program.
4. Ethiopia
No significant progress was made in the peace negotiations commenced in 1989 between the Ethiopian' Government, the Eritrea People's Liberation Front (EPLF) - the anti-government guerrilla group to demand separation and independence from Ethiopia, and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), and EPLF resumed a military offensive in February 1990. In early February the EPLF occupied Massawa, a strategic port in northern Ethiopia, and at the same time TPLF went over to the counterattack. As a result, the government is in the most precarious situation since the start of the civil war. This is due to reduction of military aid from the Soviet Union and the growing feeling of war-weariness among the Government troops. In March 1990, under such circumstances, the Mengistu Government announced drastic political and economic reforms including the abandonment of Marxism.
In the meantime, lack of rainfall during the 1989 rainy season caused serious drought in the northern region (largely controlled by the rebel organization). It was reported that more than 4 million people would suffer from shortages of food. To help remedy the situation, a large amount of relief food is being sent from many countries. Also, the famine problem was discussed at the U.S.-Soviet Summit meeting in June, where the two countries pledged to cooperate with each other for a solution of the problem.
5. Zambia
Heavily indebted ($6.2 billion as of the end of 1988) and in chronic economic stagnation, Zambia re-implemented its structural adjustment plan in June 1989, under assistance of IMF and the World Bank, with an aim to rationalize its economic policy by abolishing price controls, currency devaluation, and reduction of government budget deficits. However, people are suffering because of high unemployment and inflation rates causing strong discontent.
With such economic difficulty, labor unions and others demand a shift from the one-party system under the United National Independence Party (UNIP), led by President Kaunda, to a multi-party system. A national referendum on the multi-party system was scheduled for August 1991.
6. Zimbabwe
At a presidential election and a parliamentary election held in March 1990, President Mugabe was re-elected and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union/Patriotic Front (ZANU/PF) won 116 seats out of the total of 120. Encouraged by the results, President Mugabe has expressed his interst in shifting a one-party system under ZANU/PF contrary to moves toward political pluralism in other African countries.
1. Overview
Recently, relations between Japan and African countries have become steadily closer, particularly in the field of economic cooperation. With the initiative of African countries themselves assistance of the international community essential for eradication of poverty and economic development in these countries, Japan has stepped up efforts to strengthen its aid to African countries, in order to make a share of contributions commensurate with its international standing. African countries are concerned about. the possibility that the international community may lose interest in Africa due to the recent changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. However, Africa has the biggest need for assistance from the international community, and Japan is expected to play an active role in the development and the stabilization of the region.
2. Economic and Technical Cooperation, and Economic Relations
Recently, Japan has boosted its assistance to African countries to help them overcome economic difficulties including economic development and structural adjustment. As a result, Japan's ODA to SubSahara Africa (including Sudan) totaled approximately $943 million in 1988 to exceed the United States' ($772 million) and to rank fourth among 18 DAC member countries, next to France, Italy, and FRG.
In response to a recent international trend to emphasize assistance to Africa in the area of structural adjustment, Japan announced at the Venice Summit in 1987 that it would provide $500 million in non-project grant aid between fiscal 1987 through 1989 to assist efforts of African and other countries to improve their economic structure. By the end of fiscal 1989, Japan extended financial assistance totaling \61.7 billion to 26 countries in Africa. Furthermore, Japan will boost assistance to around $600 million in three years from fiscal 1990. Also, in connection with structural adjustment Japan has been providing ODA loans jointly with the World Bank under the framework of the Special Program of Assistance (SPA) for Sub-Sahara low-income countries which have an external debt problem.
Trade between Japan and African countries in 1989 has remained unchanged, accounting for 0.8% of Japan's exports and 0.7% of Japan's imports.
3. Exchange of High-Level Officials
As relations between Japan and African countries become closer, the number of important guests from African countries who visited Japan has increased rapidly.
Recently, Japan received President Mugabe of Zimbabwe (October 1989) and President Mwinyi of Tanzania (December 1989) as state guests, as well as President Compaore of the People's Front of Burkina Faso (September 1989), Prime Minister Kengo of Zaire (November 1989), and President Traore of Mali (June 1990).
In April 1990, Prince Aya of Japan visited Kenya and Madagascar traveling from Britain where he was then studying.
4. Promotion of Understanding on Africa
A prevailing image about Africa among Japanese people tends to be biased toward its negative aspects: hunger, frequent regional conflicts and others. To build up friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and African countries, broad-based public understanding on Africa is essential. From this viewpoint, Japan held "Africa Culture Campaign '89" (Note) focusing on introduction of rich culture fostered in Africa to provide Japanese citizens with the opportunities for interaction with African people.
Note: Between August 1989 and February 1990, "Africa Movie Festival," "Africa Music Festival," "Benin Kingdom in Nigeria Art Exhibition," and "Africa Fashion Show" were held with cooperation of private enterprises. Also, "Tree-Planting Tours" and "Africa Natural Environment Protection Cooperation Tours" were carried out with the participation of citizens. Also, "Africa Natural Environment Protection Caravan" was conducted in collaboration with embassies of African countries in Tokyo.