Page 29 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 15

Leadership

at their feet in idolatrous worship to do it with others, [we] fall very [between the crumbling Western
and praise – all the while being the short.” model and the Chinese model] is ac-
effective tools of demonization of tually the best thing for us. Because
their own people. What kind of And on moving from national to you can try to get the best from
insanity is this? regional interests, he added, “We whichever side you may choose and
have discussed with the Volkswagen what you think may work best for
In a year when Kenya and Afrikan leadership that we want to make this you – you are not tied to one thing,
countries launched the African Con- investment an East African thing. whether it is good or bad. You are
tinental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Let each one of our countries have now having freedom. That naviga-
these countries all seem more intent something to supply to Volkswagen. tion, it means freedom, freedom to
on continuing their focus on Eu- One country supplies tyres; another navigate, making choices between so
rope, the US and China as trading one pieces of the car. And in fact, many things.”
partners, rather than each other. for us, because Volkswagen are
Leaving the concept of a strong going to provide what they call mo- It is when you hear the words of
Afrika firmly stuck in the realm of bility solutions and they are going people like President Paul Kagame,
theory. In a 2019 interview with The towards even building driverless cars you realize what you suspected all
African Report, President Kag- and so on – which will need high along; that your head of state or
ame had this to say about regional connectivity internet and stuff like government and his cabinet and
integration efforts at the African that – and they preferred Rwanda the members of parliament, senate
Union, “We are still stuck in very because of the connectivity here, and governors are all playing you.
old politics, if I may say, and we are that could be our part we should They are not unaware of the need
stuck there even when we are aware concentrate on. And we said fine, to unite the continent, nor are they
that there are more and better things we are happy to concentrate on this, ignorant of its benefits. Equally,
we can achieve together, but still, bring in others to provide other they are clear about the mode and
we take this route that’s old-fash- parts of the car…” the means through which to do so
ioned or archaic. Because integration and are very conscious of the cost
necessarily means give and take, it On the push towards bringing Af- of the journey… they are just not
means giving away a certain level rikan countries together, as juxta- doing it. They are not willing to do
of countries’ sovereignty. At the posed against increasing nationalism it. They are only willing to pursue
same time, the old politics plays on in Europe and America, Kagame what appear to be national interests
sovereignty as if it’s the beginning said, “Actually, it’s very ironic in a on the surface, but when you look at
and the end of everything. Trying sense, and the level of cynicism as their decisions, you realize that these
to fight that way of doing things is well. You see what Europe started are not national interests at all, but
what we are trying to do [in push- doing and it went to the level where interests that appear to benefit a tiny
ing] through reforms in the African they thought – let me call it the West handful of people in a very restrict-
Union. It’s not just one region, it’s actually – they thought this system ed food chain. And they pursue
the whole thinking about our con- they have created is the best in the those interests with all strength. Not
tinent. And when we are together world, everybody should follow. even the Members of Parliament
in the room – 30-40 heads of state So, everybody has been struggling who vote for or against the laws are
and the government, 50 sometimes to follow, especially Africa, to cope the true beneficiaries. Funny, be-
– you know you tend to say: “Okay with the system, the dictates in the cause if they used the same energy
like we are here together in this system by the West [who say]: “Af- to pursue the possibility of a strong,
room, why don’t we act together like rica, we measure the progress you united Afrika, that means that they
we are here in this room?” And the are making against what we have could very well achieve that goal.
benefits are obvious to all of us, but created.” As we try to struggle to
when we separate from the general follow what has been created, now The only reason Kenya would end
assembly hall then we continue to be what has been put before us is sort up with private sector associations
individuals again. of crumbling. and citizens that are ignored by
So, it’s something not one individual, …we are in an era where there are their so-called representatives, or
one country can [do]. You can do these difficulties across the world, that are party to their country’s own
your part in your country, like some but they constitute the best oppor- exploitation, supporting legislation
countries are trying to do, but when tunities for us, for Africa – the best that takes the nation away from an
it comes to that step where we have we’ve ever had. This navigating Afrika-focused trajectory, and in-

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