Silk Road Thursdays: Soft Tools form Japan to Africa in the name of TICAD

“Discussion of Stability and Prosperity for Africa, 48 states attend but just 4 presidents attend.”

— TICAD I-1993

THE UNITED NATIONS SITUATION

UN SECURITY COUNCIL NEEDS A CHANGE-2012

Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General: It is indefensible today that India, Brazil, Africa and even Japan don't have permanent seats on the UN Security Council. This has to be changed or the Council will lose its influence and relevance.

“Poverty Reduction and the incoporation of Africa into the global economy, includes 51 countries and 8 presidents ”

— TICAD II -1998

SIDEBAR #1

As more funding was poured in from Japan towards Africa Development it was reported by some African heads of states that Japan was using TICAD as a tool to get a seat into the UN Permanent Security Council. This would also cause some tension between Japan and China since China is still working on building better ties with Africa. For a country to get a seat on the Permanent Security Council, the country needs 2/3 of the U.N member states and all P5 members to approve. You can also imagine that China would NEVER EVER ALLOW Japan on the security council. There are ongoing discussions on reforming the UN Permanent Security Council.

.....Even in Japan, It is understood why this will never happen.......

While at the UN General Assembly, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech saying that his country will seek to become a permanent member of the Security Council. In order to achieve the goal, Shinzo Abe called for a reform of the international body.

UN PERMANENT SECURITY COUNCIL P-5

This group has not changed since 1945(WWII). They are the “final say” in matters of decisions concerning International Crisis. They have an incredible amount of HARD POWER. They are the largest arms exporters, highest military budgets, largest militaries and are all nuclear weapon states.

U.S, UK, China, Russia and France

CURRENT U.N COUNCIL MEMBER STATES ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL

The post below is a bitter pill to swallow. However, it is usually said because the person is in a space that is not always welcoming...

“A review of the past and a look at the journey so far included 53 Countries, African Union and 1000 delegates attend.”

— TICAD-III, 2003

ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with end of term date)

Japan has had a seat here before, but these 10 members are here for the sake of every very version of political correctness you can think of at the moment. 

United Nations General Assembly elects Kuwait, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Poland and Peru as non-permanent members of the Security Council for the term of 2018-2019

Bolivia (2018)

Côte d’Ivoire (2019)

Equatorial Guinea (2019)

Ethiopia (2018)

Kazakhstan (2018)

Kuwait (2019)

Netherlands (2018)

Peru (2019)

Poland (2019)

Sweden (2018)

AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NEVER SAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Central African Republic, Eritrea, Malawi, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Sudan, Swaziland. You better bet, Japan has a great relationship with all these countries and has offered quite the assistance for the sake of development.

COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NEVER SAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL-60

More than likely, they might never seat on security council. These countries more than likely understand that piece of tolerance and accpetance but a majority of these 60 countries have a "great" relationship with Japan. 

http://www.un.org/en/sc/members/notelected.asp

“Mobilizing resources of the International Community on: Economic Growth, Human Security, including achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, Environment/Climate Change issues.
2,500 participants, 51 African Countries, 40 African Presidents and representatives from 70 international organizations.
”

— TICAD IV, 2008

THE GOOD FOR JAPAN USING TICAD AS SOFT POWER?

THE PATH TO SOFT INFLUENCE IS VERY HARD

Japan and Africa have no colonial legacy, and to quote Abe about the Japan and Africa relationship "we have "Co- Manager" relationship. You gotta love the guy, he is really selling TICAD or Nippon-African Affairs by way of Soft influence. However, the beginning of TICAD came from under pressure not for the sake of more South to South corporation. 

The Official Development Assistance by Japan historically was targeted towards Asia as compensation for Japan's role in the war. In the 80's as the world fell under the spell of Cool Japan, the economy blossomed TREMENDOUSLY. Japan was accused for not caring but you must appreciate why Japan for not wanting to be involved in anything not Japan.
Anyway, all that pressure for not caring about poor countries came in time as the West was not feeling as generous with development assistance towards Africa. Japan saw opportunity from the international pressure and this created TICAD 25 years ago. 

TICAD allows Africa an added choice outside from the west. TICAD is an opportunity for Japan to flex soft power in a "neutral" space. It shows the global stage that Japan has learned lessons from war and is a fully rehabilitated state. Japan is also now key a player in South to South corporation.

The West and SOME neighbors of Japan have argued that TICAD is nothing more but the Japanization of Africa.

“ Japanization
The process in which Japanese culture dominates, assimilates, or influences other cultures....

Similarly

The Europeanization or Westernization in narratives and ideologies of spaces below the equator… Let us use that in a sentence…

The Europeanization in former colonial spaces has altered the definition of beauty, such as an Afro is unprofessional but straighter hair is professional.

….
The Westernization in societies will be that former colonial spaces speak dialects and Western nations (Former Colonial Masters) speak languages.

Yet the very definition of a language is “A system of conventional spoken, manual, or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, express themselves.”.


”

— Water & Cassava

But in soft power, you must have attraction and appeal. Japan is very attractive with TICAD as a tool of "Diplomacy of Resources" from Japan towards Africa.

“Japan pledged $32 billion from 2013-2018 to Africa”

— TICAD-V, 2013

How do you show of your appeal if you are Japan in Africa?? Appeal is desperately needed if you are going to execute soft power. We touched on just how states gain soft power and influence, but Japan is a bit complicated.

So, if you are Japan, you need appeal in your policies. Money is great, but your policies must be attractive. The attractive policies from Japan to Africa come with investment in Development within the sectors of: Agriculture, Infrastructure, Water Resources(Waterplomacy), Education, Health, Technology, and more Market Access. 

Lastly, this part is very important in selling your soft power. You must make your new friends believe you are on the same level.  Prime Minister Abe described Japan and Africa as "Co-Manager". Now, this is exactly how uninterrupted seduction takes place, so when you say S&*T, it sounds like Sugar, Honey, Ice, Tea.  

Sugar Honey Ice Tea #1

Japan has promised to fight for Africa to have a seat on the security council, this is something that none of the other Asia powerhouses have advocated for loudly. Well unless if you count the time, that India felt empowered to tell Namibia to relax on nuclear ambitions.
Can you imagine Bangladesh telling India to relax on ambitions to self-protect as neighboring Pakistan works on nuclear capabilities??? In the words from our Californian sisters known as
En Vogue

MAINTENANT, TU ES FOUTOU -(JAPAN TO CHINA)

That is French for "Fine, but you are screwed". This checkmate move from Japan towards China is a well thought out plan. You see Japan knowns that Africa states have no access and WILL NEVER HAVE to hard power or a chance to seat on the permanent security council.

Anyway, this move of advocacy from Japan towards African states puts China in a bind. I mean China says “No” to any Africa state fighting for a seat, Japan would suddenly become a friend to Africa like this...

Anytime You Need A Friend

This is petty from our Japanese friends but brilliant! In the event that you cannot deal directly with your enemy, by all means create a situation to make their policies and image weak. A Prussian General once said, War is the continuation of politics by other means and China is appreciating this on the behalf of Japan’s efforts towards Africa.

“Prime Minister Abe stated “The enormous continent of Africa has given no permanent member to the United Nations Security Council. Agenda 2063 states clearly that by 2023, it will rectify this situation,”
Referring to a vision document by the African Union that was launched in 2013 in Addis Ababa to help develop Africa by 2063.”

— TICAD-VI Nairobi, 2016

Read the documents below to see just how Africa states decided to screw themselves over and properly. They can sign such documents for peace but cannot come together for W.A.S.H related solutions that are permanent.

HARD POWER IS NOT AN OPTION FOR AFRICA

“The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Japan of “attempting to impose its wills on African countries to gain selfish interests and drive a wedge between China and African countries.”

— Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on August 29, 2016

CURRENT HARDPOWER PLAYERS

“Checkmate”

— Japan

.......BUT TICAD HAS SOME KINKS

“First to be held in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya). 32 Presidents, Prime Minister of Japan, of State and Government from Africa, the Prime Minister of Japan, 22,000 participants from Africa and Japan, 2000 Business representatives from Japan and Africa. The Theme was ‘Advancing Africa’s sustainable Development agenda: TICAD Partnership for Shared Prosperity. Japan promises to invest from 2016-2018 an additional $30billion to more public private partnerships. ”

— TICAD VI, 2016

 We can start and ending with avoiding all the issues stated in this article.

This is the second part to the Soft Power issues of  Japan in Africa. To catch up on the first part

MULDAY MONDAYS: WATERPLOMACY-TURKEY TO AFRICA & WATER SCARCITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

TURKEY'S SOFT POWER IN AFRICA:- WATERPLOMACY  AND SO MUCH MORE

“Waterplomacy: The use of water as a tool in diplomacy. ”

— Water & Cassava

“Santa Clause, Father Christmas or St. Nicholas is not from the North Pole. Our Brother is from Turkey.
Stop leaving him cookies, leave him some Turkish Delights or Keebabs
HO! HO! HO! ”

— Water & Cassava is here to decolonize your mind.

Get a Turk in your life so you can find an Auntie. All shall be right in your life. 

“Turkish Delight also known as DRUGS, you cannot stop with just one. On a Turkish Airlines heading to Morocco, I asked four times for just a bit more. The flight attendant gave me the whole box, and everyone laughed at me. Listen, I ate that whole box from London to Morocco and I did not share with my neighbors that found my addiction to be funny. #Haters ”

— Baraka allahu bika

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

The Republic of Turkey. 

“Did you know in 2016, Turkey ranked second for donor countries providing humanitarian assistance?”

TURKEY MAKING THE WORLD GREAT AGAIN!!! SOMEONE SHOULD TELL THE FOLKS IN D.C WITHOUT THE STATES, THESE STATES IN THE GLOBAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. 

President Erdoğan of Turkey made more visits to Africa in 2017, than any other head of state. The relationship between Turkey and Africa goes back to the Ottoman Empire Era. Turkey’s IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has dug drinking water wells in Somalia for the consumption of  20,000 people daily. In addition to water, Turkey has built schools, hospitals and roads in the country of Somalia.
 

“The Ottoman Empire ruled parts of North Africa for over five centuries”

President Erdogan is very vocal of the exploitation of Africa and the role colonialism played in destabilizing African states. This is the seduction of Soft Power, you must have policies and a culture that is attractive to folk. On that culture piece, never forget that Intercultural Relations is the thread that holds the cloth of International Relations. 

““We see that the future is in Africa. We cannot put this future aside, we cannot miss it. We didn’t come here with colonial plans. Our history does not have any trace of imperialism. Our sole aim, which I also told the Chadian President, is to ensure that Africa can stand on its own two feet.””

— President Erdogan of Turkey

what does turkey get for such SOFT efforts AND BOLD STATEMENTS?

The Jeopardy Theme.

somalia (MILITARY POLICIES)

Turkey will be joining the United States, U.A.E in having its biggest overseas military base in Mogadishu, Somalia. This base cost our Turk friends a delightful $50 million. 

CHAD (ECONOMIC POLICIES)

Several trade deals and agreements are signed between Turkey and Chad, including technical development, investment and the fight against terror. TRT World's Kim Vinnell reports.

TURKEY & SUDAN WATERPLOMACY
(6 YEARS AGO-"CULTURAL VALUES")

Turkey supports Sudan's water development projects. The Turkish government has donated over US$3.5 million for implementing more modern water technologies to help provide drinking water to the people of Sudan. With the funds going toward the construction of over 40 wells throughout eight states, the project is being implemented by the Africa City of Technology together with the Turkish Development and Cooperation Foundation and Turkish Development Bank.

TURKEY & SUDAN (PRESENT)

-SOFT POWER FROM TURKEY TO AFRICA

Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erodogan, is in Sudan. He arrived in Khartoum on Sunday. It's the first time a Turkish leader is visiting the country. He's accompanied by an impressive business delegation, and has been focusing on investment opportunities.

WATER SCARCITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

What happens when a city runs out of municipal water? Models are clear on the severity: the tanking of the economy, the destruction of sewerage infrastructure, outbreaks of violence, the spreading of disease. As Day Zero threatens to approach the City of Cape Town, public consumption isn't the only problem.

Officially, as of yesterday, in Cape Town the water crisis has been upgraded to Level 6 restrictions. This translates to a reduction of over 60% water use of agricultural operations and 45% in the urban business sector. The drought in South Africa is concerning since it appears to be getting worse and if you pay attention to the graphs below, it looks quite grim.

Meteorologist can calculate rainfalls by looking at El Nino and La Nina patterns. The norm is El-Niño brings drought to South Africa, while La Niña brings wet conditions. The rain patterns are so inconsistent in SA, that both Nina and Nino are quite weak, so you do not get the expected rainfall.

STRICTLY INFROMATIONAL, REMEMBER SPARADIC IS THE WEATHER TODAY

THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AND DAM STORAGE

NO CLEAN WATER IN  HARARE, ZIMBABWE???

“The chemicals needed to make water clean are no longer available in the city or are extremely low in quantity: Activated Carbon, Chlorine, Sulphuric Acid and
Aluminium Sulphate”

— The more you know??

Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni of Harare, capital of Zimbabwe has released official statements on the consumption of water in the city.

““We think we are providing you with water that is good for you and your family to drink,” he said. “We have seen experiences of water that does not look good, water that looks greenish and brownish, water that froths or foams. Let’s share the responsibility. While we assume and claim that our water is clean and safe to drink; we ask you to exercise caution wherever you are and make your own personal decisions about what you see, what you smell. Is it good enough for you to drink?”

— Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni of Harare, Zimbabwe

Let’s hope the new President of Zimbabwe, Bernard Manyenyeni will do something on the Public Health sector. Preferabbly starting with firing Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni immediately.
 

See you next Mulday!

Silk Road Thursdays: Cool Japan for Everyone but for Africa, Yadah Yadah ....

LAST TIME WE TOUCHED ON JAPAN...

Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)

We will touch on an incident that involved TICAD & the U.N Security Council. This is very important to understand the piece of Aid in our series as a soft power tool. While this is a strong soft power tool for the country, it is also a challenge for Japan.

Cultural Diplomacy

We will start here and TICAD much later.........

---

what is yadAH yadah?

George's new girlfriend explains things using 'Yada-yada' to gloss over things.

---

BEFORE WE START OUR STORY....

THE PAST OF JAPAN  & CULTURAL DIPLOMACY 

Cultural Diplomacy from Japan can be a touchy subject for the Asia Pacific Region. This Japan brings back memories of “Empire” and “War”. There is no soft power in this Japan below, this is pure Hard Power and Realism. Depending on you ask, Japan has never apologised for the war.  

“We are not going to apologize every year based on the new elected administration

We are not going to give funds for every new administration

We are not going to apologize for every former minister that speaks harshly about this topic

Take your statues down and then we can speak of shrine visits.”

— Japan to South Korea, China and the Asia Pacific Region

This tension will push Japan to go inside and not invest on Cultural Diplomacy because Japan is viewed through the lenses of this flag.
 

This flag was in use during the Edo period or Tokugawa period (徳川時代) about some 200+ years before the war.
However, it should be noted that this flag is controversial and painful for people of South Korea and China. Think the swastika for Germany, The Confederate Flag in America, Afrikaner Oranje, Blanje, Blou Flag of South Africa and Namibia.

This flag is a reminder of Colonialism and Imperialism.

DOES JAPAN'S DARK CULTURAL DIPLOMACY MATTER TO AFRICA?

There are three major players in Africa from Asia: China, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, there is an unspoken competition between all three on just who can be the most influential friend for Africa but that will be addressed later with TICAD.

In 2013, there were some serious tensions brewing between China and Japan on the role of “influence” and “leadership” with ASEAN. China accused Japan for trying to “assert complete leadership” in the region. 

Just because Japan invested a tiny $1.5 billion into the ASEAN union and I forgot to mention the “soft loans” that topped over $500 million from Japan to Myanmar...... 

Japan has also made sure that with every natural disaster in the Asia Pacific region, before the U.N, International Red Cross, like this Sting song... It is first to help with recovery efforts.
 

I will touch more on ASEAN states later with this blog. The ASEAN way can also serve as a great platform for some African States. Here is a tiny bit about ASEAN.

This competitive relationship between the two is creeping into Africa. 

“So, you understand now that Korea and China would not mind if Japan was out of African Affairs.

There will be no wasabi tears to shed here..

But
This does not mean Korea is simply so happy with the presence of China in Africa.

However, China and Korea could care less for Japan in Africa and for that matter Asia Pacific Affairs.”

— Water & Cassava

COOL JAPAN TO THE WEST LOOKS LIKE

However as with most things (not all), time mends and shapes everything. Japan is now known for its own unique soft power known as Cool Japan. Cool Japan was birth in the 1980’s and since then we are all trying to keep up with the cool factors of Japan. Japan is cool in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia but Africa???

COOL JAPAN & AFRICA OR YADAH...

“... THE LACK OF RESPECT AND AWARENESS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TRANSLATES TO
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A MEMBER OF THE OTHER, aka “SUBALTERN”.”

— Water & Cassava

“Antonio Gramsci used this term to refer to people considered infererior be it race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.

This term is forever stamped in International Relations Theory because of an essay by Gayatri Spivak. She asked a simple question,
Can the Subaltern Speak?

This blog is about Africa and Asia, so I do not see a problem using this word in both spaces. I should note that academically, this word is getting a bit trendy and abused. ”

— Subaltern

At this point of the Water & Cassava Blog you are versed on Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy. But if you need a refresher, just go back to any Silk Road Thursday Entry or Cassava Tuesday entry. 

“A state’s public diplomacy is a direct response to its culture, foreign policy, and political ideologies.

These three elements drive attraction and create a unique soft power for the respective state.

All three elements must be present for the soft power effect to occur.

Cultural Diplomacy is a soft power tool that occurs during the long-term run while Public Diplomacy focuses on the short-term run of the country.”

— Understanding the complex ties with Japan and Africa through the lenses of China and Korea

Officially the name of the Japanese flag is called Nisshōki ("sun-mark flag"). Commonly people refer to the flag as Hinomaru ("circle of the sun").

AFRICA IN JAPAN POP CULTURE

SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.

While China's economic and trade impact on Africa has raised global attention, China also runs one of the world's largest short-term training programs. It also gives generous support to 31 Confucius Institutes teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at many top universities in Africa. So what do Africans feel about the deliverables of China's soft power investment?

“Do you see the problem here? The China culture must be understood and learned but noticed the African leader not advocating that this street be a two-way street. 

Japan can use this as an entry tool to Africa. Korea and China still don’t understand this piece on diplomacy in Africa must be fluid. ”

JAPAN IN AFRICA CULTURE???

Japan does not have a strategic plan in this area for Africa.  It is a yada-yada approach! The assumption here on both sides is, in the name of TICAD all will be great. Diplomacy must be fluid and Soft influences must go both ways. Majority of African leaders suffer from forms of the colonialism disease that range from early stages to fatal stages in development, so they do not invest in their “soft influences”. They have no problem absorbing other soft influences on the behalf of aid and relief. Africa has made no efforts to work on the art and execution of niche diplomacy in Asian spaces.

Culture is an extended arm in International Relations. A successful relationship between Africa and Japan will be expected for Japan not to downplay the role of culture and identity of Africans in Japanese spaces.

 

BUT JAPAN HAS AFRICAN FESTIVALS...

Festivals do not count per-se, because they are just extra pluses towards the city brand. It benefits cities in Japan that have “African themed festivals”, it shows the global stage, “Japan is DIVERSE!!”.

INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS

International Relations can be best described today as Intercultural Relations. The U.S vs. West Asia is a great example on just how the lack of respect and appreciation of Intercultural Relations can bring countries to their knees.

The very definition of International Relations that is “relations with other nations” rests on the shoulders of that each country has unique traditions, social interactions, political dynamics, and intellectual orientations that make up the country. Japan must understand, with interactions towards any African country, it will go favorably if they start to pay attention to those shoulders.  

There is no fluidity in cultural diplomacy between Africa countries and Japan. This is not unique to Japan because China and Korea do not value this or have no clue on a starting point. However, this gap could be the golden ticket of applying “Cool Japan Diplomacy” to Africa. The neglect or underestimation of cultural diplomacy towards Africa by Japan hinders fluid relations but because China and Korea are guilty of this issue, Japan can use this as winning attribute to building on African Affairs.

some examples on how Japan can work on CD with Africa:

• Pop Culture
  Anime and Manga with African Myth and Folklore, Cool Japan!

• Academic
  Educational Exchanges that include professors and students from both spaces. So not just African students going to Japan for graduate studies but Japanese students and professors in Africa Academic spaces. This also means more African Professors and Deans in Japan universities that claim to teach Africa Affairs.
  

“If the Education Sector can appreciate the importance of “French Academics” teaching Francophone studies ....
Then it must have no problem understanding the importance of African Academics teaching African Studies”

• Blue Economics (Beyond Fish)

• AgriMarketing/ Agri-Economics

• “Experimental” Tourism

  LASTLY ON CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat rest on:-

• Do your “friends” and "neighbors" speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Does the global stage speak and understand your cultural diplomacy?

• Are you humanitarian friendly? (Later on this piece)

Cultural Diplomacy is not about countries explaining their “self” onto the global stage. It is based on Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy. 

“Applying unique intelligence base on culture, history, identity, etc. to build and increase understanding with other countries while simultaneously working on your own interests. Multiple actors, cultural promoters are needed to get this point across....”

— Cleverness in Cultural Diplomacy

JAPAN HAS A MEDIA PROBLEM IN AFRICA

Japan lacks international mass media presence on the global stage to promote its image. The United States has CNN and FOX. The UK has the BBC, but do you know the name of Japan’s international broadcasting channel???

Waiting……….

The NHK network could be key to setting up stronger ties to Africa. What better way to spread your message to your new friends using their language with their faces?

P.S NHK has a KiSwahili Channel but BBC has Pidgin, Hausa and so much more. NHK needs to pick up the pace. 

We leave you with this video of African artist, Dobolo based in Japan.

See you next Silk Road Thursday!

Cassava Tuesdays: Cape Verde

We will be back next Cassava Tuesday!

Our first Lusophone Country for Cassava Tuesdays will be Cape Verde. There is a reason for the use of Cape Verde and Cabo Verde.... Hrrrggggh, What is in a name? We will discuss next time!

Cape Verde has no Soft Power but there is potential to build on a brand thanks to their Blue Economy.

Are you aware that Cape Verde has the second-best education system in Africa?
 

We will start with Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral and end with the branding possibilities for this island country. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde

Cesária Évora - Sodade Official music video - corrected and better HD sound

Muldays Mondays The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam II: Qatar,Saudi,Egypt...Who gives a dam?

An homage of colors for all the countries involved

Do you see Qatar? 

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NILE BASIN COUNTRIES AND (OTHER FRIENDS)?

Our countries above are: Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

the nile basin initiative 

An Update from the Nile Basin Initiative on the Great Dam:

“......“I urge member states to take advantage of the solution pathways that have emerged from this forum and build on the networks established. We all have a role to play in ensuring a water secure future in the Nile Basin region and making it a better place for all living beings,”

— The Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat Executive Director, Eng. Innocent Ntabana, October 2017

To learn more about, The Nile Basin Initiative and their role in Water Security and Scarcity 

Well that escalated quickly. It appears tensions have escalated quite a bit between Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Qatar. Yup, Qatar the country that seems to ooze the kind of wealth, we mere mortals could not even imagine because we are poor and useless.

“Yo! Keep your shit far away from us, because we have our own problems

”

— Qatar to all Nile States

Before we go any further, did you read the first part? Catch up 

So, Ethiopia is still not giving any $%&*@, they are going through with their Grand Renaissance Dam. This is the Ethiopia that is admired, take no bull approach to fighting for their narratives and spaces. I should also point out here that Ethiopia is doing exactly what China does to feed all those billions of folks at home. To understand some of the woes, read below on China re-creating dams and redirecting Water and the impact of this to India.

The difference between Ethiopia and China would be the openness to discuss all issues related to the dam

IS THE DAM REALLY THAT BAD OF AN IDEA?

There were initially concerns from Egypt and Sudan that the creation of the Dam will take away from sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, but Sudan is now on “Team Great Dam” as you read from our last post.

Sudan has played the role of mediator between Egypt and Ethiopia. I should point out Sudan has signed quite a few deals  with Ethiopia and stands to benefit from tremendous hydroelectric power. 

“We do not want your dam, it poses Water Security issues ”

— Egypt Tears and Feelings that are filling the Nile

From the Genesis of the Dam to current day, Egypt has made it clear, it does not want the creation of this dam. It does not want to halt building the damn, it simply wants to scrap it away. Egypt has gone as far, has threating to start a war with Ethiopia over the dam.  

The talks between Egypt and Ethiopia is just.....

“99 Problems but a Dam ain’t one”

— Mr. Sean Carter, but you may refer to him as Jigga

THERE IS JUST TO MUCH GOING ON......

Sudan and Egypt have trust issues that are all centered on the ongoing South Sudan War. President Omar al-Bashir has the belief that Egypt gives weapons to South Sudan tthat keeps the war going. 
 

COLONIAL COMPLICATIONS & FALSE LABELS

Egypt and Sudan have issues at home and in West Asia or the "Middle East". 

“I have a dream one day, continents will be judged for their continent status and not political relationships. West Asia not Middle East
”

— Water & Cassava

So you recall that Saudi Arabia and Friends cut diplomatic ties with Qatar because of their support for terrorism. All soughts of irony and it would be funny if the B.S was not getting people killed.
 

Do you know this ABBA SONG...... 

SAUDI ARABIA & SUDAN

BUT IN 2014....

SUDAN & QATAR

Qatar clearly wants to know Sudan more with that $70 million "investment" to Sudan.  

 Hala'ib Triangle 

This is another big issue between Egypt and Sudan that has lasted from 1899-Current Day

“OH GOD, WHY IS IT THIS MESSY???”

— Water & Cassava

Just watch

BACK TO SUDAN AND SAUDI

It is fair to conclude that it very awkward between Saudi and Qatar with repect to Sudan and Egypt.

Sudan is playing or trying to play mediator between Saudi Arabia and Qatar… 

“Oh SHIT this is to funny, I am in tears. You see the problems with labels and how they confuse folk?”

— Water & Cassava

But

“One of my parents once told me not to ever confuse tolerance with acceptance.
Sudan that comment was for you…
Bashir you don’t have the Madiba Effect or Diplomacy, so sit DOWN….Wait are you not suppose to be in the international court???….

You are not a Arab Brother because of a language and a religion is....YOU ARE AFRICAN , AFRICAN BEFORE ANYTHING”

— Water & Cassava

SUDAN AND EYGPT (PETTINEESS)
Sudan has banned all agriculture and animal imports to Egypt
 

Egypt has banned sudan journalist and Sudan has place travel restrictions.

THE SECOND POINT OF THE DAM MADNESS: CHINA

It seems like the norm to any development in Africa must include China. China spotted $1.2 billion to Ethiopia but still the country seems to be pulling off the unimaginable. The Dam still has a way to go, it takes 5-10 years for a full dam to operate. 
 

SO WHY WOULD EGYPT THINK ETHIOPIA GOT FUNDING FROM QATAR?

.......Ethiopia denies receiving funding from Qatar to build The Renaissance Dam

EGYPT AND THREATS

“Egypt president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi issued a stern warning to Ethiopia over the mega dam  saying “water is a matter of life or death.” and that “No one can touch Egypt’s share of water.””

— All Bark and no Bite

Until next Mulday or if the Dam is destroyed