Nigeria’s Women’s Bobsled Team Qualifies for 2018 Olympics, Country’s 1st Ever Winter Olympians
Next Cassava Tuesday, we will discuss the challenges facing the brand of Nigeria. The success of power and influence of a country is based on a country’s reputation regionally and globally. What happens, when a country is in the green economically(ON PAPER) but in the red with reputation?
We will discuss next Cassava Tuesday
“Discussion of Stability and Prosperity for Africa, 48 states attend but just 4 presidents attend.”
“Poverty Reduction and the incoporation of Africa into the global economy, includes 51 countries and 8 presidents ”
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.......
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
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...
![textgram_1515770182[9746].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58feb00686e6c0d9650eacf5/1515770482136-IJPXFYVWR0QF2CC8GW2U/textgram_1515770182%5B9746%5D.png)
“A review of the past and a look at the journey so far included 53 Countries, African Union and 1000 delegates attend.”
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.
Bolivia (2018)
Côte d’Ivoire (2019)
Equatorial Guinea (2019)
Ethiopia (2018)
Kazakhstan (2018)
Kuwait (2019)
Netherlands (2018)
Peru (2019)
Poland (2019)
Sweden (2018)
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.
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.
“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.
”
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.”.
”
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”
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.
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
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.”
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.
“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.”
“Checkmate”
“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. ”
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
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“The thread to the fibers of the Green Cape
The heart beat of cape verdean people ”
My younger years, this was the flag of Cabo Verde. The current flag came to be in 1992 but this flag below shares the familiar colors we associate with Pan African Colors.
Pan-Nationalism is quite a common theme throughout Africa. Western Asia and North Africa States sometimes labeled as Pan-Arab States share similar flag colors. Think of the following countries and the colors of their flags: - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and United Arab Emirates.
“The (10)gold stars represent the (10) islands of the country.
Dark blue represents the Atlantic Ocean
The Red Stripe - Represents the road to economic progress.”
“ On a scale of 0 (Highly Corrupt), 100 (Very Clean)
Cape Verde scores 59 ”
Capital: Praia
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Creole
Religion: Christianity, Islam(Very small minority)
Population: 539,560
Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva
President Jorge Carlos Fonseca
“Depending on which Island, Self- Identity/Cultural Identity can be tricky. The countries listed below influence Identity Politics and Cultural Hertiage:
Brazil
Portugal
United States
Netherlands”
“Cabo Verde scores 56.24/100 on the ease of doing business.
”
Cape Verde currency...Does that face look familiar??? Look Below.... She sang with no shoes in solidaritary of poor women that could not afford shoes.
“Do you know your phones?
Lusophone- Portuguese
Arabophone-Arabic
Francophone- French
Anglophone-English
Hispaniphone-Spanish
Rusophone-Russian”
Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, (G.O.A.T). (1924-1973)
Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, we shall call him (Grande Irmao) of African Lusophone spaces. He is credited to be the architect of freeing Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde from Portugal. He founded and lead the organization, Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC). This is the reason for the still close relationship between Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. Both countries still consider each other as brother countries because of their joint colonial past in fighting for independence. He is also one of the founding fathers of the Angolan political party, MPLA (Movimento Popular Libertação de Angola). I hope to touch on the other founder Agostinho Neto on another Cassava Tuesday for my take on Angola. All two were close to Mozambique’s Eduardo Mondlane a force to be reckoned with on his own right. Our three musketeers were mates at the University of Lisbon. All three men are very important to the Lusophone political narratives in Africa.
Unfortunately, as most of our stories go with fighters of colonialism in Africa, Mr. Lopes was murdered by some disgruntled PAIGC members with the help of the Portuguese police and never lived to see an independent Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. I should note that American Intelligence deny any intervention of the Portuguese and claim that this as an issue of Creoles(Mulattos) not wanting him to be leader of the party and president of the country.
“Our Lusophony brothers and sisters are passionate about him as the Francophones feel about Patrice Lumumba and Thomas Sankara. The Anglophones on Steven Biko and Kwame Nkrumah. The Arabophone on Gamal Hussein.
All those phones in a sentence.. go use a phone today..”
A song for our Lusophony friends by the Cape Verdean Queen of Morna, Cesaria Evora. That is the lady on the currency above this text. This song could be an ode to Angola during the time of civil war about still seeing and loving the beauty of Angola. This song also has some Cape Verdean Creole, which makes it a bit difficult to translate. It is still such a beautiful song, I hope you enjoy.
A country that is: Clean, Modern, Secure, (Outside)
Safe/Attractive Airline Carrier, Culturally Seductive, Positive Reputation and Behavior (Inside)
Benefits: Media and Tourists love you and it feels like this
Let's take a look at the Republic of Mauritius through the lenses of Air Mauritius
A country that is: In-War, Transitioning out of War, High Crime, Severe Poverty(Outside)
Corruption, Citizens abuse Tourists, Poor or Inadequate Infrastructure (Inside)
Expectations: No Tourists and the Media will show more of this below.
Let's look at Libya through Libyan Airlines just in case the media is biased.
Do you see yourself excited for that trip to Tripoli? Libya or Mauritius?
“Cape Verde Scores
72.2- Overall Governance Score
76.1-Safety & Rule of Law
78.0- Participation & Human Rights
60.6-Sustainable Economic Opportunity
74.0-Human Development”
This is the importance for branding your country correctly. This issue was so important that the country asked the United Nations to formally recognize a name change to Cabo Verde.
There is something missing in the brand of Cabo Verde. There are tools in their branding box, but the government is not investing in the box to promote the brand effectively. We will go through problems and opportunities for Cabo Verde in this section.
The lack of appreciation towards country branding and working on investments that support the brand of the country thoroughly is the norm with some African countries. This is not to bash our Cape Verdean friends, few African countries truly invest in their brand and even their soft power, which we refer here to as Cassava Diplomacy. Interesting enough, despite the lack of investing in infrastructure that supports brands and soft tools, there are no issues with enjoying tools and brands from China and from former colonial countries.
As discussed earlier with our Cassava Tuesday entries, part of the country brand must include a country carrier. The role of a country carrier is not just for quick safe transportation but to sell the country. This separates countries that are Developed, Underdeveloped and “the other”.
Inflight Magazines and Infight Entertainment highlight key players and areas of your destination. They are purposely designed to promote: Investment Opportunities, Culture, and Tourism, they are tools found in the country brand box. In this age of International Relations or state play, never forget that if the global community does not eat like you, drink like you, watch your entertainment, vacation with you, wear you as fashion. You do not matter, you are other and fair game to push other states’ soft tools or brand.
TACV Cabo Verde Airline is the country carrier of Cabo Verde but have you seen this airline before? They fly to ten destinations in North America, South America, and Europe, still does not ring a bell?
You can have a country carrier but if you do not market your brand effectively, you might as well not have one. It becomes an expense and not an asset for the country brand. Speaking of expenses, as of last year Loftleidir Icelandic will take over all marketing and business operations as the new strategic management partner of TACV. In return Loftleidir Icelandic, will have “right of first refusal” to own majority stake in TACV and Cabo Verde will be a minority holder. TACV is currently in the red of about $100 +million and as of last month, Cape Verde has decided to privatize the airline by March 2018.
Icelandair Group owns Loftleidir Icelandic which is the largest corporation in Iceland. So, let us say Thank you to Cabo Verde for pushing the country brand of Iceland. One country's lack of understanding in branding is another's soft power. In case you were curious, the Nordic country is part of a collective in diplomacy known as Cool North Diplomacy.
“Cabo Verde’s (Cape Verde’s) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter”
“More Cape Verde Citizens stay in Brazil, Portugal, United States and Netherlands”
The Ghanian Company, Trasacco group purchased land in Sal Island for the purpose of tomato production.
““We expect an investment of approximately 140 million euros, employing 3,600 workers, providing housing for most of them, to export approximately 150,000 tons of tomato per year, worth approximately 300 million euros”
“Tourisim accounted for 44 % of the GDP in 2016.”
The country will exempt all E.U citizens from visas to visit the country in hopes to boost tourism by 7%. This is excellent in promoting the brand because European tourist make for a huge chunk of visitors. It would be much better if this was extended to all African states, like other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the island country of Seychelles dropping visa requirements for other African countries. Global Appeal is only believable if your neighbors do the boasting for your brand.
The “Belt and Road” Initiative is about China Soft Power in African Spaces. This is not about economic and social development for Cabo Verde. This is China playing the game of Power and Engagement. Be CAUTIOUS of state to state “friendship” in which one state has HARD AND SOFT POWER. Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton called this Smart Power, that was the approach of Uncle Sam’s interaction with China during her term.
China is playing and Cabo Verde is getting played, you would have to go back on our MulDay entry on Africa Blue Economics and Overfishing to understand this piece.
The Brand of Cabo Verde must invest and work on diversifying the economy and even focusing on entrepreneurship.
Institute of Surfing-Cabo Verde, Do not laugh at me. There is a Cannabis University in the states making millions in revenue. To know more about Oaksterdam University and their subjects that include Business Courses, Cannabis Laws and Raising the best bud
Europe makes up for the largest trading partner and foreign investment for Cabo Verde. This is highly problematic and feeds into the poverty rate of the country. Cabo Verde needs to work with more African countries in this area not Europe. Reach out to Mauritius perhaps?
We shall leave you with the Princess of Morna, see you next Cassava Tuesday!
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.
We will start here and TICAD much later.........
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.”
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.
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.”
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???
“... 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”.”
“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. ”
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.”
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").
SIDEBAR #1 : "SOFT CONNECTIONS" CHINA IN AFRICA.
“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 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.
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!!”.
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.
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
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....”
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!
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.
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In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde
