Jean-Emmanuel Pondi is a professor of political science and international relations trained in Cameroon, UK and the US. Currently, he teaches in Cameroon, at International Relation Institute of Cameroon and he is also secretary general of the University of Yaounde One. He came to Eritrea twice to provide training on different issues. What follows is an interview conducted with him on various topics about Africa. Excerpts:  

 

Question - What is development for you? How can African countries achieve that goal?

 

Answer – Unfortunately, today development is becoming more of a slogan rather than something that can be achieved. We need to move away from the slogan and look very clearly how to achieve our goal. In 2007, the living standard of Africans was lower than that of 1960. Today, the purchasing power of Africans is a fraction of what it used to be in the 1960s. The life span of an Africans today has diminished from 52 in 1995 to 49 years in 2007. So, we must be so careful when we talk about development in the continent.

 

What actually do we mean when we talk about development? To me, development means, first, the ability of a country or individuals to be masters of their own destiny; to set their agenda and fulfill the dreams of improving the life of their people. Secondly, development means the ability to improve on the traditional cultural basis of the society and to transform it into modernity. Thirdly, development means the ability to play your role in world affairs rather than to be dictated by others. In general, development means: the ability to control one’s life as an individual, as a society and as a continent.

 

Question - Today there are ten million Africans in the Diaspora working for the betterment of the countries in which they are living; what options do you see to attract them back home?

 

Answer – Well, being in the Diaspora is not a bad thing in it self. The question is, if you go and live in the Diaspora, is it a personal choice or are you forced to do so? I think this is the first question that should be asked. The second thing is, you may live in the Diaspora because the skill, which you have, can’t be exercised in your own country.  Let us say if you are a space engineer or in a special field, you can’t work in Africa for now. So there are many reasons why people are in the Diaspora.

 

If it is the first reason that forced them leave their country, some possible efforts have to be made so that they will come back and contribute to their own society. And if it is the second reason, we have to work harder so that the highly qualified Africans could get a chance to work back home as the Indians and Chinese have done to use their Diaspora citizens.

 

So, we have to work on how to use the Diaspora and how to integrate it in our society. We have to put a structure that can welcome the investment, be it human, capital or financial investment that we have not done so far. We have to encourage the skilled individuals, including giving them an African passport to invest where they think suitable for them. In return, they will have the interest to improve the daily life of the Africans.

 

Question – We never hear or read much about African intellectuals in the western media while their contribution is well known. What could be the reason?

 

Answer - You see the truth is that, if Africans don’t have a global media like global Radio and TV to project the African view, the western media will not explain the contribution of Africans. And we will always expect what the owners want us to listen.

 

It is understandable the part played by African heroes, starting from Nkrumah, Lumumba, etc and the space engineers who are working in NASA. You do not hear much about them because if they are exposed, it will contradict the idea that Africa is a dark continent. But I insist on the fact that as long as the historians are the lions, it is the lion’s history version that prevail not that of the hunter’s.

 

Question- We usually talk about both western and eastern philosophies and ideas; how about African philosophy, do we have African philosophy?

 

Answer- Of course we have our own philosophy. African philosophy is even older than other western philosophies.  If you take the rift valley not far from Nairobi, Kenya, we will see that the first sign of human life were in Africa. Now, the fact we don’t know much about our self does not mean it didn’t exist. However, even if it is known, it is not always well communicated around the world or around Africa. Our ignorance can’t be an excuse for saying it doesn’t exist.

 

Question – What measures should be taken to portray our positive side, including our history, philosophy and culture to the rest of the world?

 

Answer – Well, Africans must start form the beginning; we must go back and learn more about ourselves. I think that is really a personal effort that each of us must accept to do.  We can’t speak about Africa, if we don’t know about it. That is the first point, which we must focus on.

 

This is what the Asians have done; this is what the Chinese and the Indians are doing today and it is successful. You can’t build a house on some body else’s foundation. That is what we are trying to do. So, I would suggest that we should seriously consider our culture, philosophy, history, technology, law, science and medicine.

 

Question – Do you share the idea that globalization is a threat, rather than an opportunity for Africa? 

 

Answer – It is my belief that Africans should stop complaining. Complaining from morning to night is not a help. Globalization means three things: First, globalization in today’s world is the ability of exchanging goods and services all over the world. Secondly, it is about enhancing ones ability to propose what you produce to the rest of the world. Thirdly, globalization is the ability to develop strategies in research and development.

 

Globalization is an opportunity, but if you are not ready to invest more in research and development, as the case in Africa, it could be a threat.  Africa spends only 0.1% of GNP on research. This is ridicules, what kind of impact can you expect with this very little investment? So, it is necessary to allocate enough money like India, China, Japan and so on have done. We need to allocate about 10% even 20% of our GNP for research.

 

Mauritius is a typical example in Africa. Mauritius has considerably improved its manpower, and today it is able to compete in world market. Hence, it is important for us to work harder and compete in the global trade. Of course, we have problems and shortcomings, but it is our responsibility to get out of it and play our role in the international arena.

 

Questions - How do you see the role of the western NGOs in Africa?

 

Answer – Is there any international law that prohibits Africans to create their own International NGOs? I don’t think so. Except for very few, most of the NGOs are international. If you take some organizations like MTN, which is South African, is really expanding all around the world now. There are also other NGOs, like ACOPAC and others that are not familiar to us. These are transcontinental NGOs.

 

There is nothing that prohibits Africans from creating their own NGOs and competes with their western counter parts. We should not always claim that we are victims, there is no reason we can’t do it. There are Africans who have the potential, and who also acquire the know-how. So, why don’t we put all these together and do something. It is true, there could be many obstacles, but it is better to try again and again instead of giving up. 

 

Question - Could NGOs help in alleviating African poverty? 

 

Answer – Well, quite frankly Africans should solve most of their problems by themselves. Of course, some of the NGOs are humanitarian, which could help in the provision of different social services. However, the biggest humanitarian NGOs in Africa should be Africans. We are not saying others should not be interested in Africa. They have the right to do so. But they should not be the only ones to intervene in African affairs. We must take personal motivation in handling our problems first. Then, when needed, others could intervene in a peripheral but not in a central way.

 

Question – Can you tell us how self-reliance could help Africa?  

 

Answer –Self-reliance is an excellent approach that can help keep ones dignity. There is no honor for the beggar in the world. Those who begs all the time cannot be respected. So, in order to enhance our dignity, we have to feed ourselves and we have to engineer sustainable development. 

 

Question – Why is that the western countries don’t accept the policy of self-reliance, especially when it comes form Africa?

 

Answer – Again I don’t agree with that position which suggests that we have to ask permission in order to launch our self-reliant approach. We don’t have to ask permission from someone. If we think it is necessary, and absolutely positive, we have to do it and then we would be judged by what we achieve.

 

If we don’t believe in ourselves, we can’t progress. Progress is based on faith, belief, conviction and hard work. If you don’t have that kind of sprit and conviction, nothing can be gained.  I am afraid that many Africans hardly expect any good from Africa and this attitude must be absolutely changed.

 

Question – Now it is your second visit to Eritrea; what is your impression about Eritrea? And how do you see the Eritrean self-reliance policy?

 

Answer – Well, it is my second visit to Asmara, Eritrea.  During my first visit I was very much impressed by the ethics and the dedication of the citizens to their country and by their very healthy and disciplined life style as well. The basis of progress is discipline and hard work and I have seen that here. I was invited again, and I came back immediately because I had already had a good impression about this country. 

 

Self-reliance in my view, is an important objective that we should embrace in the continent. As I have stated above, in order to be respected, you need to have an objective and strategy to develop oneself. Unfortunately, what is lacking in many African countries is the sense of purpose, direction and objective to reach that goal.

 

The policy of self-reliance and all policies that are in that direction should be encouraged and more African countries should seek creativity instead of always looking for a helping hand. The African tendency has always remained to be a beggar and the world is tired of beggars and what we required to do is dignify the prestige of Africans. But first we must know and keep our culture because it is the base for development.

 

Question - Your final word

 

Answer – I just want to say that my stay here was very enriching and I am leaving Eritrea with a lot of pride about Africa. When you see that there is a country which is fighting for its dignity, even for the dignity of the continent, one must be proud of it.