In the 21st century, this same helplessness and despair appears to have become a continent-wide endemic. Millions are simply “on the wrong bus,” hoping for Western aid monies, but missing the crucial building blocks that create sustainable economic growth. However, there are some hopeful signs that all is not lost, including a growing number of microfinance projects, the advent of emerging stock markets, solid governance structures, peaceful transfers of power and finally, and most importantly, the development of the African people themselves.

 

 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Muta Maathai outlines what she sees as the path forward in what should be required reading for those with any stake in Africa’s future. The Challenge for Africa analyzes the continent’s many problems — often in painstaking detail, but before the reader is convinced there is no solution, she then illustrates how to move toward real change. This plan is evident throughout, part of which Maathai dubs the metaphor of the “three-legged stool.” The stool breaks should one “leg” or pillar falter, but together, if all are strong, these pillars could put Africa back on the map for investment, development and growth. 

 

 

The stool is strengthened first and foremost by democratic principles. She uses the example of the first elected female African head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Sierra Leone, who committed to truth and reconciliation in the wake of the country’s brutal civil war. Inspirational leaders like Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Paul Kagame of Rwanda also provide a glimpse of what Africa’s people are capable of if given the platform and chance. Maathai also delves into environmental rights as part of her argument for democracy. Although at first it seems an unlikely choice for a section devoted to democracy building, she is quick to point out how the survival of the Congo Basin Rainforest Ecosystem is vital in trailblazing a path forward for Africa’s precious conservation areas and greater African control over the region as a whole. However, successful multinational agreements funded to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, like the Congo Basin Forest Fund, are rare. 

 

 

Cases in point — the Nile Basin Initiative–Entebbe Agreement raised concerns within Egypt; in July 2011, plans to build a road through the Serengeti plains in Tanzania met with worldwide disapproval, leaving that leg on the stool wobbly. To stabilize the region, African countries must step up and work together to implement these and other like-minded projects that will provide jobs, investment and infrastructure development in the long term. 

 

 

The second leg of the stool “symbolizes the sustainable and accountable management of natural resources both for those living today and for those in the future, in a manner that is just and fair.”

 

 

A prominent, positive example lies within the diamond industry and an extremely effective accord in the Kimberley Process. Its purpose has been to root out corruption and eliminate blood diamonds and the practice of using children as mine workers. But to realize this accord, African countries must challenge Chinese companies and the don’t-ask-don’t-tell informal policies many Africans use to make their countries more investor friendly. 

 

 

Analysts are also questioning whether local workers in coltan mines and maize fields are being housed properly, compensated fairly and enjoying a better quality of life. Furthermore, dozens of African countries now report export figures of greater than 90% going to China, with some frighteningly close to 100%. As China’s economy and population grows, consumption will naturally increase, putting more strain on its most-favored nations, which is why African nations must ensure their own protection to prevent further exploitation.

 

 

The author concludes that chiseling the third stool’s leg will be the most difficult — the belief that African men, women and children are afforded rights by their fellow man. Progress has been made by various commissions in South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Somalia, in coordination with Human Rights Watch and the International Criminal Court who are helping to get rid of the ‘Big Men’ in Sudan and Libya.

 

 

For the third leg to hold steady, reliance on unnecessary aid funding needs to stop, with African organizations and individuals stepping in to maintain and build sound infrastructure. Until that happens, Africa will be unable to learn from history to avoid repeating its mistakes.

 

 

Maathai argues that the seat of the stool is the place for development. If Africa’s citizens feel supported by legitimate rulers, if natural resources are exported, not exploited, and lastly, if the “‘cultures of peace” (fairness, respect, forgiveness and justice) begin to naturally occur, Africa’s numerous challenges will become surmountable. With talk of a permanent UN Security Council seat to be offered to Africa, the continent may be ensured a place atop a sturdy three-legged stool — one that supports a fitting seat toward change. bt