The Asian-African Summit 2005: In search of possibilities

The Asian-African Summit 2005: In search of possibilities

Teuku Faizasyah, Pretoria, South Africa

The coming together of Asian and African leaders in Jakarta
and Bandung for a summit on Apr. 22 and Apr. 23, to commemorate
the 50th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference, is a good
time to reflect on the relevancy of building a "new bridge"
between the two continents.

There are questions that require answers, such as: whether or
not there is a place for closer cooperation between Asia and
Africa within the new international structure? What is the
significance of the commemorative summit? Could the events bring
new impetus to the relationship between Asia and Africa after 50
lackluster years? How to understand the psyche of Africa toward
Asia and the notion of building a new strategic partnership
between the two?

Pondering on the above issues -- perhaps on some others -- is
indeed relevant. Hence, the commitment of the two continents to
building a new strategic partnership should be assessed
critically, based on its merit as well as looking at it from a
practical perspective.

As a matter of principle, a closer cooperation between the two
continents is indeed valid. The political freedom and
independence achieved by many Asian and African countries post-
Bandung Conference (1955) has not been matched by freedom in
other fields, such as the economy and information and technology.

For many citizens of Asia and Africa, the concepts of
political freedom, independence and emancipation appear abstract,
because they remain strangers in their own home. Such problems
stem from the failure of the many Asian and African governments
to stand on their own two feet. Moreover, mismanagement,
political instability, ethnic conflict, corruption and health
hazards -- particularly the spread of HIV/AIDS -- have further
exasperated the situation.

The reality of dependency is still prevalent in some Asian and
African countries, considering that there are cases where their
sustenance is dependent on the generosity of rich countries
(including former colonial powers), international economic
institutions, international development agencies and even charity
organizations.

The tendency to look to the West as a role model and to the
East for support -- that is, among their own peer groups -- needs
to be rectified. In fact, there should be no problem with
countries in Asia and Africa harnessing the "Look East paradigm"
espoused by former prime minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad.
China, India, South Korea and Malaysia in Asia, and South Africa
and Botswana in Africa are among countries that can serve as a
model for development. Undoubtedly, they have been successful in
meeting the expectations they had of independence.

From a practical perspective, learning from peer groups with
the same level of experience makes better sense than to leapfrog
to master advanced technology from the developed world.

Although the new strategic partnership between Asia and Africa
should not become a fortress, it is important that the two
continents look first at their sources of strength, that is,
their capacities, resources and best practices.

Countries of the two continents could also learn from each
other on issues other than development. For example, although
living in poverty -- Robert Guest in the Shackled Continent noted
that half of Sub-Saharan Africa's 600 million people live on just
sixty-five American cents a day -- Africans are committed to
democratization, a commitment that some Asian countries are still
lacking.

Africa is aware that its development is inter-linked with the
notions of stability, democracy and good governance. Therefore,
Africa is putting extra resources into the attainment of
stability, democracy and good governance.

A new partnership between the two continents is also relevant
in view of the lack of common knowledge among Africans and Asians
about each other. Africa's references on Asia are often outdated
such as, in the case of Indonesia, they know more about the
Sukarno era than the successive governments post-Sukarno. At the
same time, Asia has a lot of misconceptions about Africa and
tends to share the global stereotype of Africa as a continent
plagued with problems.

Asia remains a riddle for many Africans. They wonder why some
Asian countries -- liberated from colonialism at the same time as
they were -- are well ahead in development. What is behind their
success stories? Although there are no definitive answers to that
question, there are at least two propositions:

First, Asia is fortunate for having a number of countries that
function as engines of growth within their own sphere. Countries
like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India and Hong Kong function
as locomotives for development so that other countries in the
region willingly jump on the bandwagon. Unfortunately, there are
not many model countries in Africa and thus far, only South
Africa and Nigeria are functioning as driving forces.

Second, Asians have the determination to improve their
situation and progress. They share the basic trait of optimism
and are willing to work hard in order to depart from their
destitution.

A closer cooperation between the two continents is also
necessary in the context of an international structure where the
majority of countries in Asia and Africa are still "mediocre"
international players. A concerted voice from Asian and African
countries on international issues would serve as an alternative
voice, or perhaps a moral voice, which the world and major powers
could take into consideration.

Thus, the marginalized countries of Asia and Africa need to
regain their rightful position within the international
structure. Fifty years ago in Bandung, they established a history
of vocalizing an independent voice amid the bi-polar world -- and
no one would dispute that the Bandung Conference helped pave the
way for the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The summit is indeed timely, but it should not be viewed as
such for nostalgic reasons. The summit should address and rectify
the problems that have befallen many Asian and African countries.
By learning from the success stories of some Asian and African
countries and by making use of the available frameworks,
hopefully the determination of Asia and Africa through the New
Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) will result in the
betterment of their well-being and position within the
international structure.

The writer holds a Ph.D. on Diplomatic History and Conflict
Resolution from the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
and currently resides in Pretoria, South Africa.