History

Norway ups aid to Zimbabwe

africasc_admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Norway is increasing its aid to Zimbabwe by NOK 58 million. The money will be used to help the people of Zimbabwe and support the new Government of National Unity.

Due to the years of misrule, embezzlement and hyperinflation, the Norwegian money will not be channelled through the Zimbabwean Government’s financial system, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The funds will instead be channelled through NGOs, the UN and the World Bank.

New SWE ambassador to Angola

africasc_admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:47:42 -0500

JOHANNESBURG. The Swedish government has nominated a new ambassador to Luanda, Angola. The Swedish Foreign Ministry (UD) last year changed its decision to close the embassy after severe criticism from Swedish business interests based there.

Bo Emthén, who currently serves at the Foreign Ministry’s Africa unit will be taking up the post by June. His prior experience also includes being the general consul in Hamburg and Gdansk and heading up Swedish Trade Council operations in Poland.

Foreign investors watch Zuma selects

africasc_admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:35:43 -0500

JOHANNESBURG. With the African National Congress' (ANC) Jacob Zuma to take office as South Africa’s new president on Saturday, in the wake of the country’s elections on April 22 – what’s in store for foreign investors, Nordic and Swedish companies here?

While Zuma is still deliberating his choices for parliament posts – the appointments are imminent.

One of the most important posts – from the foreign investor’s perspective - is the head of the Finance Ministry, currently held by respected Trevor Manuel, says Mikael Edholm, Senior Project Leader, at the Swedish Trade Council.

Sub-Saharan Africa still growth area

africasc_admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:20:40 -0500

JOHANNESBURG. For a number of years, Sub-Saharan Africa has been a high-growth area attracting many Nordic investments, ranging from the household investors' retirement funds to higher-risk private investments in countries like Angola and Nigeria. With the waves of the global financial crisis waiting in the wings, what’s in store for Africa?, Africascan asks the Swedish Trade Council in Johannesburg.

”Recession, decreased export, that is happening here right now,” says Mikael Edholm, Senior Project Leader, at the Swedish Trade Council, at the Johannesburg office, which oversees the council’s activities in the Sub-Saharan region.

”We used to think that Sub-Saharan Africa was relatively independent of the other markets,” he says. But, ”the crisis that has affected the rest of the world is coming here – with a delay of about six to nine months.”

Swe humanitarian aid to Zim continued

africasc_admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:17:29 -0500

JOHANNESBURG. Sweden is continuing to give humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable people of Zimbabwe, but substantial reforms must be initiated before Sweden can begin cooperating with the Zimbabwean government.

“The people of Zimbabwe enjoy great support from the rest of the world. Sweden is prepared to provide additional humanitarian support, but increased involvement in the country requires that implementation of reforms is immediately begun and that they have an impact in society,” says Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

SA voters unite against corruption

africasc_admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:09:37 -0500

JOHANNESBURG. Next month, South Africans go to the polls in what many see as the most important elections here since the first democratic elections in 1994.

While some South Africans are worried about what might be in store for the country if, or more likely when, ANC leader Jacob Zuma comes to power, the election concerns shared by Nordic business interests in South Africa might not be as party-, or candidate- oriented, guesses Robert Hermans, who heads up the South African division of Gunnebo, a Swedish company that supplies security solutions.

Sweden buys SA armored vehicles

africasc_admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:50:51 -0600

JOHANNESBURG. The Swedish army has ordered 60 more RG32M light-armoured vehicles from South Africa’s BAE Systems Land Systems, confirms company spokesperson Mike Sweeney. That’s in addition to the 200 vehicles Sweden bought ealier.

Skeptics have argued that Sweden’s choice of South African combat vehicles has less to do with their suitability and more to do with South Africa’s order of Sweden Gripen fighter planes, during the controversial arms deal.

But the Swedes who also considered the US Humvee opted for the South African vehicle because of its cross-country performance, among other qualities, the company says. “The RG32M provides a very good combination of mine protection and cross-country mobility - attributes which can be mutually exclusive,” says Sweeney.

The RG32M is a 4x4 light armoured vehicle with a crew of 5 to 7 and a basic combat weight of about 7 300 kg.

The all-steel, welded armour, monocoque hull protects the crew against small arms fire, grenades, anti-personnel mines and land mine detonations under any wheel. The engine and other key components are also protected against small arms fire and shrapnel.

The RG32M is constructed from automotive sub-assemblies that are commercial off-the-shelf items. This provides significant benefits in cost-effectiveness, reliability and worldwide supportability.
The RG32M has various military and non-military applications to fulfill a wide spectrum of command, liaison, scouting, patrol and peacekeeping roles.

For more than three decades, Land Systems South Africa has been the globally recognized leader in the design, development and manufacture of combat and operationally-proven mine protected armoured vehicles, according to the company.

Land Systems South Africa is a South African company, jointly owned by BAE Systems (75%) and the South African Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Group, DGD Technologies (2001) Pty Ltd (25%).

Since BAE Systems entered the South African market in 1994, its business in the territory rapidly developed and the country has emerged as a home market for BAE Systems.

The business in South Africa comprises of two components: Land Systems South Africa (with two divisions, Land Systems OMC and Land Systems Gear Ratio) and BAE Systems Gripen Overseas (Ltd) (which comprises the Hawk & Gripen programmes, an associated Industrial Participation (offset) unit and various investments).

Nordics: End Mugabe's misrule

africasc_admin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:35:13 -0600

"The misrule of Robert Mugabe must come to an end and respect for human rights be reinstated in Zimbabwe," Nordic ministers say in a joint statement, according to a press release from the office of Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) have a long tradition of engagement with Zimbabwe and other countries in Southern Africa. Our strong partnership with countries in the region has historically been built on mutual trust, dialogue and the upholding of common values such as democratic principles and respect for human rights.

Against this background, the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries are appalled by the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe which continues to deteriorate by the day. The suffering of the people of Zimbabwe has recently been further aggravated by the outbreak of cholera. This curable disease has already demanded far too many lives.

The neighbouring countries and particularly adjacent communities are affected by the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe as the disease easily crosses borders. The Nordic countries will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of in Zimbabwe. The authorities in Zimbabwe alone bear the responsibility for the tragic situation the country is currently faced with.

Violence and intimidation against the critics of the regime in Zimbabwe continue unabated. The recent disappearance of human rights defender Jestina Mukoko and the arrest of several members of the MDC are frightening examples of the human rights violations. The Nordic countries are worried about the fate of Jestina Mukoko and others and strongly demand that universal human rights be respected in Zimbabwe.

The political agreement between Zanu-PF and MDC of 15 September 2008 gave rise to some hope for Zimbabwe's future. Regrettably three months have passed without the creation of a coalition government. The Nordic countries call on the parties to reach an agreement without delay respecting the will of the people of Zimbabwe expressed in the elections of 29 March.

Negotiations must be conducted in a sincere manner by all sides. In this respect the unilateral decisions to appoint new provincial governors and to confirm the appointment of the Governor of the Reserve Bank go against this spirit.

The Nordic countries call for an end to the misrule of Robert Mugabe and of the disrespect for democratic principles and human rights - which are core issues underlying the Nordic engagement and support for the liberation struggles in Southern Africa.

The Nordic countries reiterate the importance of strong, energetic and persistent involvement in efforts to solve the crisis by the SADC, the African Union and the UN. The Nordic countries remain committed to supporting the economic and social recovery of Zimbabwe aiming for the sustainable development of the country once a reliable and credible government has been formed and once tangible signals have been shown in key areas, in particular human rights.

Sweden still ranks best at aid

africasc_admin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:59:01 -0600

JOHANNESBURG. In the yearly study measuring countries commitment to development, Sweden again tops the aid category.

However, in the overall 2008 Commitment to Development Index (CDI) by the Center for Global Development, Sweden ranks 2nd, immediately followed by Norway and Denmark, also generous aid donors. The Netherlands comes in first on the 2008 CDI on the strength of ample aid-giving, falling greenhouse gas emissions, and support for investment in developing countries.

The ranking score is made up of the average performance in seven different categories, including: aid, trade, investment, migration, environment, security and technology.

David Roodman, who devised the index, gives some examples on how the scores are calculated: ”Throughout, the CDI adjusts for size in order to compare how well countries are living up to their potential to help. For example, the United States gives much more foreign aid than Denmark, but far less for the size of its economy, so Denmark scores higher on this measure,” he says. “Similarly, U.S. tariffs on clothing and crops from developing countries do much more harm than Denmark’s because of the sheer size of the U.S. market. But since U.S. tax rates on imports are actually lower, the United.”

The Index rewards governments for letting taxpayers write off charitable contributions, since some of those contributions go to Oxfam, CARE, and other nonprofits working in developing countries. All CDI countries except Austria, Finland, and Sweden offer such incentives. Since the Index is about government policy, it counts only private giving that is attributed to tax incentives, Roodman explains.

Private giving to developing countries is higher in the United States than in most countries, at 8¢ per person per day, says the researcher. But even adding that to the 20¢ a day in government aid leaves the United States well short of donors such as Denmark and Sweden, which give $1.07 and $1.11 per day in government aid alone.

“The differences between countries in raw aid quantity are dramatic, and as a result they heavily influence the overall aid scores,” says the researcher. “The Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries take the top four slots on aid, while Japan and the United States end up near the bottom. But quality matters too.

“Norway edges out the Netherlands for second place on sheer aid quantity as a share of GDP, but falls to fourth in the CDI for funding smaller projects and being less selective. And the United States would score higher if it did not tie some 50 percent of its aid and if it gave less to corrupt or undemocratic governments in Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and elsewhere,” Roodman adds.

In the trade category, high tariffs on meat, dairy products, sugar, and wheat from poor countries put non–EU members Norway and Switzerland near the bottom.

In regards to migration, Austria takes first for accepting the most migrants for its size, with Sweden and Ireland in second and third place.

Finland tops this year’s environment standings, while ranking number eight in the overall study. Its net greenhouse gas emissions fell during 1996–2006, the last ten years for which data are available.

Also ranking high in this category is Norway, which has the lowest net greenhouse gas emissions rate per capita thanks to expanding forests; and the U.K., which has steadily increased gasoline taxes and supported wind and other renewable energy sources.

While Sweden topped the aid category in last year’s index as well, the country’s overall standing is higher than last year. In 2007, Sweden placed number four in the overall index, immediately followed by the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.

Racism against Afro-Swedes in focus

africasc_admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:20:07 -0600

JOHANNESBURG. Tomorrow, the Swedish Labour Court is hearing a case that is highlighting the discrimination that Afro-Swedish people meet on the Swedish labour market - and in every day life, says the Swedish Ombudsman Against Discrimination (DO).

”Unfortuntately Afro-Swedes are discriminated against in today’s Swedish society because of the color of their skin,” says Johan Hjalmarsson, head of DO’s development unit and responsible for DO’s work with the Afro-Swedish group. “It doesn’t matter if they are born here or have moved to Sweden; they are continually met with discrimination in every day life that’s built on preconceived notions and negative ideas about Africa and Africans.”

The Swedish Labour Court will tomorrow (Nov. 11) hear the case brought by DO on behalf of an Afro-Swedish man who at a job interview in Sweden was, repeatedly, asked if he had Aids. DO asks for damages in the amount of SEK 80 000.

In November 2006, the man, who lives in the Swedish region Västmanland, but originates from Gambia, was at a job interview at a local butcher shop.

The man had both training and experience for the job, the Ombudsman says. While at the interview and asked to change into a work uniform for a practical job test, he was asked if he had Aids.

The owner of the butcher shop admitted that the question is not asked routinely, but was asked specifically because the applicant was from Africa, said DO. The applicant, who became very offended and upset by the question, left the butcher shop.

According to the Swedish National Food Administration the question whether someone is HIV positive has no place during an employment interview, DO cites.

DO's Hjalmarsson explains that unfortunately this kind of treatment of African people is quite common in Sweden. He sees the incident as endemic of the “color-specific” racism and discrimination that Afro-Swedes often meet on the Swedish job market.

“It’s important that Sweden now gets an increased awareness about this serious problem and that ‘Swedish-ness’ is updated,” he concludes.