Africa 2014: pessimism, optimism, or both?

Africa has had a “bad start” to 2014. Or so I keep hearing. But I wonder, how does a whole continent have a bad start? Do a billion people collectively have a bad day?

What people usually mean is that Africa has experienced a lot of violence this year. No denying that. Horrific atrocities in the Central African Republic or grotesque attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria or Al-Shabaab in Somalia are sickening. And inter-communal violence in South Sudan particularly hit home for me, as I lived in Juba when that country voted for independence.

That is what people hear before they tell me about Africa’s rough start. That is, if they hear it at all amidst equally sad news from Syria or Ukraine.

On Monday I attended the engaging “Opportunity: Africa” conference hosted by Senator Coons in Wilmington, Delaware. Discussions there were diverse and forward-looking.  But keynote speaker President Clinton lamented the fact that too often outside these circles Africa is treated as one entity.  “It is a highly diverse, highly fascinating, occasionally maddening mix of countries”, he said. True. And obvious. So why the broad brushstrokes?

Some say it is the fault of sloppy journalists who simplify too much. Michela Wrong wrote a pretty convincing rebuttal to that argument. But there is some shoddy journalism out there. Then there are the politicians, too many of whom hear of a crisis or opportunity in an African country, then look confused and ask “where?” And there are the diplomats, yes, even us diplomats. In times gone by Africa departments were sometimes accused of being dumping grounds for poor performers.

But I think all these things are changing for the better. Increasingly we are seeing stronger reporting and analysis about the continent, more politicians are paying attention and- both at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK and at State Department – lots of good diplomats are passionate about their work with African countries. They agree with another thing President Clinton said in Delaware, “Africa is worth believing in, worth committing to and worth partnering with.”

So as I walked back along Wilmington’s peaceful riverfront I decided I should write a thoughtful analysis of good news stories in 2014. But then I realised Ms Wrong was right and that it would take a lot more than the 700 words our communications team allow me. So I’ll just throw out a few random examples of things that make me think the glass is half full:

– First, in many of the situations of conflict in Africa, it is Africans who are taking the lead in finding a solution, whether through armed forces like AMISOM in Somalia or MISCA in CAR, or through IGAD mediation in South Sudan;

– Elections in Puntland, Somalia, took place peacefully. The incumbent lost and stepped aside. More African politicians must be willing to do the same;

– Kenya’s President and his Cabinet took a pay cut of between 10 and 20% to help set the right example for dealing with the public sector wage bill;

– 17 African countries attended the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade to help protect one of the continent’s most valuable assets: its animals;

– Nambia was number one and Tanzania number six in the Wanderlust Travel Awards for 2014. You should visit. Those animals, wonderful scenery and friendly people are just the beginnings of the pleasures that await you;

– Big Data is increasingly being used to benefit small producers. The DFID-supported MPESA in Kenya has already made a difference and the soon-to-launch MySmartFarm app could do so too;

– As we head towards the UK-led Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, much of the effort to advance women’s rights is headed by strong, African women. Zainab Bangura and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka do it on the world stage. Countless others do it closer to home. Like my friend Semhar Araia, who founded the Diaspora African Women’s Network and is an inspiration to many; and

– Politicians are paying attention. The EU-Africa Summit takes place next month and President Obama will host his own in August.

Those of us who care about Africa, or particular African countries, should feel energised not be disheartened.

And I didn’t even mention Lupita Nyongo’s Oscar speech. It may sound frivolous but to me, for those few moments, and in one perfectly-dressed package, she symbolised the beauty, poise and generosity of spirit that is so prevalent across the continent. How can you feel pessimistic about that?