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Africa |
ECOLOGY
In a continent rife with poverty, social and political crises,
open and
simmering tensions, fierce conflicts, AIDS,
where can ecology find a place?
Or is ecology inconsistent with today’s Africa?
Obviously questions which
need to be answered
Is the average African really interested in the place of ecology in today’s world? Or is it just «pie in the sky» as far as he’s concerned, or a smart new trend in what is euphemistically described as «globalisation»? Are African politicians or indeed, the average citizen really concerned with ecology and politics? True, in the western world, ecological issues are important in political life, and indeed they have met with some success. But are these real achievements? Have they any place in an African milieu.
All these questions were tackled at a meeting held in Dakar, and generally-speaking, gave rise to a certain disquiet or even misunderstanding, when seen in an African context.
The Dakar meeting
African ecologists (somewhat rare in Africa!), coming from more than twenty countries met in Dakar from 7-11 March. This was their second congress. More than five years after the Niger meeting (29 May-2 June 1994), the Federation of African Ecology Parties (FPEA) had met together to «strengthen the African link in the world-wide ecological movement», and at the same time, to renew its organisation and give a new boost to its activities, which for some time had fallen into apathy.
The FPEA wanted to work towards «strengthening democracy and achieving lasting development», when faced with the apathy mentioned above. With this in mind, the FPEA called for an intensive two-year plan which would run from 2002-2003. So the choice of Dakar for the recent meeting, held under the aegis of the Rally of Senegalese Ecologists (RES) — a party which was only founded in 1999), was more than justified — bearing in mind that during the last elections, this newly-established party made a formidable inroad in Senegal’s top-heavy political scenario (65 political parties). The RES called for ecology to become a reality in the nation’s political thinking, and at the same time offered a new vision on the world.
Of course, at the recent Dakar meeting, one couldn’t ignore Africa’s present situation from an ecological standpoint. As in other parts of the world, there is a general picture of desolation, brought about by the constant degradation of the environment. Multiple and repeated failures to redress the situation can be attributed to traditional politics.
Signs of danger are everywhere, be they an accelerated regression of natural resources — mineral, vegetal and animal — an ever-increasing trend towards urbanisation, a disastrous management of domestic garbage and city waste, the constant «invasion» of plastic products, disgraceful methods practised by many industrial concerns. Every country is guilty of deforestation, of destroying the ozone layer. There’s an on-going indiscriminate use of human resources; the denial of essential living space for both humans and their livestock; and a hit-or miss attitude to biodiversity. In short, everywhere, nature is in grave danger.
At Dakar, the ecologists warned that: Many destructive actions are taking place; every aspect of our society is being affected, so we can’t escape what’s happening. They insisted: «The environment has no frontiers and even if priorities are not always the same, the struggle is the same. Only the severity of the problems may differ».
Everywhere it’s the same challenge. Consequently, delegates at the Dakar meeting had to work hard to ensure that information was shared; that plans of action for promoting ecological values in the world of politics were actualised; that all citizens become aware of the part they must play in re-establishing harmony within the various ecosystems; that all challenges must be faced so as to guarantee Africa’s lasting development.
Also, the Dakar meeting provided the opportunity to take stock of the situation i.e. ten years after the Rio Conference which sounded the alarm concerning all the dangers facing the ecosystem. It was imperative that African ecology parties be perceived as spearheading the struggle.
African political ecology
One could ask: «What can “political ecology” bring to Africa. What’s the difference between ecology in an African context and elsewhere? Is there a difference between ecology and environment?
However, why has “political ecology” less success in Africa, in spite of its noble ideals. What’s stopping its development in Africa? The ecologists come up with some answers: «There’s widespread illiteracy and a lack of political will and vision. But what is really at stake is not well understood, because when we talk about ecology being part and parcel of politics, then we must include such notions as «local grassroots democracy», simply because ecological problems are local, tangible and facts of everyday life. Taking ecology on board as part of our lives means that lasting development can be achieved and our children will have a chance in the future».
The Dakar meeting showed that ecology linked with politics, has now entered the political field and cannot be ignored. African ecologists are convinced that «the Dakar meeting had proved to be a major step-forward in influencing the political landscape. They are now in a position to involve themselves more and more, so that “political ecology” can bring all its weight to bear in finding alternative solutions to what is considered to be “development” but which is, quite the contrary». Briefly, African ecologists are «an emerging force for ensuring Africa’s future and humanity’s future, when faced with the constant check to socio-economic policies implemented by traditional political parties».
The ecologists are embarked upon a political struggle based on environmental issues. They offer a new and alternative way to govern, in order to change a world which has failed vis à vis its economy. It’s both an ideal and a policy.
Senegal’s Green Party
Ousmane Sow Huchard, secretary-general of Senegal’s Green Party, says that his party has taken the decision to go all-out so that people see it as, «a sign of hope for the future, determined to build an “eco-citizenship” — i.e. a new way of living. This will be achieved through a new citizen’s charter for the 21st century - a century which must become “ecologist” or it will turn out to be “catastrophic”».
It’s worth remembering that Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Mauritius and Niger now have Ecology Ministers.
We should also keep in mind that the RES is presently very much in the limelight. Independent parties are for the moment, illegal, so the RES has had to be sponsored by an official party in order to stand in the forthcoming 12 May local elections. The RES has received any number of offers because it has a good reputation of being neutral and not attached to any particular political party. It arouses curiosity, distinguishing itself from the usual way of doing things in Senegal’s world of politics.
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PeaceLink 2002 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement