Global Issues: Africa

Global Issues: Africa

Introduction

The UN system plays a critical role in coordinating aid of all types — to help Africa help itself — through its special abilities as the world's leading mechanism for international cooperation. The UN is present on the ground supporting economic and social development as well as the promotion and preservation of human rights. This support ranges from encouraging the establishment of democratic institutions to achieving peace between warring states.

The UN collaborates extensively with regional cooperation frameworks throughout Africa on this endeavor, and there are currently six peacekeeping operations underway. Mali, Western Sahara, South Sudan, Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one mission in Darfur (with the African Union), and one mission in the contentious Abyei region all have UN forces on duty.

In order to strengthen international support for African development and security and to better coordinate UN system support, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa was formed in 2003. Additionally, it aids in advancing discussions about Africa on a global scale, notably in relation to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), a strategic plan established by African leaders in 2001. The NEPAD mandate underwent reform in 2019. It is currently acting as the African Union's primary development organization.

Every year on May 25, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) celebrates Africa Day to mark its founding. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on that day, the founding charter was signed by 32 independent African nations. The African Union replaced the OAU as of 2002. Worldwide celebrations of Africa Day take place.

Difficulties in Africa

Climate change

African economic, social, and environmental growth is seriously threatened by climate change. The health, livelihoods, and food security of people in Africa have clearly been impacted by the large increase in warming that has occurred in Africa over the past 50 to 100 years, according to strong evidence. The continent faces a significant challenge as a result of climate change, which is predicted to reduce crop production, worsen water scarcity, accelerate the loss of biodiversity, and contribute to desertification.

Hunger and malnutrition

People who are hungry are becoming more numerous, especially in 2019 and 2020. Conflicts, climate change, and economic slowdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic are the main causes of the deteriorating food security and nutrition conditions in Africa.

All of the nations on the continent are urged to modernize the food business, according to the 2021 study "Africa, Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition" by the African Union Commission, FAO, and UN Economic Commission for Africa. To lessen vulnerabilities and increase capacity to handle shocks, countries will need to invest in agriculture and associated industries, as well as in water, health, and education services.

281.6 million Africans experienced hunger in 2020. The percentages vary depending on the subregion; according to the research, there are roughly 44% of undernourished individuals in Eastern Africa, 27% in Western Africa, 20% in Central Africa, 6,2% in Northern Africa, and 2,4% in Southern Africa.

Ebola

Millions of the region's poorest and most vulnerable individuals have had their standard of living affected by the epidemic, which has halted economic growth and forced the closure of enterprises. The international community launched the first-ever emergency health mission, the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Reaction, as part of the response on September 19, 2014. The mission's primary goal of escalating the local reaction was accomplished when it was concluded on July 31, 2015. Millions of the region's poorest and most vulnerable individuals have had their standard of living affected by the epidemic, which has halted economic growth and forced the closure of enterprises. The international community launched the first-ever emergency health mission, the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Reaction, as part of the response on September 19, 2014. The mission's primary goal of escalating the local reaction was accomplished when it was concluded on July 31, 2015.

Peacekeeping

The UN has placed a lot of emphasis on addressing the difficulties brought on by lengthy hostilities and ongoing disputes on the African continent. In order to guarantee the withdrawal of Belgian forces and support the government in upholding law and order, the first peacekeeping operation in Africa was deployed in the Republic of the Congo in 1960.

Since then, tens of thousands of peacekeepers have been sent to African nations, including Angola, Mozambique, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Burundi, and Sudan, as part of more than 30 peacekeeping missions. The Central African Republic hosted the most recent peacekeeping deployment, which was formed in 2014.

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

In order to "prosecute people responsible for genocide and other gross violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda and neighboring States in 1994," the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). The Tribunal indicted 93 people while it was in operation, including high-ranking military and government officials, legislators, businessmen, and leaders in the media, militia, and religion.

The ICTR, along with its sister international tribunals and courts, has been a trailblazer in the development of an effective international criminal justice system, contributing significantly to the body of legal knowledge on genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other instances of individual and collective responsibility.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is the first international court to rule on cases involving genocide and the first to interpret the Geneva Conventions' 1948 definition of genocide. It is also the first international tribunal to recognize rape as a method of committing genocide and to define it in international criminal law. Additionally, it is the first international tribunal to hold media outlets accountable for broadcasts that aim to incite the public to commit acts of genocide.

The ICTR handed down its final trial verdict in December 2012. Since that time, the remaining duties of the ICTR have been handled by the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, including cases before the appeals chamber and the pursuit and capture of suspects who have eluded capture.

Accomplishment

Decolonization

Nearly all of the nations in Africa were governed or administered by colonial powers at the conclusion of World War II in 1945. Africa is already essentially free of colonial authority thanks to the UN's extensive decolonization efforts after its foundation in 1945. When South Sudan declared its independence from the rest of Sudan in 2011, it became the newest nation in Africa.

Economic Growth

Africa's GDP expanded by about 3.4% in 2019, marking one of the longest periods of continuous economic growth in the continent's history. As a result, more and more Africans are becoming middle class members every year. Africa's GDP did, however, decrease by 3.4 percent in 2020. According to forecasts based on rising export and commodity prices as well as increasing domestic demand, the nation is anticipated to have a mild recovery in 2021.

Advancement of Women

Women control nearly one-third of the parliamentary seats in eleven African nations, according to Women in Parliament in 2020. Rwanda has the highest percentage of female lawmakers in the world (61%). The rate of female entrepreneurs in Africa is the highest in the world. One out of every four women runs or owns a business. The top ten nations with the most gender equality include two Sub-Saharan African nations, Rwanda and Namibia, according to the 2021 World Global Gender Gap Report.

Continental Agenda 2063

The African Union's Heads of State and Government endorsed Agenda 2063 in January 2015. The Agenda's vision and principles serve as a foundation for the continent's near-term ambitions, which will be converted into specific milestones, objectives, goals, and actions/measures.

In the midst of a world that is changing quickly, Agenda 2063 aims to provide Africa the tools it needs to stay dedicated and focused on the principles it envisions.

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