Under the cover of their duplicitous concern for the environment, the West is willing to have millions of Africans die with their deceitful cries to “save the planet.
African Leaders Speak Out for Physical Economic Growth at World Bank Forum
22 May 2024
Watch Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni’s at the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) summit, April 29 in Nairobi, Kenya
May 22, 2024
African leaders are displaying signs of resistance to simply taking orders from the Western controlled international financial system and their so called rules-based order. Their opposition to the diktats from the political-financial oligarchy has been demonstrated on two crucial fronts: energy and manufacturing.
Increasingly, African leaders are resisting demands from “developed” nations, whose populations have already 100% access to electricity, that less developed nations can only use so called renewables. The “advanced sector” threatens nations whose populations are literally dying from the lack of electricity, that they will not receive funds for investment in fossil fuel production. In other words, they insist African nations endowed with vast hydrocarbon natural resources should be prevented from utilizing these resources to produce electricity, which is necessary to improve the lives of their people. Under the cover of their duplicitous concern for the environment, the West is willing to have millions of Africans die with their deceitful cries to “save the planet.“ The two-faced nature of the rules-based order and their financial intuitions is demonstrated by their lack of support for major hydro-power projects in Africa. The United States and Europe have not supported the Grand Renaissance Dam (Ethiopia-5,150 MW), the Grand Inga (Democratic Republic of the Congo-40-50,000 MW), of the multination water project, Transaqua.
South African Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe
Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, Tanzanian President, and Samia Suluhu Hassan, speaking at the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) summit (April 29th, Nairobi, Kenya) spoke for the necessity to fund manufacturing and infrastructure in Africa. (See below) It is imperative to end the Wests’ singular focus on extractive industries to loot Africa’s valuable resources.
G-7 “Rules-Based Order” Meddling in the Horn of Africa for No Good
Watch Lawrence Freeman’s interview with Addis Assefa, OBN Horn of Africa, April 23, 2024
May 4, 2024
In this interview, I presented the fallacy of thinking by the so called rules-based international order, demonstrated in their G7-Foreign Ministers Statement. The G7 statement fails to articulate any policy promoting economic development for the nations of Africa. Rather, it shamefully, merely lists the concerns and the condemnations of the G7 for several African nations.
Major topics discussed included:
The involvement of forces outside the region meddling in the affairs of the Horn of Africa for geopolitical control; usurping the authority of sovereign African nations.
The absence of motivation for any nation in the Horn of Africa to initiate military engagement with neighboring nations.
The ongoing process of regional economic integration in the Horn of Africa.
The potential for increased physical economic growth in the region resulting from the Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland for port access.
The lack of a policy by the G7 rules-based order to promote physical economic growth.
The use of “climate change” to prevent African nations from using their sovereign natural resources to produce electricity for the purpose of improving the standard of living for their citizens.
However, I extend the implications of his analysis of energy poverty to its full impact on the lives of hundreds of millions of Africans. To wit: energy poverty is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Africa. Western political-financial elites are using their pseudo concern to “save the world” from climate change, to prevent African nations from producing vital energy from their abundant natural resources of hydrocarbons. In effect, attempting to deny nations suffering from a dearth of electricity, the right to develop their own energy sources sufficient to industrialize their economies. Hunger and poverty will not be eliminated on the African continent without nation-wide grids providing abundant and accessible electrical power.
Anglo-American Elite Continue Threats to Break-up Ethiopia
April 16, 2024
The publication of Alex da Waal’s article, Ethiopia Back on the Brink, in Foreign Affairs, on April 8, is a clear indication that the Anglo American Establishment intends to continue the destabilization of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. (Foreign Affairs/ Da Waal)
How Do I Know?
I come to this conclusion as one who comprehends strategic global dynamics, which elevates my thinking above those who live in the world of empiricism. It is elementary for me, who understands the world view of those indoctrinated in the “geopolitical zero-sum” ideology, to know what is intended for Ethiopia.
I know two crucial pieces of evidence.
One, Alex da Waal supported the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in their treasonous endeavor to overthrow the government of Ethiopia. It was a military attempt at regime change in a destructive war that lasted for two years. He was an active supporter in the war to destroy the Ethiopian nation. When Da Waal writes or talks about Ethiopia, his hatred and rage against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, gushes out.
Freeman: “Most Significant Accomplishment for Ethiopia in Foreign Policy was Joining the BRICS”
Ethiopia’s Evolving International Relations
Below are excerpts from my interview with ETHIOPIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION The Voice of Pan-Africanism. For the entire article by Wegayehu Muluneh, read: Ethiopia’s Evolving International Relations
Excerpted sections follow:
According to Lawrence Freeman, the most significant accomplishment for Ethiopia in foreign policy was joining the BRICS. As of January 1st, 2024, Ethiopia has become one of ten nations that comprise the BRICS, and also one of three nations on the African continent that belonged to the BRICS. Freeman believes this solidifies Ethiopia’s diplomatic position as a leading nation in sub-Saharan Africa, East Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
Sadly, the AU are not addressing the economic value of High Speed (180km/hr +). However AUDA-NEPAD have now come up with very interesting ideas for how railways should be seen in context with and as a catalyst for economic development and how to increase funding for infrastructure.
A New Paradigm Shift for Infrastructure Development ?
African Integrated High Speed Railway Network
Railways Africa Magazine in conversation with Ibrah Wahabu, AUDA- NEPAD Senior Programme Officer Infrastructure and Connectivity
excerpts from this very informative interview:
AUDA – African Union Development Agency
NEPAD – New Partnership for Africa`s Development
“Now when we talk about high speed, given the current status of rail infrastructure on the continent, in Zanzibar, this year in September our ministers agree we need to revise and recast our ambition. So instead of African Integrated High Speed Railway Network , we are now headed simply to Africa Integrated Railways Network. If that gets adopted by our Head of State, that is what the programme will become……………………………..”
“Without infrastructure the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will be just a talk show. Currently we have less than 5% inter-African trade volume within the continent. If we want to boost inter-African trade, we need to boost connectivity. Connectivity in terms of trade, rail is the most adequate one. Unfortunately what we notice at the AU Development Agency (AUDA) the current rail networks are not built for inter-African trade. They are built for the extraction of resources. So we need to have a deliberate approach where we shift the focus to make rail infrastructure that works for trade, make rail infrastructure that works for people movement, and make it work for business opportunities.”
How are we going to do it? First is to completely change how we see infrastructure on the continent. In 2021 we put forward a proposal that was adopted by our Head of State at the African Union General Assembly which is an integrated corridor approach for infrastructure development. It`s an approach that when we take a rail line we don`t see it as a rail line we see it as a link of a whole corridor for economic development. And a number of elements we look at: for example urban rural connectivity, we look at the issue around job creation, around environmental sustainability and climate resilience, ….”
“We believe the integrated corridor approach is giving a new paradigm shift for infrastructure development that will tackle those issues. One of the projects that illustrate perfectly the integrated corridor approach is LAPSET Corridor (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport). So you have a corridor from Lamu Port in Kenya up Ethiopia through South Sudan. Along the corridor you have a highway, you have a fiber optic line, you have a resort city, an airport, and then you have a power plant and more importantly you have the LAPSET Railway Project which if really implemented will give tremendous boost to inter-regional trade in East Africa and Central Africa and to connect to the West African region, definitely.”
Where is the money coming from?
“We used to think money is not the problem. This continent has a lot of money. How do you translate that money into funding, into financing? We commissioned a report on institutional investment in Africa in 2018 up to 2020.And we realized at that time pension fund and the sovereign wealth fund only invest 1.4% of their asset under management into infrastructure. If they can invest up to 5% that will generate $25 billion investment into infrastructure annually on this continent.
From 2018 up to now, the capitalization, the asset under management of those funds has increased tremendously. So the first source of funding we think is domestic resources. Our institutional investors have a lot of capacity to invest in finance infrastructure. We just need to make sure to put in place the necessary framework that that will make their investment covered and sustainable because you don`t want to put pension in to a very volatile business scheme.
The second source of funding is private sector . They only invest 12%, they only participate up to 12% of infrastructure financing on this continent. There’s a lot of opportunity to tap into…..And of course we have traditional funding process through a multilateral development bank, international financing community. That is very important. And the last thing, not the least, is African government. So far, they finance up to 80% of infrastructure on the continent, be it via the contract loan or they use directly the budget allocation for infrastructure. So these are the key source of funding.
We developed a financing strategy for PIDA, the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa , which articulate clearly from the project definition up to the operation of maintenance, how much it will cost us and where can we get those resources and how can we effectively mobilize those resources. We need to take that strategy and adjust it and translate it into the rail sector. And I am sure we can find the appropriate mechanism to finance the African Integrated Rail Network project.”
Recent technical workshop held in Addis,12-14th December 2023, to discuss success of flagship projects, challenges and needs such as railway technical skills training in universities.Eric Ntagengerwa from the African Union talked to Philippa Dean
Advancing Africa’s Rail Network: The Africa Integrated High Speed Railway Network Workshop
Join us for a special edition of “Coffee with the Editor” as we sit down with Eric Ntagengerwa from the African Union during the recently held railway technical experts workshop on the Africa Integrated High Speed Railway Network, a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063, held in Addis Ababa from 12-14th December 2023.
Eric provides an in-depth look at the workshop’s objectives, including assessing the progress of pilot railway projects, discussing challenges in funding and regulation, and the importance of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol.
He also highlights the need for a robust information exchange platform and capacity building in the railway sector. Discover the key takeaways and renewed commitments from railway agencies and member states to collaboratively advance this monumental project.
Stay tuned for more updates and progress reports on this transformative project, as we continue to bring you the latest from the heart of African rail transport developments. Make sure you are subscribed to our platforms so you don’t miss out!
Live in the Future to Foster Regional Integration With Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa
WATCH Interview with OBN Horn of Africa, January 10, 2024
January 16, 2024
Let us work to make the Horn of Africa and East Africa a model of regional economic integration. This process has already begun, with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam exporting electricity to Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti. Ethiopia having long term port access to major shipping routes through the Gulf of Eden and the Red Sea, will expand Ethiopia’s economy and has the potential to develop the regional economy of East Africa. There are three primary conceptual obstacles that people have in understanding how to develop this region, which I discuss above in the video interview with OBN, and below in the written interview with ENA.
One, the majority of people do not understand the physical scientific principles to economic development, having been miseducated by our schools and society.
Two, the legacy of colonialism has perverted the thinking process of many Africans, leading to fixed prejudices that prevent one from seeing what is possible.
The colonial mentality has to give way to the mandate for development
re posted from AFRICA AND THE WORLD
GERD Talks Must Shift To Higher Level: Developing the Nile Basin
Lawrence Freeman being interviewed by the Ethiopian Herald on Dec 23, 2023 about the 4th round of talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
December 27, 2023
The colonial mentality has to give way to the mandate for development –
BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM, THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD
“I didn’t expect that these discussions would lead to anything because you have to change the topic of the discussion” says Laurence Freeman, American Political Economic Analyst for Africa (www.lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com), asked about the outcome of the 4th round of the latest series of tripartite talks on the first filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The negotiation which took place from 17-19 December 2023 in Cairo, Egypt was held to deal on the final rules and regulations for the filling and operation of the dam. Unfortunately, the talks ended up with no deal concluded following which Ethiopia and Egypt issued statements expressing their stance during the negotiations and why they blame the other side for the failure to reach agreement.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia says that Egypt’s efforts to maintain it historical rights based on the colonial period agreements were the impediments to reach agreement. “During these four rounds, Ethiopia endeavored and keenly engaged with the two lower riparian countries to address the major issues of difference and reach an amicable agreement. Egypt, in contrast, maintained colonial era mentality and erected roadblocks against efforts toward convergence.” The statement read.
“We don`t want to find ourselves in a debt situation, where we become slaves. Bear in mind Ethiopia is the one country in Africa that was never colonized. Don`t let yourselves get colonized now.”
“I would encourage your Prime Minister, your Cabinet, your country to stand up against some of the bullying of the first world and say we are ok, we are doing our best, we are going to help our neighbours, we`re going to collaborate and we are going to advance our countries in the best way we can but we are not going to start implementing your climate policies while our children don`t get to go to hospitals and our children don`t get schools.”
“…they talk about putting money towards Africa, they`ve said this for years. Firstly, I don`t agree with the money, I don`t want the money, I don`t want to see the money. I don`t think any African country should see the money. It`s not that they are coming to give you money. They come to give you a loan and then they tell you what you have to do with the loan and the loan means you`ve got to do as you are told. It is not unconditional…”
“I am one of the many scientists in the world who do not believe we have a climate change problem. I think the entire thing is wrong. There is no reason to fear any carbon dioxide coming from fossil fuels or man-activity such as beef farming, agriculture and so on.”
“If you go back to the time of Napoleon or Queen Victoria , since then and until now, the planet has warmed up as much as my hands have warmed up by briefly rubbing them together, 1 degree since the time of Napoleon Bonaparte , since the time of Queen Victoria.
“The carbon dioxide is a political problem.”
Source: OBN Oromiyaa
TALK TO OBN, INSIGHT ON COP28,ETHIOPIAN GREEN LEGACY,FOSSIL FUELS AND FINANCE!
Dec 12, 2023
TALK TO OBN INSIGHT ON COP28,ETHIOPIAN GREEN LEGACY,FOSSIL FUELS AND FINANCE!
Dr.Kelvin Kemm,an International Nuclear Energy Physicist Says Ethiopian Green Legacy initiative show cases the ideal mechanism that should be employed by every nations to halt the drastic Global Climate Changes.
He also highlights that the industrialized nations shouldn’t use the idea of Global warming as a means of debt burden manipulation. He further explains that Fossil fuels financing should be implemented based on merit not in the sense of political tools.
The COP summit has been held for 28 Consecutive years but there is not progressive change in the dynamics of properly combating Climate Changes. The developed nations shouldn’t use Climate Change agenda as a means to execute their National interest and it has to be managed and entertained in the good faith.
Dr.Kelvin appreciated Prime minister Abiy’s remark made during Cop28 leaders remark which is”No country can effectively confront the climate challenge if debt is a burden. This is why the G20 must work to implement bolder and timely debt relief plans to help the most affected countries overcome debt distress, address climate change, and pursue more equitable and sustainable economic growth objectives.”
