Oscar Kimanuka
3 August 2008
opinion
The opportunity that had been provided by a high level summit to salvage a global trade pact collapsed recently in Geneva after the United States, China and India failed to compromise on farm import rules after nine days of talks.
From the time the World Trade Organisation was set up, there has been exceptional growth in world trade, wealth and prosperity.
However, in Africa, poverty and unemployment and very low levels of income have not been alleviated and living conditions have greatly deteriorated. Although Africa represents 12 per cent of the global population, it represents less than two per cent in international trade.
Two disturbing questions come to mind. One, are the negotiations driven only by the need to increase market access for a few members? Two, is the WTO delivering for its poor and least developed countries? The answers are no.
WHAT AFRICA NEEDS FROM the WTO is an even playing field so that we can capitalise on our comparative advantage. As the situation stands today, it is clear that the trading system is skewed in favour of some countries at the expense of others. Not only is this morally wrong, but it has far-reaching consequences not just on development of countries concerned, but also on global security.
Critics of the WTO have argued that it is not a democratic and transparent institution. And that the WTO rules are written by and for corporations with inside access to negotiations.
They critics further say that domination of international trade by rich countries for the benefit of their individual interests fuels anger and resentment that make Africa and the rest of the developing world less safe.
WHETHER THE CRITICS HAVE a point or miss it altogether, is something we need to reflect on. But the truth is that the Geneva meeting may have been the last chance to strike a deal on cutting and subsidies in agriculture and manufactured goods before the next United States presidential election in November.
As Peter Mandelson the British Commissioner for Trade in the European Union observed, the collapse of the WTO was a major setback for the international trading system and is greater than the lost trading opportunities.
Oscar Kimanuka is a commentator on social and economic issues based in Kigali.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The East African. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
