Meet Africa's Cuba: Eritrea

Many Americans are knowledgable about the island nation of Cuba, which despite an economic embargo and political isolation by the US government, has remained one of the global South's success stories in social development. Cuba's universal healthcare system was featured prominently by Michael Moore in his popular film "Sicko".

Less of us however, have heard about a small country thousands of miles away in Africa called Eritrea, that in many ways continues to be just as controversial as Cuba to political analysts.

Eritrean guerrillas organized against the Ethiopian government in 1961 to liberate their nation through armed struggle. 18 years later the nation is perceived as a thorn in the side of the United States military and global financial institutions which are prevalent throughout East Africa.

America's closest strategic ally Ethiopia is Eritrea's sworn enemy and its former occupier. While Eritrea has no formal embargo on it imposed by the US, there has been an offical blockade of arms sales. Despite persistent threats, America has not yet added Eritrea to the list of State Terrorist Sponsors to which Cuba belongs.

For supporters, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki is a symbol of anti-imperialim and self-reliance, but critics say he is an autocrat whose government stifles internal dissent and supports armed resistance movements in neighboring countries. An East African bloc within the United Nations went as far as calling for sanctions agains Eritrea because of its alledged support of rebels in nextdoor Somalia. The Eritrean government refutes the claims.

The parallels between Cuba and Eritrea are not lost on Eritrea's President, Isaias Afwerki, aformer guerilla leader who fought in a decades long liberation war against Ethiopia. In a recent statement to the press Afwerki remarked,

"I don't know Cuba, but I admire their resilience...Being near the United States, and the United States blockading this country for so many decades, how were they able to do it? How was it possible for them to have the best scientists in biotechnology, the best health services?"

According to the latest World Health Organization report, life expectancy for Eritrean females has increased from 53 years in 1990 to 65 years in 2007. Amongst Eritrean males the expected life span increased from 28 years to 61 years. The drastic improvement in life expectancy can be attributed to the end of the conflict with Ethiopia, but an increase in disposible income is also an important factor. Eritrea has made significant gains in the areas of health and education.

The government has also mobilized a concentrated effort to eradicate poverty and to ensure food security. In an East African region where most countries share close strategic military and economic relationships with the United States, the Government of Eritrea pursues strict adherence to the principle of self-reliance.

Throughout Africa, economic policies are usually designed by foreign investors and technocrats through the World Bank or International Monetary Fund. In Eritrea, economic policy is largely determined by mandate from the leading political party, People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).The strength of Eritrea's committed strategy of "self-reliance" is reinforced by statements from the US Agency for Interntional Development (USAID).

"The ability of Eritrea to pursue developmental programs in the midst of conflict, massive population displacement, and drought is due primarily to intense national commitment, reinforced with an approach to development assistance designed to enhance self-reliance."

On May 24th, Eritreans will celebrate 18 years of political and economic independence. Love or hate the nation's politics, it is hard to deny the symbol Eritrea represents in the context of East Africa. Like Cuba in Latin America, Eritrea is Africa's hard-headed son who defies all conventional wisdom in international politics--- against incredible odds.

Senegal Celebrates 49 Years of Independent Democracy

Saturday, Senegal celebrated its 49th anniversary of independence with a civil and military parade presided over by President Abdoulaye Wade. Several African countries and France sent contingents to the parade in tribute to nearly half a century of democratic governance. In 1960 Senegal gained its independence from decades of French colonial rule. Since indepedence, Senegal has remained a developing democracy in a region plagued by coup d'etat, civil war, and resource driven conflict.

Thousands of Senegalese students studying in the United States celebrated the 49th anniversary from their college campuses. "Being away and thinking about Independence Day for any Senegalese gives us a sense of nostalgia," said Soukeyna Sylla a junior International Studies major at Macalester College from Dakar, Senegal.

Although she is miles away from home, Independence Day is a day when she and her friends conceptualize the countries future and reflect on the current situation.

"Within the historical context when you see discouraging events happening nextdoor in Guinea Bissau and Mauritania, it gives us pride about our democratic experience,"Sylla said. Soukenya is pleased that it appears Senegalese politicians are not necessarily thinking about their own personal interest but are in the process to sustain the nations democracy. "Although the ruling party lost the recent elections, they proved that democracy is not impossible and is an achievable ideal."

Recently, Senegal showed again why many consider it among the most politically conscious democracies in Africa. On March 22, Senegal had its local elections, which selected 20,000 people to serve in rural, municipal and regional positions. Official results showed that Senegal's opposition had won several major cities, including the capital Dakar. The recent showing was a yet another peaceful transition of power and was accepted by the ruling party and incumbent President Wade.

"The president congratulates ... in particular the opposition parties and coalitions whom the voters mandated to lead many local authorities including some important towns," said a government statement.

Senegal is a predominantly Muslim nation whose model of religious and ethnic tolerance is the envy of many countries around the world. The West African country presents an inclusive face of Islam that western media often overlooks in its coverage of the Muslim world.

The first president of Senegal at independence in 1960 was Leopold Sedar Senghor. Senghor was a leading intellectual figure in the Negritude movement as well as being a charismatic politician. After a stint with one-party governance under Senghor's party, le Parti Socialist (PS), Senegal transitioned into the rich multi-party democracy present today.

The Republic is widely known for its vibrant free press. Several newspapers are published which play an important role in holding office holders accountable to the public. Senegal's youth are also very much engaged in local and national politics. The acclaimed documentary, "Democracy in Dakar" highlights the impact hip hop artists have had on the democratic process, and the role young people played in the 2007 presidential election.

But recent crackdowns on the opposition in the media and on the streets have tarnished Senegal's international image and critics of President Abdoulaye Wade say officials are enriching themselves while most Senegalese struggle with poverty and unemployment.

Today, Senegal faces several human development challenges in spite its flourishing democracy including persistent illiteracy, youth unemployment and declining purchasing power among broad majorities of the country. In 2008, the capital city, Dakar, was rocked by food riots as the price of rice skyrocketed. Every year, thousands of Senegalese risk their lives in dangerous sea voyages in search of economic opportunity in Europe.

Last Friday, the United States government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a grant agreement with the Senegalese government to provide up to $13.39 million to support development that seeks to reduce poverty through economic growth. The MCC awarded the grant to further promote Senegal's "good governance, economic freedom and investments in people".

"Why should our democratic achievements be defined by a US grant? I don't think we should subject our understanding of democracy to the will of any other country," said Soukeyna Sylla. She says corruption still exists inside the Senegalese government and foreign dollars rarely reach the Senegalese people directly. "Whenever I discuss these intiatives coming from outside I never believe in them. I don't believe in the idea you can inject any sum of money into the country and things magically change," Sylla said.

So far social and economic set backs haven't discouraged Senegalese citizens willingness to support the democratic process. The next presidential elections in Senegal are scheduled for 2012.