A/39/PV.52 General Assembly

The economic crisis in Africa, which has been the subject of debate in the General Assembly for some days now, has been declared to be the most serious in its history. It is deep-rooted and far- reaching, but, depending on the countries and regions involved, does not spring from the same causes or manifest itself in the same ways. Its solution requires concerted efforts at the national, regional ~nd inter- national levels. By virtue of the interdependence of the economies of the developed and developing countries, this crisis could have serious repercussions on the world economy and, in particular, on the process of international trade. 2. What is the cause of this crisis? This is a very complicated question which requires a lengthy, de- tailed reply. The causes are numerous. Some ofthem, whether we know about them or not, we do not have sufficient technical and material means to cope with. My delegation cannot simplify this problem by blaming this crisis on Africa's historical past or by assigning the responsibility for it on any particular party. 3. My task would be an easy one were I simply to lay the blame for the fact that Rwanda is land-locked or lacks natural resources on some country or on our historical past, but it must be recognized that the situation is much more complex than that. The causes of the crisis are structural and relate to the present situation. 4. It has also been said that the difficulties besetting the African economy are, for the most part, due to unsuitable policies or the absence of any structural reform. Although this is true, it is far from the whole truth about our problems. Each of our countries applies the economic policies which it deems most appropriate to its own social, economic and geo- graphical context. Each Government carries out· reforms taking into account the needs of the day. In some cases, for example, agriculture has been mod- ernized and diversified, whereas elsewhere industries have been revamped; and in other cases distribution networks have been reorganized OF extended. In every case an attempt is being made to satisfy the most urgent needs of the people. I would also emphasize that in most if not all of the African countries, the people is the instrument of its C"Nn NEW YORK development-although it is sometimes believed by onlookers that it is the Governments that carry out this development-even if the role of the Govern- ment is irreplaceable, particularly in planning for development, providing the necessary funds and organizing, guiding and training the people. 5. Africa is potentially a rich continent, perhaps even the richest, but by an irony of fate it is the least developed. If we are to be realistic and objective, we must seek the causes of the present economic prob- lems partly in the international economic environ- ment-which, as we all know, is extremely unfavour- able for the developing countries in general-but also in Africa itself. 6. I do not intend to expatiate on the external factors; they are too well known to the Assembly for that to be necessary. Suffice it to indicate some obstacles and problems which my country, Rwanda, shares with a number of other African countries. I have already mentioned its land-locked condition and its shortage of natural resources, but there are also the phenomena of desertification and drought. 7. The largest deserts are in Africa, but the Sahara and the Kalahari are confined to the northern and southern parts of the continent. However, today other regions have been affected. I shall not refer specifically to the Sahel, which will be dealt with this afternoon by my friend the representative ofNiger in terms both eloquent and moving. Other countries are now threatened by desertification which is advancing by 2 million hectares a year. To the extent that it is man-made, dcsertification can perhaps be controlled, and African Governments have sounded the alarm among their peoples. But desertification is also covered by factors beyond our control, and it is here that international solidarity should come into play on seeking a long-term solution. 8. Together with desertification, drought is creating catastrophic food shortages which often became a famine situation, such as that which is now, unhappi- ly, to be found in Ethiopia. 9. My country, Rwanda, which was known for the perpetual green of its vegetation and its networks of waterways, today is facing an inexplicable phenome- non. The levels of certain rivers are dropping and some lakes are disappearing. The pattern of rainfall has completely changed in many parts of Africa. Where previously it was abundant, rain now falls less and less frequently or out of season, causing serious disturbances in the crop cycles. To this we should add the fact that in certain regions where the land has been exploited for a long time the soil is exhaust~d and the yields are decreasing. When this happens in a small country such as Rwanda, where the demo- graphic growth rate is greater than the growth rate of production, even the most peaceable peoples have cause for alarm. strat~ If only m outlIne, that our countnes,. to~, ~re by the European Economic Community. makmg efforts. When our efforts reach theIr lImIts, we call upon the solidarity of the international 19. The declaration which is going to be adopted community, which, it must be acknowledged, has unanimously-we hope-will provide a framework generally speaking lent an attentive ear to our for action by the international community which will appeals. It must als~ be recognized that the ad~ice, make it .poss~b~e ~or ~fric':l to overcome the greatest expertise and matenal and other resources provIded economIC CrISIS m Its hIStOry. As for short-term within the framework of bilateral or multilateral co- remedies, these are definitely needed in many cases, operation have been fully utilized by our countri~s, b~t ~e must consider more rad.ical re~~dies, because even if here and there there have been certam thIS IS a deep-rooted, generalIzed cnSlS. regrettable omissions.. . . 20. Mr. ORAMAS OLIVA (Cuba) (interpretation 13. When a country I.S underdeveloped, It .IS unde~- from Spanish): I should like to express my satisfac- developed i.n many dlffere~t ways. ~h8:t. IS why It tion at the inclusion on the agenda ofthe thirty-ninth would be dIfficult to establIsh the pnontIes among session of an item on the critical economic and social t~e needs ~f Africa at the present time. 1;he !neica- situation faced by the African countries. We hope tIons prOVIded by the Secretary-General. m hIS note that the debate will lead to ideas, proposals and to the General Assembl~ [A/39/627], ~hICh are ful~y decisions aimed at finding practical short-, mec:ium- supported by my delegatIOn, are suffiCIent. I take thIS and long-term solutions to that serious situation. opportunity to e--)ress the gratitude of my Govern- . . ment to the Secretary-General for his constant atten- 21. We agree .wIth. ~hose who belIeve that the tion to Rwanda's problems and for the beneficial present economIC cnSlS has structural r0.ots. The action of the United Nations family of specialized Implacable plunder over almost four c~ntu~es of the agencies in favour of Africa. most valuable of the resources of Afnca-Its young . . men and women-to take them elsewhere as slaves 14. We partIcularly welcome w~at has been. done m left an indelible mark on African development. When the field: by ECA under th~.;.vlse a~d enlIghtened the institution of slavery was abolished on the l~ade~shlp of Adebayo Ad.edIJ~, who IS a~ the same American continent, the plunder of Africa's re- time In charge of. the NaIrobI o~ce w~llch, as the sources became more wide-ranging and intensive. Assembly knows, follo~s on a d:aI1y ~~SIS t~e ~evel- This was at the beginning of the struggle between the oPll.lent of th~ economIC and social CrISIS which IS the major capitalist Powers of the time to control and subject of thIS debate. . exploit those natural resources. That process culmi- 15. We are pleased and satisfied by the statements nated in the Berlin Conference of 1884 and the of a number of countries concerning heartening distribution ofthe whole continent among the former initiatives and promises to step up their efforts to colonial Powers. During that period the desire of help Africa in its present economic crisis. These foreign interests to gain profits was the main reason initiatives and promises will be followed up either for the presence of the colonialist Powers in those bilaterally or on a regional or subregional basis. lands, which laid the foundations for the dependence hum~ll beings, mainly c~i~dren, a~e dying in that 3~. .I wish.to.assu!e the Assembly tha~ our country, contment, and several mIllIon are m danger of the wIthm the hmIt of Its modest means, wIll continue to ~ame fate. However, .~e.must also attach the greatest accord assistance to the brother peoples ofAfrica and Importance to mobIlIzmg resources to create the will associate itselfwith the efforts ofthe internation- economic base, so that the African countries may in al community to bring about a true climate of ~r..d development budgets are supported by our me: that we must take specific, urgent steps to face export earnmgs and from. year to year the pnces of the alarming situation which exists and that a series coffee, coco~, copper and Iron, to name but a few,.are of substantial actions must be taken at the interna- fallIng steadIly, whereas from year to year. the p!ICeS tional level to attack the structural problems by ofa ~up ofcoffee, a chocolate bar and ~n Iron gIr~er carrying out specific programmes of action at differ- are nSlt.tg.raP.ldly, how are our countrIes to ~ervlce ent levels to resolve long-term problems, as is clear even e~{lstmg mv~stments, w~en they have no Idea C?f from experience acquired in preceding decades ofco- the pnces at WhICh t~ey wIll be able to sell theIr operation. products, even assummg that they find customers? . . How can they envisage modernizing their methods of 41. We ~elcom~ the senes.of emergency actions production ifthey do not know what their money will launched In varIo?s areas. m order to face ~he be worth, what interest rates will be, or what profit pro~lem of the famm~ resultmg from drou&ht, ~hI~h they will make? has Just b~en the subject of a ~ebate culmmatmg. In . the adoptIon of an approprIate draft resolutIon 35. The b~ckground of the 'problem c~ncernmg us [A/C.2/39/L.54] in the Second Committee. We hope at pres~nt IS the poverty WhICh be~an 1!1 the 1970s that within the framework of co-operation the food and w~Ich ha~ n~w become. generalIzed.masmuch as problem will henceforth receive the high priority it ~ll the IndustnalIzed countnes, whether m the East. or deserves in the agricultural sector and that the m.the West, have always ~efused to pay re~uneratIve development of food crops and agricultural research pr~ces for our raw materIals, whether agncultural or will constitute the mainstays of all strategies for the mIneral. The first factor of poverty to a large extent economic development of Africa and consequently proceeds from that unequal exchange. receive the appropriate financing they need. 36. We in th·' J.vory Coast know that the develop- 42. The lesson which we must learn from the ment of our States depends above all upon agricul- present world economic crisis, with its particularly ture. After all, the history of our economic relations tragic consequences for Africa, is that in context of has taught us that it was through agriculture that the economic relations we must establish a dialogue industrialized countries of today were able to lay the based on solidarity, because the solution to our greater part ofthe foundations for their development. present problems can only be the result of joint It was the financial surplus provided by a~riculture North-South efforts. Increased exports by the indus- which made possible the financing of the mdustrial trialized countries are inconceivable without growth infrastructure. in the developing countries, and at the same time thp :.:-:~:e::.n:::::::::-::ajd::g:::S~:der:evel0pment by FAO. WHO Afri~a!1 countries from exporting agricultural c~m- "It will now be necessary to move forward from modItIes has.decreased by.about 40 per cent SInce reflection to concrete action. In this transition 1.973..The pnce of copper IS now lower than at any Africa should not stand alone: its economy is still tIme In nearly 40 years. too fragile to withstand the enormous stresses and 103. Our attention has been drawn to the worsening strains of moving from crisis to reconstruction and terms of trade for the African countries, which development." [A/39/594, para. 207.] declined by more than 50 per cent between 1977 and 109. Mr. DIALLO (Guinea) (interpretation from 1981. It has been calculated that .the ann.ual l~ss <?f .French): For tw~ days now a number of people have external resources because of thIS deterIOratIon IS spoken from thIS platform to deal with the burning equivalent to their total aid receipts. Naturally, the issue of the hour: the critical economic situation in insufficient export earnings have added to their Africa. My delegation shares all the concerns ex- difficulties, particularly in servicing their debt. Even pressed here about the situation which prevails in our worse, their debt-servicing ratio is likely to increase continent. Nevertheless, we believe that we cannot d;amatically. The debt service obligation of the sub- over-emphasize the difficulty of the deadlock in Saharan countries was projected to increase by 60 per which the African economy finds itself and the cent in 1983. seriousness of its implications for our countries. 104. In a situation- as serious as this, the net 110. Africa is going through a profound economic disbursement of official development assistance for and social crisis characterized by prolonged drought, sub-Saharan Africa experienced a d~cline in 1982. I accelerated desertification and an international eco- may also add here that the largest concentration of nomic environment which is unfavourable in every the least developed countries-26 of them-are in respect. The sharp drop in commodity export earn- Africa. Their extremely vulnerable economies do not ings, the considerable increase in the external debt, need further elaboration here. high interest rates, the growth in protectionism and 105. The environmental degradation has had par- the dro.p !n official developme!1t aid-all these ticularly serious consequences for the African coun- facto~s Indlc~te that ~e J!lust. bnng concerted and tries in loss of agricultural soils, destruction of sustamed actIon to thIS SItuatIon. vegetation cover, desertification of pasture lands and Ill. The seriousness of the situation requires that depletion of groundwater. The dimension of the action by the international community simultaneous- problem can be imagined from the fact that advanc- ly deal with emergency assistance, the rehabilitation ing desertification in Africa has been claiming about of agriculture and industry, and, particularly, the 2 million hectares every year, particularly in view of guarantee of increased financing by respecting the the delicate ecosystem that exists in Africa. Added to commitments undertaken under official develop- this is the difficult problem of population growth ment assistance. It is necessary also to increase faced by most of the African countries. The disaster export earnings by action aimed at stabilizing com- that this situation bodes for the future can only be modity prices at remunerative levels and by remov- imagined. Perhaps the urgency for restoring a balance ing protectionist lneasures, as well as by adopting between development, resources, environment and measures to cancel or at least considerably to allevi- population is nowhere more acute than in Africa ate the external debt of African countries. today. 112. To meet the challenge of development and to 106. All this illustrates that the solution for the cope with the present critical situation, my delega- African problem cannot be achieved overnight mere- tion believes that in.tegrated national policies and ly by emergency relief assistance. It will require measures, as defined In the Lagos Plan ofAction and painstaking efforts both by the affected countries in t~e Special ~emora~dum addressed to the Eco- themselves and by the international community. We nomIC and SOCIal CouncIl by the ECA Conference of would like to emphasize that it will have to encom- Ministers, provide a framework which is well adapt- pass adequate measures to meet the short-, medium- ~d to n~tional endeavours and to the support of the and long-term requirements. The relief assistance, mternatlonal community. essential as it is, must not overshadow the develop- 113. It is imperative to boost the agricultural sector ment requirements of these countries. The Secretary- in accordance with the priority attached to it in the <!ener¥'s report ~rovides a comprehensive perspec- Lagos Pl~n of Action, particularly to promote food tIve of such requIrements. self-suffiCIency, a better balance between agricultural 107. We are heartened to note the growing con- ~xJ?Ort~ and food producti~n, ~he. carryin~ out of sciousness of the international community, as reflect- Imgatlon pro~ects and.the dlverslfymg ofagncultural ed in our debate, on the subject of the long-term systems, partIcularly m drought-prone areas. perspective for the solution of economic problems in 114. Also, the technical and financial resources to Africa. A new Lome Convention is expected to be promote the recovery and the development of Afri- signed by December. The World Bank-IMF Develop- can industry become essential, since the slow pace of ~ 50. It! the long te.rm It !S essentIal that the brothers and sisters in Africa, but also the dignity of mtern'!tIonal commumty,. partIcularly the d~veloped all other human beings, our own dignity and peace countnes whose economIes ;have: recovereo,. should and stability throughout the world. create a favourable economIC clImate and mcrease their financial and technical assistance to supplement 154. Mr. AL-MUSFIR (United Arab Emirates) existing national resources, thus helping the African (interpretation from Arabic): Today we are meeting to countries to implement the Lagos Plan of Action, examine the critical economic situation in Africa whose purpose is to develop agricultural production with a view to proposing immediate solutions, and not only for purposes of export but also, and more then medium- and long-term solutions. But the main importantly, for food self-sufficiency and to support concern ofour brothers in the African continent is to the process of recovery and reconstruction, particu- cope with the immediate tragedy affiicting some of larly in the industrial sectors and in the physical and the African countries, a tragedy which is becoming SOCIal infrastructures. daily more acute, affiicting people, animals and 151. The delegation of Democratic Kampuchea plants. The desert is advancing rapidly over ar~ble would like to take this opportunity once again to land and human settleII;1ents, a~d drought has stnck- reaffirm the natural sympathy and profound feelings en the people, the emaCIated anImals and the roots of of friendship and solidarity of its people and the the trees. Coalition Gove~ment of Democratic Kampuchea 155. It is not possible to examine the economic vis-a-vis the fraternal peoples and countries of Africa crisis in Africa without going back to the recent past suffering from the economic crisis and natural calam- in order to identify its root causes. Africa is a densely ities. As one of the poorest of the developing populated continent endowed with enormous strate- countries and, furthermore, a country which has been gic natural resources and energy sources. Indeed, the victim of an aggressive and genocidal war- according to recent scientific reports, these resources which the Assembly is aware of-Democratic Kam- which are still untapped are far greater than those puchea is fully aware ofthe tragic situation which has already exploited. But the severity ofcolonialism and been faced so courageously and tenaciously, and with the selfish cruelty of the colonialists prevented the such dignity, for two decades now by the peoples and tapping of those resources except to meet their Governments of Africa. Despite the serious problems immediate need to incre~se profits. The policy of which threaten the very survival of the nation and colonialism in Mrica was the arbitrary disposal ofthe people of Kampuchea, my Government always tries natural resources. When the colonialists departed to make a positive contribution to the efforts being under the pressure of African national resistance, made by the African countries and the international they were succeeded by exploitative corporations community to surmount the present alarming situa- which ~eized and monopolized the wealth of the att~ml?t.to tackle the econ~mic situation.at the level support of the international community. of mdlvld~al Stat~s and wlthou~ addre~sIng t~e very 167. This is a reality which truly involves all the nature of mte~at!onal economIC relatIOns Will faI.L developing world. The problems are fundamentally The best. solution IS t~ replace. the current e~onomlc the same. However, as we have stated repeatedly order With the new mternatIOnal economic order these problems are inescapable. They frequently have proposed to th.e General Ass~mblY... a growi~g effect and their imp~cts are increasingly 161. The UnIted Arab Emirates belIeves In co- devastatmg. I refer to the detenoration in the terms ~peration among developing countries. Mn all si~cer- of trade, non-remunerative commodity prices pro- Ity and .good faith. we play our role in t~e group of t~ctionistbarriers, chr~nic balance-of-payment~ defi- developmg countnes. As to 'the geographIc covera~e CltS, low levels of mdustrial development food of our assistance~ my COUIltry has participateo "'l scarcity, a wider technological gap and for'many, NOTES