First, it was South Africa and now, Kenya. While the storm over the unceremonious and violent way that citizens of various African countries were hounded out of South Africa, some killed and their property destroyed (mob action intended to kick out foreigners supposedly engaged in small, informal business to the detriment of citizens) the scenes are threatening to replay out just next door in Kenya. Is there a connection? Is one a precedent to the other? Doesn’t that mean that soon another country will pick on from Kenya?
The difference is that in Kenya, it is the government enforcing the “economic purge”, with President William Ruto (facing elections next year) directing restrictions on foreigners from operating small-scale businesses such as hawking and running small shops. The first victims seem to have been Burundians (poor them!!).
In South Africa, groups of unrestrained vigilantes and anti-immigration civic groups drove the purges which got messy and bloody, with many victims lynched. Nigerians, Ghanaians, Malawians, Zimbabweans, Ugandans, Congolese, etc, were not spared, their businesses ransacked and self-appropriated by the mobs. Much anger was directed at South Africa for the bad spirit of the purge which contrasted sharply with the aspirations of true Africans to co-exist and prosper together as one continent.
The South African government’s response to the violent attacks and expulsion of “outsider” Africans from its land was unimpressive, to a point where there was suspicion of quiet approval. It was as if the government had lost control. If not that, then there is reason to suspect that there was a strong, indirect hand directing the action through paid groups while shielding the Ramaphosa government from taking the blame, and saving its diplomatic face. All the while, the overhanging questions were: “Who allowed the foreigners to come through if not the government? Shouldn’t the government, therefore, have come out to account for them and make provision for their stay or more orderly departure”?
Anyway, to-date, there are lots of unanswered questions which will linger until the end point which may be the spirit stirring matters. Others are: “Why were the attacks (mostly) directed to African (black) foreigners and not Asian or European one?” “Wouldn’t it be wrong to suspect a foreign, racist hand in the whole thing?” “In what area have foreigners ever wished Africa well or where is it written that they owe us good wishes?” “When South Africa was dying under apartheid, who came to the rescue?”
Kenya’s stance, while official, reopens wounds of the episodes down South. Are we facing a prospect vigilante groups sprouting and taking over enforcement while exploiting the high political season? Kenya has seasons of tense Genz-driven agenda whose patterns are impossible to predict. In the absence of what to latch on for some action, they could easily copy their South African siblings, claiming, for example, that H.E Dr. Ruto isn’t doing enough. Before you know, entire leagues of African diasporians will be in flight within their own mother continent. If that isn’t concerning, what is, in the face of the grossly underrated ideal aspiration of East African federation and African Integration, in general?
Yes, it is in order for countries to protect opportunities for their citizens, but the nature of the crackdown has sparked a wider regional debate. For instance, the East African Business Council (EABC) called for the protection of legitimate cross-border service providers, cautioning that enforcement should not create unnecessary barriers to regional trade. With the EAC pushing for the free movement of people, services and trade, doesn’t Kenya’s move threaten livelihoods—and couldn’t similar purges and restrictions undermine the very idea of Integration? What happens if other countries adopt the same measures, and send Kenyans and South Africans home?
It’s not enough to say that the target group is small players in informal “chakala” business. There are many Kenyans and Southies all over Africa engaged in business at different scales, and even employment at corporate and managerial level? What if Uganda just decided that all Kenyans must go, not just those in informal, small time sectors? It can have a ripple effect that rips African brotherhood, migration and mutual cross-investment in shreds!
How important is protectionism and regulation of micro businesses vis a vis heightened interest in building an Integrated economy? The whole concept of Integration is intended to open up the pan-continental African market for all Africans, thereby opening a portal of economic opportunities that would “spur prosperity and development of everyone without leaving anyone behind”. These in country economic purges may be a symptom of “thinking small” (a long time malaise that has crippled African for generations). The old ghosts are roaming!! In that case, the pushers of African Integration must move more aggressively to cure this malaise. Time for drastic actions to get everyone thinking as one, acting as one!
On the other hand, regulation and formalisation of business and work terms is a welcome idea, for purposes of organising for better regulation, taxation and such like. Expulsions and bloody purges are “unAfrican” and “Amin-like”. The last time that Uganda expelled foreigners under Amin in 1972 because they were dominating business, the country suffered an economic meltdown that has persisted to-date. And the reason is simple: Usually, if small businesses threaten the larger economic base of a country, it means that the economy is already weak and if big foreign businesses are a threat and you get rid of them, then the economy is surely finished.
But under the proposed one-Africa continental economy, everybody is home. All freely seek where economies of scale apply best or where they find the finest footing with their business model without being limited by immigration and strange fiscal policies. Let’s think and act big NOW!! The pangs are on!!
The author is a Promoter of African Integration and CEO, Friends of Media International
The post ROBERT ATUHAIRWE: THINKING SMALL: Africa’s old ghosts roam around as anti-immigration and economic purges flare up appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.