Picture this: a world where the power players are organizations, individuals, interest groups, and companies that shape policies and major government decisions across the globe. It might sound peculiar, but such influence is a growing trend. For instance, in the US, big donors and interest groups are well-known for financing and endorsing candidates or entire governments to promote their own agendas. Just look at what happened to Blackberry! And you can’t forget Bill Gates and his ex-wife – their billion-dollar foundation has made them some of the most influential people in the U.S. federal government. With heightened tensions in Ukraine, the American military complex is clamouring to secure more contracts for weapon and ammunition production.
It’s not just America that’s susceptible; the same can be seen in other first-world governments. The domino effect continues when you look at projects like Exxon Mobil’s oil and gas initiative, which hinges on White House approval.
In developing countries like Mozambique, the dynamic differs slightly. Here, foreign governments serve as donors, wielding influence through welfare programs to reshape the beneficiary government according to their interests. They advocate for policy changes that cater to them, focusing on strengthening civil society, promoting human rights, instituting neoliberal economic reforms, and ensuring their own businesses gain priority in tenders and procurement.
Having worked in four Western embassies myself, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our choices elicit joy or disappointment from these donors. They give money with strings attached – expecting consultants from their own country or handpicked by them; mid-term assessments conducted by those with vested financial interests; all this without regard for local capacity building.
Big businesses play a similar game. Take ENI: once involved in Mozambique but now replaced by Total Energies. With companies like these representing Italian and French interests respectively, it’s clear they’re not only here for business but also as proxies for their nation’s economic agenda.
So, welcome to the world of the “Government of Donors” where unconventional powerhouses shape, influence, and redefine governments to suit their own needs.
Recently, the European Union announced a whopping $528 million budget addition for next year. Sounds generous, right? But nobody seems to be paying attention to what’s going on in our oceans. Are those high-sea fishers bringing their catch to the shore before shipping it off?
There’s a surefire way to escape poverty: improve trade conditions, gain better access to global markets, and overhaul regulatory systems. African and industrialized nations hold meetings and summits, supporting the notion that Africa needs the developed world for growth. True, but not through handouts – Fair Trade is the answer.
Donations only serve to rewrite history in favour of developed countries while conveniently forgetting the exploitation we’ve endured for centuries. It’s shocking that arable land’s productivity remains low despite technological advancements. Clearly, someone doesn’t want us to produce our own food; they’d rather have us buy it from them. The “grain crisis” exemplifies this – the United Nations purchases grain from Russia and Ukraine for worldwide distribution. The WFP and FAO in Mozambique would rather buy food from Dubai warehouses than support local agriculture, handing out yellow flour in Darfur, Mulanje, or Caia. But of course, these UN organizations rely on contributions from governments and other sources who specify where their funds should be spent.
Fear not – there’s a solution to this conundrum. Now more than ever, multilateralism is crucial. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and make a real difference.
Egidio Vaz | Comms Strategist 