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Nigeria: World Bank Clarifies Les Takeifa Five du Sénégal Africa / Switzerland:
Role in Spending of Abacha Loot A Win-win Relationship
www.africalink.ch July/September 2017 Vol.18 No.2
THE VOICE OF AFRICA IN THE DIASPORA LA VOIX DE L’AFRIQUE DANS LA DIASPORA
ANGOLANS GO TO POLLS 23RD AUGUST
President dos Santos
Bids Farewell To Politics
ÉLECTIONS EN ANGOLA LE 23 AOÛT
Président dos Santos fait
ses adieux à la politique
01
Ghana Ce 4
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Kenya KShs 250 Liberia Lb$ 250
* Nigeria N500
* Sierra Leone LE 5000
CFA Countries CFA 1800 Euro Countries € 3.5
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South Africa July/September
R 18 Switzerland
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* * 9 771661 442003 1
G U E S T - H O U S E
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mit Charme
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2 July/September 2017
Editorial4 CONTENTS AND
CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Kenya’s Presidential election: Why ‘Do or Die’
Élections Présidentielles Au Kenya : Pourquoi "le moment où jamais"?
Religion7
The Intersection Of Grace And Truth
When to Trust Your Conscience
Swissline 8
Swiss ‘still have work to do’ on childrights
«La Suisse a le droit d'avoir confiance en elle – en fait, elle le doit»
Brief10
CHRONIQUE :«La Suisse a le droit d'avoir
Integration12 confiance en elle – en fait, elle le doit» page 9
Employment Rights In Switzerland (Canton of Basel City)
Das schweizerische Arbeitsrecht (Kanton Basel-Stadt)
Diplomacy 15
Nigeria: World Bank Clarifies Role in Spending of Abacha Loot
Celebration16
Africa / Switzerland: A Win -Win Relationship
Africa Day Reminds Africans Of Their Huge Challenge
Investment19 Africa Day Reminds Africans Of
Their Huge Challenge page 17
Africa’s Maturing Private Equity Market
Lead20
President dos Santos Bids Farewell To Politics
President dos Santos fait ses adieux à la politique
Development22
Swiss Help Empower Young People In Tunisian Slums
Conference23
ABD 2017: Digitalization in Africa The Ripening Market
WorldBLN Takes a Giant Leap Africa’s Maturing Private Equity Market page 19
Feature26
Governance and Filth - Urban Waste Management in Africa (Part 1)
Celebration 29
Vanessa and Carlyn Mark An Epoch
Tourism30
African Tourists Emerge As Powerhouse For Tourism
AU-News32 DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
President Robert Mugabe Donates US$1million to AU Foundation Swiss help empower young people in Tunisian slums page 22
African First Ladies Address Root Causes of Poverty
Profil34
Trois visages de l’excellence africaine en Suisse
Entertainment36
Senegal’s Takeifa Five
Les Takeifa Five du Sénégal
Art38
Art Basel closes its 48th edition President Robert Mugabe donates US$1million to
AU Foundation page 32
July/September 2017 3
EDITORIAL
KENYA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Why ‘Do or Die’? Johnson Oduwaiye
Editor-in- Chief
By Johnson Oduwaiye
As the clock ticks and months turn into days, the countdown to Kenya’s two This third time attempt for Raila Odinga, has
horse presidential between two familiar figures: President Uhuru Kenyatta been well planned with a number of other smaller
and his arch rival, Raila Odinga. political parties joining forces to sweep power of what
they see as a one family affair running the state. It is
The scheduled date is August 8 and already there arap Moi government in 1982, Jaramogi Odinga was a compact opposition.
are visible signs that the violence that disrupted in again placed under house arrest and his son, Raila But President Kenyatta is also well placed. He is
the last polls five years ago are rearing their heads Odinga who was implicated in the coup, served a riding on the crest of his economic successes espe-
up again. six-year sentence for treason. During this period, cially in the areas of infrastructural developments and
Kenyans are bracing up for what many have des- Jaramogi Odinja fought doggedly to re-group his his fight against Islamic groups that had threatened
cribed as a ‘do or die’ election, and the grand finale political adherents without success. He died in 1994 the very fabric of the nation itself.
between the arch-rivals. by which time, his son, Raila had become a political But why should this family rivalry continue to
It is so because it will be the second and last animal in hs own right. At 46 in 1992, Raila was rage on? After all the country is still to recover from
term for President Uhuru Kenyatta, therefore, his elected into parliament for Lang'ata constituency the loss of lives, displacement of people and destruc-
supporters see it as a-must-win-election. And for Raila on a Ford-Kenya ticket. tion of properties in the past two elections. Should
Odinga, it will also be his last bid for the coveted When he kicked off his political career in the such losses need to be repeated each time election is
office he had narrowly missed on two occasions. late 1980s, through street demonstrations, it was to held in Kenya?
Like Kenyatta’s supporters, his own supporters too force the government of President Daniel arap Moi The international community, especially regional
are leaving no stone unturned to make his dream to abandon the one-party syndrome and embrace organisations, should play a pivotal role if only Kenya
finally becomes a reality. political pluralism. He was still an unpolished is to avoid a repeat of what had dogged past elections
To say they both inherited this rivalry from politician but one with a bright future ahead of him. and pave the way for a veritable democracy which
their fathers will be an understatement. One only The re-birth of the rivalry between the Kenyatta other countries in the region have been enjoying.
needs to peep into the annals of the country’s inde- and Odinga families resurged in 2002 when Pres- Afterall, politics is to build, to make better and
pendent political history to deduce the obvious. Jomo ident Daniel arap Moi endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta to not to destroy. Kenya had a unique united struggle
Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginda Odinga, the first succeed him in the presidential election contested for independence, should they destroy what they had
President and Vice President of Kenya respectively, also by Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki. Kibaki won built with their own hands?
were torn apart by political ideoldical differences. those elections. The recent pledges by the duo to run peaceful
They both parted ways in 1966 when Jomo Ken- The 2007 presidential election between Raila campaigns and to accept the outcome of the polls
yatta hugged onto the United States and the Western Odinga and Mwai Kibaki resulted in a serious vio- is encouraging and it is fervently hoped that these
bloc while Jaramogi Odinga embraced China, the lence so much so that the international community pledges will hold sway. Fighting for the betterment of
Soviet Union and other countries belonging to the waded in to restore sanity in the country. A formular one’s nation should not include killing one another.
then Warsaw Pact. He left Kenyan African National was devised that resulted in a power-sharing that was Therefore we urge the supporters of both contestants
Union, (KANU) and formed the Kenya People’s brokered by the former United Nations Secretary- to refrain from fueling the ember of discord.
Union (KPU). It was the beginning of a political General, Kofi Annan. Kibaki became President We would like to appeal to the electoral commis-
rivalry that took a tangential proportion. and Raila Odinga Prime Minister. This has been sion too to maintain a high level of dignity to conduct
The rivalry spiraled in 1969 and both men the closest Raila has been to the pinnacle of power. the elections in a free and fair manner so as not to
engaged in public verbal attacks that stretched to In 2013 Uhuru and Raila faced each other soil their hands and integrity, and reason with the
violence leading to the loss of lives. Jaramogi Odinga again at the polls and Uhuru won. Once again this chairman, Wafula Chebukati, in his call which says:
was subsequently arrested and detained in 1969. He was not without controversy and the Iinternational "Do not let this election be a pretext that threatens
spent two years in goal. After his release he tried to Crimininal Court this time intervened, charged communities that have always lived in peace. Let us
build a strong political group but was unsuccessful both President Kenyatta and his Vice, William Ruto protect women, children and the vulnerable from
till the death of Kenyatta in August 1978. among others, to court for the deaths of hundreds of violence and threats of violence."
Following an aborted coup against the Daniel people resulting from the electoral violence.
Tel. +41 44 776 25 60, Editor: Mr. Atsen Ahua Guest Contributor
Fax +41 44 776 25 63 atsen.ahua@gmail.com Mr. George Ola-Davies
info@africalink.ch
www.africalink.ch Associate Editors Contributing Editors
IMPRINT ISSN 1661-44-29 Mr. Mohomodou Houssouba Ms. Folake Idowu,
Editor-in-chief Mr. Misseli M. Bationo Mr. Hilary Nwokeabia,
Mr. Johnson Oduwaiye Mr. Paul Nzeshi (Nigeria),
AFRICA LINK
Tel. +41 79 664 13 54 Representative/Political Editor Mr. Dennis Onyango (Kenya),
Published by AFRICA LINK ORG. (Nigeria) Mr. Keith Gottschalk (SA)
Postfach 1, 8914 Aeugst am Albis oduwaiye@africalink.ch
Mr. Ifeanyi E. Nwosu Dr. Priscilla Bowens (USA)
4
Switzerland July/September 2017
EDITORIAL
ÉLECTIONS PRÉSIDENTIELLES AU KENYA autres, d'avoir causé la mort de centaines de personnes
à la suite des violences électorales.
Pourquoi "le moment où jamais" ? Cette troisième tentative de Raila Odinga avait
été bien planifiée: un bon nombre d'autres petits
Par Johnson Oduwaiye partis politiques s'étaient rassemblés pour balayer le
pouvoir de ce qu'ils considèrent comme une entreprise
L'horloge tourne, les mois se changent en jours et le compte à rebours a commencé familiale à la tête de l'Etat. L'opposition s'est soudée.
pour les deux figures familières des présidentielles au Kenya: le Président Uhuru Mais le Président Kenyatta est également bien
Kenyatta et son grand rival Raila Odinga. placé. Il surfe sur la vague de ses succès économiques,
notamment dans le développement d'infrastructures
La date programmée est le 8 août, et déjà l'on gouvernement de Daniel arap Moi en 1982, Jaramogi et la lutte contre les groupes islamiques qui avaient
voit pointer des signes de retour des violences qui ont Odinga fut de nouveau placé en détention, dans sa menacé le tissu même de la nation.
marqué le scrutin d'il y a cinq ans. propre maison, et son fils, Raila Odinga, également Mais pourquoi cette rivalité clanique continue-
Les Kenyans se préparent à ce que beaucoup ont impliqué dans le coup d'Etat, purgea une peine de six t-elle à faire rage? Le pays doit encore se remettre
qualifié "d'élections de la dernière chance" et de ans pour trahison. Pendant cette période, Jaramogi de la perte de vies humaines, des déplacements de
grande finale entre les deux rivaux de longue date. Odinga se battit avec acharnement pour regrouper ses population et des destructions de propriétés survenues
En effet, ce sera le second et dernier mandat pour partisans politiques, en vain. Il mourut en 1994; à ce lors des deux dernières élections. Faudra-t-il que ces
le Président Uhuru Kenyatta: pour ses partisans, il stade, son fils était devenu un animal politique à part malheurs se répètent à chaque fois qu'il y a des élec-
"doit" gagner. Quand à Raila Odinga, ce sera aussi sa entière. En 1992, à l'âge de 46 ans, Raila fut élu au tions au Kenya?
dernière candidature pour un mandat qu'il a manqué Parlement pour la circonscription de Lang'ata, dans La communauté internationale et notamment les
de peu deux fois déjà. Comme ceux de Kenyatta, le cadre du Ford-Kenya (Forum pour la restauration organisations régionales devraient jouer un rôle clé, si
ses partisans font le maximum pour que son rêve de la démocratie). seulement le Kenya voulait éviter de revivre les affres
devienne réalité. Quand il avait démarré sa carrière politique par des élections passées et paver la voie à une véritable
Ce serait peu dire qu'ils ont hérité cette rivalité de des manifestations de rues à la fin des années 80, démocratie comme celles dont jouissent d'autres pays
leurs pères. Un coup d'œil dans les annales de l'his- c'était pour contraindre le gouvernement du président environnants.
toire de l'indépendance politique du pays suffit pour Daniel arap Moi à sortir du syndrome du parti unique Après tout, la politique consiste à construire et à
comprendre l'évidence. Jomo Kenyatta et Jaramogi et à passer au pluralisme politique. Il n'avait pas encore améliorer, pas à détruire. Le Kenya s'est extraordinai-
Oginda Odinga, respectivement premier président et affiné sa politique mais avait de l'avenir. rement uni pour gagner son indépendance. Doit-il
premier vice-président du Kenya, s'étaient déchirés En 2002, on a assisté à une résurgence de la rivalité briser ce qu'il a construit de ses propres mains?
dans des différences d'idéologie politique. entre les familles Kenyatta et Odinga quand le pré- Les récentes promesses du duo, de mener des
Leurs chemins s'étaient séparés en 1966, quand sident Daniel arap Moi a soutenu Uhuru Kenyatta campagnes pacifiques et d'accepter l'issue du scrutin,
Jomo Kenyatta s'était appuyé au bloc États-Unis / dans les élections présidentielles, voyant en lui son sont encourageantes et l'on espère ardemment qu'elles
Occident tandis que Jaramogi Odinga embrassait la successeur. Raila Odinga et Mwai Kibaki étaient seront respectées. Lutter pour un avenir meilleur
cause de la Chine, de l'Union soviétique et d'autres aussi candidats, et Kibaki a remporté ces élections. de son pays ne devrait pas impliquer de s'entretuer,
pays liés au Pacte de Varsovie. Il quitta le parti de L'élection présidentielle de 2007 entre Raila c'est pourquoi nous appelons les partisans des deux
la Kenyan African National Union (KANU) pour Odinga et Mwai Kibaki a débouché sur de graves candidats à ne pas réveiller le feu de la discorde qui
former la Kenya People’s Union (KPU). C'était le violences, au point que la communauté internatio- couve sous la braise.
début d'une rivalité politique toujours plus éloignée nale s'en est mêlée pour ramener le pays à la raison. Nous souhaitons appeler également la commission
de l'intérêt général. Une formule fut conçue, qui aboutit à un partage électorale à conduire dans la dignité des élections
Les choses partirent en vrille en 1969: les deux de pouvoir négocié par l'ancien secrétaire général de libres et justes, à rester intègre, à ne pas se salir les
hommes se lancèrent dans des attaques verbales l'ONU Kofi Annan. Kibaki devint président et Raila mains et à raisonner comme son Président, Wafula
publiques dont la violence dégénéra jusqu'à causer des Odinga premier ministre. Jamais Raila n'avait frôlé Chebukati, qui a dit: "Ne laissez pas ces élections
pertes de vies humaines. Jaramogi Odinga fut ensuite le sommet du pouvoir d'aussi près. être un prétexte pour menacer des communautés qui
arrêté, toujours en 1969, et passa deux ans en prison. En 2013, Uhuru et Raila se sont retrouvés face à ont toujours vécu en paix. Protégeons les femmes, les
Après sa libération, il tenta de construire un groupe face aux élections et Uhuru a gagné. Le résultat a de enfants et les personnes vulnérables de la violence et
politique solide, sans succès jusqu'à ce que Kenyatta nouveau été controversé; cette fois, c'est la Cour pénale des menaces de violences."
meure en août 1978. internationale qui est intervenue, accusant le Président
A la suite d'un coup d'Etat manqué contre le Kenyatta et son Vice-Président William Ruto, entre Traduit par Elsa Wack
Pictures Layout Opinions published do not necessarily
By Africa Link, Soldini Communication, Zürich reflect those of the Editorial Board
except otherwise stated
Africa Link Bank Account All correspondence to
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July/September 2017 5
CAMPAGNE LOVE LIFE 2016
LES PARTENAIRES CHANGENT,
LE SAFER SEX RESTE.
EN
R ET TE RI
2
6 ER
NApril E G2017
- June
July/September 2017
RELIGION
The Intersection In Christ, the door to freedom has always been open.
But for far too long, I chose not to use it.
Of Grace And Truth In my fear, I clung to legalism at the expense of
the grace God extends to me when I fall short of
Christlike living. I couldn’t offer myself forgiveness
By Kimberly Coyle
for mistakes I made along the way, and I also found
I sat in our book-lined study with the computer on my lap, watching the cursor it difficult to extend it to other Christians. I kept them
blink. My husband and children were gone for the day, and the house sat silent, trapped alongside me, bound by impossible standards.
creating perfect conditions for writing. A cool wind blew through the flue in the But as I’ve pushed back and moved past my own self-
living room fireplace, and I sat trying to work. imposed boundaries, I have found grace waiting in
the quiet places.
After one particularly long gust, the soft brush of comes from being held captive then suddenly set free. In graduate school, I worked with other writ-
wings against brick broke my concentration. I thought Minutes passed while it careened around the room, ers and artists, most of whom were not believers.
perhaps it was the breeze, but after a few moments, the and just as I began to worry it would die from the Through their creations, they exposed their failing
brushing noise became a determined flapping. I got up effort, the bird discovered the open glass door and marriages, mental illness, addictions, and confusion
to investigate the sound when it stopped abruptly. As I flew toward the sun, unrestrained. As I watched it fly over their sexuality. As they unfurled their own fears,
peered through the mesh fire grate, the flailing began away, I thought of how often I’ve longed for the kind often expressing a sincere desire for faith, it cracked a
again in earnest, scattering ash. A bird had followed of freedom that grows wings and surmounts fear and hardness in me that I didn’t know existed. The child
the wind and now thrashed, trapped in the chimney. false boundaries. The kind of freedom Jesus offers us in me would have pointed out their failures, but the
Broom in hand, I tried for an hour to coax the but few know how to embrace and live. adult in me looked for points of light in their stories.
frightened bird into an empty recycling bin. When My family spent a brief but formative period of my I found myself thinking less about consequences and
that proved unsuccessful, I bundled up in my winter childhood involved in a church that interpreted the instead felt sympathy for their pain.
coat, opened every exterior door in the house, and Bible so literally and with such legalistic fervor that I recognize my tendency towards this double stand-
timidly slid the fire screen aside. we abandoned medical care for faith healing. We gave ard of expecting Christians to live in light of biblical
The bird remained in the fireplace, unaware that up pierced ears for plainness and rejected Christmas truth, with little grace for their mistakes, while giving
I had set it free. Then, with a great deal of noise and trees for Jesus’ birthday cake. We saw everything in non-believers free rein. Freedom is found at a center
thrashing, the soot-coated bird flew into the room. black and white. Questions or anything resembling point, at the crossroads where the truth of salvation
It soared high to the ceiling, testing its wingspan an in-between gray was labeled sin. I learned to live meets God’s favor and grace.
and the wall’s boundaries. I hunched down as the in judgment rather than love. I long for this place of balance, this point that draws
bird swooped low, searching for sunlight, fresh air, My rules-based faith forced me down an open flue me closer to the cross. This intersection is cruciform,
and blue skies. It flew in a frenzy, and I imagine its into a trap of brick and ash, and it’s taken me many the shape of Jesus with arms spread wide, calling me—
heart beating faster than its wings with the fear that years to realize that the snare was one of man’s making. calling each of us, believer and non-believer alike.
A RELIABLE GUIDE?
The moment a temptation or questionable situation
When to Trust Your Conscience arises, it will warn us of danger and prompt us to
reject that direction.
When confronted with questionable situations or opportunities, can you trust We can trust it when we feel guilty immediately upon
your conscience to guide you to make right choices? We often hear people say, disobedience. A spiritually sensitive conscience is
“Let your conscience be your guide,” but this may not be the best option. alert to everything going on inside and around us.
The moment we sin, it will go into action so that we
It all depends on the condition of the conscience. We can trust it if we have programmed our conscience can quickly return to the Lord in confession and
If we have repeatedly rejected or ignored it, our with the teaching of Scripture. As the Holy Spirit puts repentance.
conscience is no longer a reliable guide because we’ve God’s Word into our hearts, we come to understand Although we’ve all been given a conscience, what
silenced its signals. how He thinks, works, and moves in our lives. we do with it will either sharpen or dull it. The more
When can we trust our conscience to be our guide? We can trust our conscience when we have a strong desire we heed its signals, the more sensitive it will become
Since the conscience can be damaged and is not to obey the Lord. This means that no matter the cost, and the better we’ll be able to distinguish between
always reliable, we need to understand the condi- we are going to trust Him and do what He says. right and wrong. But if we repeatedly ignore the
tions under which we can be sure that it is working We can trust it if we prayerfully consider the decisions we warnings, it will become calloused and then useless.
properly and sending us the right information. must make. When we ask the Lord for guidance, our At that point we can live in absolute disobedience
We can trust it when we’ve accepted the Word of God conscience becomes more sensitive to His leading. to God and feel no conviction at all because our
as the basis for our conduct. If we take seriously the We can trust our conscience if it immediately sounds conscience has been damaged and is unable to judge
Ten Commandments as well as the instructions in an alarm when we’re considering a wrong direction in accurately.
the New Testament for proper living, we can be our thoughts or actions. If we’re consistently abiding
sure that our conscience will guide us toward the by God’s Word, will, and way, our conscience won’t This article is adapted from the Sermon Notes for Dr.
right decisions. wait until the end of the day to send us a signal. Stanley’s message “Is Your Conscience Your Protector?”
July/September 2017 7
SWISSLINE
UN TREATY: She does not expect any change over the family
Swiss ‘still have work to reunification issue. Provisionally accepted foreigners
are subject to strict conditions, including having a
do’ on childrights job, which is difficult for them to find. This makes it
hard for them to bring over families. “In this respect,
Switzerland harms the right of the child to live with
Switzerland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child its family,” she said.
(CRC) 20 years ago, but the last UN assessment of the country flagged up some
problem areas. What has happened since then? Neighbours ahead
Wartenweiler welcomed the steps towards better
And, for this first time, a centralised platformex- coordination but noted that Switzerland still lacks a
ternal link has been set up for the exchange of national action plan or policy, unlike neighbouring
information. Germany that “even has a Ministry of Family Affairs”.
These actions have given a real impetus and Her organisation would like to see an independ-
dynamism to the implementation of child rights ent national human rights institution – another UN
among the various parties involved, Scheiben notes. suggestion – to monitor the implementation of the
But she has also noticed a lack of recognition for the CRC. This exists worldwide in over 177 countries (
CRC and a prevalent view among policymakers that 75 being fully compliant with the Paris Principles for
it’s a “nice to have”. human rights institutions), including in neighbouring
Children in Switzerland, their situation is good but The government has dedicated CHF200,000 Germany and France and most recently in Liechten-
there is still work to do on their rights (Keystone)
($205,000) per year to improving the situation. steinexternal link. Another area needing improvement
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) The new Swiss school curriculum will also leave is child data collection in the cantons. This helps flag
says that the CRCexternal link has “changed the way some room for addressing child rights, according up problems early on and formulate targeted policies.
children are viewed and treated around the world”. to Scheiben. “There is hardly any data on a national level, especially
The treaty aims to ensure the protection, survival, and As for the treaty reservations, there has been and for vulnerable children like young sans papiers or
development of all children, without discrimination. will be no change over article 10 on family reunifica- children affected by trafficking and prostitution,”
But when the UN committee responsible for im- tion. It is only allowed under certain conditions for Wartenweiler points out.
plementing the treaty evaluated Switzerland’s progress provisionally admitted foreigners and those with
in 2015 – part of a regular monitoring process – it limited residence permits, and asylum seekers may Signal of support
had some criticismexternal link. not receive permits to bring their family members For its part, the Swiss committee for UNICEFex-
In particular, it noted Switzerland’s reservations to Switzerland while still within the asylum applica- ternal link welcomed the fact that Switzerland had
about implementing aspects of the treaty, including tion process. joined the Third Optional Protocolexternal link to
family reunification for asylum seekers (article 10 of With regards to article 37, the cantons have been the CRC earlier this year. The protocol allows those
the CRC) and the separation of children from adults given ten years to make changes to ensure youth who have exhausted domestic legal routes to submit
in prisons and detention centres (article 37). and adults are housed separately when in prison. complaints alleging violations of their rights under
The committee also bemoaned the lack of coor- Change may be possible by 2020 when the next the CRC to the UN Committee on the Rights of
dination between federal authorities and the 26 can- report comes out, said Scheiben. Authorities plan to the Child.
tons – the ones implementing measures concerning review the issue. “This is a signal that Switzerland acknowledges
child rights on a day-to-day basis. It was hard to gain the full implementation of the CRC and is not shy-
an overview, and evaluators pointed out that some Far enough? ing away from the direct support of children’s rights,”
cantons had policies banning children from being in Rahel Wartenweiler is coordinator of the non- UNICEF said in a statement.
public areas at night while others didn’t, for example. profit Swiss Child Rights Networkexternal link, The organisation also called for more compre-
whose 44 member organisations monitor and report hensive data on children, adding that children from
Impetus on how the CRC is applied in Switzerland. She says poor backgrounds – including migrants - still needed
Today, Sabine Scheiben, co-head of the child and its implementation has been mixed. more support, for example through free crèche places
youth issues section of the Federal Social Insurance The NGO Terre de Hommes, a network member, or private tutoring. Child should also have more self-
Officeexternal link (FSIO), says that Switzerland is recently asked all the Swiss cantons about the issue determination through bodies like student councils,
working on better cantonal and federal coordination. of children and adult detention. It concluded that child and youth parliaments and divorce hearings,
The FSIO has drawn up a package of measures on in several cantons, minors are still sharing premises UNICEF suggested.
implementing children’s rights to be submitted for with adults, especially in cases involving minor “Children affected by poverty or who are disad-
government approval in 2018. Taking on a coor- asylum seekers. vantaged should benefit from targeted support to
dinating role, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal It is important for children to be detained sepa- avoid being disadvantaged in school education or on
Ministers of Social Affairsexternal link has drawn rately for their own protection, Wartenweiler says, the work market,” said the NGO.
up its own recommendations for the further develop- “but also to comply with their rights as set out in the
ment of child and youth policies. The government CRC, for example the right to play, have free time By Isobel Leybold-Johnson
has also given cantons extra financing in this area. or an education”. swissinfo.ch
8 July/September 2017
SWISSLINE
CHRONIQUE : de ce qui était autrefois considéré comme une partie
«La Suisse a le droit d'avoir confi- inébranlable du consensus historique unique qui a
vu le jour sur notre continent est désormais remis en
ance en elle – en fait, elle le doit» question. Qu'il s'agisse de la monnaie unique, de la libre
circulation des personnes ou de la renonciation expresse
L'ère des moyennes et grandes puissances dotées d'un pouvoir à peu près équivalent à un processus d'intégration européenne différé dans le
touche à sa fin, écrit Konrad Hummler. L'ancien banquier y voit une chance pour la temps pour certains pays, plus rien n'est tabou, même
Suisse de s'affirmer sur la scène internationale. Mais aussi une source de dangers. pour les Européens timides. Le continent n'a jamais été
Comment définir ce qui constitue le cœur de La fin du débat sur les profiteurs aussi proche de la maxime «Anything goes».
la Suisse? Pour répondre à cette question, il faut se La phase des grands principes universels n'a pas
demander quelles sont les choses auxquelles il nous toujours été une période facile pour le petit Etat helvé- L'adhésion envers et contre tout
serait absolument impossible de renoncer. En somme, tique. Lorsque tout le monde semblait prêt à s'aligner, Pour le petit Etat helvétique, les opportunités et
déterminer les cinq objets que nous emmènerions sur comment cultiver son droit à la différence? A quoi les dangers abondent. Il pourra à nouveau influer, en
une île déserte. Pour ma part, je ne partirais pas sans: bon être un petit pays très spécial lorsque, autour de tant qu'Etat situé au cœur de l'Europe, sur l'avenir du
1. Notre structure fédérale, notamment le pouvoir nous, tout le monde passait son temps à se faire des continent. Dans de nombreux domaines, la Suisse fait
décisionnel important qu’elle confère aux échelons grâces? La question de savoir si l'autonomie défendue office de modèle, en raison du bien-être qui y règne, de
les plus bas du système. par la Suisse était légitime a également été débattue à son Etat de droit, de la bonne santé de sa société civile
2. La possibilité donnée au peuple de s’exprimer sur la l'interne. Nous menions des discussions empruntées (malgré une proportion record d'étrangers), de son
direction de l’Etat sur l'intégration et les profiteurs, sur la nécessité de se amour du travail, de sa démocratie et de sa tolérance
3. La modération innée qui nous caractérise dans nos tourner vers le colosse européen ou l'envie anachronique Il serait insensé de renoncer à cette expérience helvé-
requêtes envers l'Etat de revenir en arrière. Mais dans un monde dominé par tique, bâtie durant des siècles, au profit d'un «aquis
4. La garantie de la propriété privée quelques grandes puissances, qui ne s'intéressent qu'à communautaire» qui n'a pas toujours fait ses preuves
5. La vision participative et sans pompe excessive que leurs intérêts propres, ces préoccupations s'estompent. et nécessite désormais une réforme en profondeur. La
nous avons de l'Etat Il n'est plus mal vu de mettre en avant ses avantages. Suisse peut – ou plutôt elle doit – élever la voix. Et
démontrer que son «aquis» est au moins aussi valable
Le savoir et l’expérience du passé nous montrent Dire au revoir au nationalisme que celui de l'Union européenne. Mais le danger
que la Suisse, petite nation administrée de façon décen- et aux frontières persiste qu'une telle attitude, pleine d'assurance, ne
tralisée, a souvent su faire valoir ses atouts sur la scène Ces dix dernières années, la tentative de créer une soit prise en otage par des calculs à court terme liés
mondiale. Mais pour survivre et s’épanouir lorsque les unité sur le continent européen est le plus important défi aux soi-disant intérêts économiques et par l'étroitesse
temps sont réellement durs, il faut un consensus interne que la Suisse, en tant que petit Etat, a dû affronter. Et d'esprit des fonctionnaires et des diplomates peureux
fort. Aujourd’hui, il manque à la Suisse un plus petit cela pour des raisons tout à fait pratiques. Cette intégra- et médiocres. Concrètement, je crains surtout l'agenda
dénominateur commun, auquel – à quelques exceptions tion l'a obligé à nouer des liens économiques caractérisés caché qui sévit à Berne et qui a pour but de d'obtenir
près - tout le monde pourrait adhérer. par une forte interdépendance, notamment en ce qui «l'adhésion à l'Union européenne envers et contre tout».
Un plus petit dénominateur commun, concerne ses exportations vers l'espace européen. Cela Cette attitude puise ses racines en partie dans des motifs
– qu’aucun conseiller fédéral, fonctionnaire ou juge explique pourquoi, en Suisse, certaines forces politiques technocratiques – tout à fait bien intentionnés - mais
n’oserait enfreindre, ont adopté une vision très euro-centriques. Mais aussi elle reflète aussi l'ambition secrète de certains parle-
– dont le peuple saurait qu’il ne risque pas d’être pourquoi le particularisme helvétique a commencé à mentaires, ainsi que de certains hauts fonctionnaires,
érodé, lentement mais sûrement, par un agenda caché, être perçu comme un modèle dépassé dans l'imagi- d'accéder à une position plus importante sur le plan
– qui pourrait être mis en œuvre et protégé même naire collectif. L'Europe semblait avoir dit au revoir au européen. Ils veulent s'éloigner des ennuyeuses préoccu-
pendant les temps difficiles nationalisme. Le transnationalisme et la suppression pations des citoyens, armés de leur démocratie directe,
Nous sommes vraisemblablement face à un tour- des frontières étaient devenus les nouveaux mots-clefs et se rapprocher du paradis sans citoyens que représente
nant sur le plan global. L’époque des grands principes utilisés pour définir cette ère. Mais cette grande tenta- Bruxelles à leurs yeux. Je le vois et cela m'inquiète.
universels est révolue. L’ère caractérisée par des grandes tive d'uniformisation européenne a aujourd'hui marqué Un avenir fait de liberté, de bien-être et de justice
et moyennes puissances, dotées d’un pouvoir à peu un coup d'arrêt et cette vision a perdu de sa pertinence. La Suisse sera-t-elle toujours perçue à l'avenir comme
près équivalent et qui s’entendent relativement bien, un modèle de réussite? C'est une question de volonté.
touche à sa fin. Elle a été remplacée par une volonté En Europe, tout est désormais possible Il faut vouloir être un petit pays. Il faut accepter qu'il
de domination - plus ou moins poussée – adoptée par Cela dit, il est encore trop tôt pour annoncer la mort y a des choses auxquelles on ne peut pas renoncer,
certains Etats individuels. L’annexion sans états d’âme de la capacité à se réformer de l'Union européenne. De qu'il y a des limites à leur dilution. Le tournant que vit
de la Crimée par la Russie de Vladimir Poutine fut nouvelles forces d'intégration pourraient tout à fait actuellement la communauté internationale va tester
le premier signe de cette grande évolution. Il s’en est émerger, alimentées par la pression interne générée notre volonté. Il est crucial que nous aiguisions nos
suivi l’annonce brutale du premier ministre japonais par des résultats d'élections perçus comme décevants esprits et que nous nous préparions à mener ce débat.
Shinzo Abe qu’il allait réarmer son pays, ainsi que la dans certains pays, par une aggravation de la crise de Ce sera la seule manière de faire émerger une doctrine,
construction d'îles artificielles par la Chine, en vue de la dette, par une nouvelle intensification de la question soutenue par tous, qui mènera notre pays et ses citoyens
revendiquer des zones maritimes. Le langage soigné de migratoire ou par de grands mouvements tectoniques vers un avenir fait de liberté, de bien-être et de justice.
la diplomatie a désormais pris des airs étranges, jusqu'à dans la structure de l'ordre mondial. Les conditions
en devenir grotesque, voire même dangereux. de base pour cela sont réunies. Car une grande part Par Konrad Hummler
July/September 2017 9
BRIEFS
Nigeria to secure and later over Skype from Banjul.
Nigeria’s former President make them accessible The Gambian team becomes the second students
to farmers. However, to be refused entry into the U.S. to participate. An
Jonathan to testify prior to that, a law Afghan girls team was also denied visas to attend the
on Oil Block Sale Scandal to restructure the same competition. The students, three boys and two
land and agricultural girls, had their hopes up when the U.S. ambassador
legislation must be to the Gambia, Patricia Alsup, paid them a visit in
adopted, skills in the June. They, however, resolved to keep working despite
soil sciences sector the current setback. FIRST Global organizes a yearly
must be strengthened, and the agricultural devel- international robotics challenge to ignite a passion for
opment agency will be created, amongst others. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Challenges related to land access are recurring (STEM) among the more than two billion youths
especially under the Graine programme where, ac- across the world. The competition is open to teenagers
cording to members of cooperatives, ancestral beliefs between the ages of 15 to 18. According to FIRST,
are preventing farms’ expansion and agriculture’s about 158 countries will be represented, including 40
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called on the development. “For example, old villages are often ar- African countries. Only the teams from Afghanistan
former President of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan eas of conflict as they host fruit trees, palm trees and and The Gambia have had their visas rejected so far.
to testify in an inquiry into the contested sale of an oil sometimes even kapok trees. Due to this, it is quite
block during his tenure, according to the parliament difficult to develop these areas,” a local farmer said. Africanews
investigating committee source. In a bid to revive its agriculture and end food
Investigations into the $1.3 billion in 2011 of dependence, Gabon has decided to distribute about Egypt
oil prospecting license (OPL) 245, with a capacity five million hectares of arable lands to farmers across Egypt hikes electricity prices by
of more than 9 billion barrels of oil, have involved the country.
Nigerian, Italian and Dutch authorities, two of the up to 42 percent
world’s largest international oil companies as well Ecofin Agency Egypt has hiked electricity prices by up to 42
as a convicted money launderer. Jonathan’s name percent as part of the latest subsidy removal measure
featured in investigations launched by Milan’s public Gambia adopted by the government as part of an International
prosecutor and it was his ministers that brokered the U.S. Denies Gambian Robotics
oilfield deal, the statement said. The committee, set
up in April, said it would write to the former president Team Visas to Competition
asking for his response and submissions, adding that its The team of young Gambians aged between 17 -
investigation “is drawing to a close”. A spokesman for 18 were denied visas as far back as April this year but
Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2009 to 2015, said the continued to work on their project. Their robot, a
former president “has not received such an invitation as ball sorting machine, will be present in the U.S. The
of this moment”, and was not aware of any invitation. FIRST Global Robotics contest takes place between
Courts in Nigeria and Italy are also investigating the July 16 – 18, 2017. The official in charge of the team’s
purchase of OPL 245, which was initially awarded in preparations told Doha-based Al Jazeera that the Monetary Fund (IMF) requirement. The hike, which
1998 to Malabu Oil and Gas before Royal Dutch Shell students were “very disappointed” by the visa refusal. takes effect in July, follows hikes in fuel prices by up
and Eni awarded the rights in 2011 for $1.3 billion. According to Moktar Darboe, director of The to 50 percent. Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker
Shell has said it was aware that some of the payments Gambia’s ministry of higher education, research, announcing the hikes said it is the first of the phase-
it made to Nigeria for rights to the oilfield would go science and technology, “they put in so much effort out plan which has been extended to 2021-2022. “We
to a company associated with former Nigerian oil into building this, and now, after all the sacrifice and have extended the period [for subsidies] by three more
minister and convicted money launderer Dan Etete. years because of conditions associated with the huge
rise in the exchange rate,” he said at a press conference.
Africa Link The government instituted a reform programme in
2014 to gradually phase out subsidies for a $12 billion
Gabon IMF bailout loan. The minister said the electricity
Government To Give prices might fall if the Egyptian pound regains its
value against the dollar after it fell to a record low
Farmers Lands following flotation of the currency last year. Ahead of
To insure food security in Gabon, boosting access energy they put in, they have been left disheartened.” the hikes that caused a surge in prices, the government
to land is a must. This was one of the main recom- He said after paying an application fee of $170 had issued income tax discounts and bonuses among
mendations that emerged from the conference on each, “We were only told that we did not qualify and other measures to cushion the effects of the reform
agriculture held from June 28 to July 1, in Libreville. that we could try again.” As things stand now, they will on the population.
It was in this framework that the government be represented by the Gambian American Association
decided to identify all agricultural lands in order and they will have to watch their project presentation Ecofin Agency
10 July/September 2017BRIEFS
Au Summit This aims to allow Nigerians own shares in the firms. chives is of major importance as it aims to enable popu-
AU Chief Distressed Over Speaking at the 2017 annual national workshop lations rapidly secure title, and meet their demands as
of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in well as administration’s”, the press agency indicates.
African Inaction on Famine Abuja, Okoh said the BPE was carrying out a quick Digitization continues and should lead to a
African Union (AU) chief, Moussa Faki Ma- assessment of privatized enterprises, particularly those complete dematerialization of land directories of the
hamat has said he was shocked by the inaction of in the petrochemical sector, with the aim of divesting concerned wilayas. These contain 4,000 registers dat-
Africans on famine and drought in some countries. government’s shares on the capital market. ing from 1836 to 1913.
This statement was made while addressing the heads “The BPE is working with core investors in certain
of state at the AU summit at its headquarters in the privatized enterprises sold by deferred public offering Ecofin Agency
Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. “In the face of the to ensure that they sell at least 20% of such entities to
atrocious tragedy of famine in these regions, what the market via public listing.” Ethiopia
has become of the values of solidarity and African The Director General explained that privatized Inauguration of Africa
fraternity? Where has our civil society gone? Where companies across Nigeria would have to list on the
NSE as part of the reform and privatization pro- Anti-Corruption Day
gramme of the government. The reason behind the Speech by AU Chairperson Commission
listing was born out of need to give the public a sense On the inaugural African Anti-Corruption Day
of inclusion in the ownership of national assets. dedicated to giving prominence to the anti-Corruption
“As you know, several Nigerians have argued fight on the Continent following an Executive Council
in the past that the enterprises privatized by BPE decision to declare 11 July of every year as the “African
were cornered by a few individuals, but as part Anti-Corruption Day” to commemorate the adoption
of the reform and privatization strategy many of of the African Union Convention on Preventing and
have our private sector and our patrons gone? “The them were supposed to be listed on the stock Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), the Chairper-
tragedies of our brethren in Somalia, in South Sudan, exchange in the long-run. So listing them on the son of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E.
in the Lake Chad basin and in the Sahel challenge stock exchange will engender a sense of ownership Moussa Faki Mahamat, notes with appreciation that
our deepest consciences and to the deepest of our in the assets by more Nigerians,” Okoh added. the dedication of a specific African Continent’s fight
beings,” Moussa Faki Mahamat lamented. He took against corruption marks an important step towards the
office in January this year as the chairperson of the Africa Link Africa we want. “We need to wage an aggressive fight
AU commission at a time that the United Nations had against those who practice corruption and institutions
warned against a risk of malnutrition and starvation Algeria that benefit from the proceeds of corruption to restore
for millions of people on the continent. In the midst Thousands Land Titles of Colo- public trust in our institutions on the Continent. To
of humanitarian crisis, the former Chadian foreign ensure and sustain the level of commitment of combat-
minister said he believed that 2018 will be a year of nial Era Digitized Since 2012 ing corruption, the Assembly of the African Union also
financial autonomy for the organization declared 2018 as “the African Anti-Corruption Year”.
The year will be celebrated under the theme: ‘Winning
Ecofin Agency the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Af-
rica’s Transformation’,” Chairperson Faki pointed out.
Nigeria Corruption is undoubtedly the most pressing
FG to sell its 20% stakes in governance and development challenge that Africa
is confronted with today as its debilitating and cor-
privatized assets - BPE rosive effects reverse hard-won developmental gains
and threaten progress, stability and development
of the Continent. The African Union first adopted
the AUCPCC by the 2nd Ordinary Session of the
Launched in 2012, the land deeds digitization Assembly of the Union on 11 July 2003 in Maputo,
operation helped dematerialize a total of 3,605 titles Mozambique. By ratifying the AUCPCC, all State
dating from the colonial period and located across six Parties to this Convention are expected to domesticate
wilayas in the West of Algeria. This was revealed by their national legislative and policy instruments aimed
the archive office of the Oran wilaya. at combatting corruption.
“Since this operation was launched in 2012, led The Chairperson urges all Member States of the
by the Oran wilaya, 3,605 land titles dating from the AU, that have not yet done so, to ratify and accede to
colonial period and situated in the Oran, Mascara, the Convention, in order to solidify the continent’s
The Federal Government of Nigeria is looking Mostaganem, Ain Témouchent, Relizane and Tlem- political commitment towards a corrupt free, citizen-
to sell 20% of its shares in some partially privatized cen wilayas, have been dematerialized,” Mohamed driven, democratically governed Africa, as envisioned
companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange Tilouine, head of archive office at Oran, told Algérie by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
(NSE), according to Alex Okoh (photo), the Director Presse Service.
General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). “He explained that the project to digitize land ar- Africa Link
July/September 2017 11INTEGR ATION
Employment Rights of the normal hour rate. Overtime may also be
compensated with off-duty instead of a monetary
compensation. This depends on the agreement
In Switzerland between the employee and the employer. Working
time is generally not specifically defined in terms of
(Canton of Basel City) hours for management staff. It is assumed that the
performance of employees with a greater workload
is compensated with higher wages, although this
By Johnson Oduwaiye is generally regulated in the employment contract.
Compensation of overtime without a premium
Employment could best be described as a relationship between an employer or at a premium below 25% may also be agreed
and an employee where the latter works and is recompensed. This could be in writing. In Switzerland employees are often
on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly salary. Depending on the country or offered positions based on certain percentages of
organisation, employment is typically governed by employment laws and re- work time. A job offered at 100% means full-time,
gulations or legal contracts. It depends on the country. that means the employee will have to work for
between 45-50 hours a week. A job offered at 90%
Swiss employment laws labour in Industry, Craft Industry and Trade. typically means the employee will have two days
Swiss employment laws are liberal, f lexible Whenever a contract being entered into, it off every month (work nine out of ten workdays).
and comprehensively covered by Articles 319 et normally covers job description, starting date, A 50% position could mean two working days in
seq of the Code of Obligations of 1911. Public trial period, contract duration (permanent the week, followed by three the following week.
works laws regulate working hours, overtime or fixed-term), working hours, overtime and The mechanism of how this will be operated will
and workplace security, among other things, form of compensation for overtime (monetary be worked out between the employer and the
and are governed by the Federal Labour Act of or off duty), holidays, gross monthly salary employee. These percentages often also apply
1964 (including its respective ordinances). The and payment of 13th month salary But some to certain benefits. For instance, if a company
Swiss employment rights are the Federal Staff companies use, as a contract, the General offers workers four weeks of paid vacation, a 50%
Leasing Act of 1989, the Federal Data Protec- Labour Agreement (GLA), which is a written employee would also receive four weeks, paid at
tion Act 1992, the Federal Participation Act agreement between one or more employers the 50% rate.
1993 and the Federal Equal Opportunity Act and their workers or their associations and
1995. In general the same employment law is trade unions. Sick leave:
applicable in all the 26 cantons of Switzerland. In general, most employers require a doctor’s
Minor differences could be found in such cases Holidays certificate to justify their absence for more than
like labour disputes, gender inequality, and The right to holidays and time off is enshrined two consecutive days in case of illness. The law
public holidays. The country’s workforce is in the law. Employees above 60 and apprentices requires that employers pay salaries for a limited
made up of 60% of female population in full below the age of 20 are granted five weeks holidays period to employees who are absent from work
or part-time employment, and 25% migrant per year while employees and apprentices above because of illness. Employers must also give
workers. 20 and less than 60 usually get four weeks holi- employees up to three working days of leave to
days per year. This minimum duration is often care for a sick child. This must also have a doctor’s
There is no statutory increased by employers, especially for workers who justification. Other types of leave include the so-
have been at their posts for many years. called “youth leave”, which guarantees up to five
employment contract in extra days of leave per year to all employees and
Switzerland (Art. 319), Working Hours apprentices under the age of 30 who work volun-
There are various rules for employees' hours’ tarily on behalf of young people This applies to
and contract does not of work, including overtime, night working, workers in the private sector – those employed in
necessarily have to be in working on Sundays and public holidays. Under the public sector have other laws governing the
Swiss law the maximum legal working hours on youth leave policy. Employers often also grant
a written form to be average is 40 and at most 50 hours per week. employees days and hours off for their marriage,
the birth of a child, the death of close relations or
enforceable. Overtime friends and moving house.
Overtime is governed by (article 321c Swiss
Employment contract code of obligations). Employees are required Maternity leave:
There is no statutory employment contract to work overtime when necessary, that is work In cases of medical absences due to sickness
in Switzerland (Art. 319), and contract does more hours than contractual normal working or an accident, it is best practice for employers
not necessarily have to be in a written form to hours. Employees are required to work overtime to take out a salary insurance policy to cover
be enforceable. Contact in Swiss employment provided, among other things that the work ongoing salary payment obligations. These insu-
law is based on the provisions of the Swiss is not physically and mentally overwhelming, rance policies usually cover between 80% and
Code of Obligations and the Federal law on must be compensated with an additional 25% 100% of the insured’s salary for up to two years.
12 July/September 2017You can also read
