The Africa Center announces States of Becoming, an exhibition curated by Fitsum Shebeshe and produced by Independent Curators International (ICI) on view at The Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall from October 14, 2022 through February 26, 2023. States of Becoming examines the dynamic forces of relocation, resettling, and assimilation that shape the artistic practices of a group of 17 contemporary African artists who have lived and worked in the United States within the last three decades, and informs the discourse on identity construction within the African Diaspora. States of Becoming will be the first major contemporary art exhibition at The Africa Center since its transition from the Museum for African Art in 2013, and will be the first presentation of the touring exhibition produced by ICI. Tickets to the exhibition will be available at theafricacenter.org in early-October 2022.
“States of Becoming was born out of my own process of relocating to the United States in 2016,” Shebeshe said. “This exhibition allows for further understanding of not only my own experiences, but also those of the artists. By analyzing both the unique aspects and commonalities together with The Africa Center’s global and local communities, we can reimagine together how we think about how identity is continually shaped and reshaped.”
“There has been a significant and accelerated shift in the ways African and Afro-descended people are now connecting with each other and with the African continent no matter where we are in the world. Culturally, we’re experiencing a renaissance with both our African and African diasporic experiences at the center, rather than having to choose to focus on one or the other, and born from our many histories of movement, relocation, and rebuilding of our lives and communities,” said Dr. Uzodinma Iweala, CEO of The Africa Center. “Through the cultural markers and forms of creative expression that are the most unique to African and African Diasporic communities, States of Becoming explores the ways in which both African and Afro-Diasporic identities co-exist and shape each other, offering us an opportunity to imagine what the contemporary and future Pan-African identity – or identities – might become.”
“In States of Becoming, curator Fitsum Shebeshe contributes a significant and personal view of contemporary art of the African Diaspora, and reasserts the importance of a curator’s lived experience in exhibition-making,” said Renaud Proch, ICI’s Executive & Artistic Director. “All of us at ICI are proud to see the exhibition debut at The Africa Center, an African-centered home for Shebeshe’s vision and the multidisciplinary perspectives of the artists, making this an ideal start to the exhibition’s five-year tour.”
The concept for States of Becoming evolved from curator Fitsum Shebeshe’s lived experience following his 2016 move from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Baltimore, Maryland and his subsequent firsthand knowledge of the weight of cultural assimilation. Confronted with a different society, Shebeshe encountered a wide range of existential questions that shaped his relationship to institutions and culture. Shebeshe also had the realization for the first time that he was viewed as belonging to a minority because of the color of his skin, and a newfound awareness of the profound impact Ethiopia’s traditional and conservative culture had on his personal sense of individuality.
Having found kinship among cultural practitioners from the African Diaspora who shared his experience, Shebeshe has united 17 artists with States of Becoming who either came to the United States over the past thirty years or who are first-generation born. The artists represented in States of Becoming relocated from twelve countries in Africa and one in the Caribbean–Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe–with roots in cities across the U.S., including New York, Washington, D.C., New Haven, Detroit, and Los Angeles.
Like Shebeshe, each artist in the exhibition has had a unique relationship to the U.S. context, which is reflected in their work. States of Becoming explores these artists’ perpetual process of identifying, redefining, and becoming themselves in both local and global contexts, opening up perspectives into multiple states both geographic and emotional in a constant flux of social and cultural adaptations. The exhibition presents work across mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, installation, and video, that express the many different ways in which identity is remade and reimagined. For instance, Nontsikelelo Mutiti looks to hair braiding salons of the African Diaspora, and Amare Selfu moves from figuration to abstraction to express transformation as a result of relocation. These distinct experiences produce a sense of hybrid culture emerging out of real and imagined genealogies of cultural, racial, national, and geographic belonging.
Although the individual artistic methodologies and experiences of the artists featured in States of Becoming vary, each seeks to reconceptualize a hybrid culture formed from real and imagined genealogies: cultural, racial, national, and geographical belonging. The exhibition is loosely arranged with three main categories: those whose aesthetic forms have undergone drastic transformations since migrating; those who desire to share the experiences and culture of their country of origin within the communities in which they now reside; and those who build bridges between the African diaspora and African American artists of their host country. By contextualizing these practices today, the exhibition provides a space to consider the intersections and contribute to the evolving discourse on relocation, resettling, assimilation, and identity construction.
(Africa.com)
The Africa Center and Independent Curators International announce States of Becoming opening
Agroecology and Food Sovereignty
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) was first conceived in 2008 by a group of concerned individuals and was launched at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties 17 (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa in December 2011. The alliance was founded on a mission to influence policies and to promote African solutions for food sovereignty. AFSA currently serves as a continental platform for consolidation of issues pertaining to food sovereignty and together marshal a single and louder voice on issues and tabling clear workable solutions.
In order to understand the inner workings of the Alliance, Capital reached out to AFSA’s general coordinator, Million Belay Ali (PhD) for insights on AFSA. Million was recently selected as one of four recipients of the Rhodes University Distinguished Alumni Award for the 2022 academic year for his important role played in linking environmental education with community development and policy influence work in Africa. The award recognized him as one of Africa’s leading champions of agroecology and food sovereignty for food system transformations in Africa. Below are excerpts from the candid interview;
Capital: What is AFSA? What does it do?
Million Belay: AFSA is a broad alliance of different civil societies that are part of the struggle for food sovereignty and Agroecology in Africa. These include: African farmers’ organizations, African NGO networks, specialist African NGOs, consumer movements in Africa, international organizations which support the stance of AFSA, and individuals. The establishment goal of AFSA was to create one African voice which is based on scientific research. Its members represent smallholder farmers, pastoralists, hunter/gatherers, indigenous peoples; faith based institutions and environmentalists from across Africa forming a collective voice of Africa. I believe we are succeeding at creating this collective voice and currently we have a network of networks with about 30 active members.
The other main goal is bringing new agendas, solution and researches to the development of the agriculture sector of Africa. We always work with our two hands, so to speak; with our one hand we fight, fight with those who try to give misinterpretation to the agriculture of Africa, and those who try to adopt their interest using African agriculture, which is historical.
Before the pre-colonial arena, Africa was self-sufficient having its own agriculture economy coupled with a strong administrative system. In the colonial arena things changed based on the interest of colonialists including the agriculture system of the continent and even our self-esteem.
Even the pro colonial period was challenging which they still trace all the system in the continent with their interest making the continent always to be dependent on them and we as aid receivers. We are championing the fight against this.
It is not only fighting, with our other hand, we always try to bring solutions through research and studies, such as through agroecology. Agroecology has 3 branches. The first one is activity, for instance irrigation, increasing productivity connecting farmers and professionals, and promoting bio fertilizers. The other is science based researches and solutions whilst the third is to fight influences on the agriculture sector. In order to promote and develop these, we are working to influence policy makers to include agroecology in the agriculture and climate policies
Capital: What is the relation between agroecology and climate change?
Million Belay: Climate change will affect the level and access to food. With temperature and water availability being the key factors in determining crop growth and productivity, change in these factors will lead to reduced crop productivity’
Adaptation is considered a key factor that will shape the future severity of climate change impacts on the food production monoculture nature of dominate agro-systems which may moderate negative impacts. The biggest solution is agroecology which will make farmers resilient, through diversification of agroecosystem, crop/livestock, combined with organic soil management, water conservation and harvesting and general enhancement through agro-biodiversity.
Understanding the agroecological features that underlie the resilience of traditional agroecosystem is an urgent need that can serve as a foundation for the design of adapted agriculture system.
Capital: From your perspective, do you think Ethiopia’s agriculture policy is keen on agroecology?
Million Belay: There are some signs of adoption of agroecology. For example under the Ministry of Agriculture, national resources’ teams do studies and researches on soil and water and also in the framing of the agriculture policy with the support of GIZ.
The outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID-19, and also the conflict in the northern part of the country has made the government to focus on local solutions for food resilience. This not only applies for Ethiopia but also other countries too.
NGOs and funders are also turning their face to agroecology; perhaps unfortunately policies sometimes are influenced by the interest of NGOs and funders and thus for this, working with local or Africa based organization can be solution in going forward.
Capital: What is your view on the western influence on the continent?
Million Belay: Nowadays you cannot help but have a mixed reaction. For instance, if we looked at the USA, the bigger hand of the government is USAID and USAID is a toddle of industrial or commercial agriculture. To understand USAID, we need to see who controls the US government and its policies. Since USAID is a development corporation the goal of its aid is in line with the interest of other similar corporations’. We cannot expect anything new from them.
And if we take a look at the European side, there are corporations, funders and organizations who don’t want to hear about climate change or agriculture development such as agroecology. But I don’t think this will continue since now the effect of climate change is highly observed in the world and their general population mass is highly galvanized and requesting the need for policy change.
Capital: What Agricultural agenda should Africa bring to the Cop27 summit?
Million Belay: We are lobbying negotiators to bring an organized agenda on the Cop27 with regards to agriculture as the continent is primarily agricultural driven. So agriculture and adaptation should be a big agenda and agroecology should be emphasizing as the future of agriculture.
Capital: What are your thoughts on the national wheat project in Ethiopia?
Million Belay: As government, there is no question that feeding the population is a necessity. We can delve into decreasing import so as to reduce dependency but the question of resilience must equally be addressed. There are hundreds of seeds in the hand of wheat farmers but they are mosty using on similar seed in huge farmlands which begs the question, what of the other seeds? What kind of input are they using? Yes it has positive sides as it creates ways for independency but is it sustainable, environmentally or resilient in climate crises? These questions ought to be given much thought.
However, if one asks whether this can be done agroecologically? The answer is yes as we have some exemplary works in around Arsi, Oromia region.
Capital: What are you views on the green legacy movement in Ethiopia?
Million Belay: I have been planting trees for the last more than 30 years. I am actually mostly known for that and I am happy that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has centered the same in to a government strategy. When I paid a visit to the countryside, there was visible change as I have seen so many fruits increase which consequently lead to increased income to farmers. I believe this is a great initiative and it ought to continue.
Of course planting is easy, but protecting the plant is another story. Therefore we should strive to also protect the plants ad the strategy ought to change with the location. Overall in my opinion, if from the planting, 20 percent grow on to grow, this will definitely be a huge success.
Capital: Do you have plans on expanding offices to Ethiopia and other countries?
Million Belay: AFSA was first conceived in Ethiopia by a group of individuals and was launched in South Africa in December 2011.
We actually want to open offices in Ethiopia but the problem is that you cannot take foreign currency out of Ethiopia when it comes in. Since AFSA works to distribute its support to its members from money it gets from funders, it is difficult for us to set up an office.
We are planning to open an office in Central Africa soon.
Capital: You are founder of MELKA Ethiopia; on what condition is it now?
Million Belay: Melka is doing so many activities on both national and regional issues related to environment and culture and I am now participating as a consultant.
Capital: What can we learn from the rest of Africa?
Million Belay: We have to learn to be open, intelligent, and ready for corporation with our African brothers for the industrialization of Africa and its agriculture, for African driven solutions to African problems.
The “Black Market Dollar” records pendulum swings
Volatility and disparity of foreign currency exchange arise in the black market with sabotage signaled as the primary fuel by financial experts. If this continues, hyper inflation is set to loom over the local currency, experts warn.
From Capital’s investigation of various illegal market rates, volatility has widely been observed throughout the week.
One of the parallel market actors said that the exchange rate was at 104 birr per dollar, other two sources claimed that as of Friday (September 30) that the rate showed dips from last week’s rate.
“As per my information it is about 100 birr per dollar,” one of the traders said.
With the dollar doing well on the global market against the Euro and GBP, experts who closely follow Ethiopia’s exchange rate highlight that the widening of the parallel and normal market is as a result of sabotage by those who do not seek the national interest of the country, except their own.
“Those that are sabotaging the market inject false rates of the market through social media to hype up the exchange and when someone comes to actually exchange the currency at the black market, he/she is greeted with a different offer,” experts explain showing how the disparities have risen over the week.
Thursday and Friday was actually noted as notorious days for these transactions.
“In my observation the trading has swung between of 85 to 95 birr per dollar,” an individual who closely follows the case told Capital on Friday.
He said that when illegal actors abuse the parallel market against the actual market it benefits them since they are involved in huge real estate exchanges in the town.
“Car and house prices have soared recently, with some rushing to buy while others rush to sell,” experts explained.
“The crook sellers who inflate the market by sabotaging the dollar will gain over the genuine market sellers/ buyers who are out of the dollar exchange equation,” one expert out rightly stated.
Demis Chanyalew, a prominent economic commentator and author, explained to Capital that for there to be stability in the market, the public ought to restrain themselves from buying cars or property for some time.
Experts backing Demis’ idea also highlight that those who sell properties naively thinking they will reap the benefits will also fall victim after a short-while if they plan on re-investing back to the same market hoping for a dip that might not materialize.
Pundits also showcase that government’s effort at cracking the exchange whip has resulted in volatility and sudden dips in the market. Similarly, experts are strongly pushing for government to take even more stringent measures on the legal system regarding importing commodities.
For instance, some individuals have been noted to notoriously use the foreign currency collected from the market to import contraband commodities on false customs document.
“They are misusing the documents, for instance, masquerading LC permit of USD 2,000, only to import products worth USD 200,000. They also reuse the harmonized code frequently in collaboration with some corrupt officers in the government apparatus,” experts explained.
The pundits also stated that currently goods are being imported through Somaliland via Somali region and Dire Dawa, thus investigation on that front is vital. Citations have also been made where numerous commodities flood regional ports to be smuggled to Ethiopia.
A revisit of the franco valuta scheme by government, especially on foreign currency source is also deemed necessary by experts.
South Sudan spurs huge logistical moves for Ethiopia, Djibouti
Major moves from a fortnight back between Djibouti, Ethiopia and South Sudan have materialized on matters of logistics.
On September 18, a delegation led by Taban Deng Gai, Vice-President of South Sudan, together with Ministers from Communication, Transport, Equipment and Road of the State paid a six day visit to the two neighboring countries.
The delegation’s visit to Djibouti which lasted 3 days saw interactions with different government official with agreements being penned to enhance cooperation in logistics and other infrastructure sectors. The deals will see South Sudan benefiting with regards to access of alternatives for its economic and social developments.
As per the information Capital obtained from Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA), the delegation had visited different logistics facilities including a submarine telecom hub.
The delegates met with Aboubaker Omar Hadi, President of DPFZA, mainly to discuss the development of a refinery project and the pipeline which South Sudan’s intends to export its natural gas from the Port of Damerjog.
”Discussions focused on the progress of the ongoing refinery and pipeline project between Djibouti and South Sudan, in particular via the industrial complex of Damerjog,” DPFZA stated on its statement.
Recently, South Sudan’s Refineries and Petrochemicals Company (REPCO) signed a land lease within Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) for a period of 50 years to store oil equipment.
REPCO now owns 1.3 hectares of land in the free zone which will allow it to store materials and other products intended for the processing and extraction of oil before being transported by air or land to South Sudan.
Amplifying the road connectivity was also discussed and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two parties allowing the landlocked country to access ports in Djibouti for its import export via Ethiopia’s corridor.
The MoU will allow South Sudan to be connected to the rest of the world via the Ports of Djibouti through the road corridor. At this stage there are two corridors, Djibouti – Addis Ababa– Juba – Kampala and Djibouti – Addis Ababa -Gambella– Malakal, and one of which has already been used by Djiboutian transport trucks.
The delegation followed the pace with a working visit to Addis Ababa starting from September 21 with a similar three days visit. The visit was centered on logistics and infrastructure developments between the two countries in consideration of Djibouti as the major sea outlet for Ethiopian cargos.
The delegation also met Ethiopian Ministers led by Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance to discuss various ways to enhancing infrastructure connectivity between the two countries.
The officials discussed and agreed on ways to enhance their previously designed plans in the areas of roads infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, water transportation, and other vital economic sectors with a view of creating integration for mutual benefits.
“As for the agreed projects, the projects will be operationalized and put in to considerations as soon as all the technical aspects are addressed,” Michael Makuei Lueth, Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services Minister said.
“Trade can be facilitated by Ethiopia through Djibouti corridor,” the South Sudanese minister stated.
Ahmed Shide also confirmed that the two sides have concluded a very important agreement in terms of advancing two road projects.
“The projects will be given utmost priority to open up transportation so that connectivity of South Sudan will be enhanced via Ethiopia through Djibouti corridor,” Ahmed said.
“These projects will be financed jointly and we have agreed to finalize the feasibility and preparations in terms of selecting contractors for the joint financing mechanism to be worked on,” Ahmed added.
In transport connectivity, river, fiber optics and transmission line connectivity has been agreed upon and the preparation to realizing the agreement will be commenced.
“We will work together on resource mobilization and reach out to development financial institutions,” Ahmed explained.
South Sudan mostly uses ports in Kenya and Sudan, while relatively ports in Djibouti will be nearer than the facilities in the other two neighboring nations.
The two parties have also agreed to work on the aviation sector.
