afrol News, 8 October - In its budget proposal for 2004, the Norwegian government foresees several changes in its substantial development aid to Africa. Most important, also Norway is now rewarding reform-minded regimes (Kenya, Madagascar) and punishing dictatorships (Zimbabwe).

While creating a clearer profile on rewarding democracy and willingness ti reform, Norway however is not following the footsteps of its Scandinavian neighbour Denmark. The new Danish government two years ago announced large cuts in its development aid, totally ceasing projects in three countries it considered anti-democratic; Zimbabwe, Malawi and Eritrea.

The centre-right minority government of Norway quite contrary has markedly increased its development aid, in particular to Africa, and is planning another slight increase in total development expenditure in 2004.

The changing priorities of the Norwegian government can be read in the new, proposed list of so-called 'main partner countries' and 'partner countries' in Africa. Zimbabwe is to lose its position as a 'partner country', while Kenya and Madagascar are to be included on the list. These changes are explained with political motives.

Not surprisingly, Norway's proposed 2004 budget foresees further cuts in development aid for Zimbabwe. All bilateral agreements between the governments of Norway and Zimbabwe had already been cancelled in 2002, following the flawed March presidential polls and Norway has joined sanctioning the Mugabe regime.

- The political situation [in Zimbabwe] has not improved and the [Norwegian] government on this background proposes that Zimbabwe not should remain in the groups of partner countries, the budget proposal reads. Norwegian aid now only is channelled through non-government actors and UN agencies.

The budget proposal further notes that aid to non-governmental channels that could contribute to a peaceful solution to the Zimbabwean conflict could still be financed by the Norwegian government. "There will be made a new evaluation of Zimbabwe's position as partner country will be made if the situation develops towards a political solution of the conflict," the paper adds.

Norway's bilateral aid to Eritrea, which has developed into one of Africa's most systematic human rights violators, is however to continue on a large scale. While Norway doesn't have immediate plans to cut its aid to Eritrea, strong signals to the Eritrean government are however given in the budget proposal.

- The problems in the relations to Ethiopia and a worrying hardening of the interior situation leads to that Norwegian aid mainly is channelled through Norwegian voluntary organisations and multilateral channels, the paper says. Only small amounts go directly to the Eritrean government, which is criticised for failing to democratise and repressing the media. "The size and type of cooperation will be assessed regarding developments in Eritrea and the peace process."

Two African countries are however rewarded for their change of regime and positive trends in the new regimes' policy agendas. Kenya and Madagascar, two countries with historic ties to Norway, are foreseen to be made 'partner countries' in light of their new and promising regimes.

According to the Norwegian government, the December 2002 elections in Kenya "seem to have created a fundamental shift in Kenyan politics." While the old regime of President Daniel arap Moi - which had a diplomatic conflict with Norway in the 1990s - was accused of "corruption, misrule" and responsible for decreasing foreign investments, the new government of President Mwai Kibaki was praised.

- The new government has declared a zero tolerance on corruption and has implemented several efforts to promote good governance, according to the Norwegian government, which has been eager to re-establish close ties to Kenya throughout this year. President Kibaki further had "started to settle the injustice of the past and human rights violations."

While the reform process only was at its beginnings, its implementation could make "Kenya play an important role for the democratic and economic development in the region," the Norwegian government assesses. It therefore proposes to add Kenya to the list of 'partner countries' in 2004 and to negotiate bilateral aid agreements with the Kenyan government.

While the Norwegian government's desire to add Kenya to its 'partner countries' did not come as a surprise, the adding of Madagascar was less expected. Madagascar is however the African country Norway has the closest historic ties, given that Norwegian missionaries arrived the island already in 1866 and still remain an important factor. Norwegian scholars have called for increased development ties to Madagascar for decades, but so far to no avail.

The Norwegian government bases its proposal to include Madagascar on the new policy trends shown by the still controversial President, Marc Ravalomanana. His "will to develop good governance and fighting poverty," in addition to the "historic ties" between Norway and Madagascar had led to the wish for tighter cooperation.

- Madagascar was marked by misrule and corruption during the previous regime [of President Didier Ratsiraka], the Norwegian government holds. President Ravalomanana is praised for his new policies to fight corruption and poverty and its financial reforms. Norwegian development aims in Madagascar - to be negotiated with the Malagasy government - were to include fighting corruption and poverty.

While the Norwegian development aid budget proposal for 2004 is setting new democracy supporting trends in Norway, it is far from trend setting in an international perspective. Norway is barely following "modern" and "popular" recipient countries and sectors, with the new 'partner countries' Kenya and Afghanistan as typical examples.

Norway's proposed 'main partner countries' in Africa in 2004 will be Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The proposed 'partner countries' in Africa will be Angola, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya (new), Madagascar(new), Mali, Nigeria and South Africa.

The Norwegian government proposes to spend kroner 15 billion (euro 2 billion) on development aid in 2004, corresponding to 0.94 of Norway's GDP. The minority government needs support from either the political far right or the political left in parliament to approve its budget.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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