Background
The legacy of colonialism in Africa-Germany relations is evident in multiple ways; the current shape of nations' approaches to statehood, state-making, and international cooperation is traceable to colonialism. The traces of coloniality can also be observed through the imbalance in political, economic, and social relations. The journey to restorative justice policies, development, and foreign policy based on shared goals and reconciliation from the past is still ongoing.
German governmental entities have acknowledged these colonial continuities and unbalanced power structures and taken steps to establish avenues for dialogue and initiatives to establish “partnership of equals” and “eye-level” partnerships. In 2023, discussions on the legacy of colonialism were held, and the BMZ especially reflected on colonial continuities evidenced by “power imbalances and racist structures”. While these developments, both symbolic and practical, are crucial first steps, the road ahead is long. So how can African and German actors reimagine their partnership to achieve meaningful and transformational decolonisation, and what shape and form should the reimagination take?
The Webinar
To answer these and other questions, APRI – Africa Policy Research Institute is convening a panel discussion with experts to reflect on the key policy recommendations from our recent policy brief on decolonising German-African development and foreign policy. This upcoming event will take place on the anniversary of the end of the Berlin Conference, as the latest in a series of gatherings examining the themes of colonial legacies, the attitudes and structures that shape Germany's development and foreign policy with Africa. The events recently organised by the German Federal Foreign Office and the BMZ aimed to find a more balanced approach to development and foreign cooperation — one that prioritises genuine partnership and respects African autonomy.
Through expert analysis, our event will also seek to shed light on power imbalances, historical injustices, and structural inequalities that continue to shape these relations and what a decolonised African-focused approach to development and foreign cooperation should look like.
The Panelists
Dr. Tshepo Gwatiwa
Panelist
Researcher and lecturer in Intelligence Studies in the Department of Security Studies at Macquarie University. Senior Research Fellow (non-resident) at the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Friederike Kärcher
Panelist
Head of Division, Policy issues of cooperation with Africa at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Dr. Thomas Henzschel
Panelist
Head of Division, General Issues and Supraregional Issues concerning Africa, Latin America and the Near and Middle East at the Federal Foreign Office.
Dr. Philani Mthembu
Panelist
Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue, an independent foreign policy think tank based in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa.
Moderation
Joshua Kwesi Aikins
Moderator
Senior Fellow and Head of the Decolonising Development project at APRI.