By: Fidential Bailor Bah
Former Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, Professor David John Francis addressed the 7th Seoul Africa Dialogue Co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea-Africa Foundation with theme “New Horizons for Korea-Africa Strategic Cooperation.” The event was held on Thursday 5th December 2024 at the Lotte Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Professor Francis said there is a need to change the Official Development Assistance ( ODA ) model through the African Development Bank ( AfDB ) and the World Bank ( WB ) to a form of direct financial support between countries, adding that the creation of an atmosphere in which people do not trust the accountability and transparency of African governments is not good.
He outlined the following as ways to expand mutual cooperation: Strengthening maritime security capacity and providing training support to African coastal countries; Supporting UN Security Council reform, including adding two more African seats to the permanent membership; and Encouraging Korean private companies to actively advance into the region.
Prof Francis mentioned the relationship between Korea and Sierra Leone, which established diplomatic ties in 1962. “At the time of independence in 1961, the development prospects of Sierra Leone in West Africa were more promising than those of Korea, but since then, its socio-economic and development indicators have not developed much, and it is ranked at the bottom of the United Nations Development Programme,” he said.
He emphasized that African leaders are impressed by the speed and scale of development changes that Korea has achieved in 60 years,” and “Africa sees Korea as a strong and attractive national model that it can emulate.
Françoise Nicolas, Senior Advisor at the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations ( IFRI ) presented highlight of their work followed Japan and China in turning its attention to Africa, can become more competitive. Korea held the Korea-Africa Summit for the first time this year. Since 1993
Japan has hosted the Tokyo Conference on African Development ( TICAD ), a summit-level meeting to discuss issues related to Africa, together with the UN, UNDP , WB , and the African Union ( AU ) . It used to be held every five years, but is now held every three years, and has been held eight times to date.
On the other hand, China has been hosting the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a multilateral dialogue organization, since 2000 to promote mutual exchanges with Africa . This forum, divided into summits and ministerial meetings, is held every three years and is held alternately in China and Africa. It has been held nine times to date.
Advisor Nicola said unlike Japan and China, which are offering large-scale financial support, Korea does not have sufficient financial resources,” but advised, “If it utilizes its human resource capabilities based on its successful development experience and the trust it has built up over time, it can provide differentiated value.” he said.
Kim Young-Chae, Chairman of the Korea-Africa Foundation their focus is to look into the meaning of the Korea-Africa Summit’ held in June and seek the path forward for Korea and Africa,” and “Korea’s foreign policy centered on Africa will continue to be promoted in the future.”
Rep. Lee Heon-Seung of the People Power Party and Chairman of the National Assembly Africa Forum, emphasized that Africa is a continent with abundant resources and infinite potential,” and “We will work to ensure that our cooperative.