{UAH} 'We stayed, you didn't': Post-conflict Africa grapples with tensions of returnees from the diaspora | Mail & Guardian Africa (Mobile edition)

Returning to public service

Although the importance to Africa's diaspora is largely discussed around its financial muscle, many Africans are doing more than just sending money – they are coming back to join the public service.

Educated Africans coming back from abroad make up a significant part of government positions in post-conflict African societies, including Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

It's a matter of necessity for these countries – educated, successful people are among the first to leave when war breaks out, and when conflict devastates the nation, their technical expertise is needed in reconstruction.

Not always welcome

But the technocrat returnees are not always welcomed with open arms. 

South Africa during Nelson Mandela's presidency wrestled with this question, and has not completely resolved the friction. Uganda, in the early years of President Yoweri Museveni's government, also had to handle the rivalry between the two groups. 

One recent article from Liberia complained that with the high representation of "returnees" in President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's cabinet, the administration seems to have done "more to enrich members of the diaspora than it has done to improve the quality of life for ordinary Liberians," considering the high educational requirements set for who can work in government, that would be unavailable for ordinary Liberians [who stayed].

In fact, some members of the diaspora were "perceived as opportunistic as they donated funds to faction leaders and militia groups in order to buy themselves favours in the hope that they might obtain positions in a future Somali government when the faction leader that they support becomes president or a minister."

Joining the bandwagon

But even countries without a history of protracted war are starting to coordinate their diaspora resources more effectively, so that they are not just a source of development finance, but also development partners. 

Last month, Kenya published its official Diaspora Policy, which among other things, seeks to "harness and maximize the potential of Kenyans abroad to contribute to Kenya's transformation agenda."

Nigeria established the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organization (NIDO) and provides office space within its embassy in Washington D.C. for coordination, but the organisation manages its own affairs, including election of executive and board members. 

In Ghana, the government tasked the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations with responsibilities for improving links with the diaspora. The ministry manages the Non-Resident Ghanaian Secretariat (NRG), which is to serve as a point of contact and facilitation of services to the diaspora.

http://m.mgafrica.com/article/2015-02-23-we-stayed-you-didnt-post-conflict-africa-grapples-with-tensions-of-returnees-from-the-diaspora#.VPtctoZOLCQ

Brian M. Kwesiga

President and CEO,

Ugandan North American Association - UNAA

972.415.6372 | www.unaa.org | "United We Stand"