July 20th, 2022 at 08:57 am

Africa’s Top 5 lobbying operations in Washington

The term “lobbying” has traditionally been defined as the “oral or written communication with a public official to influence legislation, policy or administrative decisions

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING TRANSPARENCY IN LOBBYING

Building an effective and fair framework for openness and access

• All stakeholders from various countries should be given fair and equitable access to the development and implementation of public policies.
• The guidelines on lobbying should tackle the concerns of governance and other related lobbying practices.
• There should be consistency in the rules and guidelines on lobbying and it should have wider policy and regulatory frameworks.
• There should be a clear definition of the term “ lobbying and lobbyist” by countries when they consider or develop rules and guidelines on lobbying.

Enhancing transparency

• Countries should ensure there is adequate transparency so that public officials, citizens, and businesses can have enough information on lobbying activities.
• Also, Stakeholders including civil society organizations, businesses, the media, and the general public should be allowed to examine lobbying activities.

Fostering a culture of integrity

• Countries should be provided with clear rules and guidelines of conduct for public officials.
• Moreover, Lobbyists should adhere to the standards of professionalism and transparency.
• Additionally, there must be mechanisms for effective implementation, compliance, and review
• Also, key actors should be involved by their countries in implementing a consistent range of strategies and practices to achieve compliance.

TOP 5 LOBBYING OPERATIONS BY AFRICANS

1 . To begin with, Egypt and Ethiopia compete for US support in the Nile dam file.

Egypt is trying to slow the operations of Ethiopia’s GERD dam project on the Nile. After Biden’s victory, the Ambassador of Egypt to DC appointed former congressman Ed Royce of US law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck at $65k a month to lobby congress.

In an attempt to counter Egypt’s effort in gaining the support of the US, in favor of the misunderstanding with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).  Ethiopia appointed Seleshi Bekele as the new ambassador of Ethiopia to the United States.

2 . Secondly, DRC: Fayulu, Katumbi lobby US in rematch against Tshisekedi.

There has been a tug-of-war lobbying battle between Félix Tshisekedi, Martin Fayulu, and Moise Katumbi as each candidate is expanding its network of US lobbyists. In March 2022, Patrick Muyaya who heads the Ministry of Communication in DRC signed a one-year contract with Ballard Partners, worth $900,000. The purpose of the contract was to strengthen the ties between the two countries and also for the firm to ensure that DRC is the leading country on the continent that is fighting against climate change and promoting its actions.

3 . Also, US lobbying: Ethiopia fights to reverse AGOA trade suspension.

Ethiopia is doubling its lobbying effort to restore its trade benefits, as US president Joe Biden bids time to end the conflict happening in the northern part of Ethiopia.

4 . Another is US lobbying: Clash over US recognition of Somaliland.

In March 2022, leaders from Somaliland went to Washington DC to lobby the US to recognize them as an independent country with stable governance and a geostrategic location. However, the Biden administration has made it known that it does not recognise Somaliland as an independent country from Somalia.

5 . Lastly, US open to Western Sahara options as Morocco steps up lobbying effort.

During the Trump Administration, Morocco was recognized as sovereign over Western Sahara This was in return for the kingdom officially recognizing Israel. Due to this diplomatic victory, the Moroccan government is making every effort to avoid a backpedaling by the Biden Administration.

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