Fatal Transactions Conference big success
The Hon. Festus Mogae
On November 21 & 22 more than 100 academics, policy makers, business representatives and civil society organisations gathered in Bonn for the Annual Conference of Fatal Transactions. The Conference was hosted this year by Fatal Transactions member BICC and took place in the headquarters of the international broadcasting agency, the Deutsche Welle.
First day: Role of private companies
The former president of Botswana and recent price winner of the Mo Ibrahim Price for good governance, H.E. Festus Mogae opened the conference. The first day focused on the role of private companies in (post) conflict countries. Main conclusion was that companies must respect international ánd national laws when operating in countries but it is the national government of countries as Cote d’Ivoir, Sudan and Congo to protect its own people from the negative effects of mining.
Second day: China
The role of China in Africa was the main topic of the second day. African, European ánd Chinese perspectives were presented and debated. One of the conclusions was that is up to African societies themselves to decide under what conditions they sigh contracts with Chinese investors to dig for oil and other minerals in Africa.. Europe has no say in this.
Listen online
All speeches, presentations and debates are online now! Including the contributions of the former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae who opened and closed the two-days event in Bonn.