پژوهشنامه آفریقا
پیاپی 1 (بهار 1388)

Africa is a vast continent including a variety of different geographical regions enjoying economical potentials. Rich agricultural sources in the central and western countries of the continent, great oil sources in the northern parts and industrial countries located in the south of this continent have turned Africa into one of the richest world continents. During the recent years several African countries have reached a considerably high economical growth and have started investment in the fundamental and basic affairs. Economical opportunities in the field of public services, ports, mine, oil and gas, agriculture and tourism has led to the presence of world powerful industrial countries in this continent in the recent years. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as the political pole of the Middle-East, has considered a special position for the continent of Africa within recent years in order to develop its economical and political relations with other world countries. Still, it should be noticed that economical, political and social relations with the African countries becomes developed on the basis of principles regarding mutual relations in which both sides earn profits considering their own privileges relatively. Defining such relations by using Multi-Attribute decision-making, the method of TOPSIS, shows that the South African countries and Egypt have the highest priority in creating relations according to industrial, agricultural, service, tourism, political, religious and educational varieties.

In arranging the strategies of foreign policies, these factors are significant; understanding and offering a right expression about the national power and ability especially regarding the foreign policies, the needs and characteristics of foreign environment and the principles and patterns ruling over the international and regional atmosphere, recognition of the opportunities, the vulnerability of region and also the existing threats. The purpose of this research is the realization of Africa's place in foreign relation of the Islamic Republic of Iran based on twenty year plan. Also an attempt has been made by the writer to survey Iran's historical relation with this continent on one hand and its present position and situation using the SWOT Matrix (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) and to show the strong and weak points, added to the opportunities and threats toward Africa for presenting some guidelines to the decision makers in cultural, economical, political and social fields on the other hand. Once these guidelines are implemented, Africa will earn its status within Iran’s foreign relations, and following this issue, part of the mentioned document- which is about Africa- will be realized.

Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution initiated in Iran, the vast continent of Africa was among those regions which earned a particular position in the foreign policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore political, cultural and economical relations with the African continent became one of the priorities of Iran’s foreign policies. The people of the African countries became interested in the Islamic Republic of Iran due to its essence and spirit of freedom, anti-colonialism, and being based on faith and Godly values. (Refer to the Islamic Republic of Iran Constitution; tenets 2,3, 9,11, 56, 152, 154). The Islamic Republic of Iran earned a precious validity and high credit among the African nations as a result of gaining a decent position. After the Islamic Revolution, the development and enrichment of relations with the African countries in all the possible aspects turned into one of the most significant approaches within Iran’s foreign policies. As a result since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, cooperation with the African countries faced a considerably high increase and now Iran has political relations with all the countries in this continent. Africa, as a continent, is a compilation of developing countries; while each country has a different level of development and progress. This continent is a very rich land possessing raw and mining materials, high potential for agriculture, high economical and social potential, an innovative and vast market, cheap workforce and lack of any challenge in the Working Class Union; in addition to high political and cultural potentials. It is also of notice in the western economical powers and the target of short term and long term programs of the average economical powers (including China, India, Brazil, South Africa etc), and of special and high priority in the foreign policies of the mentioned countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran has based its foreign political relations with the African countries regarding development and improvement.

The African non-governmental organizations have increased their activities and efforts in the last decade through the support of the African Union and some of the international organizations. These organizations intend to offer development, efficiency and effectiveness, responsibility, clarity, and the internalization of variety, multiplicity, and regularity and principle in the new pattern, in order to gradually internalize the principles of democracy and decency among people. In the last two decades, the African Communities have observed a kind of wisdom-based manner in governmental, economical and political affairs by accepting the variety and multiplicity of parties; added to decrease of tribal excitements related to the primary period of independency, the communities becoming non-ideological, added to other issues such as; the dominancy of dialogue and discourse, the necessity of progress and development, and the replacement of democracy which has finally paved the way for the presence of the elite and suitable, respected figures. Within the two decades following the nineties, the African civil communities have enjoyed a relatively high growth, variety and dynamicity despite the limitations and the existence of resisting and protesting associations. They have actually passed the path towards progress slowly yet constantly; although despite the establishment and growth of non-governmental and civil organizations and communities in Africa, still urbanism and democracy are internalized. Even at times the fire of knowledge approaches setting out with a weak opposing wind. Regarding this issue, in addition to the unkindness and negligence of the politicians, one should also point to the ignorance and disinterest of the African intellectuals and elite in offering case solutions for problems, and their interest in immigration from the continent, weakness in producing a proper literature, lack of access to free information and its exchange within the African communities and the theoretical weakness of those seeking democratic communities and some dependences on the west.

The sparkling historical record of Iran has played a vital role in influencing many world regions both in culture and civilization. In addition to China, India, Middle Asia, parts of Europe and North Africa, which have been deeply influenced by Iran’s rich cultural and civilized manifestations since old days, Eastern Africa has also included many of our old rituals, traditions and customs through cultural interactions with Iran since the first Islamic centuries. The celebration of the New Year (known in Iran as Norouz) with great ceremonies is one of their traditions. As a matter of fact, Norouz is merely a part of the Iranian culture which has been among the old and abiding inheritances along with the other characteristics of the Iranian culture and civilization such as architecture, Persian words, literature, the Islamic Calendar, common beliefs etc. So it can be said that the cultural domains of this ancient celebration has gone beyond the borders of Iran and even in some distant parts of East Africa, it is honored as a symbol of grace and blessing. This paper studies and surveys the following points; the history of Norouz and how it was introduced in Eastern Africa by Iranians from the city of Shiraz, the particular rituals and customs of celebrating it in the coasts and the islands of Tunisia, Kenya and how this ritual celebration got into the old coastal rituals, in addition to how it is held in Zangibar Island and somehow intermingled with the local and native traditions of there too.

Population growth, and higher need for sources, economical and trading opportunities for solving problems such as poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of energy, has made the world countries to seek solutions. There are three groups of countries which are forced to seek sources in financial, energy, raw material and new marketing fields due to lack of development in economical and structural and industrial fields, high economical growth and need for a large amount of energy, surplus income and need for investment in order to solve unemployment and export of productions. The continent of Africa which is over a millennium years old, is the world’s oldest continent; covering over 30 million square kilometer; equal with one fifth of the earth’s dry lands. Africa has 54 independent countries and a population of more than 900 million which covers around 15% of the world population. The continent of Africa is rich in mineral and natural sources, while considering poverty and lack of development it is one of the least developed countries. It is predicted that by 2050 the population of this continent will reach beyond 2 billion. Considering the extra income of selling oil in Iran, inflation resulting from the increase of bankroll, the problem of unemployment and need for raw materials and the consuming market of productions, it is necessary to pay attention to Africa’s exclusive features for investment and economical cooperation. Keeping in mind the mentioned goals, the authorities and political figures can take steps in developing and making progress in Africa through skilled forces in order to support the deprived class, reaching the goals of the Twenty Year plan and helping Muslims as well; in addition to exporting agricultural and industrial productions and finally solving unemployment too.

The African states have faced severe crises in the decades following the revolution and independency. The researchers’ studies show that the structural weakness of the African states is the main factor in the interior battles and conflicts. According to this research, the most important issues concerning this continent are; the high instability of the governments, military governments, corruption and tyranny, several violent struggles, increase of contagious illnesses, malnutrition, and problems regarding the living environment, lack of sufficient sub-structures (educational, services etc) etc. In addition to such alarming issues, Africa has revealed another facet to the world too; the tending movement of African communities towards democracy and development which has serious vicissitudes. This article intends to survey the obstacles in the way of democracy and development; while it also points to the attempts of the executors and the leaders of this continent; added to some suggested strategies at the end.

The foundation of the African Union in 2002 caused a series of controversies and debates among the intellectuals and experts; in a manner that some of the intellectuals regarded it as taking model from the European Union, while they also emphasized that the establishment of this union- considering that it is taking model from Europe- will bring about some problems. The author of this article believes that this organ possesses its own individual and specific structure and history; while there are clear and specific differences in the origin, organizations and the constructing parts and elements of these two unions; which makes them quite distinct. Regarding the mentioned issue, this essay tries to elaborate on the path, origin of establishment and the historical records of these two unions; and simultaneously it also points to their similarities and the differences in structure, goals, principles and executing mechanisms.