tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766185452895207123.post5536509761712699111..comments2023-10-24T08:01:11.799-07:00Comments on UJAMAA: The New Mandelahjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13778230808190226835noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766185452895207123.post-27688832491667068512007-07-09T05:21:00.000-07:002007-07-09T05:21:00.000-07:00I agree with you in the sense that the situation i...I agree with you in the sense that the situation is highly complex and the idea of a comprehensive African government is currently quite idealistic. However I do not agree with all your examples of problem areas.<BR/><BR/>Firstly Chavez's Venezuelan and Morales' Bolivarian revolutions are not causing South America to teeter on the brink but rather breathing new life into the continent. There presence in the region and the more leftist view many other Latin American countries are taking has allowed the region to once again have the proletariats best interests at heart. I will concede that some of Chavez's policies are harmful to the progress of the region, especially his crackdown on independent media, however unlike during the Cold War, the people are more vocal in their disdain for negative policies, and debate is once again raging. Which is what I think is important.<BR/><BR/>Zimbabwe, I will concede is a huge problem to the progress of the continent, and the inaction by African leaders is disgraceful, yet I see the light at the end of the tunnel.<BR/><BR/>Botswana, yes it is ravaged by AIDS, and they have to concentrate more on their social policy, but in terms of economic development they are a model for the continent. Don't you think Uganda would be able to offer their expertise on the issue? A united Africa would make this more possible.<BR/><BR/>South Africa- I highly doubt Zuma will be elected the next president. Yes, the scandal of his situation is something to look upon with disgust, however with the most progressive constitution in the world, SA is a testing ground for new political ideas.<BR/><BR/>DRC- Yes DRC is ravaged with problems, political strife, poverty, civil war. But don't you think there first multi-party elections in history is something to look upon with optimism? Obviously there was rigging, intimidation,etc. But it was the first step to a stable democracy.<BR/><BR/>Rwanda- I think as important as it is to remember the atrocities of the genocide and not let them happen again (darfur?), it is also necessary to look beyond the bloody past and look at their ever-promising present and future. Rwanda is currently a model country in terms of growth, social integration, civil society engagement and public policy. The country is trying to rid itself of its negative image and I think they deserve that opportunity. <BR/><BR/>Uganda- The current peace talks between the LRA and government is a good sign for peace.<BR/><BR/>Burundi- Similar to Rwanda, although to a lesser degree, they are trying to pave the way for a more stable future. Repatriating all Burundian refugees is a good sign. They are trying to recapture a strong human workforce.<BR/><BR/>CAR-Needs help.<BR/><BR/>Angola-blossoming with their newly found oil wealth, needless to say natural resources in diamonds. Yes they still recovering from a bloody civil war but they are trying to make the most of their natural wealth and liberalize the markets. They have also found a new trade partner for their oil; China, who is offering better prices than others. Yes China's intentions are questionable, but Angolan government is doing much to boost the living standards of their people.<BR/><BR/>Sudan- A crisis that exists because we allow it to persist.<BR/><BR/>Somalia- A major crisis because of our inaction and American interests .<BR/><BR/>Sierra Leone- Trying to recuperate from a bloody civil war. The Kimberly process is a good first step.<BR/><BR/>Liberia- Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf, a smart woman working towards a better future.<BR/><BR/>Cote d'ivoire- As Sierra Leone.<BR/><BR/>etc etc.<BR/><BR/>As cynical as I may be in the likelihood of a African government, I am optimistic in the potential of one existing. That may sound slightly contradicting, and in examination it probably is.<BR/><BR/>but hey, what's new?hjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13778230808190226835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766185452895207123.post-14825741227473918622007-07-07T10:29:00.000-07:002007-07-07T10:29:00.000-07:00Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante...Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre <A HREF="http://camisetapersonalizada.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">camisetas personalizadas</A>, mostra passo a passo como criar uma <A HREF="http://camisetapersonalizada.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">camiseta personalizada</A> bem maneira. Se você quiser linkar meu blog no seu eu ficaria agradecido, até mais e sucesso. (If you speak English can see the <A HREF="http://google.com/translate_c?hl=pt-BR&langpair=pt|en&u=http://camisetapersonalizada.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">version in English of the Camiseta Personalizada</A>. If he will be possible add my blog in your blogroll I thankful, bye friend).<A HREF="2807151318" REL="nofollow"></A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766185452895207123.post-2385564487754210182007-07-07T01:12:00.000-07:002007-07-07T01:12:00.000-07:00very well written. i concur on almost all points. ...very well written. i concur on almost all points. we have to realise though that AU leaders have thought about this much more than we have. In an age where corruption is rampant, senior level leaders are barely educated, and many countries are held in a foreign debt choke-hold, the idea of a united AU government seems second place and would only exacerbate preexisting problems. Most countries are still recovering from their independence struggles or are embroiled in internal conflicts.<BR/><BR/>Lets go over it for a minute. we have<BR/><BR/><BR/>The middle east is in chaos, south america is teetering on the brink of it because of Chavez' bolivarian revolution, Russia is still stepping on chechnya, estonia and all its other little offshoots. India and Pakistan are still at it. The USA is in mountains of debt to china mostly, and China is about to tip the power scales and become the worlds next superpower. <BR/><BR/><BR/>- Zimbabwe: inflation in the 1000s, paper money is useless, and people are paid in food. <BR/><BR/>Botswana - ravaged by AIDS, have their own problems to deal with. <BR/><BR/>South Africa - The deputy president and maybe even president in a matter of years Jacob Zuma professes he takes warm showers to avoid contracting HIV, and has appeared in court on rape charges (later found innocent - although the impartiality of the courts can be argued). Amidst the generally dismal level of education highlighted by Zuma's 'warm showers' there is one of the highest murder and crime rates in the world and an increasingly testy general populace (take the recent national strike for example). <BR/><BR/>DRC - its the DRC, need I say more?<BR/>Rwanda - as above<BR/>Uganda - as above<BR/>Burundi - as above<BR/>CAR - as above<BR/>Angola - as above<BR/>Sudan - as above<BR/>Somalia - as above<BR/>Sierra Leone - as above<BR/>Liberia - as above<BR/>Cote d'ivoire - as above<BR/><BR/>etc etc<BR/><BR/>You may argue that this is precisely why the AU is needed. And youd be right. But amidst all this instability, war and corruption its formation would be best postponed.Black Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092119092862450872noreply@blogger.com