The African Union Encourages the International Community to Focus on Neglected Crises

Today President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and AU Chairman, qualmed my fears about Mbeki's resignation affecting Zimbabwe's power sharing deal. During his speech at the UN General Assembly, he assured the international community that the AU is dedicated to the restabilization of Zimbabwe and would work towards that goal in addition to the challenges faced in other parts of Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also used his time as a platform to advocate for the complete deployment of UN peacekeepers in Sudan and that UN forces relieve the "overstretched" African forces in Somalia- a conflict that has been virtually ignored by the western community and admittedly this blog (this will soon change).

Will Mbeki's Forced Resignation Delegitimize Zimbabwe's Power Sharing Deal?

This weekend, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa was forced to resign amid charges that he interfered in rival, Jacob Zuma's corruption case. Besides the implications of this change in administration for South Africa, I can't help but wonder how this event will affect the Power Sharing Deal recently signed in Zimbabwe and brokered by Mbeki, an avid supporter of President Mugabe. The ANC has stated that Mbeki will be given the chance to continue operating as a mediator in Zimbabwe, but I can't help but wonder how Zimbabweans especially members of the opposition party will welcome his participation.


For the most part, criticism surrounding the deal has been largely pessimistic. And just days after the agreement was signed, there were reports that both parties were unsatisfied with the terms of the agreement and desired more substantial power. The MDC spokesperson even referred to the deal as a "false marriage". This is a clear indication of the need for more talks and resolutions, however with Mbeki facing his own slew of domestic issues, is he in the position to continue to mediate negotiations? And if so, will he have an even greater personal interest in the outcome of the negotiations on the brink of his demotion?

One cannot help but wonder how long this vision will last....

Malawi: A Champion Against HIV/AIDS!

In 2004, Malawi began offering free antiretroviral therapy to thousands of patients in order to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS. At the time, HIV/AIDS accounted for 58% of deaths of people aged 15-59. Today, of the 159,111 people receiving the drugs, 106,547 are still alive- representing a 67% survival rating and 75% national decrease of AIDS related deaths, overall.

A Girl's Best Friend

Hmmm, maybe I should move to Lesotho! Miners have discovered the largest polished diamond- weighing 478 carats! It could be worth tens of millions of dollars and was discovered in the Letseng mine. Unfortunately, Lesotho only owns 30% of the company that found it...

Operation Rudi Nyumbani Community Disdain is Brewing

I have been following the developments of Operation Rudi Nyumbani and have not been comfortable with the policy nor the way it has been implemented. Unfortunately, my worry was not in vain.
The closure of camps has been delayed because there is a great deal of confusion over who should receive compensation in order to return home and some citizens feel that conditions in their land of origin are not secure enough for them to return home and some even have no where to return. Though in the BBC report, the district commissioner of the Rift Valley has cast aside many of the complaints as false reports from opportunists, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 60% of the families are returning home to severely damaged homes and villages, that need to be restored before citizens can live safe and comfortably.
There is a clear need for Kenyan community officials to objectively assess and remedy this situation lest they face disgruntled and slighted citizens.

Power Sharing Deal Reached in Zimbabwe

Today, the new leaders of Zimbabwe announced the details of the power sharing deal reached on Friday. President Mbeki mediated the negotiations which maintains Robert Mugabe's seat as President and establishes opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and Arthur Mutambara, who heads a breakaway faction of the MDC, Deputy Prime Minister
Though the full details of the deal have yet to be disclosed, President Mugabe will remain head of state, the cabinet, and the armed services. Prime Minister Tsvangirai will head the council of ministers and the police.



This is most definitely a step in the right direction and I can't wait to see how Zimbabweans as well as the international community will react. Mugabe largely criticized the UK for their interference in the political conflict by imposing sanctions and ZANU-PF and MDC supporters did not seem to mirror the reconciliatory spirit of Mugabe and Tsvangirai and clashed outside the conference center where the event took place. I hope that these are not signs that this showcase of cooperation is not truly genuine. Zimbabwe has a plethora of rebuilding to do and cannot achieve success without the strength of cooperation.

Let American Apparel Show You How to Dress Like an Afrikan

American Apparel has a line of clothing available in four "Afrikan print" styles.
I've never seen this in Africa or worn by Afrikaans (since they so tactfully used a "k" instead of "c").

Unsurprisingly, there's lots and lots of zebra prints... What a mess!

US Aid to Africa is Not Interest Free

This article by Andrew Natsios contends that soon to be former President George W. Bush's approval rating in Africa is so high because of humanitarian and economic aid he directed into the country. Despite the extreme political tension that pervades globally and especially in the Middle East and Central Asia, Bush has left a long lasting legacy in Africa that the author contends is due to his overwhelming generosity and the numerous campaigns he has launched to provide social services and spur economic growth on the continent.
However, upon news that the US plans to give $1 BILLION in aid to Georgia in the midst of a highly politicized and violent conflict with Russia, the allocation of $5 billion in aid to the whole continent of Africa, somehow dwarfs in comparison.
African countries have always viewed the US in a positive light. And President Bush has made it a point to publicly esteem African leaders who he had a vested interest in, in order to maintain positive and friendly diplomatic relations. President Mugabe and Bush have had a quite volatile relationship, but that was due to Mugabe's public outing of Bush as a dictator and exploiter in his own right.
I would argue that many citizens who "appreciate" Bush's efforts are unaware of the economic capacity of the US and would probably be insulted by the level of aid handouts from developed countries thus far, if they were aware of how much money was spent on the occupation of Iraq and what was just pledged to Georgia for their reconstruction over two years.
A country like Liberia, which was ravaged by civil war almost a decade ago is still lacking in basic infrastructure. Running water, consistent electricity, fully paved roads are still largely absent in the capital city of Monrovia. I use Liberia as an example, not because of the brutal civil war that the country suffered from, or even the fact that though their governance has dramatically strengthened- basic services are still not fully available, but because the US founded the country! The US can't even offer adequate support to a former colony, but within a heartbeat will pledge to aid in the complete restoration of a political ally.
So you see, the US hasnt done anything that it can't do or shouldnt have done- for that matter- for Africa, but the little it has done has made Africans grateful. So, unlike Mr. Natsios, I wouldn't confuse thanks with adoration for President Bush, but for all of America. Because as much and for how long foreigners have exploited and continue to exploit Africans, minimal acts of kind are a welcomed relief. And Im sure you'll find the same level of appreciation expressed towards Bush as it would be towards an everyday humanitarian aid worker. And I guarantee that regardless of the amount of humanitarian aid allocated by the next administration, there will be a mutual level of respect and gratitude for any assistance that is offered.
And more importantly, as much as America is now doing for Africa, let's not forget what Africa has and continues to do for America. Putting the obvious implications of slavery and colonization aside, today the US is faced with a serious shortage of oil and the favorability of Nigeria and other oil producing African nations have increasingly become more valuable. Also, the never ending war on terrorism has increased the number of US funded democracy initiatives, in an effort to prevent Al Queda from using Africa as a breeding ground and hub for global attacks.
Ultimately, though a great deal of the US' aid to Africa is genuine, we cannot ignore the increasing value that Africa has on US interest, nor the fact that US contributions are only a smidgen of its true capabilities.
But with all of this being said... I'm rebutting a claim from a man that doesnt even believe that Africans know how to tell time... so of course he would overlook the political and economic implications of US aid to Africa. As far as he's concerned, they'd be hopeless without it...

Transparency Is the Theme of the Week!

President Koroma of Sierra Leone has declared his assets to the country's Anti-Corruption Commission. I find this news encouraging not only because of my extended critic of King Mswati of Swaziland, but because President Koroma ran on an anti-corruption platform and this is his first effort to prove it wasn't all talk. Hopefully he can be a pivotal leader in the quest to rid African countries of such a pervasive level of corruption on a micro and macro level.

Obama Believes in Transparency and So Does Africa!

The other day I told you about a group who was exploiting Obama's campaign in order to raise unauthorized funds. Well, I'm happy to report that the anti-graft investigators in the country have seized the money and will return it to those who attended the event. They recovered $630,000 but would not press charges against the event organizers, because no national laws had been broken.

But in an effort to stay positive... Yes We Can!