africa

[Mauricio]

Re: africa

I dont think that Mbeki is just to blame, it is the reluctance of the African Union when it comes to standing up to Mugabe. Imo Mbeki is among the most Africa hearted presidents in Africa. He has done so many peace missions that it seems that he is more working on African politics than domestic politics. Nevertheless, SA, too, does not seem to be a very strong nation where the first vice-president is conviceted of fraudulent relationships (he personally has not been convicted yet) and the new vice president is even more radical towards whites. Anyway it seems that yet another chapter in the black - white book has started.

Still, the bottum line is that debt relief is required to give African nations a new chance

[Yao]

Re: africa

I agree with the latter: a fresh start is good...and I'm glad that so much has already been done, and more will be done.

I wasn't simply hitting on Mbeki tho, I'm pointing out one of the flaws in the so called 'New Partnership for Africa's Development' (NEPAD). Everyone is cheering and saying that bad politicians won't be tolerated anymore and such, but there still seems to be a structural problem/difference between intentions and reality. Mugabe's behaviour (but also that of a few more dictators like Eyadema Nguema from Equatorial Guinea) is symptomatic for those who are unwilling to give up power. Museveni of Uganda is still in the green, question is wether he'll be able to stay there. With all this talk about solutions, the emphasis has still been on debt relief and aid, not on really cracking down on politicians that are still soiling their own nest. I'd wanna see some action and results before I'd give my money....