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Liberty, G8 and Poverty By Eric Ula-Lisa
On this occasion of the Independence Anniversary of the USA we congratulate the World’s remaining super-power. We note also the fact that the crucial G8 Summit coincides with this celebration of liberty of the leader of the free world. How much different the USA would look if although supposedly independent, it has external ties that control all policies and business of these united states. How rich would these United States be if all the mineral resources were exploited by foreigners and taken away.
Liberty
While the framers of the US constitution held those truths self-evident that all men were created equal, the politics of the occasion never extended to the Africans within their midst; may be, it still does not extend to the Africans. This may be the reason for blatant racism without remorse by persons who are otherwise well-informed. To have a judge openly canvass for instance, that neither the courts in the west nor God has mercy is to fly in the face of justice. The current reason for the attention southward is not justice but the worthy fight against terrorism. Failed States make a good breeding ground for ill-conceived blanket hate-baiting. But not every African is a terrorist. Many Africans are today still persecuted because they are black and as such guilty until proved otherwise.
Debt
Third World Debt put together may not approximate to what was invested in Germany after the Second World War. The images seen on CNN of the faces of hunger in Africa were not seen after the destruction by canons of Nazi Germany. The World, led by the United States of America initiated a Marshall Plan for Europe. Today, Germany is one of the strongest economies in the world. For a long time most of the world’s precious mineral resources have been mined in Africa, if commensurate value were paid, and the monies left in Africa, Africa would not be beggarly today.
Corruption
Close on the heels of the debt is the corruption of the so-called leaders who under the tutelage of their mentors crafted various dubious ways to cheat their societies and cart away huge sums of money back to the west for safe-keeping. These mercenaries and imposters (foreign and local) have always acted brazenly and with impunity knowing that they hold all the levers of these very corrupted systems. All Nigerian mis-rulers, for instance, have foreign collaborators who have acted as fronts and final beneficiaries of their looted funds. In addressing debt-relief, we must also address this International Brigandage. How did a British company acquire the gold in Gold Coast? the diamonds in South Africa or other areas of conflict? How do a hungry lot not able to afford $1 meal a day afford to pay for AK47 on the black market to butcher their rival claimants?
The Right Thing
Africa has been held back because the wrong class of persons had hijacked leadership and still do hold on to the reigns of power. Togo has just shown a classic example of the pillaging and re-cycling of the looters to protect their vested interests which do not coincide with those of their people. All the conditions of a failed state are engendered where the welfare of the poor is disregarded for deals that strip the state. Such deals are not acceptable in the US or Britain, they should not be encouraged in Africa.
Why Help Africa
The West has an obligation to help Africa because in 1884 the West officially caused the initial African mess: Currently, in the world economy, a chain is as strong as its weakest link. The identified enemy of modern civilization, Al-Quiada, is less likely to find hiding places in Africa with prospering economies: It is also the right thing to do; He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. Proverbs 19:17
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