Posts About Africa
Good Jobs Fix Bad Politics
Petty politics will eventually take care of itself. Violence will subside, and in its place we will see Africans shopping for Chinese products in Khartoum’s new Wal-Mart.
Africa Must Fix Itself (Writer Responds to Readers)
Africa must stop looking outside of the continent for solutions. It needs internal reform before it can benefit from the rest of the world - regardless of what China or anyone else offers.
China and Africa Must Bridge Cultural Divides
Many Chinese women would never marry an African man. There is deep racism in the country. For the sake of business and politics, this must change.
The Affordable Chinese
China has become the only open market for small African and Asian businessmen.
Only Human to Believe Good Intentions
We live in a world where celebrities are placed on a high pedestal, where children around the world dream of becoming tomorrow's Oprah or Barrymore more than of winning a Nobel prize. If efforts by the stars we idolize can help feed the hungry in a world in which we often ignore the hungry, why not embrace them?
Nostalgia for Swords and Heroes
I am not a fan of hereditary rule. But I can understand why Brits hold on to their queen. Even citizens of former British colonies like my country, Somaliland, cling to their royal memorabilia. In our modern era it can be hard to find heroes, and the crown represents a lasting badge of Britishness in a sea of globalization.
Bypass Corruption: "Clean Aid" to Farmers
Despite urbanization, Africa still relies on its farmers and nomadic herders for subsistence. Yet the World Bank pours sums into the hands of corrupt politicians, and the farmers get none. I propose a "clean aid" strategy: fight global warming and corruption together.
America Is Colonizing Us Quietly
Sure, products say "Made in China" but America is the one re-colonizing us quietly. I cannot extract juices from a small plant in my native village for medicine because an American pharmaceutical company owns the rights to it.
You Benefited From Fossil Fuels, Why Can’t We?
Fossil fuels allowed the industrial world to develop. Now that the Third World is benefiting from them, the West suddenly says, “No more!” It's a conspiracy.
Respect Tribes: They Do What Weak States Cannot
United Arab Emirates/Somalia - Tribes are the glue that hold the social fabric of developing countries together. Their role, particularly in Africa and Arabia, is most important where government has collapsed....
Don't Get Too Excited About Circumcision
A recent article in Lancet published the results of a study data from two clinical trials in Africa that suggest that circumcision reduces a man’s risk of contracting HIV by as much as 65 percent. Going by the articles in Uganda and Kenyan newspapers, this caused quite some excitement.
"Those People": The East African Scapegoats
Gradually, East African locals are learning that there is a better way to beat immigrants at business than burning down their stores
Ebony and Plump Are In
Africans are in limbo. The media shows them a world where thin and white is desirable, while their real world worships ebony and plump.
To Counter China, the West Must Trade Freely
Right now there is only one alternative to the Chinese "buying spree" in Africa. Developed countries must get the WTO trade negotiations within the Doha Development Agenda back on track.
Kenya’s Identity Crisis
Wise governments don’t manipulate the differences between their citizens for political gain.
Sovereignty Trumps All For China
The Chinese waste no time with petite bourgeoisie concerns like human rights.
Finally, A Multipolar World
Unlike America, China has some of the best experts in the Arab world who speak the language fluently and pay attention to local stories.
Stop Tribal Manipulation
African governments must stop pitting poor communities against each other to stay in power.
A Planetary Emergency – And Opportunity
The planet is now facing an emergency that will affect all humankind. But this may provide an opportunity to address our most difficult challenges together. Mitigating the effects of climate change can also mean addressing poverty and creating new ways of life.
Fight for Principles
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Please, do not forget that the organization you run belongs to the world, not to the United States.
Fed Up With Mugabe
Give Mugabe a dose of his own medicine in Zimbabwe: use force. We’ve waited long enough.
Nigeria’s Inferno of Post-Colonial Democracy
Once again Nigeria picks up the bloody pieces from its latest democratic fiasco. In the next few days, the judiciary is likely to be overwhelmed by challenges to the latest presidential election. However, on a continent still coming to terms with post-colonial nationhood, should we expect the situation to be otherwise?
Budget Surplus With Poverty?
South Africa is enjoying the first budget surplus in a generation, and the first ever in recorded African history. Should a county have a budget surplus and low budget deficits, low inflation, no debts etc. in a country where you have 25% unemployment and lots of poverty? It's good to have a country's book's balance, but what if a majority is without food. What about the U.S. case where there are large deficits but people relatively well-off?...
Africa Welcomes Chinese Aid
Africa needs enormous infrastructual investments in excess of $20 billion per year for the next decade. The West has been reluctant to provide this money. Without it, development and poverty reduction cannot happen. China should be allowed to fill the gap.
Why Ugandan Peace Talks Go Nowhere
After six months, the peace talks in southern Sudan between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels and the Ugandan government have made little progress. Here's why...
Tribal Violence
The slaughter last week of Kikuyus and Luos in Kenya reminded us that this is a world of tribes. How should wise governments deal with the reality of tribal loyalties and tribal violence? David Responds...
PostGlobal Bloggers
M. J. Akbar, New Delhi, India Mubashar Jawed Akbar is a leading Indian journalist and author. He's the founder and editor-in-chief of The Asian Age, a daily multi-edition Indian newspaper with a global perspective and editor-in-chief of The Deccan Chronicle, a news daily based in Hyderabad. He has written books including Blood Brothers, Nehru: The Making of India, Kashmir: Behind the Vale, Riot After Riot, The Shade of Swords, and India: The Siege Within. Kyoko Altman, Hong Kong, China Kyoko Altman is a writer based in Hong Kong. She has worked as a correspondent and anchor for CNN and...
Claim Your Own Agenda
Seoul, South Korea- Your reputation as a "slippery eel", earned by carefully avoiding difficult press questions during your tenure as South Korea's foreign minister will serve you no good in this new post.
Africa Hungry for Better Leadership
Blame autocracy and poor local leadership for Africa's latest food problems.
Causes Too Often Go Out of Fashion
Africa needs genuine friends. The danger is always that Africa will become a passing fad. Western leaders speak eloquently about the advantages of globalization, but the rules are stacked in favor of the West. Celebrities can do a great deal if they partner with Africans on issues Africans have identified themselves.
U.S. Mistakes Make Dictators Happy
African nations are using increasing anti-American sentiment in Africa to muscle out U.S. companies from lucrative business deals. Dictators like Zimbabwe's Mugabe also use the anti-U.S. sentiments to get themselves out of political trouble. The U.S. is too mistrusted to change this without a new administration.
Africans Don’t Even Have Dirty Fuel
It is true that the poor in developing countries are the least to blame for global warming, but yet will suffer the most from it. Yet Africa's poor already lack many basic needs, and taking steps to fight global warming may bear even greater costs for them.
African Union Needs Entrance Exam
Africa's future prosperity lies in individual countries pooling their markets, resources and goals. The African Union can learn from the EU, if its members learn to pay the costs of union. They need mandatory governance standards, and will have to cede some sovereignty.
Don't Condemn Africa to Underdevelopment
Most African countries export raw materials to China and import labor-intensive manufactured goods. If this continues, the African continent could be condemned to underdevelopment.
Abandon Kyoto; Don't Be In Denial
Not surprisingly, the consequences of climate change are worst for Africa and developing countries -– although they are least responsible for climate change.
Africa, Fight Hunger Not Homosexuals
Johannesburg, South Africa - If only some African political, cultural and religious leaders pursued the fight against underdevelopment with the same vigor as they go about crusading against gays and lesbians, the continent would be a much better place.
Promote Individual Rights to Fight African Tribalism
Johannesburg, South Africa - In failed states, citizens often seek the protection of tribes: finding kinship with those with the same customs, rituals and language. Failed states are unable to protect their citizens. Sadly, though, in many states that work relatively well, people also seek refuge in tribal, ethnic and group politics....
Fewer Photo-Ops, More Implementation
Johannesburg, South Africa -- The last G8 summit in Gleneagles ended with a bubble of expectations, hopes and promises, most of which were dashed one year on. Then, the leaders of the world's largest economies promised quick and lasting action on Africa, debt, aid and trade. African leaders were specially invited to the party and were afterwards duly photographed with the leaders of the industrial world to underscore the good intentions....
