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Ecowiz Returns
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Portugal
Aug 2001 time: 05:18
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quote: Originally posted by faded glory
... Angola... |
Sorry, but Angola is hardly a stable nation. Since their independence and up until the recent death(assassination) of the guerrilla leader, they've been in a almost permanent state of Civil War (most convenient to the rulling party, I might add). There isn't yet clear the Civil War is over, because the rulling party keeps emprisoning the same representatives they say are negociating peace with (talk about coherence ).
But, among the past Portuguese Colonies one can find some pretty stable regimes, like Mozambique (since they reached internal peace, after the first free elections, they've been showing a remarkably stable high growth rate, athough their initial level in awfully low) or Cabo Verde (stable almost since their Independence).
Turns out most of African leaders are corrupt, which isn't but the keeping of colonial tradition (usually the representatives of the Colonial Ruler were also pretty much corrupt). The former colonial nations cannot forget the terrible legacy they left. However, the time should be to look forward and not backward, and the rights of every human being in Africa (as everywhere else) should be accounted for. The World has changed and now we can know better what is going on in every part of it. It would be nice if we were also able to do more about it.
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Lars-E
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quote: Originally posted by Adam Smith
Half the friggin' continent of Africa is dying of Aids, Ebola, and God knows what else, yet it looks like the only way to get rid of this petty tyrant is to have him die peacefully of old age? There's a boatload of irony in that, not that the same could not be said of people like Mobutu. |
Some exceptions: Uganda is doing very well - AIDS# down to 10% - used to be in the 30s.. This was a muslim-dominated nation before - Christians had to go out in the bush to pray. So much for tolerance 
Idi Amin was a good muslim or a bad one... depending on which side u take.
Today Uganda is thoroughly christianized, thru prayers it's claimed, and the whole nation is doing much better. Even the president turned Christian and this caused big headlines - he dedicated the nation to Christianity.
I suspect North Africa has less AIDS-problems due to strict islamic/sharia laws. Especially Mauretania where even showing interest in the Christian message can result in torture. Yes islamic tolerance could improve in many places.. 
quote: It's easy to just write off a continent or smaller area of the world, but deep down we know that vast numbers of innocents suffer unjustly. It's anger that makes us think that "they all deserve each other" in places like the middle east and Northern Ireland, but deep down we know it isn't true. If you know your history, you know you must accept that these things have been done, but we do not have to accept those things that haven't yet been done |
Like he said 
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Arrian
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Kneel before Grog!
Jul 2001 time: 00:18
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My two and a half cents...
Sanctions/embargoes do not work. Castro, Saddam, Khadafi (sp?)... no external economic pressure got rid of those guys. Sanctions end up hurting the average Joe, and even give the targeted dictator a propoganda tool. Look at how the USA is villified for sanctions vs. Iraq. Not only have the sanctions failed to remove Saddam, or force him to allow the arms inspectors to return, but Saddam has been able to point the figure at the U.S. government for the suffering of his people (who he could care less about, and could feed/cloth/care for if he didn't want so many tanks). Sanctions, in my opinion, are counterproductive.
The land issue in Zimbabwe is problematic, as the white farmers control nearly all of the arable land, which dates back to colonial times. Of course, they also were the only thing holding the economy together. That the government of Zimbabwe might want to tackle the issue of land distribution is understandable, but the way Mugabe went about it was horrible. I think it's pretty clear that Mugabe doesn't really give a damn about the land issue. All he cares about is staying in power. The land issue was merely a tool. The white farmers are, as I understand it, mostly supporters of the MDC, the only credible threat to Mugabe. Hence, two birds with one stone.
The situation sucks, and I feel bad for the farmers. As I understand it, Britain pledged quite a bit of money toward a lawful, staged land redistribution program the Mugabe discarded. Perhaps that money could be used differently: offer aid and assistance to farmers who wish to flee. Sure, it's not a solution to the problem, but it would at least help some innocent people.
-Arrian
Last edited by Arrian on 23-03-2002 at 03:16
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