AFRICAN LEADERS AND THE ZIMBABWE CRISIS

The inaction by African leaders over Zimbabwe is unfortunate. That an entire populace had to endure a four week wait to know the election results borders on absurdity. That Zimbabwe’s crisis is manmade and to learn that post election crimes are taking place with impunity is just plain nonsense. Still, the much hyped African Union (AU) and its bunch of “reformers” , “democrats” and strongmen have not spoken out in the strongest terms against the Zimbabwean farce. They have chosen to be spectators as Comrade Bob and his inner circle haveunited their small ruling elite around an agenda of greed while turning the people against each other. What is going on in Zimbabwe is indeed a mockery of democracy.

Well, this is not the first time, they set a precedent years ago when they glossed over the Somali crisis that has now degenerated to total anarchy. They were hesitant over Sierra Leone,Liberia, Darfur and quite recently, Kenya. African leaders must let go of this “brotherhood” mentality and speak out when injustices are committed on the same continent that makes them look at each other as one family. These are the same leaders who will accuse the west of looking down upon Africa when they demand good governance. African leaders must stop being like the proverbial ostrich who buried his head in the sand and address the real issues affecting the continent.

THE ROCKET SCIENTISTS OF MYANMAR

The nation of Myanmar, formerly Burma, was hit by Cyclone Nargis on Sunday 4th May 2008. The state authorities have been guarded over the official death toll, intially stating that 351 people were dead, before external sources dropped the bombshell that over 100,000 people had lost their lives with another 1,000,000 displaced with thousands missing.

Now, in cases where disaster strikes, aid,which is unconditional,comes pouring in, from all quarters, friend and foe alike. The rocket scientists heading Myanmar’s government have been too casual about this incident. They are probably seated in their mansions saying, “big deal..just 100,000 dead, it could have been worse.” At a time when international assistance and expertise in dealing with natural disasters is urgently required,they have been painfully slow in easing up bureaucratic red tape that would seen aid shipments move in at lightning pace.Consequently, vicitms of the cyclone are still in a bad state and at the risk of sounding a like pessimist, things can only get worse.

When will the monk beating, democracy hating strongmen running Myanmar realise that the people and infrastructure have taken a serious beating and cannot be redeemed overnight? It is really hard to tell because they are bunkered down in Naypyidaw, a new capital 240 miles to the north of Yangoon and probably think that all is well.

These rocket scientists been quoted as saying that while they will accept aid, they will not allow aid workers in. What utter nonsense! Ye rocket scientist, your people, 100,000 of them have lost their lives, another 1.5 million are displaced, you need help!

Having decided that they do not need help, the rocket scientists have declared that the constitutional referendum will go on, despite Myanmar having been ravaged by Cyclone Nargis. Common sense dictates that the referendum be shelved until further notice. But again, common sense is for common people, not rocket scientists.

This is my beef with the world.