An editorial in the Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe suggested the formation of a unity government headed by Zimbabwe and mending relationship with the US and Britain. As I remarked in a previous post, Zimbabwe needs western aid and Mugabe knows Zimbabwe will not receive it as long as he is president. He will withhold the presidential results not because he lost badly but because Simba Makoni did not receive a substantial vote. The editorial, which many suspect was written by a senior ZANU-PF official, hints at future elections. These are not meant to be won by Mugabe, but to buy time to expose Makoni to the Zimbabwean people.
In other Zimbabwe-related events, the arms that were meant for Zimbabwe from China might not reach there by land, but the Chinese will find a way to fly them into Harare. I fail to understand why Americans would even chose to fight over such trivial matter.
Anyways, this was an I told you so thread and keep watching, the next president of Zimbabwe will be Simba Makoni.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Africa Unite:Pros and Pros
Bob Marley's song urges Africans to unite because the time to do so has already passed. To unite for Africans at home and abroad. To unite for the sake of our children. Yet decades later, the song seems to have gone the way of its singer.
Why is it so hard for us Africans to unite? Yes, we were thrust into an alien concept of nationalism and political boundaries that have no respect for our tribal lands or traditions, but when do we stop blaming the Europeans for our problems. Why do we allow the devil to come into our house. If we are duped into inviting him inside by his sheep's clothing, why don't we throw him out when we finally figure out who he is? Why do we continue to be blinded and fooled by his promise of gold and other vain riches? When do we realize that his glittering offer really is just fool's gold? "How long shall they kill our brothers while we stand aside and look?" It's happening nearly everywhere we look. Why so many divisions? Why can't the whole land be ours? It used to be. We can control trade, resources, share cultures, build civilizations, and so many other things. Why do we continue to measure success by western standards? We didn't need their aid before they got there, and we don't need it now. Like Ngugi wa Thiong'o, one of my favorite authors said, development can only come from within, not from without. Europeans developed on their own, we can do the same too. Why do we believe that they can do it and we cannot? Is it because they are more superior in intelligence? physical might? or simply because they are white as day and we are black as night?
So-called development aid from outside of Africa is nothing but bribes to our leaders, most of whom are not elected or used intimidation to be elected, so they can continue to rape our motherland for it's natural resources. We sell them gold, diamond, platinum and other precious minerals but the average African can't even afford a bracelet made of them. The Democratic Republic of Congo has over 80% of the world's known reserves of Coltan, which is an essential mineral used in electronics, yet few Congolese own a product in which Coltan is used. I can assure you, however, that many have paid for it in their lives. "A World Trade Centre-full of people is butchered every two days." Why, the west can enjoy the benefits of our resources.
We need a unified African state to put an end to this. We need an Africa where all Africans can reap the benefits of our resources. We need leaders who are not afraid to stand up to outsiders and let them know that their crippling aid is not welcome. The foreigners need to know that assassinations of our leaders will not make us cower but rather strengthen us. Why don't we see westerners tried in The Hague for crimes they continue to commit in Africa. Yet Africans are led bound and chained to these courts where it seems "illegal" to try a white. We are not uncivilized or incompetent in that we cannot try those who commit crimes against our own people.
We need to unify and come together to protect our people, resources, and integrity as African people. Outsiders salivate when they look at Africa because of our resources. Not only Western Europe and America, but China and, here lately, India. Russia will be more involved as its economy continues to grow and hunger for African natural resources.
Anyways, please do not regard me as hating non-Africans. This could not be far from the truth. However, if I see a thief, I will yell out "thief" whether it be black, white, asian, or any other race. Do not regard this as an attack against all foreigners, many of whom are on the side of justice and fairness, however it is also true that the cause of the most debilitating problems in Africa is outsiders.
Why is it so hard for us Africans to unite? Yes, we were thrust into an alien concept of nationalism and political boundaries that have no respect for our tribal lands or traditions, but when do we stop blaming the Europeans for our problems. Why do we allow the devil to come into our house. If we are duped into inviting him inside by his sheep's clothing, why don't we throw him out when we finally figure out who he is? Why do we continue to be blinded and fooled by his promise of gold and other vain riches? When do we realize that his glittering offer really is just fool's gold? "How long shall they kill our brothers while we stand aside and look?" It's happening nearly everywhere we look. Why so many divisions? Why can't the whole land be ours? It used to be. We can control trade, resources, share cultures, build civilizations, and so many other things. Why do we continue to measure success by western standards? We didn't need their aid before they got there, and we don't need it now. Like Ngugi wa Thiong'o, one of my favorite authors said, development can only come from within, not from without. Europeans developed on their own, we can do the same too. Why do we believe that they can do it and we cannot? Is it because they are more superior in intelligence? physical might? or simply because they are white as day and we are black as night?
So-called development aid from outside of Africa is nothing but bribes to our leaders, most of whom are not elected or used intimidation to be elected, so they can continue to rape our motherland for it's natural resources. We sell them gold, diamond, platinum and other precious minerals but the average African can't even afford a bracelet made of them. The Democratic Republic of Congo has over 80% of the world's known reserves of Coltan, which is an essential mineral used in electronics, yet few Congolese own a product in which Coltan is used. I can assure you, however, that many have paid for it in their lives. "A World Trade Centre-full of people is butchered every two days." Why, the west can enjoy the benefits of our resources.
We need a unified African state to put an end to this. We need an Africa where all Africans can reap the benefits of our resources. We need leaders who are not afraid to stand up to outsiders and let them know that their crippling aid is not welcome. The foreigners need to know that assassinations of our leaders will not make us cower but rather strengthen us. Why don't we see westerners tried in The Hague for crimes they continue to commit in Africa. Yet Africans are led bound and chained to these courts where it seems "illegal" to try a white. We are not uncivilized or incompetent in that we cannot try those who commit crimes against our own people.
We need to unify and come together to protect our people, resources, and integrity as African people. Outsiders salivate when they look at Africa because of our resources. Not only Western Europe and America, but China and, here lately, India. Russia will be more involved as its economy continues to grow and hunger for African natural resources.
Anyways, please do not regard me as hating non-Africans. This could not be far from the truth. However, if I see a thief, I will yell out "thief" whether it be black, white, asian, or any other race. Do not regard this as an attack against all foreigners, many of whom are on the side of justice and fairness, however it is also true that the cause of the most debilitating problems in Africa is outsiders.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Mugabe's Plan Unveiled
Well, I predicted a runoff in Zimbabwe and that looks like that's what it will be. I'm not saying I can predict the future and I can tell you what will happen tomorrow or the day after, but what I can do is look at the circumstances and make an educated prediction, in this case I was partially right. Mugabe is a smart man, a colleague of mine interviewed him at the start of the land seizure and, today, he remarked to me that Mugabe's a calculating, educated man who really has the best for Zimbabweans at heart. I am not defending him, I believe he held onto power for too long and that inevitably corrupted him, but what I'm saying is that Zimbabwe's economy was orchastrated by foreign powers. How does a stock lose its value? When it has more people wanting to dump it that want to scoop it. How about a currency? Currencies are bought and sold just as stocks. If more people are encouraged and scared into selling a particular currency until it's worthless, the country itself, even though much hasn't changed with its production infracture, will find it harder to buy necessary supplies because everything now costs more. Investors work off fear and predictions. Zimbabwe's currency was devalued because people assumed that its economy would not continue to retain its level without white farmers, and not because it actually wasn't able, too. Now, as time went on it tanked and then more predications, dumping, and yet more tanking. Had the Western media not scared investors into dumping the Zim Dollar, I believe the situation in Zimbabwe would have turned out different. After all, what the western people are saying is that an African cannot till the land and make it produce as much as a white person can. I mean, honestly, for thousands of years our ancestors tilled the land and fed themselves, but when the white man comes we are suddenly unable to rise to the occasion of providing enough to feed a modern society. I am not a racist of sorts, nor do I hate any particular race, I am as much white as I am black, but this sounds like Thomas Jefferson saying black people are inferior in physical and intellectual terms. Zimbabweans can feed Zimbabweans anytime if the playfield is fair. The West simply played a card Mugabe was not anticipating and could not trump: Currency devaluation leading to economic collapse.
But, anyways, going back to the thought I had before I became sidetracked, I predicted a runoff and that's what seems like will occur in Zimbabwe. I also predicted that Tsvangirai would not be among the top two vote-getters, but I was wrong on that one. I, however, still think Makoni will end up in power, so pull your chair closer, squint your eyes, prepare your mind, and here goes my prediction. Remember, if I'm wrong let who's without wrongness cast the first "You were wrong."
As I said before, Mugabe knows that there is no way Zimbabwe will return to prosperity with him at the helm. He orchestrated a plan that involved a defection by Simba Makoni. You will notice that the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission has not released any figures on the presidential election itself and everything we're reading or hearing is unofficial and, therefore, pure hearsay. When the results come out, Makoni will be in the top two, with Mugabe coming in a calculated third. Mugabe will conveniently throw his support behind Makoni because, he will say, he does not want a crony of the West. The ZANU-PF faithful will back Makoni and he will barely be over the 50% needed for a victory. Farfetched? Maybe, but as long as the armed forces are with Mugabe they will back whomever he supports, and whoever the armed forces support will be the one who will ultimately end up in power.
Now, could I be wrong? That's more than a possibility, afterall I am no prophet, but my evaluation of the situation tells me that Mugabe is ready to step down and that he will make sure his chosen successor is the next "democratically"-elected president of Zimbabwe.
But, anyways, going back to the thought I had before I became sidetracked, I predicted a runoff and that's what seems like will occur in Zimbabwe. I also predicted that Tsvangirai would not be among the top two vote-getters, but I was wrong on that one. I, however, still think Makoni will end up in power, so pull your chair closer, squint your eyes, prepare your mind, and here goes my prediction. Remember, if I'm wrong let who's without wrongness cast the first "You were wrong."
As I said before, Mugabe knows that there is no way Zimbabwe will return to prosperity with him at the helm. He orchestrated a plan that involved a defection by Simba Makoni. You will notice that the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission has not released any figures on the presidential election itself and everything we're reading or hearing is unofficial and, therefore, pure hearsay. When the results come out, Makoni will be in the top two, with Mugabe coming in a calculated third. Mugabe will conveniently throw his support behind Makoni because, he will say, he does not want a crony of the West. The ZANU-PF faithful will back Makoni and he will barely be over the 50% needed for a victory. Farfetched? Maybe, but as long as the armed forces are with Mugabe they will back whomever he supports, and whoever the armed forces support will be the one who will ultimately end up in power.
Now, could I be wrong? That's more than a possibility, afterall I am no prophet, but my evaluation of the situation tells me that Mugabe is ready to step down and that he will make sure his chosen successor is the next "democratically"-elected president of Zimbabwe.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
China and Africa: What kind of relationship?
Robert, the gentleman who commented on my post about Zimbabwe, beat me to the punch. Well, at least on the issue of China and its political, environment, and economical impact on Africa. Personally, I view anyone, western or eastern, who comes to Africa with so-called "development projects" with skepticism. History has proven time and time again that Africa is probably the easiest place to exploit. Why? We are technologically inferior. We were at the arrival of the Europeans and we still are at this particular moment in time. What baffles my mind is that eastern powers such as China, India, and Japan are legitimate challengers to the US in terms of military and economic hegemony. These, like most african countries today, were colonies of European powers in the last century. Why don't we see African countries do the same?
Recently China has stepped up its efforts on befriending African countries in the name of helping them develop. Now, it is true China helped some African countries with building infrastructure during the Cold War when most of these newly-independent countries sought a non-aligned stance in the US-Soviet union squabble. Some African writers have remarked that there are vast differences in the ideologies of China then and China now. Whatever the case, China is using its past in Africa to shore up supply of valuable raw resources, oil included, in order to bolster its growing economy. In return, China promises aid, monetary and expertise. As Robert pointed out in his comment to my earlier post on Mugabe's genius plan, this "aid" comes at a greater cost to the African country's economy and the environment. There are examples of this in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, as Robert mentioned, not to mention several others.
I believe we are witnessing a former colony become an empire, at least in economic terms. As China's hegemony in Africa solidifies and continue to grow, we will see a new species of cold wars that will rival or surpass THE Cold War. China has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to alienate Taiwan and divert resources meant for markets in Europe and America to its own markets. It might be doing this in fear that should it fail to do so now, the future might not be bright for its economy if a re-emerging Russia beats it to those African resources. That would only mean both Russia and the West would have a leg-up on China in the pursuit of African resources. Therefore, as the West is losing support among African leaders with its promotion of democracy, and Russia is busy straightening its in-house and regional affairs, China's moment to court African leaders and gain the resources needed to sustain its economy is now.
Well, as long as the West's call for democracy continues to alienate African leaders, China will find a welcoming house in Africa. These leaders know that the fact that they are now, or in the past, supported by the West is no guarantee that they will be helped stay in power when their use to them is no more. Mobutu, and many others, found this out the hard way. China is pushing itself as an alternative to self-righteous bigots whose loyalties shift on a whim. As long as these dictators or corrupt regimes continue to see China's support as insurance against their ouster, they will continue to flock to it and its developmental aid delusion.
Recently China has stepped up its efforts on befriending African countries in the name of helping them develop. Now, it is true China helped some African countries with building infrastructure during the Cold War when most of these newly-independent countries sought a non-aligned stance in the US-Soviet union squabble. Some African writers have remarked that there are vast differences in the ideologies of China then and China now. Whatever the case, China is using its past in Africa to shore up supply of valuable raw resources, oil included, in order to bolster its growing economy. In return, China promises aid, monetary and expertise. As Robert pointed out in his comment to my earlier post on Mugabe's genius plan, this "aid" comes at a greater cost to the African country's economy and the environment. There are examples of this in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, as Robert mentioned, not to mention several others.
I believe we are witnessing a former colony become an empire, at least in economic terms. As China's hegemony in Africa solidifies and continue to grow, we will see a new species of cold wars that will rival or surpass THE Cold War. China has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to alienate Taiwan and divert resources meant for markets in Europe and America to its own markets. It might be doing this in fear that should it fail to do so now, the future might not be bright for its economy if a re-emerging Russia beats it to those African resources. That would only mean both Russia and the West would have a leg-up on China in the pursuit of African resources. Therefore, as the West is losing support among African leaders with its promotion of democracy, and Russia is busy straightening its in-house and regional affairs, China's moment to court African leaders and gain the resources needed to sustain its economy is now.
Well, as long as the West's call for democracy continues to alienate African leaders, China will find a welcoming house in Africa. These leaders know that the fact that they are now, or in the past, supported by the West is no guarantee that they will be helped stay in power when their use to them is no more. Mobutu, and many others, found this out the hard way. China is pushing itself as an alternative to self-righteous bigots whose loyalties shift on a whim. As long as these dictators or corrupt regimes continue to see China's support as insurance against their ouster, they will continue to flock to it and its developmental aid delusion.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Mugabe's Genius Plan
All, or at least most, of us are fully aware of the situation in Zimbabwe. The inflation is the worst in the world and political oppression is mild to moderate. Facing increasing pressure from friends and foes alike, Mugabe has come up with a genius plan: Stage a falling-out with a "former" friend, send some high-ranking ZANU-PF with him, and make it look as real as possible.
First of all, I would like to point out, again, that Zimbabwe is in utter economic anarchy. Secondly, its economy, when it was healthy, relied heavily on agriculture. Thirdly, outside aid, which Zimbabwe greatly needs to rebuild, can only come with the end of the Mugabe regime. Mugabe knew these things when he put his plan in motion.
Now look at Simba Makoni. Lately he served as minister of finance where he was sometimes at odds with Mugabe and his upper-echelon ZANU-PF cronies. He also has experience as minister of Industry and Energy Development and deputy minister of Agriculture. Add in there his ten years as Executive Secretary of SADC (Southern African Development Community) and you have someone with the right credentials to get Zimbabwe where it used to be. Zimbabwe's specialty in SADC was agriculture, an area that has taken an enormous hit since the expulsion of the minority white farmers around the turn of the century.
Mugabe staged the defection of Makoni so that he can be a legitimate candidate who can bring in western aid money. The west will like Makoni because of his credentials and so-called courage to stand up to Mugabe. Some people already suspect him to be funded and supported by the West. Which plays into Mugabe's plan. Makoni had denied being a puppet of the West, but he has not denied being anyone's puppet.
So, Mugabe picks this guy, encourages him to run for the presidency, funds him, gives him the protection he needs, sends a few high-ranking party officials to support him, and then sells him to the West. All this, of course, behind the scenes. Come elections time, neither candidate will garner at least 50% of the votes, which means a runoff. The top two vote-getters would be included, which means Tsvangirai, who will get the least votes (because of vote-rigging, of course).
Mugabe vs. Makoni. Makoni comes out a winner in the runoff, but the biggest winner will be Mugabe who will still be making important decisions behind the scenes and enjoying a big chunk of aid money newly pouring into the country as a result of his magnific plan.
All of this, I must admit, is what I would do if I was in his boots.
First of all, I would like to point out, again, that Zimbabwe is in utter economic anarchy. Secondly, its economy, when it was healthy, relied heavily on agriculture. Thirdly, outside aid, which Zimbabwe greatly needs to rebuild, can only come with the end of the Mugabe regime. Mugabe knew these things when he put his plan in motion.
Now look at Simba Makoni. Lately he served as minister of finance where he was sometimes at odds with Mugabe and his upper-echelon ZANU-PF cronies. He also has experience as minister of Industry and Energy Development and deputy minister of Agriculture. Add in there his ten years as Executive Secretary of SADC (Southern African Development Community) and you have someone with the right credentials to get Zimbabwe where it used to be. Zimbabwe's specialty in SADC was agriculture, an area that has taken an enormous hit since the expulsion of the minority white farmers around the turn of the century.
Mugabe staged the defection of Makoni so that he can be a legitimate candidate who can bring in western aid money. The west will like Makoni because of his credentials and so-called courage to stand up to Mugabe. Some people already suspect him to be funded and supported by the West. Which plays into Mugabe's plan. Makoni had denied being a puppet of the West, but he has not denied being anyone's puppet.
So, Mugabe picks this guy, encourages him to run for the presidency, funds him, gives him the protection he needs, sends a few high-ranking party officials to support him, and then sells him to the West. All this, of course, behind the scenes. Come elections time, neither candidate will garner at least 50% of the votes, which means a runoff. The top two vote-getters would be included, which means Tsvangirai, who will get the least votes (because of vote-rigging, of course).
Mugabe vs. Makoni. Makoni comes out a winner in the runoff, but the biggest winner will be Mugabe who will still be making important decisions behind the scenes and enjoying a big chunk of aid money newly pouring into the country as a result of his magnific plan.
All of this, I must admit, is what I would do if I was in his boots.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Welcome
This is not the first blogging project I have attempted, but I feel a slight difference in the amount of excitement that has led me to embark on making it come alive. For one, I am not looking to talk about my godly-good looks or my unnatural abilities in areas I really don't want to start talking about, lest I talk much about myself and turn this blog into a clone of past endeavors that lie in waste being visited only by occasional web tumbleweed that took an unfortunate wrong turn somewhere.
I, therefore, do solemnly swear to abide by these two rules: I will abstain from self-talk as much as Rwandanly possible, and I will try to update this at least once a day. Not only will the topics be about African politics, I will also be talking about how politics in other regions have the potential of affecting our motherland.
Before I end my first transmission on this here watchamathingy we refer to as the web, I would to mention that I decided to do this because here lately I've grown to embrace and grow my africanness. I honestly am tired of the dishonesty and corruption that is going on, and the fact that most of us shy away from naming its source. Don't ask me what I personnally consider this particular source to be. Patience, my precious, you will find it in my writings.
So to end it all today, power to the people and peace be the journey. Cool Runnings.
I, therefore, do solemnly swear to abide by these two rules: I will abstain from self-talk as much as Rwandanly possible, and I will try to update this at least once a day. Not only will the topics be about African politics, I will also be talking about how politics in other regions have the potential of affecting our motherland.
Before I end my first transmission on this here watchamathingy we refer to as the web, I would to mention that I decided to do this because here lately I've grown to embrace and grow my africanness. I honestly am tired of the dishonesty and corruption that is going on, and the fact that most of us shy away from naming its source. Don't ask me what I personnally consider this particular source to be. Patience, my precious, you will find it in my writings.
So to end it all today, power to the people and peace be the journey. Cool Runnings.
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