PHOTO: President Bush meets with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who is considered by many to be the most uncorrupt sitting ruler in Africa.
When African nations began achieving independence from their colonial rulers during the 1900’s, the outlook for Africa was bright and hopeful. The former colonial masters began pouring billions of dollars of aid, hundreds of governmental advisors, and free military training into Africa. It was estimated that by the turn of century, Africa would be close behind the Western world economically, technologically, and militarily.
But when promising leaders from the continent where introduced to money, power, and splendor, something went horribly wrong…
Ever since African independence, dictators and warlords have squandered trillions of dollars from aid, economic resources, and a powerful workforce to enrich their own lives, even when famines, war, and suffering were claiming millions of others.
In July of 2002, the leaders of 53 African states met in Durban for the inaugural conference of the African Union. President Mbeki of South Africa declared:
” Through our actions, let us proclaim to the world that Africa is a continent of democracy…a continent of good governance, where the people participate and the rule of law is upheld!”
At that meeting, however, sat dictators with little interest in democracy; men like Charles Taylor of Liberia who was once accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Also present were Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Omar Bongo of Gabon, and Gaddafi of Libya. And presently, President Mbeki of South Africa is stepping down due to charges of corruption…
The lesson is that power and riches can corrupt if restrictions are not placed and enforced, which is true in Africa. Strong and uncorrupt leadership is needed if Africa can ever be pulled out of genocide, war, and suffering. And that leadership must be heavily supported by the Western world.
There is very little we as individuals can do to ensure Africa gets good leadership. What we can do, however, is participate in and give to aid organizations that have good leadership skills in their operations in Africa. These aid organizations, besides having the opportunity to save lives, also have the opportunity to display courage, humbleness, and servanthood…which are all necessary qualities of good leadership. These organizations must be supported by us so that the citizens of Africa can see what true leadership really is; so that they can know that leadership isn’t a genocidal-prone dictator or a ruthless local militia.
Until we start giving to that end, Africa will remain a bloody warzone as a few men make billions off the effects of genocide, war, exploitation, and thievery.
The world cannot simply take a stand for Africa, it must take a stand for those who suffer in Africa. For the true hope of Africa does not lay in past, current, or future leaders, it lays in the hands and hearts of those who are forced to suffer. They are the ones that must be protected, helped, and led to freedom and peace, so that one day they can take a right and fair stand against the tyranny that rules over them.
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Join us again tomorrow for our next topic!
Sincerely,
Mark Christopher Hackett