Somalia: A Failed State

Somalia is considered by some to be a failed state. It is considered a failed state for good reason; the list is lengthy. Somalia has not had a stable or even functioning government since 1992. The UN backed transitional government has never been able to get a foothold into the country. Pirates still command the longest coast in the world keeping at bay much needed food and medical supplies from entering the country. And because of the weakened government, Somalia has become prey to numerous militant and rogue governments fighting for ultimate control.

Kaddafi Shames Africa?

As an avid reader of Newsweek Magazine (actually I’m ultra liberal) I have grown accustomed to reading such biased stories.  However, when I came across this article “Kaddafi Shames Africa” in the February 8, 2010 edition, I couldn’t pass up the chance to step up on the old soap box.

Muammar al-Gaddafi, longtime President of Libya, is not really an American favorite, or a Western favorite for that matter.  According to our government, he has sponsored terrorist activities around the world in the early 1980s. President Ronald Reagan tried to overthrow Gaddafi accusing him of running a rogue country and siding with Palestinian independence. In our attempt of trying to overthrow this President (without UN backing) we bombed his house and killed Gaddafi’s adopted daughter Hannah.

Now, the Libyan leader has been the chairperson of the African Union and the West held their breath. Western leaders felt the he would run the continent into the ground (not that the West would ever dream of taking advantage of African countries) and perhaps there were no fireworks but destruction – according to the West – was done. As chairman, Gaddafi worked to “undermine” peacekeeping efforts and democracy promotion. Has anyone ever researched African countries? Iraq is more set up to receive a democratic government than most of these countries. Democracy doesn’t work everywhere and it doesn’t have to.

As far as peacekeeping efforts one must respect the feelings and emotions of colonialism. Many of the African countries were taken over because they accepted “help” from western countries. But we expect that since we mean well now, that should erase all of our negative history. I don’t understand why we fault leaders for protecting their countries against perceived threats.

I am not condoning some of Mr. Gaddafi’s actions. I do not agree with a leader who shows jubilation for the Lockerbie Bomber (even though his country paid restitution to the victims families). And there are many other issues that I disagree with when it comes to President Gaddafi. However, to have a leader take pride in his country and every other African country, I can not fault that because that is what I would expect from my own leaders.

African Union Summit Begins Today

The 13th Annual African Union Summit begins today in Sirte, Libya.  The theme of the summit, “Invest in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security”, is just one of the major topics to be discussed by the heads of states of the continent.  Additional issues concerning the summit include discussion on strengthening the role of the AU in the prevention, management and resolution of election disputes and violent conflicts in the world’s poorest continent. They will also explore ways to prevent unconstitutional changes of government and to strengthen the capacity of the AU to deal with such situations.