Why, suddenly, is the world so interested in Africa?
Well, let’s face it, Africa is loaded with natural resources... from diamonds, and gold, to that black gold, oil.
Until recently, Africa has been written off as a “lost cause” with no hope of salvation, at least by the Western World. Now there is renewed interest in the welfare of Africa. This is suspiciously sudden!
Africa has been feeding on itself since the last days of "Colonialism". They have shown a marked inability to govern themselves... or even to shed the “tribal” state of mind for the common good. As a result they have remained in a perpetual state of unrest and turmoil. Black dictators and demigods rule some of the worse off African nations. There is no end in sight. Maybe the West was correct to pull out and leave them to their own devices.
Look, if we get sucked into that "morass of chaos", we may never be able to free ourselves. Pouring money into Africa is like pouring water into a bottomless pit. There will never be enough to fill it up. If Europe wants to take on this burden, then by all means the US should let them. But, the US should keep a "hands-off” policy towards Africa.
The “Dark Continent” remains "dark" primarily because the "knowledgeable" Africans have gotten out. Many have come to Europe, and the States, for an education… and stayed. As a result, the best, and the brightest Africans are here, in the States, and in Europe. Some have called it a massive “Brain Drain”. That might be an apt description.
I have thought, many times, we should re-institute Colonialism in Africa. The problem is, as it was then, the cost. No single nation can afford the drain on its treasury that the rescue of Africa will cost. Belgium, France, Great Britain, the Dutch, none of these can afford it. The combined wealth of the West can not save Africa.
Only Africa can save Africa. Only when Africans come to realize their only hope is to pull themselves together, shape-up, and join the modern world, will they even have a chance of succeeding.
Until then, Africa is lost.
“Longstreet”
“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” ... Daniel Webster ... These posts will reflect my personal opinions, and views, of the world in which we live from, of course, the viewpoint of a conservative "Southern American".
1 comment:
Thanks, Nicholas!
Had I thought of the "democratic institutions", at the writing of the above post, I most certainly would have included it.
Again, I think, unfortunately, nothing substantial can be done for Africa, until Africa helps herself.
Longstreet
Post a Comment