Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FW: Obama, Friend or Enemy of Africa

Lets get real.

Ghadaffi is a brutal dictator who chose the sad route of deciding to take war to his own people when they made peaceful protests.

40 something years is more than enough for him to have developed Libya. Let him give way for others.

The comparisons with other global scenarios do not hold water.

1.The   situation has not achieved the level of military escalation as in Libya.

2.The soldiers Mubarak sent to attack the civilians did not obey orders so civilians were not killed, talk less of developing into a civil war in which the opposition was facing possible annihilation as Ghaddafi  marched on Benghazi and Misrata.

3. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza was reprehensible. Obama waas not in power then. He chose to maintain silence while commenting on other foreign policy issues but he is making some effort at progress by insisting that Israel stop settlement building and be realistic about its borders,advocating a return to 1967 borders. I wonder if any sitting US President has ever made a similar demand.

4.The Yemeni leader has stated a deadline when he will leave office, from the last info I read on the situation.

5. True, the Tibetans are being raped while the world politicians are silent. But the situation is not militarized. So,its not identical with Libya. Its closer to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait that inspired the  US invasion and laid the ground for the eventual demise of Saddam. Double standards, yes. The Libya situation, however, would not have escalated if Ghaddafi had taken the Ben Ali or the Mubarak route. He had to play the immovable strongman.

Perhaps Obama could have called on Ghaddfi personally. I can identify with that. To claim that this dictator is absolved bcs of so called Africanist sympathies and distribution of wealth from the need to respect his people's yearning for freedom and to face consequences of a relentless  drive to exterminate once peaceful protesters, is what Africa does not need. We dont need dictators  of any kind.

thanks

toyin

On 2 June 2011 20:05, Dompere, Kofi Kissi <kdompere@howard.edu> wrote:

 

This article may be of interest to some members in the place.

KOFI

The attached is the feature article, "Obama: Enemy or Friend of Africa?" on Ghanaweb.com

Kwame.

Feature Article of Sunday, 29 May 2011

Columnist: The Emperor

Barack Obama: Africa's friend or enemy?

Who doesn't remember Obama's historic visit to our country? Indeed, what a day it was. We Ghanaians are known for our hospitality and delightful smiles! On that particular day, however, we out did ourselves. Ghanaians, both young and old, took to the streets cheering. The air was charged with euphoria and evening glory. I remember it so well! To tell the truth, I wasn't in Ghana on that day. Though, I would've loved to. Unfortunately, I was in my country of sojourn. The Netherlands, to be precise. My eyes were glued to the television screen, whilst the images of the historic visit unfolded. President Mills was amongst the roaring crowd. He caught my attention! The joy on his handsome black face was inescapable. It was unmistakably Ghana's joy. Priceless to behold! One thing was certain; Mills was happy to welcome America's first black President, his lovely wife Michelle, and their two beautiful daughters. It shown! Some events happen for us to remember. Of course, others happen for us to forget! I am sure that Obama's visit would be categorized in the former.

It has been two years since the said visit. So much have changed since then! President Obama, who many expected to bring peace and civility, has become a warmonger. His predecessor, George Bush, created so much animosity in the world. His thirst for blood made him unlovable. His gangsterism made him unrespectable. In short, his presidency was in-admirable. A total disgrace! His name is cursed all over! So, much naturally, the world expected Obama to be different. Sadly, this hasn't been the case. Obama seems to have traded the noble ways of peace for war. This is most unfortunate! His policy on Libya comes to mind. Do y'all know that Obama didn't consult Congress before attacking Libya? Very unusual! One would've expected Obama to pursue a dialogue to bring about peace. If Obama can sit with Nethanyahu to talk about peace, then, who or what prevented him from holding a dialogue with Qaddafi? I am sure that Maummar-al-Qaddafi would've welcomed a dialogue. Regrettably, this option wasn't weighed upon, nor was it considered. He went after Muammar-al-Qaddafi without giving peace a chance! NATO was given the green light to kill him. Under the guise of protecting the people of Benghazi, of course!

Having said this, does Obama know what Maummar-al-Qaddafi means to Africa? Does he know that Qaddafi has been helping Africa assume her rightful place? Muammar Qaddafi's financial contribution to the development of Africa is unmatched. Unprecedented! Everybody knows this! This man has been doing so much good for the continent. He has been good to Africa, to say the least. In Libya, his record on national development speaks volumes. This man has spent the last forty-two years building his country! Those who have been to Libya would tell you that Muammar isn't corrupt. There's a circulation of wealth in that country. Those in need of employment have employment. Those in need of education have access to free education. There's a welfare system set up for the temporary unemployed. As a result, the crime rate in Libya is close to zero. Qaddafi has built affordable houses for everybody. Nobody starves in Libya, and Libyans don't travel in search of greener pastures! In short, Qaddafi has been using the oil money wisely.

Nigerians have oil! But, can they say the same about their raggedy and corrupt infested country? No, I don't think so! Yet they were quick to condemn the Libyan ruler. They were quick to betray. And, all for what? As for you Ghanaians who are bad mouthing Qaddafi, let me ask y'all this question; what kind of country have you created with your fifty-four years of independence? And, are you proud of it? Tell the truth! What's Qaddafi guilty of that Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron should hunt him down like a criminal? This is the question! Obama says that he is protecting the people of Benghazi. Of course, a lie, but told so true! If Obama is so concerned about protecting humans lives, then, how come that NATO isn't bombing Israel? We all know about Israel's unwarranted attacks on the Palestinians. Again, if Obama is so concerned about protecting human lives, then, how come that NATO isn't bombing Syria? Hosni Mubarak ordered protestors to be shot. What did Obama do about it? Nothing! There were no NATO air-strikes on Egypt. None whatsoever! In Yemen, protestors are being shot and killed. I don't see NATO anywhere near that country!

In Tibet, the Chinese government has been preying on the Tibetans for years. As consequence, their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, had to flee to India to seek refuge. Where is NATO? I don't see NATO bombing China, or do you? Obama is completely mute on this issue! America, the oil-thieving-imperialist, looks away unconcerned! So, what's Obama's beef with Qaddafi about? Is it hatred? Is it because Qaddafi wants the best for Africa? Is it because of Qaddafi's enormous investment in Africa's development? Is it about the longevity of Qaddafi's service to his country? Perhaps, Obama doesn't wish Africa well. Perhaps, he's least concerned about Africa's development. Hence, the decision to kill Muammar-al Qaddafi, Africa's most generous son. If this is the case, then, what's Obama? Is he Africa's friend or enemy? Dear reader, your guess is as good as mine!

Welcome 2 the New age of Consciousness!

Source: The Emperor

Author: Frank Yeboah

Date: 2011-05-29 01:48:12

Comment to: Barack Obama: Africa's friend or enemy?

Obama is a good house negro. He takes orders from the slavemasters who made him chief-overseeer over America, their plantation. Obama does whatever they decide for him to do! If they tell him to jump, he asks them; how high? Obama cannot think for himself, nor is he allowed to act on his own. The slavemasters don't like Qaddafi! They have been meaning to get rid of him for quite a very long time. They fear that he might unite Africa under one single currency. They don't want this to happen! Therefore, you could imagine why Qaddafi's death has become their nr 1 priority. In the early Sixties, they came after Nkrumah for pursuing the same agenda. Kotoka, a Black man, was used to destroy Nkrumah. Thus, thwarting Nkrumah's plans for African unity. Today, Obama, a black man, is being used to achieve the same thing.

---

The attached is the feature article, "Obama: Enemy or Friend of Africa?" on Ghanaweb.com I promised to email it to you.

 

Kwame.

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