Copenhagen is a disaster for Africa
In Copenhagen, industrial nations have again successfully managed to divide African and developing countries, by co-opting the bigger developing countries, such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa, in private deals.
Such co-opting often starts with the demonising of these countries: those who insist on a fair deal are being mercilessly portrayed as stubborn obstacles in the march for a greener future,
What they’re saying about….
“Africa is of the view that it contributed the least to the global greenhouse gas emissions, and stands to suffer the most. It wants comprehensive and action-oriented adaptation programme to be established to support adaptation action, provide financial, technological and capacity building support by developed country parties for adaptation in developing countries.” –Newswatch (Nigeria)
A lot of heterosexual Ugandan men are inflicting violence on Ugandan women–Monitor Online.
The scramble for Africa
“The hunt for resources in Africa will grow fiercer in the coming years, as commodity prices rise and especially if global supplies of some natural goods (especially oil and gas) become more limited. Today there are direct flights from Malabo, the existing capital of Equatorial Guinea, to Houston and Americans are so active in the oil industry that they can come and go without visas.”
The Telegraph (U.K.)
Thatcherism in Central Africa
The Independent presents a rollicking flashback to the days of Thatcherism….
In which Prime Minister Margaret’s wayward son bankrolled a botched military coup in the oil-rich but squalid enclave known as Equatorial Guinea.
Mark Thatcher, now a fugitive in Spain, is described by one acquaintance as having “an ego the size of a herd of elephants and the attention span of a gnat…”
Chida Amuta in Lagos-based This Day:
“We are therefore dealing with an emergent zone of immense power and prosperity, complete with power elite, home to the most strategic national resources, strategic natural location, a militant force (military wing), considerable economic and media power and an increasingly trenchant public relations presence that resonates internationally. … As the amnesty process has made obvious, the area also harbours the largest pool of illegal arms in the hands of an assortment of criminal and semi criminal gangs.”– via allAfrica.com
Kagame praises China’s Africa investments
“European and American involvement has not brought Africa forward,” says Rwanda’s leader. “China is investing in infrastructure and building roads.”
Glee in Kenya
Kenyans are less likely than Americans to debate whether President Obama deserves a prize for peace.
