Blog Archive

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Congrats to Obama & what Africa can learn...

So... a president (& party) comes into power but what a difference from what we see in most of Africa...

A peaceful election period... peaceful election day... a clear-cut victory i.e. negligible fraud... a phone call conceding the election... a peaceful & organised transition... the retiring president retires gracefully...

In Kenya, violence during & after the election...

In Guinea, a coup after the prez dies...

In Uganda, museveni wants more terms as president...

I do hope that Obama nixes any funny moves by African despots... Obama has the moral advantage if he criticises these despots!

So who are these despots?

- kibaki coming up in 2012
- museveni coming up in 2011
- swazi king who needs to be deposed (& castrated)
- bongo of gabon
- many others

An inauguration that attracts not only the democrats but the old, young, all races, etc...

In Kenya, there was a hurried inauguration after a disputed election count...

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't tell me even you are looking to Obama to fix all of Africa. We've a lot to learn from America, but the nixing of these 'despots' gotta come from the likes of you and I.
As long as we continue to vote along tribal lines,seeing no evil in our tribesmen, we are screwed!

I'd no idea Kibs is running in '12, but do you say?

bankelele said...

20 elections across Africa in 2009 accoring to Africa Confidential (even the N. Africa 99%, once candidate, yes only votes, count)

coldtusker said...

PKW: Puhleeze... no... I am not one of those who thinks Obama is the 2nd coming... He is a nice guy but he remains first & foremost an AMERICAN but I hope he uses his clout to jawbone the despots we have into retiring...

As for the nixing, I agree but it is tough when I do all I can yet the jamaa fixes the election count (kibz)...

Who knows, kibz may ask for a review of the constitution to allow for a 3rd term like museveni?

coldtusker said...

banks: did not understand ur comment except for 20 elections in 2009 in Africa... I hope Ghana provides the example to copy...

Unfortunately, Kenya was the model that Zimbabwe used...

I think Kenya should adopt the same run-off between the 2 top candidates that will nullify spoiler like ka-loser...

Anonymous said...

will all your responses now begin with the word Puhleeze?

Obama has two wars to confront (afghanistan and iraq) and a potential conflict between two nuclear powers (India and Pakistan).

Africa is not, nor has it ever been a top foreign policy priority for America. This fact has become even more exemplified after 9/11. The sooner Africans understand this, the better off they'll be in terms of learning how to craft the own solutions to their own problems.

bankelele said...

i meant AC counted even the countries that wil have elections where there will be one candidate only (incumbent) who got perhaps 99% of the vote in the last election

Anonymous said...

CT; Where may you be reached for some question? Hope you have some anonymous gmail acct.Can't find contact info on your blog.

coldtusker said...

ke: Oh, yes coz puhleeze is my online equivalent of rolling my eyes!

I don't think most Kenyans get the concept that Obama has a lot more to worry about than Africa though I do expect some changes in Africa policy based on his experiences here during the election campaign period...

PKW: will let u know. How do I get in touch?

Anonymous said...

CT; Thanks, looking forward-proudkikuyuwoman@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What changes in African policy? America is broke, Africa needs money and since America doesn't have it, they can't really help much.

Although we may see more admonishments to "encourage democratic space and other politically correct speeches like this issued by mid-level career officers at the state department.

Other than that, don't expect much else. His hands are tied with 2 wars and declining economy

coldtusker said...

USA is a $12,000,000,000,000 economy. Kenya is 0.1% of that... so even a little additional aid (don't count on it) would make a difference...

BUT more important is the attitude Obama has (so far) against kibz, mugabe, etc like despots.

E-Nyce said...

The only meaningful, sustainable aid Obama will be able to offer Africa is leadership-by-example.

Anonymous said...

Anyone dealing with African policy at the state department knows how much money these MP's are paying themselves.

And I'm sure the employee's at the U.S. embassy read the Kenyan papers and know how greedy these politicians have become. So, if they do give aid, they will find a way to make sure that none of it gets into the governments hands.

Kibaki's reputation is ruined after what happened in the election and so is Raila's. I think Kibaki realizes this, but I don't think raila does yet (his name was linked to the violence and his reputation has taken a hit).

coldtusker said...

KE: yet kibz has the temerity to tell the donors (when he was begging for aid BUT went there in his designer suit, Benz S600 & chase cars) that corruption in his gov't should be overlooked!

Anonymous said...

What?

he said corruption should be overlooked?

I think people have now realized that kibaki is a zombie. I saw him at the press conference repeatedly compare a bread basket to a breast basket (or was it casket?)

He kept repeating it like 3 times: breast basket...no...bread....no...breast...no..casket.

brrr...bababa..bububu..