open Democracy News Analysis - African legacies: colonialism, land, politics, Michael Holman - Comments

jpcruz on "African legacies: settler-colonialism, land-politics"

jpcruz — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:16:15 +0000

Ok, facts are facts and history cannot be rewritten. In that sense this article is overall factual. But the other fact is that nobody ignores the colonial past of some european countries and (almost...) everybody today regards that past as a mistake. Colonialism ended more than 40 years ago and we still go about the “white men burden”. And by the looks of articles like this, we will be talking about that in the next hundred years... The author, like other similar authors, forgets one simple fact: Things change. In the case of Portugal, for instance, we’ve been for centuries a colonial power. Back then we, in Portugal, were rulled for centuries by a totalitarian monarchy and, in the XX century, by a dictatorship. In 1974 we had a democratic revolution and we’ve been a democracy since then. In Portugal, things therefore changed. And during the sixties and seventies Portugal “gave” it’s african colonies independence. In those african countries, things also changed, 40 years ago. We now have a liberal democratic political system and they now have their own political choices. The same, more or less, with other african nations, ex-colonies, who rule themselves for decades. And, still, we in Europe insist, even today, in this kind of argument (western “hipocrisy” or “arrogance”), giving excuse to every african dictator who flags the colonialist “legagy” to justify theyr bad and corrupt governance, legitimizing the power of all the sinister mugabes of the world. History must not be forgotten, of course, but as we europeans learned with our mistakes of the past, and engaged in a more humanistic and democratic process, so must the african people learn with their own errors. And, as I see it, most of african misery and violence today is due mostly not to any colonial past, but to their own (independent) present leaderships. Mugabe, definitely, is not on the right track and he is the main responsible for the tragic situation of the people of Zimbabwe. And no “western legagy” alibi will change that reality. Hipocrisy or ignorance is, in my view, still blaming others or the past for their own mistakes. I’m sure Mugabe and other african cruel rulers will welcome and apreciate all simpathetic articles like this, as it cautions theyr wrongdoings passing the blame to others.

Julius Ojolola on "African legacies: settler-colonialism, land-politics"

Julius Ojolola — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:37:48 +0000

I do feel that Mugabe' tenure really ought to come to an end. I am slightly uncomfortable with the idea of some African leaders hiding behind the shield of colonialism every time their policies are questioned by the West. He has been in power for far too long. I suspect he is running out of ideas. There has got to be an injection of new politics, fresh ideas and innovative thinking in resolving the economic situation in Zimbabwe Suffice to say that Colonialism by its very nature is very problematic for Africa. I am for constructive diplomacy in engaging Zimbabwe as it is currently being pursued by the Southern African countries. I also do recognise the importance of political pragmatism in tackling an otherwise controversial issues of land reform in Zimbabwe. I believe we can and should do more to help Zimbabweans who are the unfortunate victims of the political interplay in Zimbabwe.

Festus Samson on "African legacies: settler-colonialism, land-politics"

Festus Samson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:44:32 +0000

Micheal Hollman,s piece on African Legacies is well written. Nevertheless, we must not by any means be apologetic for the demon, called Mugabe who has destroyed his own people and sent unborn children into exile. He has failed to turn his disadvantage to an advantage; which is the anxiom of every productive and worthwhile politician. Contrariwise, he has complicated the political and economic terrain of his country by his demented postures and financial misappropriation characteristic of every african politician - apologies to the rare species of honest african politicians.

African legacies: colonialism, land, politics, Michael Holman

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:58:49 +0000

When Robert Mugabe complained at the European Union-Africa summit in Lisbon on 8-9 December 2007 about the "arrogance" of Europe's leaders he was on the right track. Add "hypocrisy" and "ignorance" to arrogance, and he hits the target.

Because when one looks at Europe's record in Africa, the idea that its prime ministers and presidents can claim the moral authority to lecture the continent on how to behave sticks in the throat.

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