open Democracy News Analysis - africa & democracy - Comments

Nicholas Githuku on "Kenya: it’s our turn to read"

Nicholas Githuku — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:26 +0100

I haven't read the book yet being one of the people beijng victimized by the ban or whatever it is...I popped in at a bookshop on Nairobi's Kenyatta Avenue the day the book was launched and sensed what we know now...That it wasn't going to be stocked afterall in leading bookshops. So far, what I have been able to read are the book's excerpts published in the Daily Nation just before the book was launched.

I have keenly read "It's our time to read" and feel these exact sentiments. However, especially seeing that I wrote my M.A thesis on Ethnicity and its corruption nexus back in 2004, I think it is rather wrong, no pun intended, for Ms. Wrong to make a blanket statement in this article thus: >>>>.....Kenyan newspaper reviewers greeted it more warmly than I had ever dared hope, but the discussions on Kenyan websites leave me in no doubt that many - particularly members of the president's Kikuyu ethnic group - fiercely reject its findings<<<<< While this might be the case, Kenya's coming from a very difficult time in its short history and such sensitive remarks can only heighten tensions and increase suspicions. While the truth must be written, spoken and debated, let's do acknowledge the delicacy of the subject and avoid polarizing people along ethnic lines. I happen to be Kikuyu but, I must say, am not defending anybody here...just throwing in a word of caution....Otherwise, when all said and done, Ms. Wrong has done such a great job...I can't wait to lay my hands on this book.

Nicholas K. Githuku

Graduate Student

WVU, African Studies.

Biniam on "Isaias Afewerki and Eritrea: a nation’s tragedy "

Biniam — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:32:53 +0100

Selam, your article is exceptionally impressive. There is no need for anyone to doubt the accuracy of your article. Esyas has introduced a brand new form of dictatorship to this world. What is surprising, however, is our failure to say ‘enough is enough’. It is a mystery to me that there are many Eritreans who see Eseyas as an angel despite his flagrant disregard of the country’s interest. We may not need to go into details to know who Eseyas is. He is the one who is ready to see his people dying rather than accepting assistance from the international community. Anyone who still cannot see Eseyas’ cruelty today is either someone who is taking advantage of the situation or someone who still living far from the country or someone who is insane. I left the country at the end of 2007 after suffering from hunger not to mention violations of dozens of my basic rights and if there is anyone who would tell me Eritrea is fine, he/she must be insane.

Marta Gual Zereba on "Isaias Afewerki and Eritrea: a nation’s tragedy "

Marta Gual Zereba — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:32:56 +0100

"Only by starting from common principles agreed upon by all, rather than limiting ourselves to the principles which only we believe in, will we make progress with human rights." Shirin Ebadi

Do Eritreans agree upon what to make of the assault against the sovereign nation in 1998-2000? Writing off the offensive-turned-defensive posture between 1991 to 1998 of the leader as some "ideological rationalisation rather than a genuine response to new circumstances" is flat unreal; Eritrea enjoys no luxury to put aside rationalization because of new circumstances! The regime is driving the wedge of political and religious oppression in the name of national security while the Eritrean opposition movement fuels that wedge in the name of promoting democracy and human rights! If Eritrean history sheds little insight into this matter, the on-going history of English & US involvement in Iraq and Iran in the past 50-60 years should give thinking Eritreans reason to pause, re-evaluate what "western support" means before diving in head-first! A nation which has no credibility to point a finger at Eritrea may militarily and economically over-power Eritrea covertly and overtly but please don't call it democracy - that's survival of the "fittest!" Any reporting about Eritrea that disregards this cruel reality commits the lie of ommission. For that, I say "may they who bury the truth be buried alive." (Haki di kebur, mis tinfasu yikeber)

simon12 on "Isaias Afewerki and Eritrea: a nation’s tragedy "

simon12 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:52:57 +0100

Oh Selam, I think your hate for the government is clouding your mind.

I can list so many impressive achievements, but I will leave you with reports from WHO and Unicef that you can verify.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30864223/wid/11915773/
Eritrea increased its average life expectancy by 33 years to 61 for men, and by 12 years to 65 for women overtaking Russia.
"WHO’s annual World Health Statistics"

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/eritrea_46858.html

She noted that Eritrea’s under-five mortality declined by roughly 50 per cent.

“Eritrea has provided an example that if concerted efforts are made, a lot can be achieved for children,” she said.
"unicef"

And here are the results of the most aid recipient countries in the Horn of Africa that are NGOs' playgrounds.
http://www.wfp.org/crisis-horn-africa
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8103355.stm

I will leave the readers to judge who is making progress and who is better off.

Finally, stop spreading false rumours, you very well know the Asena story you quoted is a lie, similar to the false story they spread about Iran having a submarine base in Eritrea. What next, a sighting of Bigfoot in Eritrea ?

Sarah11 on "Isaias Afewerki and Eritrea: a nation’s tragedy "

Sarah11 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:47:33 +0100

Selam,

Please don't call your self human-rights activist, because that will be denigrating and de-service to the real human-rights activists.

If you love to spread unsabstaciated rumors and lies, why don't you tell the open democracy readers that you are from the opposition camp and you are the daughter of one of Mengistu (Butcher of Ethiopia's) hench man.

Haseeb on "Islam(s) and politics: post-traumatic states in Algeria"

Haseeb — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:15:11 +0100

An excellent detail about islam and politics.

We cannot continue are politics until and unless we adopt the method of islam.

And as we adopt it there will me peace in the country.

Samuel Marete on "Kenya: histories of hidden war "

Samuel Marete — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:52:16 +0100

Gerard,

It is a long time since the nail was hit so precisely and so powerfully on the head. I'd like to know - have you ever or do you still currently live in Kenya? The accuracy of your article begs the question...

F Dar on "Kenya: it’s our turn to read"

F Dar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:33:05 +0100

Having read Michela's book,I look forward to her next effort,perhaps about those in EU & USA who initiate,consistently encourage & gain from corrupting Kenya's political 'Warlords', to maintain their Neo-Colonial control of Kenya??Now that would be a challenge,Michela.Have a go pls.

Russom on "Somalia: beyond the quagmire"

Russom — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:10:07 +0100

Many of the so called experts on the Horn of Africa seem to be people of either with simplistic mind or people whoa simple are disingenuous. In either case both are incapable of providing any concrete suggestion for the way forward and durable solution to the debacle of Somalia. Recognizing one group to the exclusion of of others is neither legal nor moral. Such futile and discredited policy will only prolong the suffering of the Somali people. The most optimal policy should be to get down to the nitty-gritty and work help promote an absolutely inclusive framework whereby the people of Somalia can without any external interference determine their own destiny. We have seen the result of the contemptuous Ethiopian invasion and the western media's falling overboard in their frenzy to lable the country as haven for terroristes. Listen to what Eritrea is proposing. If you have ears that is!!

timbryar on "Africa: constitution-building vs coup-making "

timbryar — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:09:21 +0100

A very good article. It is encouraging to see the AU speaking out in unity against coups in Africa, and calling for immediate restoration of democracy. However I want to relate this same concept to what is now happening in Fiji. The Pacific Island Forum (the Pacific's equivalent to the AU) has also done the same thing as the AU and just last week suspended Fiji from the Forum for not meeting the elections deadline it set for the country. Fiji's closest big players, Australia and New Zealand were also been quick to condemn the 2006 coup as well as the recent "coup" in March 2009 which included the abbrogation of the 1997 constitution. I am no way condoning the actions of 2006 and 2009 however I believe that in the case of Fiji such calls for immediate elections shows no concern or consideration to what is needed to build a sustainable and peaceful democracy in Fiji that will prevent future coups.

Lets not forget the 1997 Constitution was developed to achieve these same goals, and since then there have been 3 coups. This constitution was, albeit less overt than the previous one, racially biased in relation to elections and power, and proved ineffective in sharing power between parties with significant amounts of the vote. Ok, so any changes should be made through legal means afforded by the said Constitution. True, but the Fijian elite are unlikely to support such changes, and they hold the power to decide on such matters. As such a return to the democractically elected government of 2006, led by the Fijian dominated SDL party, or holding immediate elections under the old ineffective and race based system, would certainly please the Pacific's protectors of minimilist democracy, Australia and New Zealand, but would do little to establish a sustainable and peaceful democracy in Fiji and prevent future coups.

Again, this is not to condone the coups in Fiji or to say that effective constitution building and democracy are not important. Rather, it is to say that it is worthless to pursue and advocate for such things simply based on ideology. Constitution and democracy building, particularly following coups, must consider the local circumstances and the root causes of instability and coups to be meaningful and effective. The current actions of the Pacific Island Forum and Australia and New Zealand to not do this.

Coup leader and interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama has stated that he wants to make the electoral system less race based and to implement a raft of other reforms contained in the "People's Charter". Regardless of the legality of his actions since 2006, or the motivations behind his proposed electoral reforms, he has presented Fiji with an opportunity for building a system that can achieve sustainable and peaceful democracy. So rather than condemn and suspend as the Forum has done, why not condemn and work with the current opportunities for taking the country forward? For that is indeed the principle of the Biketawa Declaration is it not, for Pacific Island Countries to work together and help those in need?

Thank you again for the very interesting article.

Tim Bryar

Jennie Flynn on "Kenya: histories of hidden war "

Jennie Flynn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:42:44 +0100

It is such a refreshning piece of exposition by Prof Gerard Prunier. I have wished the ever desperate Kenyan elite class will learn from the bigger picture of African conflicts playing out every where on the continent. The subterranean factors are basically the same from Rwanda to Liberia; Sudan to Congo - the more vicious balkanisation of Africa is an orchestra championed by the so called African elites on the platform of greed. A philosphy of ´lets destroy all´´ if I cannot get power.

What is more disturbing is not the crises but the inability to learn from history. The kenya experience is symetrical to the developments that lead to Biafra.
Prof Prunier opined it may take a long time to heal the wounds[?] Am afraid there will NEVER be a healing. There will at best be damage-control-management and an uneasy care to avoid another round of major escalations but do not forget that much INNOCENT BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILT.
Prio to Biafra there was a mass killing of innocent Igbos in all major cities of the north and west of Nigeria. These innocent souls like the rift valley and elswhere migrant Kikuyu knew nothing about the political developments of those days but were simply wasted because they happen to be Igbos.´´ The amazing´´ thing was that both government and the west looked away! And treated the matter with kid gloves. The experience of periodical senceless killings keeps recurring in Nigeria till today.

Kenya must not allow itself to become another Nigeria, now that deep mutual suspicion has crept in within the tribes. Things have fallen apart in the words of W B Yeats,,´´ the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world´´

Non on "Ethiopia's famine: deny and delay"

Non — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 05:24:53 +0100

This is exactly why Ethiopians are suffering! The truth is that the Ethiopian leaders are not for their people. They are for their own benefint! How can you deny the suffering of your people if you are really there to improve the lives of Ethiopians? Bereket and Melese will pay back for all the life lost. when? By the time God says Rabbish minded leaders !

menexis on "South Africa’s election: a tainted victory"

menexis — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:10:10 +0100

It's not so much that the elections is tainted. The demographic of South African voters is changing dramatically as they are getting younger, they are not so much about the old ways of doing things and their loyalties lie with their personal convictions instead of tradition.

Warfaa on "Ethiopia's famine: deny and delay"

Warfaa — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:29:59 +0100

This is a true picture of the suffering and agony of many Ethiopian citizens under the current regime. The history about Ethiopia teaches us such extreme manifestation, suppression and marginalization towards the law abiding Ethiopian innocent peasants and pastoralists will not last longer and will only be counterproductive.

However, what is worse than this is that the international community has been looking at this regime through blind eyes – ignoring that the fact that the humanitarian crisis in the Ethiopia is much worse than Dafur. What the international community, particularly the west needs to understand supporting authoritarian and dictators, who rule their people with Iron Fist, will only exacerbate the situation and thereby aggravate the blight of the innocent people.

I'm sure this article will enlighten many people, who have wrongly believed that the current regime is one of the most democratic and responsible state in the Sub Saharan Africa.

René Lefort on "Ethiopia's famine: deny and delay"

René Lefort — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:06:00 +0100

Dear Tesemma,

Your position is exactly the same as the position which has been later taken with the same comment, word by word, by two websites very close to the Ethiopian Government, Aiga Forum and Walta. This comment can be found at the following addresses :

http://www.mfa.gov.et/Press_Section/Week_Horn_Africa_April_03_2009.htm

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8888&Itemid=90

I have decided to reply to this comment. It’s available at least on Aiga Forum (http://aigaforum.com/articles/Dear_Editor_from_Rene)and Ethiomedia (http://www.ethiomedia.com/adroit/2129.html).

[This reply is produced below in thsi comment, editor]

Dear Editor,

Re “Rene’ Lefort and the Art of Misunderstanding , A
week in the Horn

(René Lefort 04/05/09):-As a
rule, professional medias publish first an article before analyzing or
commenting it, or at least quote the excerpts of the article that they discuss
so that their readers could make their own judgement.

From what I know, Aigaforum didn’t publish my article “Ethiopia’s Famine : Deny and Delay” and even didn’t
quote some key excerpts in its strong critic (“René Lefort and the Art of
Misunderstanding”). So let me at least reply shortly.

First, a detail. You wrote that I am back only now after my book
was published at the beginning of the 80’s (“Ethiopia. An Heretical Revolution?”). In fact, I have published a lot of
stories about the situation in Ethiopia during the last years, mainly in Le
Nouvel Obsverateur (the widest distribution in France among the weekly
newsmagazines), the well-known Le Monde Diplomatique, and academic reviews like
Nord Sud Aktuell (“A short survey of the relationship between powers – mengist
– and peasants – gebäre – in a peasant community of Northern Shoa”) and
the well-respected Journal of Modern Africa Studies (“Powers – mengist -
and peasants in rural Ethiopia: the May 2005 elections”).

Now the first of the three main points I want to emphasize. You
said that I “accused the Government of Ethiopia, among other charges, of
deliberately hiding the actual figures of people who need humanitarian
aid”. You are wrong. I wrote that the Government initially denied and then
consistently underestimated the food crisis when it began at the beginning
of 2008 (one year ago). That’s the core of my article. I think it proves
it. I note that your critic doesn’t content any fact that would dismiss this
assertion.

You also said that I wrote that “the Ethiopian government admitted that
13 Million people were in need of emergency humanitarian food aid” while, you
wrote, it ‘clearly puts the number at 4.8 million, not thirteen” (accusing me
of “a three hundred per cent discrepancy”). You are wrong. What I wrote is
exactly the following: “the “Humanitarian Requirements” released on 30 January
2009 by the government in Addis Ababa and their
“Humanitarian Partners” stated that “13 million Ethiopians
- one-sixth of the population - are in neeed of aid” (and not in need of “emergency
humanitarian food aid” as you said. From where these figures come from? From
official documents of the Ethiopian authorities and of the main donors,
including the Humanitarian Requirements. They state that:

- 4.9 million people (and not 4,8, as you wrote) will
require emergency assistance in 2009, beyond those covered by
the PSNP.

- The beneficiaries of the PSNP number to 7,5 million (or 7,2 million,
depending on the sources).

- In addition, an estimated 1.2 million acutely malnourished
children under five and pregnant/ lactating women require a food aid.

4,9 million + 7,2 million + 1,2 million = 13,3 million.

I wrote : « For over 10 million of these 13 million, the need
is urgent”. This figure comes from “Ethiopia – Complex Emergency – February 6,
2009” released by USAID, one of the main donors and signer of the “Humanitarian
Requirements”. It states that among the beneficiaries of the PSNP, 5,6 million
require an “emergency food assistance”. 4,9 million + 5,6 million = 10,5
million.

Second main point: the Productive Safety Net Programme. You wrote
that I didn’t “offer evidence that the programme has failed”. You are wrong.
When the Programme was launched in 2005, its official aim was to provide
transfers to millions of the most chronically food insecure Ethiopians so that
they would be able in a five years period to overcome by themselves a possible
shock – like the present drought – by having accumulate enough assets. I wrote
that in its fourth year of operation, “three quarters of the beneficiaries of
the Safety Net required emergency relief because they could not survive with
their regular welfare assistance” given by the Programme. The exact figure was
5,7 million, or 79% of the beneficiaries of the Programme (see for example “Horn of Africa: Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #9 (FY)
2008”, September 26, 2008, USAID, or “Humanitarian Bulletin”, September 29,
2008, OCHA). Taking this essential fact into account, it is evident that I can
not share your opinion that “Ethiopia’s safety net programme is largely a
success story”, as you stated in your critic.

Third main point: yes, I doubt that Ethiopia is experiencing
during the last years the famous “double digit growth’. I never contested, in
this article or in former articles I wrote, that Ethiopia’s economy is growing
very fast, that the Government has its fair share of this growth, as I never
contested the principle of “the agricultural development led policy of the
government”. But for years, and only off the record, foreign experts in
Ethiopia admitted that this double digit figure was grossly exaggerated.
Finally, Ken Ohashi, World Bank Country Director
for Ethiopia and Sudan, stated publicly on August
29, 2008 that “the average growth rate from 2000/01 to 2006/07 turns out to be
about 7.7% ». It has since decline, if only as a consequence of the
drought and of the world economic crisis.

Finally, I would like to underline that by writing this article my aim
was never, as you wrote, to express “a deeper resentment with the government”
and “to blow every negative story way out of proportion”. It was simply to try
to explain why and how localized food shortages,
due to erratic rains, have plunge Ethiopia in its deeper humanitarian crisis
since 1984/85, despite the early warning systems,
despite the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency, despite the very large
number of international humanitarian organization
in Ethiopia.

I hope that Aigaforum will be fair enough to make these comments
known to its readers. I am also willing to debate calmly and objectively any
other topics of my article, based on facts and facts only, if you so wish.

Best regards,

René Lefort

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