James,
I don't think your article was ever published in any of the papers. I wouldn't really blame them because to the average individual whatever is mentioned therein is greek. I think our interests would best be served by rewriting parts of it or elucidating on the finer points therein.
CN
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: -----To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: Lunghabo James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 02/24/2004 09:52AM
cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: lug_: Clarion Call for African Governments
http://www.fossfa.org/tiki-read_article.php?articleId=150
Fossfa warns Govts against Microsoft
Free Software and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (Fossfa)
co-ordinator Bildad Kagai today issued a stongly-worded warning to African
governments that are - or are planning to - enter into "deals" with the
Microsoft Corporation saying they were jeopordising their local software
industry as well as limiting the potential of ICT development in their
countries.
Kagai, a founder of Fossfa, and an outspoken critic of proprietary
software, said "Fossfa estimates Africa's ICTs industry to be worth more
than $25 billion and growing. It will be unfair to Africa if our leaders
were to give away this industry to already rich corporations when local
talent exists to service this industry in this
continent."
In a letter to open source advocates across the continent Kagai wrote:
"The Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA) is
concerned with the recent agreements and partnerships African Governments
and their organs have been signing with the Microsoft Corporation which in
essence are killing local software industry and inhibiting the potential
of developing local human capacity in the field of Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs). FOSSFA compares the scenario being
created similar to the tea and coffee crisis where the producers in the
developing world do not get a decent return from the crops whilst the
processors in the developed world reap all the profits.
Most recently, Microsoft has signed agreements with the New Partnership
for African Development (NEPAD), United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to
the tune of thousands of millions of dollars which effectively confines
these agencies and the governments they represent from pursuing and
practicing the freedom of CHOICE especially from the local software
producers who are currently coming up in all pockets of Africa. See
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/Jan04/01-23WorldEconomicForumPR.asp
FOSSFA wishes to air this clarion call to African governments to be wary
of these unfair trade practices from big multinational corporations such
as Microsoft and emulate the Asian Tigers who realised the benefits of
promoting local products and local talent. FOSSFA estimates Africa's ICTs
industry to be worth more than 25 Billion Dollars and growing. It will be
unfair to Africa if our leaders were to give away this industry to already
rich corporations when local talent exists to service this industry in
this continent. That is the only way we can achieve economic empowerment
and sustainable development. Buy African. Build Africa. Visit our portal
to see software products produced in Africa.www.fossfa.org
?
With Kind Regards,
Bildad Kagai
CEO - Circuits & Packets Communications Ltd.
Coordinator - Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA)
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