Riots in North Africa, a call for African Head of States to reform or face mutiny. Writes Mduduzi Sibeko 02-February-2011 08:33 PM
Dear Comrades :Seroke, Sebenzile and others Current political unrests in Egypt and Tunisia present a watershed of the forceful unsetting of despotic rulers in Africa, Middle East and elsewhere in the Globe. It is not surprising, as it was earlier believed that globalization had the pros and cons in as far as governance is concerned. In the twenty first century, Nation States have completely lost their sovereignties. If the proliferation of international organizations in the preceding century challenged a Nation-State's sovereignty then Globalization has completely eroded it. How do then Nation States inhibit Globalization ? is the shutting down of cell phones connections, telephone lines and internet including its attendants now known as social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter and so on, as we have seen in Egypt, going to countervail Globalization. My conviction to the foregoing question is no. for starters, let us unpack what is going on in North Africa and the Middle east. The United States foreign policy is inimical for the world stability. 1. Firstly, foreign policy is" the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states " this is how merriam-webster dictionary defines it. As this policy aims for the interaction of one Nation-States with other states, what is critical in this interaction is the protection of its national interests, such as national security and economic protection. There is therefore a symbiosis between national security and economic security. What do I mean by this. If the National Security of one nation is compromised, then its economic security is at stake. Consider for example the events of September 11, that is, the bombing of twin towers at World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. How did this affect the aviation industry of the USA and the investors' confidence ?If this is understood, it will explain why the USA embroiled itself in the cold war with the Soviet-Union for more than fifty years in arms race with a total expenditure of 6 trillion US dollars from 1953 to 1990.In an effort to indoctrinate capitalism in the world which would latter benefits in own interests. The USA supported proxy wars in countries such as Afghanistan to withstand the Soviet influence in the early 1980's.Osama Bin-Laden was their main man in the standoff between the US and The Soviet Union. it also supported Saddam Hussein aggression towards Iran. With a fear of radical Islamist fundamentalists which would take over State's resources to fight the West, the US has been sponsoring the host of groupings against its perceived enemies. With approximately more than 1 billion $, the US has been sponsoring the Egyptian military. This is not a free ride for Hosni Mubarak who has ravaged his country for more than thirty years. His assumption of Arab leadership and a protection of Israel, which continues to this day to kill the defenseless people of Palestine and Syria, has earned him this financial support. The USA has hitherto supported Israel militarily. Today Israel is a Nuclear -power of the Middle East. Just consider Israel location, surrounded by Arabs left and Right, but no Nation States can eliminate Israel with its Military arsenal. The other threat of the US is the ascending of China, which has just outstripped Japan's second rating as an economic power. That is why the Obama administration was at pains to put pressure to Hu Jintao<http://www.google.co.za/url?q=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/data/people/hujintao.shtml&sa=U&ei=jJZJTf7lMMWk8QP_-OyRDw&ved=0CDIQFjAI&usg=AFQjCNFx4d9sCrUJZTNxH-D2tyTFiEAMeQ> of China for human rights records and a Currency manipulation. The Yen is undervalued, goes the US argument. What about the Bailout plans of its Banking system. Why have they flooded more than 200 billion Dollars in their economy against the economics 101 teaching of demand and supply of money. If Human rights records mean anything to the US, the Obama administration would have long closed guantanamo bay which does not respect the Geneva Convention, the Taliban and Al qaeda fighters are never accorded the prisoner of war status. The US, even under Obama, has not up to this day ratified the Rome treaty establishing the international Criminal Court at the Hague. The fear is that the Court with International Jurisdiction would indict the US belligerents who are known for the violations of International law in as far the Treaty of Geneva and other successive are concerned. To compounding everything the US has shielded Hosni Mubarak, despite, an ensuring putsch by more than a significant proportion of the populace. If we retrospect, the US is guilty for massive lost of lives and underdevelopment of Africa, in its rivalry with the Soviet Union, in order to fight the Angolan government which had the Cuban and Soviet Support, the US sponsored Dr. Jonas Savimbi to wrecked the countryside of Angola with Landmines. Today in Angola we have people without limbs. The history goes on and on endlessly. The gist of this writing is about an awe that I have for African leaders that are treating Africa as their personal properties. Do we really need leaders that rule indefinitely like Gaddafi and Mugabe. I know, the credentials of these leaders in the fight against colonialism is unrivalled. Gaddafi for example, continues to champion the course of the United States of Africa. Mugabe, on the other vein continues to defy western imperialism. Let's be realistic and pragmatic about realities of life. Has God given these leaders a divine rights not to be unseated ? Can we ascribe poverty and underdevelopment in their countries to their clinging to power for a long time. I agree that it is not always democracy that yields economic prosperity, chiefly because in China, we don't have the Western version of Democracy, yet China thrives at an alarming rate. My concern here is that, we are likely, with these development in North Africa, going to see the resurgence of Revolution to leaders of Africa that do not want to relinquish power. Why do young Africans go to prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Princeton and others in the West to acquire the best education and come back to be ruled by the leaders that liberated their forefathers. Are we here in Africa not accepting fresh ideas. I tell you, where I work, I have people that have traditional ways of doing things, as a result their directives are divine, that is, unchallengeable. A change in paradigm in Africa is needed. Lets us change to keep up with the World. I plead that we must not support leaders for life in our Continent which is rich in natural resources. Let us support the development of New Technology in Science, Medicine and other discipline to put Africa abreast with the World. Mduduzi Sibeko Admin/finance [cid:image002.jpg@01CA5626.C30DADC0] T +27-11-724-9281 C +27-71-101-2595 F +27-11-900-1929 F 086-754-2176 E msib...@randwater.co.za<mailto:msib...@randwater.co.za> www.randwater.co.za<http://www.randwater.co.za> The information contained in this message and or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 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