Sir Geldof appeals to many
Sir Bob Geldof is not exactly known for use of diplomatic or smooth language. He has also been criticised for improper analysis of the African situation and of proposing the wrong solutions. His fame on the global scene at any rate came after he launched his �Live Aid� campaign for the victims the Ethiopian famine. Consequently, some people advise him to learn his limitations and confine himself to relief.
Bearing all this, it is no surprise that he said what he said in a recent Straight Talk Africa telecast on Voice of America calling upon Museveni to �get a grip off�Your time is up, go away�. Some prominent voices from Uganda have attacked him.
But in my opinion, all the arguments used to rebuff - even denigrate him - lack moral force. Take, for instance, the argument that Bob Geldof is only a pop star and should not presume to know what is right for Uganda. I believe that he has a better grasp of the African situation than he is being rated to have. He did not say anything that other critical voices in and outside Africa have not said. He should, therefore, be given the benefit of the doubt on that score.
Furthermore, one should not make light of his being �only a pop star�. He has moral appeal and his analytical skills may be called into question he has credibility.
People believe that his heart is in the right place. Many young people are more eager to listen to the likes of Bob Geldof than they are willing to listen to many articulate politicians whose words or goodwill they do not trust anymore. He appeals to the masses and they in turn can bring pressure to bear on the politicians and the financial houses and bring about change.
Some have argued that only the people of Uganda, not foreigners, have the right to determine Uganda�s destiny and decide the form of government they want. However, that truth is relative, not absolute. The argument can be, and has been, used by many conservative and dictatorial regimes. The Sudanese government could use a similar argument to ward off criticism from the international community about the situation in Darfur!
Equally weak is the argument the Britain has no moral authority to advise Uganda about democracy since British colonial rule was not democratic.
The British are not a homogenous mass. We may even concede to a degree of hypocrisy and double standards in the British government. But so what? Few, if any, countries or governments are entirely or consistently free from hypocrisy and double standards. No institution on earth is free of hypocrisy. Not the state, not the church, not any political party. We judge systems not only by their practice, which may be hypocritical, but also by the ideals that they set for themselves. After all, we must not forget that Britain supported Museveni and the �monolithic� Movement system at the time that they were putting pressure on Moi�s government to democratise. If they have now turned the heat on to Uganda � we must ask why.
Another accusation levelled against the West is that their economic policies stifle fair trade between rich and poor nations.
Admittedly, that is a very valid criticism. But voices from the West � including that of Sir Bob Geldof � have raised this criticism. Bob Geldof also pokes his finger in the eye of Western governments and Western-based financial institutions.
But the criticism apart, we should not make the mistake of confusing the economy with political and legal institutions. There was a time when African government � like that of Moi in Kenya � argued that people should stop political debates, which were rendered divisive, and concentrate their energies on �development�.
We now know that this argument was a ruse. It ignored the fact that much political instability in Africa has been caused by the party or Head of State or regime that wanted to hang on to power indefinitely.
Rev Amos Kasibante
Chaplain, University of Leicester
Research student, University of Birmingham, UK
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