Who Betrayed Africa?


Who Betrayed Africa?
This is the debut topic of the Chat-AfriK forum.

It is a fact that Africa the continent located at the center of the world
has been betrayed over and over again by its citizens and others for
centuries. What can be done to prevent future betrayal?

The debut topic of this new, all-encompassing, all-African group is to
identify who directly or indirectly betrayed Africa and to offer
recommendations and solutions to prevent future occurrence for future
generations.

The betrayal of Africa whether by acts of omission or commission,
intentional or unintentional, directly or indirectly has been encouraged and
perpetrated by African citizens and foreigners alike. Some of these are as
follows;

Issue 1

Slavery & Reparation

Slavery was perpetrated by Westerners and encouraged by selfish, ignorant
and greedy African tribal Chiefs. Jomo Kenyatta, the late president of
Kenya, cynically declared: “ When the missionaries arrived, Africans had the
land and the missionaries had the Bible. They taught us to pray with our
eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible”
(cited by Lamb, 1984; p.58)
It is estimated that over 15 million Africans were shipped across the
Atlantic to the Americas in unmitigated misery and appalling conditions. As
a result the vitality of Africa’s labor force was effectively sapped away.
How did this happen?
Since it would be impossible to calculate the economic damage of slave trade
to the indigenous economies, can the talk of Reparation to the descendants
of slaves remedy the largest organized cheap and free labor venture that the
world ever saw? Should we just leave the Reparation initiatives alone and
move on? Who betrayed Africa?

Issue 2

African Dictators and Military Coups

“Then our people lived peacefully, under the democratic rule of their
kings…all the men were free and equal and this was the foundation of
government. The council of elders was so completely democratic that all
members of the tribe could participate in its deliberations.”
-Nelson Mandela, 1984

African leaders ‘dead or alive’ have claimed that they fought the ‘invaders’
to gain independence from the colonial masters. Underdevelopment of many
African nations can be directly or indirectly traced to bad governing, poor
management, ‘sit tight’ dictators, and one successive military coup after
another. According to George Ayittey in his book ‘Africa Betrayed’ p. 38- 42
“African tribes already had government institutions in place and enjoyed a
tradition of participatory democracy before the foreigners came” He stated
that “the key feature of indigenous African political system was unanimity.”
Dr. Ayittey’s book (I recommend as a must read) highlighted many of these
issues and institutions in-depth.

Before the invasion, African political systems have checks against Royal
despotism and many developed systems of checks and balances as evident in
the elaborate systems of the Oyo Empire vis-à-vis the Alafin, the Oyo Mesi,
the Ogboni, and the Kankafo  (‘Africa Betrayed’ p. 59)
In April 1948 at a convention of NCNC in Kaduna, Nnamdi Azikwe first
president of Nigeria said, “ We must not betray the masses.” So, why did
many African leaders who won their country’s first election subsequently
transform themselves into ‘life presidents’ and refuse to share or give
their people ‘real’ power to remove them from office until some were
brutally kicked out of power by the military who quickly followed in the
footsteps of their predecessors.
So, if many leaders and African citizens actually fought to gain
independence, why did our people sit idle for decades for their respective
countries to be so betrayed, and mismanaged by dictators, military coups,
and corrupt politicians? When will these ends? Why do Africans quickly adapt
to hard times?
Who allowed these leaders to betray their motherland?

Issue 3

Religious Intolerance

For centuries African tribes, many of whom have different dialects have
lived peacefully side-by-side. So today, why do we have so much religious
intolerance i.e. Sudan, Nigeria, Liberia to name a few? How can we
effectively separate State from Religion? In a song lyric by late Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti he said “White man don’t teach me nonsense.” Did some of our
people learn nonsense religious teaching? Who sowed the seed of discord? Who
betrayed Africa?

Issue 4

Ethnic Intolerance

It can be argued that the partitioning of Africa by the colonial masters and
the subsequent creation of incompatible tribes to form nation states has
contributed to instability in many African countries. But short of reversing
the present status quo in many countries, what can be done to unify the many
divided tribes across African countries?  Should we not just we just ‘live
with it’? Why can’t we all get along?

According to Mazi Chibuzo Christian Nwachukwu in an article in ‘Unite’- (a
newsletter of African Solidarity Council), he indicated that the ‘courage to
be’ is lacking in our people” and that “ courage is central to
nation-building.” Also, Dr. Nwachukwu stated, “it is courage to resist
tribalism and sectionalism and the division they bring.”
As every generation will be tested for its courage, should we not think that
active commitment to eradicate tribalism and sectionalism and the divisive
sentiments they bring, be our top priority? Should we as Africans from all
corners of the continent not move aggressively to protect ethnic minority
rights to reduce the agitation for separation that continue to rare their
ugly heads around the continents?
Why are we not courageous enough to stamp out ethnic intolerance to reduce
the constant accusation of ethnic marginalization? Why can’t we ‘live and
let live’?

Are Africans not really courageous? That is the million-dollar question. If
we are, why do many Africans sit idle for decades when military junta one
after another take over their countries and trample on their human rights?
In many African countries, the military ruined one African economy after
another with brutal efficiency and looted African treasuries with military
discipline. Why did Africans watch helplessly as they experience this
betrayal from their own people?  General Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian head
of state once said, “ The military should not get itself involved in
politics. The sooner they leave the stage the better, or else the people may
rise up against them”
So why did the military ‘hang’ around for majority of the years since in
dependence in Nigeria and many African countries.  Though we have fragile
democracies in Africa today, how can we effectively make sure that the
daylight ‘hijacking’ of African governments never happens again? Should we
scrap the OAU charter of ‘non interference in internal affairs’ of another
country- the clause Dictators ‘hide’ under to brutally oppress their people?
Should we simply say that an attack on the human rights of an African
citizen in any country is an attack on all Africans? Should the OAU
establish a joint military force to protect countries from itself? Who is
betraying who?

Issue 5

HIV/AIDS

The origin of HIV has been played as a ‘ping pong’ ball across the world. At
the early years of the epidemic, a graph of the occurrence showed the
highest concentration in so call ‘West’ while occurrence was non-to-minimal
in the so called ‘Third world’ countries. Twenty years later, a graph
released by World Health Organization of the HIV occurrence and the full
blown AIDS showed the reverse with the disease now ravaging the Third world
countries and making it the highest killer in some, especially in Africa. At
the same time the HIV/AIDS incidence is no longer the evening headline news
in the Western world. Before South Africa gained independence it was an
aspiring nuclear state, but few years after, AIDS epidemic is the headline
news.
What is happening?  Is this a case of conspiratory theory? Who betrayed
Africa?

Issue 6

Lack of Investment capital

“If you steal, do not steal too much at a time. You may be arrested. Steal
cleverly (‘yiba na mayele’). Little by little”
-         President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire in an address to party
regulars.

It has been alleged that the proceed of mass looting of African treasuries
by corrupt African leaders after another ended up in the ‘safe haven’ of
Western banks. Most of the stolen money which cannot be traced has helped
‘fired up’ the western economies as a form of economic stimulus package. But
the overall result of the looting has left many African countries economy in
ruins. According to Dr. Ayittey in his book ‘Africa Betrayed,’ he stated,
“unethical practices by foreign banks and the defects in the international
economic system and other external factors alone is not responsible for
African economic problems.” “Foreign companies exploitation of African
economies will not be possible without the connivance or active
encouragement of corrupt government officials.” Though, there was colonial
exploitation in the past, but today the real exploiter and oppressor of
African people are the African elites. He also stated, “ that African
leaders and government officials are responsible for the institutionalized
looting and capital flight that have plagued the African economies.”

So what can the new governments do? The only way is to result to ‘begging’,
which termed as borrowing from the World Bank and IMF. But unfortunately,
the prescription ‘Doctor IMF’ ordered most of the time makes matter worse
with severe side effects. So, they beg for more. The crust of the matter is
that if these Third World debts are not ‘forgiven’ as requested by many
African leaders, generations of Africans unborn will continue to pay to
‘service’ the debts. Why did we allow corrupt leaders to mortgage African
future to greedy lenders? How many golden Palaces did Mobuto Sese Seko build
in Paris and his country Zaire? How much Naira did Sani Abacha bury in
suitcases around Nigeria or send abroad before he died?
Who betrayed who? Is it the corrupt leaders or the greedy lenders?

Issue 7

The Blame Game

The blame game can go around and come back to you and me.

Africans will make little progress in solving their problems until there is
a renewal of political leadership to bring new blood and fresh ideas. Once
elected into office, many African leaders monopolize power. An example
recently happened in Nigeria with the passing of the new electoral law by
the National Assembly, which was unfavorable to Nigerians abroad.

Check out this scenario. It may apply you, or it may not.

Many years ago, shortly after independence, African governments invested
heavily through grants, scholarship, and ‘crash programe’ by sending their
citizens abroad to acquire education in the hope that when they return the
knowledge will assist in nation building. What a nice initiative. However,
after acquiring all the degrees and the knowledge the former African
exchange student had other ideas. He decided to ‘stay put’ to enjoy the good
life in the West. He landed a professional career, started a family, bought
a home, acquires foreign citizenship and began watching Cable television
under ‘cool’ Western atmosphere. Meanwhile, his country of origin continues
to struggle with underdevelopment and sometimes has to import the so-called
expatriate to perform technical duties. Our former exchange student already
mastered some of these technical skills but think less of his former country
including his unpaid old student loans (if any).
Then suddenly, long afterwards, democracy took hold in his country. Our
former exchange student now his 40s or 50s or 60s remember the saying “no
place like home” and he decided to partake in the democracy dividend. ‘Not
so fast’ said the ‘home boy’ local politician. The home grown politicians
remembers when the fictitious “Andrew checked out” and now favor laws that
bars proxy voting and dual citizenship thereby effectively shutting our
numerous former exchange students out of the political system.
It is a fact that overseas ballots helped Mr. George Bush maintain his token
lead over Mr. Al Gore in Florida in the closest U.S. presidential race in
history. Who betrayed who? The former exchange student, the country that
enticed him to stay put or the ‘home boy’ politician now in-charge.

Issue 8

Brain Drain from Africa

For decades the cream-a-la-cream, the brightest of the bright from African
countries have been ‘checking’ out to go overseas for many reasons that this
writer will not attempt to list. But whether these reasons to get the ‘good
life’ in a foreign land are justified or not the ultimate price will be paid
by Africa in prolonging development.
Most recently, Western governments have designed a way to replenish their
labor pool by attracting African youths. In the case of the U.S. it is the
Visa lottery that is siphoning able-bodied Africans. Ok, this is not second
wave slavery as it is not by force. When all these young able-bodied,
potential African nation-builders are gone, can the old people left in many
African villages do much? Your guess is as good as mine. Therefore, if the
trend continues, how can we build viable nations? How can African
governments prevent this human labor flight? Who is betraying whom?
Is it the innocent youngster, or the ‘economic exile’ Uncle that filled the
lottery form or the prospective country of residence?

At a recent conference in Abuja, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria
said, “the economic underdevelopment of the continent is at the root of lack
of genuine participation by African "big brains" abroad. He said: “We, as a
nation, note with sadness the large number of our sons and daughters who
have excelled and continue to excel in the field of information technology,
while our society continues to suffer underdevelopment that can be seriously
alleviated.” “Africa has the brainpower, we desperately need the
 brainpower.” However, Africa continues to lose the brain power steadily."
Well said Uncle ‘Sege, but what can African governments do? Should they
recall all African professionals abroad home immediately to participate in
nation building? How do we reconcile this with the recent electoral law that
bars Nigerians abroad? Should Africans countries put a ‘brake’ on
‘exportation’ of able-bodied Africans who are leaving by the thousands
yearly under disguise of the so call ‘Visa lottery’ or some other form of
relax immigration policies that entices African youth to the West.

There are so many other betrayals….
These are some of the numerous issues. Who betrayed Africa?
If some of these issues ‘hit’ you personally, don’t take it too hard.

The ‘new African’

Quotation:
"All of us may not live to see the higher accomplishments of an African
empire, so strong and powerful as to compel the respect of mankind, but we
in our lifetime can so work and act as to make the dream a possibility
within another generation"
Marcus Mosiah Garvey

A notable African leader Kwame Nkrumah the first president of Ghana in his
book, ‘Africa Must Unite’; p. 130, stated, “ Africa need a new type of
citizen, a dedicated, honest, informed man [woman]. A man [woman] who
submerges self in service to the nation and mankind. A man [woman] who
abhors greed and detest vanity.” It is now time to search and develop the
‘new Africans’ in our respective African countries. Therefore, the task
before the ‘new Africans’ is not to whine all night long about our problems,
but to come up with ideas and plan of actions.
In an address to a Youth Festival in October 1966 Jomo Kenyatta said, “The
vigor and quality of a nation depend on its capacity to renew itself each
generation.” After over 40 decades, it is time that people with fresh ideas
take full control in all aspects.

Our future generations will appreciate our positive actions of today. Let
history judge us well.

The primary objective of this debut discourse is to identify our problems
and provide answers, solutions and recommendations.
This writer strongly agrees that, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
African governments alone cannot solve all these numerous problems.
Therefore, this is not an episode of government ‘bashing’, but a quest to
put all our hands on deck to offer ways and means to change Africa for the
better.
Our previous generation did the best they could; Let’s do our part for our
generation and future generations. It starts with you and me.

So, Go ahead, pick any issue or issues as you please and let’s discuss.
Please reference your postings like this i.e.: Who Betrayed Africa? Issues 4
& 5, so that others can respond or comment as appropriate. Please always
conclude your posting with proposed solutions.
The aim of this forum is encouragement of discussion through debate and
dialogue with the understanding that we may be passionate in the defense of
our position while being respectful of one another.

The floor is yours ladies and gentlemen.

Let the chat and discussion begin.

Welcome again to Chat-AfriK

Martin ‘matto’ Akindana
Moderator
Chat-AfriK
_________________________________________

Bibliography.
Ayittey, George B.N (1992) Africa Betrayed. St Martin’s Press
Unite – Newsletter of African Solidarity Council Inc. Vol. 1 Issue 2

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