African Union Summit – update
continues in Kampala Uganda whilst several meetings have gone on since 19th July 2010 the Heads of State part of the summit got under way today 25th July 2010.
On scanning the news the summit has thrown up two surprises so far
- the resurfacing of Gordon Brown (GB) who had not been seen in public since the general election. Is he job hunting in Africa?
- the African Union Chief and President of Malawi denouncing the International Criminal court for apparently undermining African Unity
GB turning up in Africa can be viewed with mild amusement but Mutharika’s comments have worried me a great deal. Omar Bashir President of Sudan is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity as they relate to the conflict in Darfur that has left many dead, or dying of hunger, homeless and seeking refuge in nearby countries such as Chad.
I have previously wondered if a United Africa would sign up to the ICC and be willing to handover leaders that do not comply , evidently not, whilst Sudan’s President is absent from the African Union Summit ( I heard a while ago that Uganda would not hesitate in arresting him should he turn up there) he has recently been to Chad but was not arrested there. Chad is a signatory to the ICC and has been at the receiving end of the conflict in Darfur. It has taken in most of the refugees. I can’t imagine the resource implications of this and please therefore forgive me for thinking that it would in in their interest to see justice for all those people in Darfur as well as ending the conflict there!
- So if African leaders believe that a sovereign leader of an African nation should not be brought to the ICC to account for their actions what chances does the man on the street stand in gaining justice for himself or his family?
I don’t know about you folk but this sends out a chilling message as far as human rights are concerned.
- How can these leaders hope to have growth for Africa if human rights of their citizens are treated with such flippancy?
- What hope is there for ensuring that mothers do not die during child birth nor children of treatable diseases?
Scanning the photo-call of the African leaders I noticed that Mugabe is in attendance as well! Look at what he has done to Zimbabwe a country that used to export fruit and veg all over the world but can’t afford to feed its people because of one man’s desire to hang onto power!
Oh I despair sometimes!
Have you got a view? Please share it here?
Related articles
- Bashir to miss AU summit as Sudan snubs Uganda – sources (reuters.com)
- Attorneys: Arrest warrants against Sudan president are illegal (cnn.com)
- ICC accused of anti-African bias (bbc.co.uk)
About IdaHornerFounder of Ethnic Supplies a social enterprise working to alleviate poverty amongst East African women involved in textile and handicraft production. Managing Editor of Africa on the blog
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Just what is it about Africa that generates such wild corruption and the ridiculous resurgence of Gordon Brown, of all people?
It's well known that corruption does prosper in what the west calls “developing nations,” just as it does in “the west” (only in less obvious circumstances.)
But sooner or later there is going to come a time when these selfish African leaders are called upon to account for their transgressions. It may be the “nasty” western media that eventually exposes these despots and show them up for what they really are, but one day even Mugabe no longer will be able to bullshit the world and the stark realities of his and others' atrocities no longer will be able to be brushed under a carpet.
Personally I don't care if whoever shows up and proves the awful issues in Africa currently turns out even to be the UK's hyperactive “Daily Mail” … as long as the messages get through and the harm that's being done, begins at least to recede.
I'm looking forward to that day, and to days beyond.
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
It is a real puzzle Suze. I was speaking to a friend of mine last Saturday and he had an interesting take on corruption, whilst leaders in the might be corrupt, it is more sophisticated form of corruption. The leaders in Africa on the other hand are just common thieves, he said!
Well Mugabe is on his last legs so to say, what remains to be seen is whether he would have had such a mark on his people so much so that they would not be up to changing their systems for the best once he is gone.
Highlighting what is going wrong in Africa does a great deal to concentrate people's mind, although everyone and again the good news should be reported too. My worry is that the likes of Mugabe and Bashir don't give two hoots about is written about them. Whilst Not reporting the bads goods news embeds the problems and is equally bad PR for those elsewhere in world without first hand experience of Africa.
This seems eerily like the truly evil other side of the coin to when we were talking, Ida.
When I asked you why you got involved in helping the women of east African countries to help themselves you said “Because I can – I could so easily have been one of them.”
Why do leaders like Mugabe and Bashir treat their people with such contempt? Is it just because they think they can —- and get away with it?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
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Sadly Linda, the answer is Yes! it is because they can get away with it that they do it. BAck here no leader would dream of behaving that way and hope to get away with it, he or she would be voted out. But the likes of Mugabe and Bashir would not be bothered by that as they have worked out away of stealing the votes too using the army!