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FRONTPAGE VIEWPOINT MAGAZINE BY SECTION Special Report Business Nigeria COVER POLITICS BUSINESS & ECONOMICS BACK OF THE BOOK REGULARS NEIL FORD LETTERS PUBLISHERS NOTE AROUND AFRICA POLITALK WILMOT ADVERTISING Email us for advertising information COMPANY PROFILE MISSION TEAM EDITORIAL BOARD DIRECTORS |
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Click here for the NewsAfrica Special Focus Article Sir I am delighted by the latest developments in the Niger Delta (‘Promise of a new dawn’, NewsAfrica, October 31 2009). President Yar’Adua has often been accused by indecisiveness but in this instance he has acted with speed and foresight. The unrest in the region has been going for many years, despite the actions of the military and the increased security by the oil companies. It was clear that a more creative way of dealing with the problem needed to be found. The amnesty has already led to a reduction in violence and sabotage of the oil industry and hold much promise for the future. I commend the government for its courage. Badamasi Bola Lagos, Nigeria Sir Only time will tell whether the Nigerian government’s amnesty deal with Niger Delta militants (‘Promise of a new dawn’, NewsAfrica, October 31 2009). Call me a cynic, but is it quite what it seems. Everyone knows that powerful political interests have been funding and protecting the militants. So how have these people been neutralised under the amnesty? They have so much to lose financially in lost bunkering deals and protection money, that they are not going to fall away quietly. Also, many people are saying that the militant bosses were paid to lay down their arms in order to make it look like the amnesty was a success. What has happened to all these weapons? Via email Name and address supplied Sir The headline carrying the story about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Price couldn’t have put it better (‘Nobel Surprize’, NewsAfrica, October 31 2009). Obama is the last person who should receive the honour given that he has done little to bring about peace in the world. Despite his more conciliatory approach, despite his more measured language, at the end of the day, he is as much as a war monger as his predecessor, Bush. Not only has he been unable to stop Israeli aggression, he is stepping up the war in Afghanistan, widened it to Pakistan and made repeated threats to Iran. Just because he talks about peace does not make him a man of peace. Like Bush, his peace can only be achieved through war. Jenny Adamson Cardiff, Wales Sir I couldn’t agree more with your columnist Jon Offei-Ansah (‘Opinion’, NewsAfrica, October 31 2009) the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama is indeed an honour. Despite being embroiled in Afghanistan and Iraq thanks to George W Bush’s aggressive foreign policy, he is attempting to build a foundation for a more peaceful world through dialogue and negotiation. His very persona, clean-cut, honest and idealistic, shines out whenever he mounts the rostrum. Obviously, he still has a great deal of work to do, given the damage of the Bush years. But he has only been in the job for nine months and we should all be patient. To his detractors, I say, to give peace a chance, give Obama a chance. Ellis Hines London. UK Sir I was bemused to read that there was no award this year for the annual Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Although there were some ‘credible candidates’, none of them was good enough to win the prize. This says a lot about the current state of Africa – despite our heads of states going on about good governance all the time, they are clearly not up to the job. Someone mentioned to me Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who seems to be working hard to rebuild Liberia after its long civil war. Perhaps she should have got the prize in recognition of her hard work. Then I read that she was once a supporter of Charles Taylor and for this reason Liberia’s truth and reconciliation committee say she should not run for election again. So even she is tainted. Johnson Kamara Freetown. Sierra Leone Editor’s Note: The Ibrahim Prize is only given to former heads of state Sir I read the other day that the Kenyan government is planning to carry out a census of its homosexual population. What a waste of money! Homosexuality is illegal in Kenya so why would anyone risk a jail sentence by coming forward? The reasoning behind the plan is that it will help the government in its fight against HIV-Aids. People would be given safe sex advice, condoms and guidance about treatment. I cannot argue against this. However, homosexuals do not account for high HIV-Aids rates in Kenya. This is normally down to men having multiple female partners apart from their wives. Mikael Mesfin Manchester, UK |
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