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Post by OtishOtish on Nov 24, 2012 1:08:25 GMT 3
Africa’s underlying problem is debt ... But, no explanation is given when the system ensures that the only way debts can be discharged is through the issue of more debt. Let's consider just two examples: (1) Some years ago, Norway paid off all of Tanzania's debt. All billions of it, at one go. How is Tanzania doing today? (2) South Korea was badly hit by the Asian economic crisis of the late 90s. It borrowed about $30 billion, $20 billion from the detested IMF. By careful management, all that was paid off by 2001 (several years ahead of schedule). As long as we borrow money and waste it, we shall be in debt. And we need to take care of things like this: A country like Nigeria has been fortunate with large quantities of oil, but with everyone (including national leaders) stashing away stolen billions in foreign banks, it is not a surprise that it has not done very well. On, the other hand, here's an African country that was very poor at the the time it became independent in 1960s but which has shown what can be achieved by good management: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BotswanaHere in Kenya, Johnstone Kamau started the big-time eating and dumped us in the gutter, where Jakaswanga's fellow teacher unloaded s-h-i-t on our heads for 24 years, and then Kamau's protege took us to the edge of the abyss. Hard to blame colonialists (neo, hyper, or whatever) for any of that or for all the consequences.
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Post by Daktari wa makazi on Nov 24, 2012 11:42:05 GMT 3
To understand what I am talking about, one needs to pay attention to Congo, the former Zaire, to see outside influence at work. One local faction is 'formed' and supported with weapons to 'take over' the country with 'promises' of doing deals with them. A military campaign ensues in which people are killed, many flee. The 'war' goes on for sometime, before the 'leaders' are called to a 'meeting' outside the country organised and paid for by those on whose behave the war is fought and are made to reconcile where a 'temporary' peace is declared. The locals have no say and their voices are never heard. After a while the circus kicks in again and the circle of violence repeats, people again flee, and so. TV cameras are around to record the events. Meanwhile, foreigners are busy shipping off lot of valuable minerals in containers. Every nationality capable of stealing is now represented in Congo's stealing spree. The locals have nothing to show for - no hospitals, no roads, and so on. They live in squalor despite possessing significant riches in their soil. When one sees the likes of David Cameron getting involved and commenting on the situation, despite attending important Europe meeting, one knows there is strong British interests in play, and so are almost every Western power. pambazuka.org/en/category/features/82579
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Post by jakaswanga on Nov 24, 2012 12:17:28 GMT 3
When you write things like: Africans are not allowed to use these resources... or we [Kenyans] allowed foreigners to reconcile us with their own self interests! is that not the same condescending thing you so abhor --Africans are like children waiting be allowed to exploit their own resources! and Kenyans are just side issues in the determination of their future, willing fully surrendering the mechanics of the GCG to 'colonialists! What kind of people are you describing here? if not those of a lesser god! led by an inferior breed of angels? Jakaswanga: This need for permission is why I have argued that we should just ask for voluntary re-colonization; to avoid the "stigma" of the word "colonization", we'll call it "outsourcing of national government". Take, for example, the example of foreigners bribing Nigerians et al. Otishotish,Perhaps it is for you just one of your extremely eloquent bouts of pin-point sarcasm, when you suggest we should perhaps go for voluntary re-colonisation, but for the sakes of minding our sensitivities, baptise it a palatable name. But, if you get what I mean, a sarcastic brood can hatch strangely beautiful chicks. Is it not so, that the WRITING of the Finance Bill presented by the Ministry of Finance to the cabinet and parliament, in the advent of the new constitution with its devolution, was outsourced to 'experts' from the IMF and World Bank, embedded at the MOF? So you see the intellectual surrender of the native elite, when it comes to designing things that hurt his country, is the rule. It is only when it comes to things that HELP his country, that he suddenly rises up to protest his independence. ---like when the more competent ICC takes over cases we ourselves are impotent about prosecuting. What this leads me to, is to re-examine the historical exclusivity nationalism arrogates itself, to reserve all plum jobs for itself, even if there exists 50 years of evidence of brutal incompetence! [nepotistic incompetence becomes the general creed! our man at the helm, even if he and his court are dunderheads] NB: When it comes to other areas of life, where this exclusivity does not exist, --where the job market is relatively open and meritocratic, like academia, R&D, prostitution ;D, and talent is allowed to freely mingle and move without much reference to ethnicity, me thinks stupendous results are achieved. It was with this in mind that the think-tank I then belonged to in Kisumu, proposed to internationally head-hunt for the position of Mayor of that city, instead of letting the position be a patronage slot, to be filled by another crony, party apparatchik, or sycophant of Raila. We would source for a ruthless manager, cut-throat competence, measurable goals; a mean-machine to kick the city from slumber to dazed gait. His tribe, race, or sex being no reference! { Giri giri giri, kata orach kata ober, won the day} which translates as the Mayor of Kisumu must be a Jaluo, whether he is the most incompetent goat in the world!}. This is the same argument in Narok, where Tipis has 'reserved' some seats for 'natives' only.But if, and I think Sadik is correct, the SAP of IMF and WB, as economic medicines, were written by other interests far from Africa, and the African elite without resistance accepted them hook line and stick, --the intellectual surrender we talk about, is this not already to all purposes, the re-colonisation you talk about? voluntary, only the negative, anti-people type. how about the positive pro-people type? like outsourcing for a minister for health globally? a wide pool of talent? By the way, the think-tank I belonged to in Kisumu, was of the opinion Maseno university, launching a medical faculty, should align herself more with the Agha-Khan health institute in Kisumu, than the Russia General hospital. ---Why? ? If a hospital can not run a mortuary, can they really run a medical faculty? CAVEAT: When the Tutsi Army marched into the Congo, Commander Paul Kagame intimated: The Congolese can not run anything, not even their women. They are waiting for us to do everything for them! Forward to our destiny, O great People! It was the trumpet call to a festival of hell! Just that you keep in mind, Otishotish, what superiorist notions in the minds of colonists can lead to! Are we still really discussing Petraeus? ;D
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Post by jakaswanga on Nov 24, 2012 16:16:16 GMT 3
JakaswangaBut I do not agree with you in totality about the connection of colonialism and where we are. We cannot attribute all failures to colonialism, but it certainly has a role. Colonialism changed our native civilization. Then as we walked out of it, already shackled by the new civilization which we did not well grasp, we were left colonized by our own, who in a big way were chosen for us by the very colonialism. So as we trusted that we had gotten our nations back, those at the helm of governance were not really like us; they were more like the very colonialist we fought, but these became even more dangerous because it is not only that they can camouflage like the chameleon, but they even hold the power to say who the hunted should be. Its no longer the times we knew the enemy by his colour ... and the enemy still holds the power to decide whether another public road is as important as another hike on the salaries and bonuses of the colonialist-within. Mank, You argue it has a role. A classical argument, and I would be in a bit of hole if I declared it has no role whatsoever! So my import will state, this role, half a century later, is minor! no longer pre-determinative! Well, If we are living in the same planet as Korea Sud, and in 50 years our country still looks like this [ see disturbing photo] for children? surely then we must interrogate our fundamentals as a modern civilisation, and our claims to humanity! We must too, even if only for the sake of art ;D, interrogate the possibility that our country is not led by humans, but by beings of a lesser species. Impostors! [ those in govt are not really the genuine article like the populace- I am quoting Man-K ! I do not shy away from this question. The leadership deficit--as Sadik put it, could be an evolutionary deficit. And that this is the unique factor African political science has to deal with. The regime of mimics I would say. The African ruling class as a species of mimics imposed by a constellation of factors to make the kazi iendelee. They are like us all, in-differentiable, except for the decisions they make which are all anti-people, and anti the logical future of the continent. PS: In history books we read of the Holocaust, or Shoa as the death of six million Jews in Nazi Germany. As a low point in civilization it is taught. In our continent, the extermination of 5 million Congolese in 5 years does not even have a name. O no, it did not even happen! Did I do a body-count? The respectable Koffi Annan being one of those denying it happened! --May be that is why Kibaki refused to meet him he he he! 2. In apportioning the blame, this hatred we harbor in our hearts that threatens our countries apart, is it really serious to blame colonialism for it? [No autonomy in our own hearts to know good from wrong?] That portion in red Mank! is what has inspired my imagination to write the headline: the regime of mimics! If I can write, you apparently can think! Now for flushing out the mimics!
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Post by jakaswanga on Nov 24, 2012 16:25:47 GMT 3
Sadik, I do not think I seek selfless, miracle-working leaders, saints that wont be. I would rather seek plain common sense decision making types, and the working institutes that correct stupidity, and honestly punish corruption. If we loose 40% GDP to corruption, and loose another 25% to debt servicing, it really in my books, does not require a selfless leader to correct the situation. Just an average guy who is RELATIVELY competent!
Such would reduce the rate of corruption to say 15% and with the New revenue in, establish a national system of loan=bursaries for all secondary students. No longer would pupils stay home because of lack of school fees, even if genial brained!
National health insurance and National School-Fees loan! Simple basics! No extraordinary leadership skills required to think them out! Ama, ndugu Sadik??
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Post by OtishOtish on Nov 24, 2012 18:15:47 GMT 3
To understand what I am talking about, one needs to pay attention to Congo, the former Zaire, to see outside influence at work. One local faction is 'formed' and supported with weapons to 'take over' the country with 'promises' of doing deals with them. A military campaign ensues in which people are killed, many flee. The 'war' goes on for sometime, before the 'leaders' are called to a 'meeting' outside the country organised and paid for by those on whose behave the war is fought and are made to reconcile where a 'temporary' peace is declared. The locals have no say and their voices are never heard. After a while the circus kicks in again and the circle of violence repeats, people again flee, and so. TV cameras are around to record the events. Meanwhile, foreigners are busy shipping off lot of valuable minerals in containers. Every nationality capable of stealing is now represented in Congo's stealing spree. The locals have nothing to show for - no hospitals, no roads, and so on. They live in squalor despite possessing significant riches in their soil. When one sees the likes of David Cameron getting involved and commenting on the situation, despite attending important Europe meeting, one knows there is strong British interests in play, and so are almost every Western power. pambazuka.org/en/category/features/82579RE: "The 'war' goes on for sometime, before the 'leaders' are called to a 'meeting' outside the country organised and paid for by those on whose behave the war is fought".The current meeting that included the leaders of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (skipped by the invited Kagame, chief supporter of M23)? That sort of thing? Do the Congolese have any minds of their own? Do they have any control over their own actions? I don't see many of those colonial foreigners actually involved in the endless mayhem there---the killings, the rapes, etc. What the foreigners are doing seems quite logical when there are riches to be had and the owners of said riches are preoccupied with other activities. Does Bosco Ntaganda have options and a mind of his own? Is Kagame a colonial foreigner for his involvement there? And here's a truly astonishing bit: Kabila has just dumped the head of his own army for his role in selling arms to the very rebel groups he was supposed to be fighting! I suppose that's what called keeping business in the family. Why should only foreigners make money in the arms trade? Let our people eat too!
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Post by OtishOtish on Nov 24, 2012 18:28:01 GMT 3
Is it not so, that the WRITING of the Finance Bill presented by the Ministry of Finance to the cabinet and parliament, in the advent of the new constitution with its devolution, was outsourced to 'experts' from the IMF and World Bank, embedded at the MOF? Phyllis Ndunge Makau, Director of the Parliamentary Budget Office: “The Budget Office was created five years ago. We received support from USAID to create the legal framework and establish the Fiscal Management Act of 2009. We continue to receive support from USAID for analysis and publication of budget options. The budget never used to be amended, just rubber-stamped. This (2011) was the first year we did budget consultations with the public." On a brighter note, the food situation might be getting better. The Great Leaders of Our Great Sovereign State asked to be included in the USA's Feed The Future Program. Our Son In The White House agreed. So there is now a plan to make sure that in the future we don't starve as usual. You will find it, under "Strategy", here: www.feedthefuture.gov/country/kenyaBut you never know. This could be part of a neo-hyper-colonial plan to steal our newly found oil. Anyway, who cares about food? What we want to know are more important things, such as how Our Man gets into State House, who has defected, who has formed what political alliance, and which other tribes have poured money to finish us. I visited that Russia place a couple of years ago. A filthy, dangerous place, full of lazy incompetents. The last place where a sick person ought to be: one may be cured of one thing but probably goes away with several new ones. The doctors seemed more interested in their outside work, and apparently only came to the hospital to to steal medicines. The orderlies who were supposed to be doing basic chores like cleaning were idling in the sun, smoking, sometimes slipping outside to get some chang'aa, and, like the doctors, stealing whatever supplies they could sell on the outside. And so on. I understand that these days most public hospitals in Kenya are no better. Funnily enough, I didn't see any foreigners in sight. Your think-tank should demand that it be closed, in order to safeguard the public's health.
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Post by nereah on Dec 9, 2012 17:37:47 GMT 3
i have just helped myself with jakaswanga's captivating post remarkably delivered in the best title that only jukwaa's brilliant mind can and also the excellent debate definitive of jukwaa brand.
my centi tatu is that petro as my aunt would call him is not and must not be the victim in this narrative.
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Post by Daktari wa makazi on Dec 9, 2012 20:02:42 GMT 3
To understand what I am talking about, one needs to pay attention to Congo, the former Zaire, to see outside influence at work. One local faction is 'formed' and supported with weapons to 'take over' the country with 'promises' of doing deals with them. A military campaign ensues in which people are killed, many flee. The 'war' goes on for sometime, before the 'leaders' are called to a 'meeting' outside the country organised and paid for by those on whose behave the war is fought and are made to reconcile where a 'temporary' peace is declared. The locals have no say and their voices are never heard. After a while the circus kicks in again and the circle of violence repeats, people again flee, and so. TV cameras are around to record the events. Meanwhile, foreigners are busy shipping off lot of valuable minerals in containers. Every nationality capable of stealing is now represented in Congo's stealing spree. The locals have nothing to show for - no hospitals, no roads, and so on. They live in squalor despite possessing significant riches in their soil. When one sees the likes of David Cameron getting involved and commenting on the situation, despite attending important Europe meeting, one knows there is strong British interests in play, and so are almost every Western power. pambazuka.org/en/category/features/82579RE: "The 'war' goes on for sometime, before the 'leaders' are called to a 'meeting' outside the country organised and paid for by those on whose behave the war is fought".The current meeting that included the leaders of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (skipped by the invited Kagame, chief supporter of M23)? That sort of thing? Do the Congolese have any minds of their own? Do they have any control over their own actions? I don't see many of those colonial foreigners actually involved in the endless mayhem there---the killings, the rapes, etc. What the foreigners are doing seems quite logical when there are riches to be had and the owners of said riches are preoccupied with other activities. Does Bosco Ntaganda have options and a mind of his own? Is Kagame a colonial foreigner for his involvement there? And here's a truly astonishing bit: Kabila has just dumped the head of his own army for his role in selling arms to the very rebel groups he was supposed to be fighting! I suppose that's what called keeping business in the family. Why should only foreigners make money in the arms trade? Let our people eat too! Your questions are very naive. I picked the following facts from a newspaper. It is my submission that companies listed in London who are at the forefront of a drive to access Congo’s largely untapped wealth. Just one of the mines in the province, Kibali – jointly owned by AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s third largest gold producer, and British-based Randgold – is believed to contain at least 311,000kg of gold, and already produces around 19,000kg a year. AngloGold also owns the nearby Concession 40, which includes Makala, through its subsidiary AGK. It’s estimated to contain at least 78,000kg, and production is due to start in 2014. But the town sits in the centre of Concession 40, which was awarded to AGK in 2001, when the then DRC President Laurent Kabila was desperately selling off mining rights in a bid to bolster his war chest. Under the original contract, which has since been revised, AngloGold was expected to pay just $2.5 million for the first year, with a 2.5 per cent increase for the second. The company has refused to disclose details of the revised contract, citing confidentiality concerns. Sitting above the chaos of Mongbwalu is the pristine compound that AngloGold has built, surrounded by high fences and razor wire and ever-present G4S security guards. AngloGold was later accused of paying off one of the local militias and providing transport to its officials, but the company claimed this was only ‘under duress’. Now white helicopters ferry managers to and from the compound, while the firm’s smart white-and-gold-liveried SUVs patrol the streets. Executives are flown into the district capital Bunia from Uganda on company planes. The contrast with the poverty of Mongbwalu could not be sharper. Some 70 per cent of blood donors here have tested HIV-positive, and tuberculosis, silicosis and alcoholism are common ailments. AngloGold’s record was slated last year at the Public Eye Awards, sponsored by Greenpeace, when it was accused of contaminating rivers and committing human-rights violations against miners in Ghana. I rest my case.
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Post by jakaswanga on Mar 4, 2015 21:10:11 GMT 3
Jakaswanga: I don't think the issue is that the man was giving his stiff end some extra exercise. The issue is that he showed poor judgement and engaged in a "blackmailable" activity.-------- For me, what is interesting is, once again, the differences between how other countries run their affairs and how we run ours. As someone has already pointed out, in Africa we would not make a big deal of it. Of course, when it come to matters of government, "this is how we do it in Africa" has never been a particularly strong recommendation. A particular point of comparison is in the "independence" and "adherence to the law" of an oranization like the FBI. Think about whether any of the following steps could happen: * A lady in Machakos goes to a local CID fellow and reports that Gichangi's mistress is threatening her. * The CID fellow contacts HQ in Nairobi, and they investigate Gichangi, finding that he has been having a bit on the side and using his hotmail account to send all sorts of things. * They report to Gichangi's boss, and Gichangi resigns. In Kenya, the guy in Machakos would probably have run off to Gichangi, who would then have arranged for the lady to disappear. We can even go back 40 years and look at the FBI investigating Nixon. Would our CID investigate Kibaki? Otishotish, All is well that ends well? www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/david-petraeus-guilty-plea-deal-obama-leaks/386731/
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