Medvedev visit to Nigeria marred by attacks
Published: 27 June, 2009, 23:19
President Medvedev’s trip to Nigeria was explosive - literally. While the government honored the Russian leader with a 21-gun salute, the MEND militant group issued a pointed warning and unleashed a series of attacks
Sam - Yoau are right, MEND are going the wrong way about it, However, the world is also going about it wrong with Africa. It is true that we are just raping Africa, we pay the pimp, and have the choice we want. This is doing very little for Africa short term, which is what breeds the trouble, yes in the end the idea is that the corrupt will get supper rich and they will divest into other things, and the economy will develop. This will all happen as long as the inequality doesn't breed more MEND types at a faster rate, keeping Africa in continuous turmoil. Looking at Africa, I would propose that this is the case, and that it is mired in continual struggle. This is not the way, the world community has to change this, and admit that what is going on commercially is unacceptable, we need some rules, so that wealth does get passed onto the people in a long term fashion, whilst at the same time allowing foreign capital and investment to reap the rewards they are entitled to. It is the only way to create win win in Africa. Africa shouldn't be knock down total exploitation, it should be an honest national bargain, with long term wealth for Africa and responsible investors.
Count Cash has a point here. Its not Africa that needs to change but the rest of the worlds behaviour towards Africa. Stop exploiting it via Pimps as Cash said. Two trips back to Nigeria, I was in a unique situation were I was sharing a drink with a White South African and an Nigerian in the Lagos airport, we discussed African problems. The South African said something that I will always remember cos its true. " We Africans have the Brains, however they are all abroad, we have the resources but its in others hands, we could be great if other let us" How true it is. When the last military ruler of Nigeria Sani Abacha died billions of dollars had so far been found in foreign accounts. Did those foreign banks think it came from his salary? This was a guy who sends a whole supertanker with a note saying " fill her up " Who was buying this crude off him? Do they know its illegal to handle stolen goods? This is the Guy who tried in a secret military court Ken Saro-Wiwa ( a Civilian ) cos he asked why his people the Ogoni tribe were been removed from their lands by oil companies like shell. Yes I have travelled a lot in Africa with lots of friends there and love it there, but been drawn into the politics of the place. Let me tell you it is ugly.
The problem with Nigeria is corruption with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It is true that the Niger delta states produce the crude that is the backbone of the federation, but everyone gets the same treatment. The gas deal will really help Nigeria as of the moment the gas is simply flared off, but will this income go down to the people? As a person who had been to Nigeria many times, the mentality is this. If I steal $1 million It will cost me $250000 to get out of trouble- profit. MEND however are going the wrong way about it. kidnapping innocent people who are just making a living and blowing pipelines will get them nowhere. They had managed to classify themselves like terrorists. They should be lobbying western governments to prevent this stolen wealth leaving Nigeria. We all know that the usual destination of Nigerian ex leaders and their ill gotten wealth is always London. Every single one of them since independence in 1960 ended up there.