Africa, does anybody still care?

[faded glory]

"Yet more brilliance from FG. Instead of dealing with the message, he attacks the messenger. "

I dont have to deal with anything. Im perfectly comfortable with what my government gives to Africa. Its enough to stimulate good behavouir. I dont need a canadian telling me that I should give more, thats really none of your business.

Nice troll moron, I addressed why Americans dont want to give money to Corrupt Nations who have made an empty promise to use it on healthcare.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by faded glory
This is NOT a good thing. Why anyone would hand over farmland which belongs to farmers to Mobs owed a political favor who have never farmed in there life.

Agreed. Mob rule is no solution.

Originally posted by faded glory
Name one stable Sub-Saharan African nation. One that is a role model. One that doesnt have a 20% crime rate or that hasnt had a Civil war in the last decade. C'mon, go ahead almighty Tingkai. I leave where are these "Decent governments".

Oh, so now you're qualifying your statements by refering only to sub-Saharan nations.

There are many African nations that show signs of improvement. They've got a long way to go, but their situation is not hopeless. The following details comments are from the CIA fact book.

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $6,600 in 2000. Diamond mining has fueled much of Botswana's economic expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for three-fourths of export earnings. Tourism, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. The government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is 19%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains.


Senegal
In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually in 1995-99. Annual inflation has been pushed down to 2%, and the fiscal deficit has been cut to less than 1.5% of GDP. Investment rose steadily from 13.8% of GDP in 1993 to 16.5% in 1997. Private activity now accounts for 82% of GDP. On the negative side, Senegal faces deep-seated urban problems of chronic unemployment, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction. Real GDP growth is expected to rise above 6%, while inflation is likely to hold at 2% in 2001-02

Mauritania
In the past, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors.

Mali

Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. Since his reelection in 1997, President KONARE has continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In 1999 he indicated he would not run for a third term.

Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert.

Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2000. Growth should remain around 5% in 2001-02, and inflation should stay less than 2%.

Tanzania
One-party rule came to an end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities.

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world.

[however] The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-2000 featured a pick up in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals,

Continued donor support and solid macroeconomic policies should allow Tanzania to achieve real GDP growth of 6% in 2001 and in 2002.

[notyoueither]

In developing economies land is the first, best basis of wealth. What would you have some african countries do FG? Perpetuate the dominance of the colonizers?

[Zoid]

Originally posted by August Borms


This happened before Belgium controlled the Congo.

Yes and No. Between 1880 and 1920, the population of the Congo was slashed in half: some ten million people were victims of murder, starvation, exhaustion, exposure, disease and a plummeting birth rate. King Leopold II treated Congo as his private feifdom. Which he did btw with the approval of the European States (including Belgium). This was ratified at the Berlin Conference 1884-85. One year before Lepold died in 1909 the control of Congo was handed over to the Belgian state. Thus creating Belgian Congo.

The exploitation and mistreatment of congolesians was not stopped however, only diminished.

Don´t you know your own country´s history? Or do you just see what you want to see?

[Dr. Stiby]

Originally posted by notyoueither
In developing economies land is the first, best basis of wealth. What would you have some african countries do FG? Perpetuate the dominance of the colonizers?

Agreed, there are however multiple ways of re-optaining land. Violently chasing white farmers away is among the worst options. Not working the land you just regained is plain stupidity.
Handing over the land should have happened in a more peaceful manner, for the mutual interest of both parties.

[Sava]

No, I don't really care about Africa. Their problems could be solved quite simply.

1. AIDS... stop **cking like rabbits...
2. Starvation... stop **cking like rabbits and making so many babies...

It's quite sad, really. Those people aren't exactly responsible as individuals for their ignorance, yet the group suffers. Africa is a perfect case study for humanity and overpopulation. Population control is necessary unless you want millions to die each year.

[Carver]

Originally posted by faded glory


Name one stable Sub-Saharan African nation. One that is a role model. One that doesnt have a 20% crime rate or that hasnt had a Civil war in the last decade. C'mon, go ahead almighty Tingkai. I leave where are these "Decent governments".

As Tingkai has demostrated you are a total and complete prejudiced ignorant moron. You see the pictures of starving children and war in Africa and you think every African lives like this. I was in Kenya a few months ago and there are many people with good careers, nice homes and strong families.

More proof that ignorance breeds prejudice.

I would add Mozambique to Tingkai's list. Moz has recorded perhaps the best economic growth in Africa in recent years: 8% in 2001 and the latest figures are looking like 15%. Moz has a very pluralist political life with several oppostition parties standing over the ruling FRELIMO's shoulders.

Also Ghana has been the IMF's and WB's shining pearl in Africa for a decade. Democracy coupled with solid application of capitalists norms ( lowering/ending price subsidies, privatizing state companies, and lowering trade barriers) has led to consistent economic growth.