rational geekery

I do not believe that the trouble in Africa is my fault or yours. I also don't believe that their civilisations deserve any particular aid or assistance from the people of Britain.

I think at present much of the aid that the developed world does indeed get siphoned off by corrupt regimes.

The only aid I send (or have ever sent) to Africa is £5 a month to Farm Friends (Farm Africa) who work in Africa and provide Chickens and Goats to families in Africa. I’m from a farming family and I feel a sense of pride that something I do may help a family to provide for themselves in the future. I earn a decent salary and can spare this amount easily (it’s not a lot I know), and I also donate the same amount to the NSPCC. I donate neither because I feel guilty, I donate because I would like to help fellow human beings reach something like the standard of living I have.

Does this make me one of the liberals the right loath with such vitriol?

If so that’s thier problem, not mine.

I repeat that I never feel guilty for the people of Africa. I do feel a sense of caution when British companies such as Shell drill for oil in African counties such as Nigeria; I hope that we pay as fair price for what is natural resource of the African people.

Pouring money into the pockets of dictators will not make up for the excesses and brutality of the British colonial rule. I will not feel guilty for the actions of my dead countrymen, but I do like to help my fellow man, both as a human and as a Christian.

We are such a wasteful civilisation. EU Food Mountains are crushing African Markets and we enjoy much of our privileged existence at the expense of many of the worlds poor, much like the rich of this country who owe much of their wealth to those less fortunate British citizens. We should address the disparities in wealth in this country also. But I defend our right as a compassionate nation to help countries such as Africa in their hour of need. The actions of a corrupt dictator are no excuse to watch a million Africans perish of starvation.

The Englishness the right is so proud of was built not on isolation and ignorance, but on internationalism and intervention. There would be no Empire without the colonies, many of which were in Africa. Again this is not a guilt trip, or some liberal tirade, I am simply explaining why I feel that we should help the people of Africa is raising their standard of living. Raising the standards in the third world would help in various causes, namely the fights against drugs, terrorism, and help to reduce those seeking asylum.

The key is breaking the despotic rules such as those in Uganda, Togo, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. I welcome the moves to freeze assets in Western banks and using the International Criminal Court to bring these evil leaders to justice.

Again the UN has proved impotent to deal with these issues as nationalistic agendas cloud any ethical progress (I’m looking at you China). Here the US should use its influence and dominance to do real good in the world, such a stand would repair much of the tattered reputation of American foreign policy. I have no problem with US power if it is used responsibly.

I welcome the focus on Africa and I welcome the rights criticisms of wasted money thrown away down the drain that has been Africa, but this focus should be used to readdress our strategy and turn the heat on their so-called Leaders. The US and British should also table a resolution to completely isolate countries that deal in arms while enjoying our aid. Take Ethiopia and Eritrea; their leaders are buying up arms while the international community are working to help feed their starving populations.

Who is selling these arms? They should be forced to stop.

It is in our interest to help, to get involved. Britain is an island but it is not invulnerable to global issues such as drugs, terrorism, resource scarcity, and disease. The world is a very small and borderless place now.

We need a new strategy, because we need a new Africa.

http://www.farmfriends.org.uk/
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1499462,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1499475,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1499460,00.html