Reflections on 2006: Africa’s time to reflect and act

This time of year sees many of us setting worthy goals for ourselves to work more, learn from the past year’s failures, build on successes, eat well and exercise. We also brood over the direction Africa is going,will 2007 be another year of conflicts, natural calamities, disasters, diseases? Will the hope of making this century the ‘African century’ see fruition? If anything 2006 has been a year of highs and lows starting from the spill over affect of the Ethiopian elections, the crisis in Darfur, the war in Somali, political repression across the continent, failed peace talks, looming hostilities between nations and ahost of other issues.

As always-ordinary Africans continue to go about their lives despite these problems trying to lead a meaningful life with whatever means they have at their disposal. At times economical factors coupled with socio-political woes have eaten through their hopes of a better future Africans remain resilient as always. In most cases frustration at the micro level ends up in a resolve to move on despite realities on the ground. We have seen our intellects and scholars leaving their countries for greener pastures in the west and elsewhere not because of the promise of better financial gains but of promises of stability for them and their families.

The youth continue to grapple over the idea that a continent like Africa that has plenty of natural resources continues to be characterized and battered by endemic hunger, genocides, wars, corruption, massive underdevelopment and all sorts of untold sufferings. Leadership and fate have often failed Africa we cannot undo the damage done by these two elements but we can help better prepare ourselves to preempt future onslaughts. Leaderships that prefer their egos and legacies over the well being of their people are the worst calamities that can affect people. These people would rather sacrifice thousands or millions for the sake of personal gains. Africa needs to come up with a new mindset in this regard and when one mentions leadership it does not apply only to those in state palaces but also community leaders and people that have influence in wielding public opinion.

Often the case might not be in regards to what these leaders have done but their indifference to national as well as regional crises. African leadership institutions seem to go with the maxim that they can act when things have turned from bad to worse opting to wait and see things play out. Yes one has to concede that ‘waiting it’ out can be prudent but past experiences
have shown that that can do more damage than help- the genocide in Rwanda, famines, cross border war and Darfur are case in points.
Africa’s progress in contrast to other continents is lackluster. We all know this and often loath the situation in which our beloved continent is in. We most often end up criticizing others for failures that we ourselves have committed knowingly or unwillingly.

Africa does not mean only the few thousand bureaucrats that rule the continent but is a sum total of ordinary Africans as we share in praises the continent has gained let us also share in the rebukes we get. This means that we as Africans should make it our New Year’s resolution to work towards pluralism, joint ownership, equity and tolerance. When one talks about resolution it means to be resolute, to be of firm determination. So, let us be determined to usher in a brighter future let antagonism be replaced by compromise and mutual respect, let us all say no to oppression and marginalization.

And above all let us reflect during this holiday season on how our decisions and aspirations can help create a better future for tomorrow. One of the exciting things about a new year is the hope of something different. Each fresh year, as well as each new day, offers the opportunity to start again but our resolve should not be in thoughts alone but in concrete actions. We all need to own up to our responsibilities towards Africa. Let us start the African millennium. Happy New Year!!!•

December 29, 2006