 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- NGO leaders dedicated to development in Africa met in Santo Domingo on Saturday to take part in a discussion on developing a new future for Africa.
| It's so important that they met in a lovely hotel in the Caribbean. |
According to the U.N.'s Human Development Report 2003, Africa is the world's poorest inhabited continent. The poorest 25 countries of the world all reside in Africa according to the report.
While most of the developing world is experiencing an overall improvement in its quality of life, thanks to increased access to medicine and education as well as the products of foreign trade, Africa is moving backwards in these areas, in part due to the corruption and despotism that plagues many African governments. "The major cause of Africa's problems is its lack of proper governance which is a prerequisite of economic development," James Mancham, former president of Seychelles, said.
| Please tell me no American tax dollars were used to generate that scintillating comment. |
In addition Mancham said that there must be a resolution of all conflicts, an investment in the people and a diversification of the continent's economies if Africa is to achieve sustainable progress.
| He's just hitting on all cylinders, isn't he. |
"The idea that the problems of Africa are endemic due to an African mentality is unjust and unfair," said Mancham, pointing out that many African nations gained their freedom during the Cold War and were thus caught up in its politics and influence.
| And socialism. Don't forget all the socialist nonsense all those newly-freed countries bought into. |
According to Mancham, the first leaders of liberated Africa oversimplified what needed to be done, "buying into the rhetoric that once the exploiters were gone, there would be enough for all." Mancham said that after they demolished the old order these leaders failed to build a new one.
| No, they bought into socialist clap-trap, and did so because it allowed them to stay on top as the 'elites' who would bring salvation to the masses. Most of the elites were stupid, corrupt, dishonest and incompetent, so it's no wonder Africa failed. |
Mancham said that stability and an honest and effective government that works for the people were preconditions for economic development, while democracy was not, citing Taiwan and China as two successful examples.
| Though raising living conditions and development almost invariably leads to democracy -- Taiwan, South Korea, Latin and South America are all examples of this. |
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