Comments on: Is Obama Snubbing Kenya on Africa trip?

By: Juniper D

Juniper D — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:54:30 +0000

Clinton did not visit Gabon, though it is on the cusp of the most important election of it\’s historyGoverned by a doggedly autocratic ruler for over four decades, theCentral West African country of Gabon has finally been given a fragileand fleeting opportunity for democratic leadership by the death ofOmar Bongo, 72. However despite international investigations thatturned up evidence of a $200 million plus personal family fortune clearingpointing to gross corruption and substantial embezzlement of thecountry\’s significant oil revenues and questionable foreign investments, the dynastic political manoeuvring of a Bongo into power remains a distinct possibility.Bongo\’s son, Ali-Ben Bongo, is currently poised to assume thePresidential position as the electoral candidate for the powerfulruling party, PDG. Long known for his ability to silence critics andwoo political rivals into the fold, Bongo\’s legacy includes governmentcontrol of all telecoms and media virtually guaranteeing thatthe opposition get no air time or platform. Regardless of thesedifficulties, 8 candidates are participating in the August 30th elections at a moment in history where Gabon desperately needs transparent, independent and regulatedgovernment.Though rich oil and mineral reserves combined with a smallpopulation mean that Gabon is one of the richest nations inSub-Saharan Africa, with a per capita income 4 times the average and aGDP of over $20billion, most of the country languishes in poverty.Away from from the cool air conditioned government buildings and theopulent presidential palaces, at least 30% of the populationsurvive on less than $1 a day and living without food, water,electricity and basic sanitation.One independent nominee looking toalleviate the crippling poverty and harsh life of the Gabonese peopleis Bruno Ben Moubamba. Born the year Omar Bongo first came to power in1967, Moubamba has a powerful vision of a post-Bongo Gabon which he isworking hard to communicate across an information-restricted Gabon byharnessing the power of new technology http://moubamba.com/. Hopefulthat the democratic process will result in a more passionate,inclusive and citizen-centric government, Moubamba is determined todevelop and diversify Gabon\’s economy so that one day it is thepeople, not simply the leaders of this beautiful country, thatbenefit.

By: CHALOTA BEDZA FROM RSA

CHALOTA BEDZA FROM RSA — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:07:15 +0000

Hats off to the president of the world.He is merely being impartial by not visiting Kenya.Remember he also has Sudanese origins,so why are we also not talking about him not going to Sudan?The Kenyan ,Zimbabwean and other African politicians need to put their house in order.

By: Morris

Morris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:10:55 +0000

President Obama is not snobbing his father-land, Kenya. He is teaching them a lesson, a lesson for Kenyan to emulate countries like Ghana in Africa. They need to respect the voice of their people and the resources of their citizens. African countries in general need to eshew corruption and stubbornness to rule their people with iron-hands. Thevices are bringing down Africa, and they have been bringing down the continent for decades.Wake up Africans! Wake up leaders of motherland!

By: Kibibi

Kibibi — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:35:06 +0000

President Obama’s stance about “good governance” in the African countries is very timely and very perfect remark to impress investors, but who among those African Leaders has the WILL to serve and end poverty for their people? Who cares about investors anyway, there is plenty of wealth in our natural resources in Africa to loot from! Whether investors come or go, the leaders in power (some, if not most) as long as they fill their own pockets with loot from their starving citizens, it makes no difference, they all make sure before their term of office end, they have more than enough in outside banks, mansions to rent to diplomats and bank their rents outside African, have their friends, children relatives go shopping spree and go to UK, Paris or USA for a toothache treatments only for shopping spree.There no medicines in government hospitals, no education materials in government schools while teachers are underpaid, simply because they can afford to send their children abroad.The evils perpetuated by our African leaders against their own people who voted them in office are bottomless.Only God knows and will end this torture by touching their hearts that “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” change their heart.

By: John Brown

John Brown — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:06:59 +0000

Let’s face it – the real reason Obama chose Ghana is because of its softness. Ghanaians of today are known for being less critical and soft on the west. South Africa is more stable democratically and has more influence on the continent. Yet, I assume Obama will not be visiting there soon.The reason is simple – South Africans are independent thinkers. They will not just take anything from the big countries. There will not sit down there and clap when Obama claims the west is not responsible for some of Africa’s woes. They will not sit down and clap hands when Obama adopts the British position on Zimbabwe.On the other hands I suspect the Ghanaians will applaud everything Obama says.

By: Mary Lou

Mary Lou — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:04:47 +0000

Right now, he prefers European countries where he can FREELY enjoy all the luxuries as a celebrity politician. Be patient, he will visit his father’s Kenya as soon as, his private (French style) holiday mansion is completed!

By: Coolest African Alive

Coolest African Alive — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:45:15 +0000

Too much is being made about the implications of Obama’s visit, people should accept the facts as there, he is going there for a mission…not to send a symbolic message

By: Mr. G

Mr. G — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:11:17 +0000

Obama is American first. In his country, his kind are referred to as African American – not Kenyan American. I don’t see the reason why we should argue over this when Odinga (love or hate the man) has summed it up very well. And to add to that, in most countries, their presidents visit other countries for a political or business reason. It’s not like the way our African presidents travel around the globe, wily nilly, like they are visiting extended families. When he’s due for holiday, he’ll let you know or you’ll catch it on CNN…But right now, the man is working.

By: Amílcar Tavares

Amílcar Tavares — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:54:44 +0000

He is right. Kenya is too messy and is a shame.Speaking in democracy in Africa, do not forget that first successful system was the Cape Verde one. Zero bullets shot, or people dead, at the transition for democracy and the outcome was same in 12 elections!

By: John Studstill

John Studstill — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:15:22 +0000

Obama is simply too busy to visit more than one African country right now. He is just now getting to Russia and Italy. He will certainly visit Kenya and other African countries later. I do believe, however, the current progressiveness and stable democratic nature of Ghana no doubt played a role in the decision. He wouldn’t want to choose a country still in a lot of turmoil. He has enough turmoil dealing with the U.S. Congress every day. The strange people, most of whom seem to watch Fox News, suggesting he is afraid to go to Kenya for fear of birth certificates surfacing and of revelations that he was born there are really Far Out. They want conspiracies–don’t they know he has a perfectly legitimate birth certificate, that has been carefully vetted by a number of newspapers in the U.S., from his birth in Hawaii on August 4, 1961? It can even be viewed online, published by the Chicago Herald-Tribune.