Lion King...the pride of Africa!
I have just returned from London where I went to see the phenomenal show "The Lion King". As my good friend Eniola put it, it was nice to see a super show featuring black people in primary roles in a seriously African themed story! However, the message I got from the play was one of the current state of the Africa question. Its plot suggested an ever present situation of insecurity and instability present across the continent, its protagonist; a mythical liberator still to make an appearance in reality. Is this far off the point?
The Charles Taylor affair, an international incident that bordered on disaster highlights this issue. While the parties involved have once again managed to bungle (each in their own way) another international situation, perhaps the happy ending in this case is the eventual trial of Mr. Taylor (the butcher of West Africa- our very own scar) presently going on in The Hague. However, the side issues of how this situation was handled presents many unanswered questions, some terribly important for the future of the continent. Did the Nigerian government have a hand in Mr. Taylor's near escape? Could the American government be accused of meddling and fucking things up...utterly? What on earth was the Liberian government thinking?
It is funny how the Nigerian government once again received flak for the way this situation was handled (but then again, perhaps the turn of events was the expected one) however, everyone seems to forget that the Nigerian government single handedly rescued the region from a seemingly deadlocked situation. And as for the Liberian governments' inability to make up its mind, pandering to please never helped anyone. I would imagine the paramount priority for a government saddled with running a failed state would be nation building and not digging up old wounds or running around in circles. Do not misunderstand; I am no pro-Taylor idiot; who can be? I only believe that things should be done at the right time and the Liberian governments' idiocy with the handling of this situation was/is completely unforgivable. Naturally, th
e fact that the US once again exercised its hegemony casts a shadow on the whole process of nation building and humanitarian reconstruction.
This world is not fair no doubt. The future of the African continent in its entirety certainly is a dire one. Regardless of the roots of the problems faced in that part of the world, the fact remains that its timone and pumba-esque attitudes to growth and development are not helping. Perhaps one day in the to-be-honest distant future, Africans might experience resurgence in patriotism and togetherness required to build a continent capable of anything it sets it mind on.
The Charles Taylor affair, an international incident that bordered on disaster highlights this issue. While the parties involved have once again managed to bungle (each in their own way) another international situation, perhaps the happy ending in this case is the eventual trial of Mr. Taylor (the butcher of West Africa- our very own scar) presently going on in The Hague. However, the side issues of how this situation was handled presents many unanswered questions, some terribly important for the future of the continent. Did the Nigerian government have a hand in Mr. Taylor's near escape? Could the American government be accused of meddling and fucking things up...utterly? What on earth was the Liberian government thinking?
It is funny how the Nigerian government once again received flak for the way this situation was handled (but then again, perhaps the turn of events was the expected one) however, everyone seems to forget that the Nigerian government single handedly rescued the region from a seemingly deadlocked situation. And as for the Liberian governments' inability to make up its mind, pandering to please never helped anyone. I would imagine the paramount priority for a government saddled with running a failed state would be nation building and not digging up old wounds or running around in circles. Do not misunderstand; I am no pro-Taylor idiot; who can be? I only believe that things should be done at the right time and the Liberian governments' idiocy with the handling of this situation was/is completely unforgivable. Naturally, th
e fact that the US once again exercised its hegemony casts a shadow on the whole process of nation building and humanitarian reconstruction.This world is not fair no doubt. The future of the African continent in its entirety certainly is a dire one. Regardless of the roots of the problems faced in that part of the world, the fact remains that its timone and pumba-esque attitudes to growth and development are not helping. Perhaps one day in the to-be-honest distant future, Africans might experience resurgence in patriotism and togetherness required to build a continent capable of anything it sets it mind on.
Whilst i can ramble on forever about my Africa, i best be off to bed now. After spending a fortune in london on price seats at the theatre, dinner, trendy bars and the best lattes in the world; i have to be up early to put in some overtime at work tomorrow and sunday to meet up financially. I will be honest that is what this country gives you...a zest to make money!!!!
posted by internationalhome @ 7:11 pm
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