Ghana
President Obama goes to Africa
As an African I am very happy. Mr. Obama is a very busy person. He is
dealing with the worst economic downturn in his nations history,
nuclear proliferation issues in Korea and Iran, the ongoing problem in
the Middle East and the legacy of two wars he inherited from his
predecessor. The fact that he found the time to stop over in Africa says
a lot about where his heart is.
Again I am delighted he is honoring our continent with his presence.
The choice of Ghana as his first stop to Africa says a lot about the
President. Out of forty-seven countries in Africa why Ghana? Is it
because it is the biggest, most populous, the richest, the most powerful,
or the oldest? Why Ghana is a good question.
He could have traveled to Kenya the home of his father. He could have
stopped in Ethiopia, the seat of African Union. Nigeria as the most
populous black nation would have been good too. But President Obama
chose Ghana.
He chose Ghana because according to a White House source “Ghana is
an outpost of democracy and civil society in a volatile region.” Very
simple and straight forward statement. In other words Ghana has a
legitmate governement chosen by the people. Ghana is a beacon of
bright light in our dark continent. President Obama is making a powerful
statement regarding democracy, human right and the rule of law.
As an Ethiopian I was filled with conflicting emotions regarding his visit.
I wanted him to come to Ethiopia. I know it is being selfish but it is the
truth. As the founder of Africa Union and the seat of the Organization,
Ethiopia should have been the logical venue for the President to share his
vision for Africa.
We deserve such an honor because we are one of the oldest nation state
in the world. Our country was in the forefront of the struggle of the
African people to gain their freedom. Most liberation movements in
Africa are indebted to Ethiopia for the generous help offered by our
government and people. We helped in training freedom fighters, giving
safe haven to those prosecuted for their beliefs and urged the UN to
bring the cause of freedom to the forefront.
On the other hand I am very glad President Obama chose Ghana instead
of my homeland. It is the right thing to do. To be frank I would have
been disappointed if he had come to Addis. I would have considered him
an enabler (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-
a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%
3Aofficial&q=yilma+bekele+enabler&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=)
It would be looked at as coddling a military junta masquerading as an
elected government. The lawlessness nature of the Ethiopian
government has been recorded by reports such as US Department of
State, Amnesty international, Human Rights Watch, Doctors without
Frontiers, International Federation of Journalists, Education International
and the most compelling witness of all; you the Ethiopian in the
Diaspora.
You know how many rely on you to survive. You are aware of those
being washed in the shores of Yemen. It is an open secret the abuse of
young Ethiopian girls in the Middle East. You have heard of those who
travel thru territories escorted into unknown lands, a few left behind
during this dangerous trek to die alone while others are Caught and put
in jail for trespassing. You are the best witness if you want to be.
Nairobi’s Daily Nation wrote “in skipping Kenya, the first African
American president is signaling that he puts political values over
ancestral allegiances.” I agree. Ethnic politics is very backward and
destructive. It should be a thing of the past. When it comes to Ethiopia
Mr. Obama was avoiding two negative characters he abhors. He is
definitely not familiar with tribalism. Tribalism is primitive and so
yesterday. Democracy and the rule of law is what he promised to
uphold and it will be contrary to his principles to bestow such honor on
a tyrannical regime as Ethiopia. Ghana is a perfect choice to enable
positive character. It is a perfect reward to the achievement of our
Ghanaian cousins.
I am sure his confidential report on Ethiopia includes such facts as:
All nations with embassies in Ethiopia are perfectly aware of the nature
of the government. I am sure their reports back to their government is
full of revelations of the atrocities committed by the regime. They all
have their own interest when they assesss their relationship with our
country. We are the only ones that can change the equation.
I am sure it is early enough to catch President Obama during his next
visit to Africa. I am hopeful he will be met by a nation united under the
umbrella of democracy and committed to the rule of law. Ethiopia will
take its righteous place as the leader of Africa. It is up to each one of us
to get involved and help steer the freedom train on the right track. Mr.
Obama made a powerful statement. Are you going to sit there and talk
about it or lift a finger and be part of the solution?
President Obama goes to Africa
- 30 May, 2009 | by Yilma Bekele
- President Obama is traveling to Africa.
After attending the G8 meeting in Moscow
the President is making a quick one-night
stop in Accra, Ghana on July 10. This is not
the first visit by a sitting US president to our
continent. But this trip is very different. One
of our own is coming to Africa as the leader
of the most powerful nation.
As an African I am very happy. Mr. Obama is a very busy person. He is
dealing with the worst economic downturn in his nations history,
nuclear proliferation issues in Korea and Iran, the ongoing problem in
the Middle East and the legacy of two wars he inherited from his
predecessor. The fact that he found the time to stop over in Africa says
a lot about where his heart is.
Again I am delighted he is honoring our continent with his presence.
The choice of Ghana as his first stop to Africa says a lot about the
President. Out of forty-seven countries in Africa why Ghana? Is it
because it is the biggest, most populous, the richest, the most powerful,
or the oldest? Why Ghana is a good question.
He could have traveled to Kenya the home of his father. He could have
stopped in Ethiopia, the seat of African Union. Nigeria as the most
populous black nation would have been good too. But President Obama
chose Ghana.
He chose Ghana because according to a White House source “Ghana is
an outpost of democracy and civil society in a volatile region.” Very
simple and straight forward statement. In other words Ghana has a
legitmate governement chosen by the people. Ghana is a beacon of
bright light in our dark continent. President Obama is making a powerful
statement regarding democracy, human right and the rule of law.
As an Ethiopian I was filled with conflicting emotions regarding his visit.
I wanted him to come to Ethiopia. I know it is being selfish but it is the
truth. As the founder of Africa Union and the seat of the Organization,
Ethiopia should have been the logical venue for the President to share his
vision for Africa.
We deserve such an honor because we are one of the oldest nation state
in the world. Our country was in the forefront of the struggle of the
African people to gain their freedom. Most liberation movements in
Africa are indebted to Ethiopia for the generous help offered by our
government and people. We helped in training freedom fighters, giving
safe haven to those prosecuted for their beliefs and urged the UN to
bring the cause of freedom to the forefront.
On the other hand I am very glad President Obama chose Ghana instead
of my homeland. It is the right thing to do. To be frank I would have
been disappointed if he had come to Addis. I would have considered him
an enabler (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-
a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%
3Aofficial&q=yilma+bekele+enabler&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=)
It would be looked at as coddling a military junta masquerading as an
elected government. The lawlessness nature of the Ethiopian
government has been recorded by reports such as US Department of
State, Amnesty international, Human Rights Watch, Doctors without
Frontiers, International Federation of Journalists, Education International
and the most compelling witness of all; you the Ethiopian in the
Diaspora.
You know how many rely on you to survive. You are aware of those
being washed in the shores of Yemen. It is an open secret the abuse of
young Ethiopian girls in the Middle East. You have heard of those who
travel thru territories escorted into unknown lands, a few left behind
during this dangerous trek to die alone while others are Caught and put
in jail for trespassing. You are the best witness if you want to be.
Nairobi’s Daily Nation wrote “in skipping Kenya, the first African
American president is signaling that he puts political values over
ancestral allegiances.” I agree. Ethnic politics is very backward and
destructive. It should be a thing of the past. When it comes to Ethiopia
Mr. Obama was avoiding two negative characters he abhors. He is
definitely not familiar with tribalism. Tribalism is primitive and so
yesterday. Democracy and the rule of law is what he promised to
uphold and it will be contrary to his principles to bestow such honor on
a tyrannical regime as Ethiopia. Ghana is a perfect choice to enable
positive character. It is a perfect reward to the achievement of our
Ghanaian cousins.
I am sure his confidential report on Ethiopia includes such facts as:
All nations with embassies in Ethiopia are perfectly aware of the nature
of the government. I am sure their reports back to their government is
full of revelations of the atrocities committed by the regime. They all
have their own interest when they assesss their relationship with our
country. We are the only ones that can change the equation.
I am sure it is early enough to catch President Obama during his next
visit to Africa. I am hopeful he will be met by a nation united under the
umbrella of democracy and committed to the rule of law. Ethiopia will
take its righteous place as the leader of Africa. It is up to each one of us
to get involved and help steer the freedom train on the right track. Mr.
Obama made a powerful statement. Are you going to sit there and talk
about it or lift a finger and be part of the solution?
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Obama Must Reverse Bush-Era
African Policy
2 April 2009 ( EQN ) -
The United States
Militarized its policy
towards Africa,
defended
unpopular and undemocratic regimes and undermined
United Nations peacekeeping missions on the
continent under the Bush administration, says the
Africa-centered More
African Policy
2 April 2009 ( EQN ) -
The United States
Militarized its policy
towards Africa,
defended
unpopular and undemocratic regimes and undermined
United Nations peacekeeping missions on the
continent under the Bush administration, says the
Africa-centered More
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