The African Union, African Renaissance

The programs and actions that the African Union has pursued to date have shown that the Continental Union has what it takes to call the shots in the international system! What used to be a docile institution, and divided down the middle during the cold war has now arisen! The sleeping giant has been awakened to say the least! It is the potential that lies within her, her natural and human resources that has caught the eyes of various external suitors. I suppose, her potential as a fast upcoming market with an increased middle class coupled with her gradual growth overtime has made each actor in the international system to try and strike their luck by courting her! Mama Africa now is cute than never before, dazzling and awesome.., it is no longer the dark continent as they used to refer her, but a queen in the making!

From sending troops, on peace missions to maintain peace and order in countries like Somalia, Ivory Coast, the DRC, Kenya and even further trying to fast track the UNs peace keeping mission program in Central Africa Republic, the African Union has proven its wits. It has however faced a fair share of challenges for instance not coming in swiftly to aid in the Libyan crisis that saw the ousting of the Libyan hardliner Muammar Gaddafi in a horrific way! Leaving behind a country in tartars and the aftermath problems spilling to her neighbors especially Mali. The weaponry that was allegedly given to the Libyan rebels to aid in ousting Gaddafi from power were easy accessed by the Islamic extremists in the region. Lack of proper security assessment of the fragile situation in the Maghreb region then, especially on the proliferation of arms was the main reason for the recent instability in Mali, as the arms got to the wrong hands.

 The African continent also needs to deal with her intra state problems. The problems faced by African countries have resulted in little concentration on the Pan-Africanism and the African renaissance agenda. However time is ripe for the Union to rethink about the African renaissance agenda in a critical perspective.  Solving problems within the African Union spectrum is ideal, unlike depending on the external world to solve our problems every time. However though a lot need to be done within countries that compose the Union, especially on governance, poverty alleviation and economic development, holistic that is! All these are achievable and everything is in place, it’s only a matter of swinging into well calculated actions and working on them diligently.

The latest move by the African Union to salvage the shame and the cost which Kenya would have got itself in by having its head of state charged at the ICC on crimes against humanity is an awakening call, that the Union can be called upon to come together to solve problems affecting its own kind!

The true spirit of Pan-Africanism though will be to convene special head of states summits to find solutions on how to tackle pertinent issues affecting its masses especially on security, for instance in the DRC Congo, Central African Republic and Somalia where masses are not entitled to a wide range of human rights both on civil and socio-economic and cultural aspects. On food security the continent also need to find amicable solutions to tackle the problem, the same with healthcare and sanitation. Infrastructural developments especially in the transport systems (rail, road, air and even water), dams, educational and healthcare facilities needs to be developed and equipped well to meet the required standards!

Having a majority of African countries celebrating 50 years of independence soon while others have already celebrated it, as for the likes of Ghana et al, and even some having not been colonized with the case of Ethiopia and Liberia it is has reached a time for the continent to critically review her position since her independence, on political and socio-economic developments; and even better find concrete solutions to most its problems while encouraging sustainable and holistic development programs! It’s time to let mama Africa grow both in stature and in character! Let mama Africa arise and shine!!!    

A NEW DEAL FOR SOMALIA; HOW TO GO ABOUT IT!

Somalia has continually been referred by many as a failed state!  However though it still holds the title ‘a state’ and this means it is an actor in the international system, and a key one to be precise!  Somalia is one of the few countries that boast of a long coast line, a privilege that a few countries in the African continent have access to. Its proximity to the Suez Canal on the north also gives it an advantage of  exploiting the international trading conduit that if utilized can turn around this country’s economy and tremendously improve the living standards of its populace. Even better still Somalia can become a key geopolitical partner to its neighboring countries especially Ethiopia and Sudan, and even The Central African Republic! The alleged presence of chunks of natural resources namely oil and gas has since never been exploited fully given the political instability that has since rocked this country!

These vast resources that Somalia is endowed with will never see the light of the day if peace and tranquility will not be achieved! The European Union has stepped up the process, that have since been done by various parties; The United Sates, The United Nations, Ethiopia, Kenya and the African Union western funded peace keeping forces under the abbreviation name AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia).  

The recent Brussels conference affirmed yet again the will of the European Union, through the ‘New Deal’ to restore peace and enable implementation of prioritized state building goals. The Union pledged a whopping 2.4 billion dollars to Somalia. This is amount is almost eight times higher than the previous amount that had been pledged in London later on this year as the union had pledged, 300 million dollars.

These turn of events points out a positive trajectory on stability of Somalia. It is also a sigh of relief to her neighbors; that have since been forced to put up with the scourge of an anarchic neighbor! Countries bordering Somalia have had problems resulting from militias and terrorists affiliated groups, proliferations of small arms and an influx of refugees to mention the least.

 The rag tagged militia Al -Shabaab, however rubbished the grant in what I perceive as a shudder from the fear of the growing stability of the main government in which they are planning to ouster. Their claim on twitter that the grant “...is a bit like Belgian Waffles: sweet on the outside but really has not much substance to it” should be ashamed and the militia made toothless through the success of the ‘marshal plan’.

The success of The New Deal signed in 2011 by over 40 countries, will greatly be measured on the reconstruction outcome from Somalia. A positive outcome from the 2.4 billion dollar grant which will be channeled to the process of reconstructing the economy and its social aspects will be tantamount to success of the Union. The political aspect which is fragile should be handled systemically through incorporating thee society in defining what kind of system they want for their nation.

Key sectors that the funds need to deliver tangible results should be on infrastructural development key among them being; healthcare, education and on food security mechanisms! The progress on security should also be enabled even more! With this in place citizens will have access basic needs. Developing the transport sector will also increase mobility of the populace thus opening avenues that will heighten their opportunities in life and also opening up the country for increased development.

Amidst all these development programs the citizens should be incorporated in building their country in any way possible! This will make them own the projects and the infrastructure being established and importantly it will make them earn a living. Administration fee should be minimized at all costs and bureaucracy be avoided completely.

With a stable, food secure, good healthcare and a well-established education system the Somalis can be on their feet once again! Europe too will have returned the invaluable favor to humanity, the way they US had did during the aftermath of WWII. The international system will be glad to welcome yet again a self-reliant and a peaceful Somalia! >Read my last blog on Somalia  here >> http://is.gd/VBr50Z

INSTITUTIONALIZING CORRUPTION

SOCIALIZATION IN A CORRUPT SOCIETY

Corruption should be the worst acts in our modern history, albeit in human history. In my honest opinion it is one of the most demoralizing acts, one that leaves me wondering how on earth we can accept to stoop so low to such. Corruption builds a lawless society where we consciously accept to kill our morals and condone out right human killings and underdevelopment; through the ripple effects that corruption brings about. I at times subconsciously akin bribe taking by the law enforcing institutions of our republic, the traffic police for instance as extension officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority. Even though I cannot fathom exactly how much they collect daily, but one thing is sure the economy stand to lose from such acts that go scot free avoiding the taxman noose at their watch! The loss must be in billions!!

The duration to stump out these scourge as I would like to call it, is what concerns me. I take the judicial system in the country for instance. It took close to half a century for it to barely be credible . Thanks to the Judicial Reforms that had been undertaken with some credible seriousness and which at last bore some fruits. I hope the police reforms too will follow suit but this time round in an amicable  manner  and swift time frame, given its sensitivity and its significance to the public and the region at whole.

I really don’t have anything personal with the law enforcing sector though, but it being at the top in the country on corruption and bribery clearly worries me to the bone. How on earth can a country be in a state of lawlessness? Or let me call it institutionalized corruption… I know it sounds so surreal given that life moves on and may be it does not affect everyone at the same time to create ‘the crisis’ but surely this is totally absurd. ( Kenya Police top three most corrupt in EA  http://bit.ly/14fpSHS)

Being socialized into this kind of rot is even more dangerous given the ripple effect it will generate. A society that accepts to toa kitu kidogo to have certain services and acts be done, which according to the law are supposed to be offered freely. I am not wrong to claim that this mentality of tuna omba serikali is a product of this socialization. 

It is therefore rife for the public in general and the government to fast track reforms in all major institutions and bring about a culture and a norm where responsibility and integrity are held close to everyone’s heart. This will help transform the county and its subjects into a conscious society that gives no room to apathy and lack of responsibility especially in state owned institutions. It’s with this kind of socialization where individuals who have failed to deliver or who have failed to stop a menace, will find it morally right to resign and give other technocrats a chance to bring sanity in former organizations.

NAIROBI AND ITS LEADERSHIP; DOES IT RING A BELL

Unique Leadership

The current politics and campaigns going on in Kenya capitals Nairobi has been characterized by peculiar leadership and a change of style in policy enforcement  by the  elected politicians in the city.  To some it looks unique, but to some it could be a sweetened revolution; where the sidelined in the city who are also the majority have saliently found a way to solving their problems through electing leaders who are good in attracting the media’s attention, leaders who hear their pleas, wishes and more so those are apt in fighting injustice and also who will hopefully reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

To the enlightened (who many don not usually vote) this kind of move is dangerous and more likely to hinder the development of the city in various capacities. To them the kind of leadership is likened to a lawless one, where lawlessness enthralls above law and order. According to them laws are broken and violated, disobeyed or transgressed upon either ignorantly or deliberately.

Code of conduct

The code of conduct and ethics of these new breed of politicians is way different from their predecessors who were more tolerant and used passive means in solving and tackling various problems and situations facing the city dwellers.

The new, young and sleek politicians have therefore found a way to steal the show. Their dress codes alone (for some) are not any different from the urban hip-hop artists. 

Morality

During the first ever presidential debate in Kenya one of the presidential candidate who stole the show with his own way of expressing views and points one Mr. Muhamed Abduba Dida, in one of the sessions questioned the audience and the hundreds of thousands of viewers on the society’s moral ground in electing ‘Waititu and not Jimnah’ for the Nairobi Gubernatorial post during the party nominations that had just been concluded. Jimnah has worked in various top jobs the key one being the CEO of Nairobi Securities Exchange and many more top ranking jobs in the corporate sector and also serves in various boards within the country. Waititu on the other side has been a councilor and the cities deputy mayor and is known for his good rapport with the cities sidelined majority given his relentless efforts in fighting against any form of injustice facing them. Oftenly he has been found in the wrong side of the law, pelting stones together with his supporters to law enforcers who to them have been ‘protecting’ the interest of cities bourgeoisies. 

It is such acts that really worries many. His argument is usually simple, ‘Is it wrong to stone one who grabs public land’ the ‘masses’ (majority) reply will always be a big no! While the remaining few, will perceive it as an act of lawlessness.

Making history

We are making history here, we are yet to celebrate our 50^th anniversary since we became independent . The choices we make now will set a precedence and we therefore need to be sober enough to see through the twilight and past the horizon. Learning by mistake is not usually the wisest thing, but for the prudent realizing such a hurdle helps a lot in the realization of a progressive and smooth development. We are the judges so let’s choose what best suits us! Above it all lets do it peacefully.

LOVE

LOVE

It’s the month of love, February and Valentines is around the corner. And as we approach it lets also factor in our love for humanity as Kenyans. Elections is neigh and we should thus let love be the overriding factor and let it be always our source of strength.  This is because love above everything else possesses traits that enable peaceful coexistence, among a society; and thus portraying civility.

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep records of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. 
With this in practice, as a nation we will soar high. We should therefore embrace valentines day as  a day where special appreciation to humanity too is upheld.

Just a thought.