By Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam
The African Circus is coming to town. It is officially called “U.S-Africa Leadership Summit” (not Ringling African Brothers). It is scheduled to be held on August 5-6 in Washington D.C. The theme of the “Summit” is “Investing in the Next Generation”.
According to the pre-Summit hype, in the first ever “U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, African leaders will have an opportunity to engage with President Obama, his Cabinet members, and other key leaders, including business executives from the U.S. and Africa, Members of Congress, and members of civil society.” It is expected to be a 5-ring circus with stages for “expanding trade and investment ties, engaging young African leaders, promoting inclusive sustainable development, expanding cooperation on peace and security, and gaining a better future for Africa’s next generation.”
Human rights is definitely not on the menu. So, I must speak up! That is, speak truth to those in power who are indifferent to the powerless, those who abuse and misuse power and those who are “deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity”, as Thomas Jefferson might have said.
President Obama proclaimed on the Whitehouse web page, “I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world – partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children…” Is this some kind of “lawyerese” doubletalk? He specifically referred to “countries and peoples of Africa”. How about “leaders of Africa”? Are they a “world apart”? From a different world? “Partners” with America?
Of course, the “countries and peoples of Africa” are not coming to Washington, D.C. African “leaders” are. That’s where President Obama and I part ways. Maybe not. I do not see “leaders and partners” in the African “leaders”; I see the proverbial pig in lipstick, to borrow a campaign metaphor from President Obama. “You know, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called ‘change.’ It’s still gonna stink after eight years,” declared candidate Obama on his way to the White House.
Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam
—————–
Professor Alemayehu teaches political science at California State University, San Bernardino and is a practicing defense lawyer.
We welcome the submission of all articles for possible publication on WardheerNews.com. WardheerNews will only consider articles sent exclusively. Please email your article today . Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of WardheerNews.
WardheerNew’s tolerance platform is engaging with diversity of opinion, political ideology and self-expression. Tolerance is a necessary ingredient for creativity and civility.Tolerance fuels tenacity and audacity.
WardheerNews waxay tixgelin gaara siinaysaa maqaaladaha sida gaarka ah loogu soo diro ee aan lagu daabicin goobo kale. Maqaalkani wuxuu ka turjumayaa aragtida Qoraaga loomana fasiran karo tan WardheerNews.
Copyright © 2024 WardheerNews, All rights reserved
