Kerry urges steps to ensure democracy in Africa

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By LARA JAKES

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — America's top diplomat said Saturday the U.S. is ready to help increase its ties with Africa, but nations across the continent need to take stronger steps to ensure security and democracy for its people.

In an Africa policy address to members of the Addis Ababa diplomatic corps and the Young Africa leader network, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry highlighted crises in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and the Central African Republic and urged Africans to demand stability and financial development.

He called for an expansion of American investment in Africa and noted that U.S. companies IBM, Microsoft and Google already have spent more than $100 million on projects across the continent.

"So this is clearly a moment of opportunity for all Africans," Kerry told about 100 Ethiopians at an environmentally-friendly auditorium on a mountaintop. "It is also a moment of decision.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140503/kerry-africa-9e078cce19.html

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US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a press conference at the US embassy in Juba, South Sudan, Friday May 2, 2014. Kerry, landing in the capital Juba on Friday, carried the threat of U.S. sanctions against prominent South Sudanese leaders if the rampant violence doesn't stop. But more than anything, he sought to compel authorities on both sides of the fight to put aside personal and tribal animosities for the good of a nation that declared independence three years ago to escape decades of war. (AP Photo/Saul Loeb, Pool)

[hobbit709]

1. how about steps to ensure democracy here.

I get nervous when I hear about corporations getting involved in democracy.

[newfie11]

2. I wonder what Africa has that the corporations want?

Oil, minerals?
Oh cheap labor of course.

[hobbit709]

3. That pretty much sums it up.

[Scootaloo]

4. Bingo.

American "investment" acts as an active force of de-stabilization of African democracy... since the investing corporations profit much more from dictatorships, failed economies, and captive work forces.

if the US wants to invest in Africa, how about we stop subsidizing exploitative capitalism abroad, and instead use that money to wrk with the African nations to fix and reinforce the things they actually need?

Right now Somalia would benefit more from irrigation infrastructure than an IBM office.

[pangaia]

6. But that might actually help people.

[840high]

8. +1

[avebury]

9. Bingo! I totally agree with you! nt

[pampango]

5. FDR: "our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away"

Just as our national policy in internal affairs has been based upon a decent respect for the rights and the dignity of all of our fellow men within our gates, so our national policy in foreign affairs has been based on a decent respect for the rights and the dignity of all nations, large and small. And the justice of morality must and will win in the end.

Second, by an impressive expression of the public will and without regard to partisanship, we are committed to full support of all those resolute people everywhere who are resisting aggression and are thereby keeping war away from our Hemisphere. By this support, we express our determination that the democratic cause shall prevail; and we strengthen the defense and the security of our own nation.

Third, by an impressive expression of the public will and without regard to partisanship, we are committed to the proposition that principles of morality and considerations for our own security will never permit us to acquiesce in a peace dictated by aggressors and sponsored by appeasers. We know that enduring peace cannot be bought at the cost of other people’s freedom.

In fulfillment of this purpose we will not be intimidated by the threats of dictators that they will regard as a breach of international law or as an act of war our aid to the democracies which dare to resist their aggression. Such aid . . . such aid is not an act of war, even if a dictator should unilaterally proclaim it so to be.

http://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/fdr-the-four-freedoms-speech-text/

And so today, in this year of war, 1945, we have learned lessons— at a fearful cost—and we shall profit by them.

We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away. We have learned that we must live as men, not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger.

We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Franklin_Roosevelt%27s_Fourth_Inaugural_Address

[nyabingi]

7. US rhetoric about "democracy" in Africa

just means having leaders who will let US-based multinationals have their way with the abundant resources of the continent.

I sincerely hope that the US one day has leaders who want to deal fairly with African countries (i.e., when both parties give and receive something) instead of simply taking and taking and taking...

[avebury]

10. Agreed! nt

Unfortunately once the Corporations finish pillaging the US they need to find new hunting grounds.

[blkmusclmachine]

11. Watch out, Africa, you have something the US wants real bad. Now all you need are the US-approved

"leaders" who will give it to the US and its Corporations for pennies on the dollar.

[1000words]

12. Oh, boy ...

Africa is fucked now.

[Joe Magarac]

13. Eternal warfare in Africa it is then. n/t

[yurbud]

14. translation: we have to kill a lot of Africans and take their shit