Is Peace Breaking Out across Africa?

[Just Me]

- snip -

Perhaps it's just a lull between storms. Yet observers see fundamental shifts that may create an era of relative calm for Africa's 800 million people.


The biggest new force is Africans themselves. Led by South Africa, there's growing desire to arm-twist warriors into laying down their weapons. Also, outside powers, including the United States, are more engaged. They may be motivated by antiterror fears, need for oil, or guilt for inaction during Rwanda's 1994 genocide, but they're increasingly supporting Africa's peaceful impulses.


"The continent as a whole has asserted a good bit more activism about putting conflicts to rest--and has turned down the flames of its active wars," says Ross Herbert, Africa Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg.

- more -


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/oneworld/20040102/wl_oneworld/4536760731073059817&e=2

[MysticMind]

1. I think Africa has gotten more violent...

Not less. South Africa is having major problems with violent crime.

[Just Me]

2. The U.S. has major problems with violent crimes as well,...

,...but, I thought this article demonstrated some progress with respect to civil warring. I am sorry it didn't reflect positive news for you.

[MysticMind]

3. South Africas ratio of violent crime to amount of people is higher than us

...

[Just Me]

4. No doubt,...

,...however, I found this quote promising,...

"The continent as a whole has asserted a good bit more activism about putting conflicts to rest--and has turned down the flames of its active wars," says Ross Herbert, Africa Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg.

[MysticMind]

5. I just don't see it..

In the DRC we saw surrounding nations escalating the war.

[Just Me]

6. Okay,...so,...what would you suggest,...

,...for improving the circumstances in Africa since you see problems persist?

[MysticMind]

7. pushing development and democracy in Africa..

Sitting the Western world down and working out a plan for involvement in African democracy and development. It worked in South Africa.

[pinto]

9. Kofi Anan, Mandela, Clinton, Powell have been leaders in this effort...

especially in the face of the devastation AIDS has become in the sub-Sahara. I support any and all support, whether it be technological, pharmaceutical or diplomatic, the world can step up to the plate.

[Just Me]

10. What kind of plan? What kind of involvement?

Are you talking in terms of more colonization? Be a bit more specific, if you will.

[Just Me]

11. Mystic,...calling Mystic,...*smile*

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Maybe they're all too busy

dying from AIDS and starving to death to be able to fight anymore?

[bemildred]

12. Another: Pessimism Hides S. Africa's Gains

PRETORIA, South Africa - It was the morose party conversations at
white South African dinner tables that caused author Steuart
Pennington to tackle the nation's pessimism head on.

Pennington said he got so tired of doomsayers bouncing the party talk
from one dire topic to the next that he and Brett Bowes invented a
quiz with 15 questions on crime, housing, education, health and other
topics.

Of 11,000 white South African respondents, mainly executives and
senior managers, only eight managed to get more than 10 of the
questions right - and two of them were expatriates working in South
Africa. The average number of correct answers was three.

"South Africans almost get a sort of pleasure in being able to talk the
country down. In virtually every social situation when you are in the
company of white people over 45, you'll find that sort of discussion,"
Pennington said.

DU Foreign Affairs

[Just Me]

13. I can certainly understand the rampant "cynicism",...

but I don't think I can take the constant feed of projected cynicism, which amounts to a despair from which no positive action can possibly be produced.

If people are unwilling to recognize and grow even slivers of hope,...where are we all headed?