Disgrace
 

Have just handled an aircraft carrying the president of a certain East African country. they fly in absolute oppulance and want for absolutly nothing, while millions of his own population starve, my country pays millions of pounds in aid which I am taxed for and which is supposed to be spent helping the poor people of that country, something I have absolutly no hesitation about, instead it is clear to me now, that they do not get this money, he and his gang of criminal cronies live on it.

I am paying my taxes and millions starve so that he can live like a movie star, shame upon them. Our own prime minister travells British Airways business class.

That is the way of Africa, Grasshopper...

Reality's a bitch, ain't it...?:suspect:

Aha! Another European starts to understand the African reality!:D

Now that you have understood what you have seen, are you ready for the next piece of shocking fact?

He ensures that his country remains in a shocking state. If he were to fix it, the millions of pounds in aid payments would stop.:bored:

I'm just amazed it takes so long for people to realise where their money goes. African leaders have to have an attitude change before genuine change can be brought about. So far - no joy.

been trying to explain this to my fellow liberals back on the muddy island...

live 8 and all the self righteous t*ats demanding we give money to these countries...bob 'idiot' gandolf, boneo, and the worst of them, i am the greatest thing in the world chris martin, aka lead singer from cold play...shouted out...give money!!!!

and like previously said, that money goes into presidential palaces, johnny walker blue label, private jets, weapons, and extravagant living beyond our wildest dreams....

so, if we want to solve the african porblem, we first have to remove it....and that is its corrupt leaders...only problem is, doesnt seem to be any fairly straight down the line type to replace them with...

not that blair and his cronies are any better, but at least there is accountability to the tax payer.

Aid Maffia
 

Plus the aid workers have a vested interest in keeping the misery going, and portraying that picture to the world (through South Coast's favourite pop artists). USD 10k per month tax free, house with pool and servants and new Toyota Landcruiser... wouldn't want such a problem solved to quickly!

Yeah Revolutionarry, isn't Africa a fascinating place?

They're not accountable to the British/US/EU/world taxpayers because they don't rely on their votes (or any votes in many cases) to remain in power.

Bend over, grit your teeth, think of England and take it like a man...:rolleyes:

QUOTE: "Aha! Another European starts to understand the African reality"

I'm not sure that he has only just started to understand. Like many Europeans, he has possibly understood the problem as long as anyone else has. He has merely commented on it here now. Assuming an individual's geographic location diminishes his knowledge or interest in a particular subject could easily be ignorance in itself.

<They're not accountable to the British/US/EU/world taxpayers because they don't rely on their votes (or any votes in many cases) to remain in power>

I would be not so sure of that.I was in Gambia not long time ago during the meeting of the president of the African countries.Big airplanes ,a lot of brend new 4 x 4 waiting at the airport and .... a lot of people asking for food around Africa.There is not President in Africa that got power without the strong support of others powerfull nations.Unfortunately.
Sincerely
Riccardo Volante

I doubt the taxpayers from those foreign nations voted to put that particular despot in power, and if they did they deserve to get shafted.....

A good book about the matter is the well known ´´Out of america - a black man confronts africa´´ (Keith B. Richburg).

It is a good book. I'm not sure it's well known amongst our PPRUNE punters..?

Check out Lords Of Poverty as well. Not sure of the author but it also gives some insight as to the reasons things are the way they are.:(

The sad and harsh truth is that, on an international level, nobody gives a **** about Africa. As an example; where I live in Europe, Zimbabwe barely makes news despite what is happening there, South Africa (my original home) does not even feature in the news despite what is going on there. Oh, we did see a piece about the recent snow there...

Sort of begs the question:

Whatever happened to all the protesters who'd congregate on the steps of South Africa House in London and make their voices heard? Ashamed to admit that the folks you wanted in power turned out to be just another bunch of corrupt uncaring @rseholes like the last lot?:* Could it be that the agenda has been fulfilled and no one gives a **** any more? What about the press? They used to be pretty vocal.

The silence is deafening....

I agree. As someone who still lives in Zimbabwe I'm disgusted at the lack of pressure coming not only from those same protesters but also from the rest of Africa. If South Africa can be banned from world sport for their Apartheid policies, why can't Zimbabwe be banned for their racial policies not just black vs. white but also for the genocide committed by Mugabe in the 80's? Why? 1/ because they couldn't care less either way and 2/ because then that'd be racist!!

What I find even worse is the rest of Africa's silence. Zambia has gained the most from Zimbabwe's demise especially in the agriculture sector. Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, Uganda and surprisingly Nigeria have also got a lot of our farmers (East Africa and Bots have got the majority of our highly trained and VERY profession Guides and Hunters) so their silence one can understand (just look at how well Zambia's doing!!) but the worst is south Africa. It was pressure from the west on the then apartheid government that forced Smith to the negotiation table and pressure from south africa now can force the issue again but we have "quite diplomacy" which as far as I can see is thabo's excuse to the west that "look you can't see it but really I’m doing F.A."

My suggestion? If you want aid you make the effort. Show us that you are worthy of help and we will help. Show us you actually want to make a difference for your people. It will never happen though as the same protesters will throw some useless concert telling the world how bad things are and then give the money to the very people who are causing the problem!! well done liberal w*&&*kers you've just made it worse!!

Just my 2cents (Zim cents) worth. thanks for reading!

Ingwe:

I can remember Rhodesia (subsequently renamed Zimbabwe) as a beautiful, vibrant country, and its demise since Mubage got hold of power is a disaster. Sadly, there is another reason why there is little noise being made, and - like it or not - it's the simple point that it's not what you do but who does it. Or, more to the point: only the White Man can do wrong.

The likes of Bob Geldof and Bono are possibly trying to do some good, but they are also clearly rabidly P.C. (and probably also trying not to alienate their black fans) by calling a spade a spade and pointing their finger at Mugabe for deliberately running down a country and causing misery on such a massive scale for his own people. :yuk:

StarWinder

All too true and by doing so they show themselves to be racist by not speaking out (only the white man does wrong). The sad thing about Zim is we had the best chance of all the African countries to break the cycle of distruction and misrule but mugabe has turned us into another African ruin (irionic don't you think that Zimbabwe means place of ruins ala Great Zimbabwe?).

I grew up post independence and of all the educated black guys i went to school with that should be making a positive contribution to zim? Not one left, all in south africa, america and UK helping those economies with their law degrees, medical degrees etc. Who can blame them, we all need to survive. Will they come back? I very much doubt it! I wouldn't if i had left and started a new life elsewhere, there's nothing to come back to.

Human tragedy mate! Nothing les!!!

Every one wanted black guys in power in Africa,ok you get it.:ugh:

You have it, then do not :mad:

Personnaly i do not give a ****:mad: about Africa.