Liberia Reveals Africa's New Resolve
Sunday Times (Johannesburg)
James N Karioki
Johannesburg

By ousting President Charles Taylor, the continent's leaders have finally demonstrated that they are willing to police each other.

At the end of the colonial era, one question plagued thinkers in Africa: Who will maintain our peace?

One of the most potent anti-colonial tools was a simple slogan: "Africa for Africans." When US President John F Kennedy learned that the white settlers in Africa objected to it, he retorted with an equally simple question: "If Africa is not for Africans, who is it for?" Clearly, the anti-colonial momentum in Africa had a friend in the White House.

…Until the end of World War Two, the European imperial order prevailed in most of Africa. During the Cold War, however, the new order converted Liberia into the most important anti-communist listening post in Africa for the US. Indeed, Liberia came to house the largest US embassy in West Africa and, just before the end of the Cold War, it was the recipient of the highest US aid per capita in Africa.

When the Cold War ended, Liberia, like the rest of Africa, became virtually irrelevant to US national interests. There is an old adage that when you throw a few bones to many dogs, fights will break out among the dogs. As the US withdrew most of its "bones", the Liberian "dogs" turned on each other. Liberia's homegrown inequities and indignities reared their ugly heads. The result has been nearly 20 years of violence and a war-ravaged country.

…This week's developments in Liberia must be seen as a showcase of African success.

At the end of the colonial era, one question plagued serious political thinkers in Africa: who will maintain our peace? The answer has been elusive and Africa has endured awesome violence as a result.

The "Liberian solution" is indeed an indication that Africans are now resolved to take charge as their own policemen.

The pressure for Taylor to step down came primarily from the African leadership. It was initiated by the leaders of the West African states under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). It gained momentum in the African Union via presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. These two were the main forces behind the creation of the African Union to supersede the Organisation of African Unity. At the core, African security is the AU's driving force.

As Taylor left Liberia, the African presence was evident. Mbeki was there as the dethroned warlord said goodbye. En route, Taylor was accompanied by the chairman of Ecowas, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, and the chairman of the AU, Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano. On arrival at the airport, the new exile was met by Obasanjo.

The entire event was a dignified African affair of unique symbolism.

…Bush's unstated purpose on his African visit was partly to heal wounds. He had dismissed Africa during his presidential campaign. In return, Africa had deeply humiliated his administration when the three African members of the Security Council withheld their votes for the Anglo-American draft resolution to authorise military invasion of Iraq.

Bush had learnt the hard way that Africa could be material, after all.

…In the final analysis, Liberia became the public launching pad for Pax Africana. The era of "I am my brother's keeper" has finally arrived in Africa. In this thinking, the African renaissance has a critical ally.

posted by Prometheus 6 at 8/19/2003 12:50:37 AM |