Can we avoid war?
Changes in African politics are painfully slow. We still have the same sort of dictators we had in the past. The only changes are in the tricks they use to exploit and rule their people. This lack of democratic developments leaves one with a feeling of bitterness.
Last week's Ugandan presidential election and the predicted Museveni win was a replay of last year's Ethiopian election. Only newbies to African politics expected anything other than Museveni's victory. These two elections were recent proofs of African leaders' [who came to power through the barrel of the gun] unwillingness to transfer power through a democratic electoral process.
The question of armed insurrection, therefore, becomes a question of time rather than undesired option. People who are desperate for a piece of bread are not going to go hungry and wait for a non-violent solution to come along. We are a long way from breaking this cycle of violence.
The west has failed to criticize and withdraw its support for such regimes in the name of stability and war on terrorism. This short sighted policy may eventually have the reverse effect of creating more Somalias and Iraqs ...
For the sake of our poor people, I pray that all this will be resolved before mayhem. Anything but war!
