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African politicians have a tendency to blame all its ills on colonialism or its legacy, even in countries that have been free for decades. Many people believe in conspiracy theories; that western scientists created AIDS to kill Africans; that America was behind the war in Congo; that the IMF and the World Bank are, in the words of Namibia’s president, Sam Nujoma, “the imperialists’ well-organised machinery to get African cheap labour and raw materials for their economic development”. (The Economist, January 17 2004)
Nujoma is not necessarily wrong. The west is capitalistic, not socialistic. Our corporations may be enhancing their standards of living but profit margins are pre-eminent. Africans must overcome the absence of sufficient property rights. Corrupt regimes and detrimental monetary policies must not exist. In seeking foreign aid, Africans must consider their helpers critically. Whatever economic path Africa should take is beyond the scope of this article but some things are certain. There is a long, hard road ahead.
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H Wu
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