Ethiopian weekly says Obama represents
"great African expectations"


Source: Afriquenligne.fr

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Not only the United States but also Africa and the rest of the world await with bated breath who turns in at the White House at the conclusion of the presidential race on 4 November 2008, writes Ethiopia's business weekly Capital.

Apparently disappointed by the lack of commitment of President George W. Bush's administration as regards dealing with burning issues in Africa, the paper point s out that the continent's dream is the same as the vision of Democratic Party's candidate, Barack Obama for his own country.

"Africa needs an America that can live up to its founding principles - an America that will help eradicate the glaring oppression that exists in every corner of our continent," Capital's leader for this week underlines.

Commenting on the presidential race immediately after the Democratic Party convention, the paper describes Obama as a "unique product of a unique nation, which is today in search of a different domestic and international outlook".

But, referring to his presidential nomination acceptance speech at the convention on 28 August 2008, Capital expresses disappointment that Obama did not mention Africa and its myriad problems.

"The candidate must be astute enough to be aware that the United States development assistance under the Bush Administration is unprecedented in US history," the paper acknowledges, noting the PEPFAR programme as a highly successful lifeline for millions of Africans living with HIV/AIDS.

"We hope that if and when the Democrats end their eight-year exile and the American public start calling in those campaign pledges relating to funding Obama's tax reforms, Africa will not be left out of the budget."

"Importantly," Capital adds, "Africans believe that if elected, Obama could be the best thing to happen for Africa, especially in the sphere of the promotion an d protection of democracy, social justice, economic equity, press freedom and goo d governance.

"These are the burning issues on our continent and ones where the current US administration, for all its generosity in funding anti-HIV/AIDS programmes, is sorely lacking in commitment."

Admitting that the world media is gripped by the forthcoming US presidential election and the globe is by default casting its vote, the paper resignedly adds th a t whichever way America goes, so would everybody.

Meanwhile, another Ethiopian weekly, Sub-Saharan Informer, urges African countries to engage in active diplomacy rather than watch conflict situations turn nasty.

Turning to a burning issue closer home - the long-running conflict in neighbouring Somalia - the paper suggests that conflict resolution measures should not be put on the backburner for too long.

Sub-Saharan Informer lauds the African Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Government of Ethiopia for their mediation efforts t hat made it possible for a reconciliation agreement to be signed last week by Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein and Parliament Speaker Sheikh Adan Madobe.

"Had Africa acted during failed negotiations more frequently one would believe that much of the conflicts prevailing currently in the continent would have come to peaceful end," the weekly observes.

On the Somali accord, the paper points to the apology made by Premier Nur Hassan on behalf of the country's leadership for allowing their differences to reach a stage of threatening the functioning of the government.

"African history is full of instances of reconciliation being made in order to a vert national crises, but contemporary Africa often finds mediation elusive.

"It is a matter of urgency that we reinvigorate this tradition. Peace and reconc iliation are two essential areas that we should all work towards if Africa is to end the cycle of tragedies," the paper appeals.

Underlining the path of dialogue as essential for resolving conflict and mainten ance of peace and security in the Horn of Africa countries, The Ethiopian Herald says it is the conviction of Ethiopia that lasting peace in the region will only be attained through negotiation.

Pointing to the volatile situation in the region, the government-run daily argues that no country can be immune to instability in any of its neighbours.

Referring to Ethiopia's unresolved border dispute with Eritrea, the paper stresses the stance and hope of the former that the issue will be settled through dialogue.