Friday, January 15, 2010
Africa marked the New Year on a rather bad note with security issues dominating. Most high profile have been the failed plot on Christmas Day by a student- the so-called ‘underpants bomber’- to blow up a plane over Detroit, and the attack last week on the Togolese football squad in Cabinda.
Africa marked the New Year on a rather bad note with security issues dominating. Most high profile have been the failed plot on Christmas Day by a student- the so-called ‘underpants bomber’- to blow up a plane over Detroit, and the attack last week on the Togolese football squad in Cabinda. The decade opens with many countries highly vulnerable to violence, including the DRC, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and in the Horn. The clock is ticking in Sudan, where the referendum on the status of the south is now less than a year away. Many fear that increased levels of violence could contribute to a resumption of full scale war.
Transnational crime, including illicit trafficking in people, drugs, precious minerals and goods, is growing. Humanitarian crisis is worsening in Central Africa and the Horn. And the underpants bomber incident has deepened concerns that Islamic extremism is spreading, whether in Somalia, the Maghreb, West Africa and elsewhere.
The African Cup of Nations and, later this year, the World Cup, will result in Africa receiving more international media coverage than ever before. This is a great opportunity to communicate the diversity and wealth of African life, the many challenges the continent faces, and the contribution it can make to resolving global problems.
The last thing Africa needs is intensified global media focus on violence and extremism and further negative stereotyping. The challenge for Africa’s champions is to ensure that the coverage increases understanding and practical support for Africa’s economic and social development and her ability to prevent and manage conflict. In addition to an African team winning, this would be the best legacy of the World Cup.
The Africa Progress Panel and AfricanLiberty.org wish the continent well.