Africa

Chronos-X · 21 Jan 2007 at 10:17

ElRazur said:
The election for thecurrent admistration is one of the fairest ever held in the whole of africa - about 85% fair. Having said that isnt alleged corruption, election malpractices, postal vote misuse etc here in the UK too.

Yes some african countries do lack the infastructure but you need to be in some places in nigeria and see for yourself. There is a place called Mini-London - looks exactly like certain part of Nothing hill with tiled roads. It is taking shape but very slowly.

Mini London? Do they have newsagents with signs saying "Send Money to the UK" and ex-chip shops becoming kebab houses?

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 10:20

Chronos-X said:
Mini London? Do they have newsagents with signs saying "Send Money to the UK" and ex-chip shops becoming kebab houses?

lol. They do have similar stuff. Mr Biggs (Mcdonalds) and Yes Chicken and chips shops have springed up...Only a matter of time before we have kebab.

RetiredGreyFox · 21 Jan 2007 at 10:41

Chrisp7 said:
The Nigerian government were elcted ona non corruption manifesto however they have proven to have been just as corrupt (ok slightly less) that the pervious incumbents.

My parents were in Nigeria between about 57 and 79 (I was born 58) and a fifth of my dads wages were known as 'dash' money so he could bribe whoever he wanted.
I can't see it being any different now.

Christo · 21 Jan 2007 at 11:50

ElRazur said:
The election for thecurrent admistration is one of the fairest ever held in the whole of africa - about 85% fair. Having said that isnt alleged corruption, election malpractices, postal vote misuse etc here in the UK too.

Yes some african countries do lack the infastructure but you need to be in some places in nigeria and see for yourself. There is a place called Mini-London - looks exactly like certain part of Nothing hill with tiled roads. It is taking shape but very slowly.

It may be that the election was fairer than many in Africa (discounting the threated violence etc), however the corruption is still there albeit improved as I mentioned earlier but I just cant see it going away. At any rate whats the UK got to do with it? The UK obviously has far far lower levels of electoral corruption, along side western countries.

My mention of infrastructure was that, post indepenance the infrastructure was there, now it is rather 'tired'. (I am talking about Africa as a whole)

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 11:52

What about AIDS and other diseases?

Christo · 21 Jan 2007 at 11:58

Jet said:
In my opinion it is largely down to the West.

Taking millions of slaves, taking vast amounts of stuff and changing the borders of countries that weren't ours to change.

And that's from the little I know about the subject.

Although we did bring a lot of good to some areas at the same time.

Stemming from that was the rise of corruption and lack of leadership. And it is an impossible task for the people to rise up against it because they are facing armies of soldiers with AK-47's.

We could help militarily but the British public would probably disapprove. Sadly.

Nah, I dont buy it. Independance has been had for 40 years or so for many African countries. Its time for Africa to face up to its own problems instead of continually asking for handouts and help from the West. Maybe the west should help militarily but do you really think that post independant countries would want the west's soldiers on its land again - smacks of imperialism again ..

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:08

If Africa was going to develop stable civizations like Anglo Saxons, Chinese, Japanese,etc,.. it would have done so already.

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:08

neocon said:
What about AIDS and other diseases?

Like it aint a world wide epidemic? Asia, europe and americas all have their own fair share too...Isnt?

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:10

neocon said:
If Africa was going to develop stable civizations like Anglo Saxons, Chinese, Japanese,etc,.. it would have done so already.

Are you blind that you rule out all possibilities? Nigeria is freaking good example. we have paid all our debt, our electoral system is one of the fairest, yes we have other problems but it is one of those things that comes with a 3rd world country.

Oh by the way it does have stable civillisation so i dont know what you on about. Perhaps using a first world view to predict doom for a third world?

Christo · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:19

ElRazur said:
Oh by the way it does have stable civillisation so i dont know what you on about. Perhaps using a first world view to predict doom for a third world?

At stable civilization relative to the rest of Africa, yes, but not compared to the west/asia.

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:22

Chrisp7 said:
At Stable civilization realtive to the rest of Africa, yes but not compared to the west/asia.

And you think that is a fair comparison? which is faster a 2litre mondeo or a 10.6 v12 ferrarri?

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:33

ElRazur said:
Are you blind that you rule out all possibilities? Nigeria is freaking good example. we have paid all our debt, our electoral system is one of the fairest, yes we have other problems but it is one of those things that comes with a 3rd world country.

Oh by the way it does have stable civillisation so i dont know what you on about. Perhaps using a first world view to predict doom for a third world?

Yes, but when Nigeria's oil runs out, it will be finished!

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:35

Besides

GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $175,500 billion (47th)
- Per capita $1,188 (164th)

Nigeria's GDP per capita is pretty feeble.

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:35

neocon said:
Yes, but when Nigeria's oil runs out, it will be finished!

You arguement is flawed - all you do is predict doom and say how dead the continent is. It is people like you that need to get out more and travel out you know. I cant be bothered going round in circles with you. If you have anything more debatable to say i will join in.

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:36

neocon said:
Besides

GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
- Total $175,500 billion (47th)
- Per capita $1,188 (164th)

Nigeria's GDP per capita is pretty feeble.

Again compare that to other africa nations and it put things into context isnt?

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:39

Looks pretty bad to me

163 Afghanistan 1,310
164 Burkina Faso 1,285
165 Nigeria 1,188
166 Benin 1,176
167 Mali 1,154
168 Central African Republic 1,128
169 Liberia 1,033
170 Zambia 931
171 Madagascar 908
172 Sierra Leone 903
173 Niger 872
174 Eritrea 858
175 Ethiopia 823
176 Democratic Republic of the Congo 774 [1]
177 Yemen 751
178 Burundi 739
179 Guinea-Bissau 736
180 Tanzania 723
181 Malawi 596

Christo · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:40

neocon said:
Yes, but when Nigeria's oil runs out, it will be finished!

How do you know that? Blind pessimism/ignorance perhaps?

ElRazur · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:42

neocon said:
....

Ignorance is starting to shine through your post. By the way those list shows african countries are doing ok amongst each other.

Christo · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:43

neocon said:
181 Malawi 596

I spent a while living there. It is a very stable country (No war since independance). It has few resources and the government is relatively stable, however its downfall again is corruption. Such a pity.

However, everyone seems happy there. Happier than bloody London!

neocon · 21 Jan 2007 at 12:45

Chrisp7 said:
How do you know that? Blind pessimism/ignorance perhaps?

USA will plow through all your oil in 20 yrs probably.