Following are our archived editorial that our Editorial Board selected as still being timely and worth reviewing. Let us know what your comments are. Send it to The African Times/USA editor-in-chief at:

editor@TheAfricanTimes.com

EDITORIAL - April. 2012

Senegal – "Y'en ai marre"

The upcoming February 26, 2012 presidential elections in Senegal have thirteen opposition candidates and the forgone conclusion by almost everyone familiar with Senegal and President Wade is resigned to the elections results – President Wade will be re-elected.

Why or how can a President who in his ascendancy in 2000 advocated two term presidency, and now at the end of his second term alter his position and insist to run for the third seven-year-term.

Although Senegal has strong institutions, and is the only country in west Africa never to have suffered a military coup, the orchestrated events leading to this election have generated a dangerous national disunity that will make governing Senegal quite difficult and potentially deadly.

Leading up to the elections, the police forces have been out in full force in opposition to the opposition – when the election results are announced, the firefighting brigades better be ready, as the discontent combined with the “Democratic Spring” movements become more aggressive.

Mr. Wade’s run for the third term has been made “legal” by the Senegal’s Constitutional Court ruling based on the weak legal opinion that the two-term limit does not apply to Mr. Wade, because it took effect after he initially became President in 2000.

This certainly appears to be in violation of the spirit with which term-limits were conceived, and of whatever one makes of opposition accusations that the Court is manipulated by Mr. Wade.

Senegalese newspapers have reported that the five judges on the court, all of whom are appointed by Mr. Wade, have received new cars and their salaries were increased to $10,000 a month ahead of the crucial vote.

One of the opposition candidates summarized the situation by appealing to the international community "to speak sense to Wade, otherwise we'll have a catastrophe in this country".

EDITORIAL - March. 2012

2012 Wish – Turning "Big Men" into "Great Men"

Recent elections in Africa, with Zambia as an exception, seem to follow the time-worn pattern of "re-electing" the incumbents over and over. With this trend, there seems to be no hope for the People who get little or no consideration when it comes to reaping the dividends of democracy.

As we approach a new year, the intriguing question comes to mind: "How or why can’t these Big Men become Great Men."

Most of the re-elected and soon to be re-elected "Big Men" are now sufficiently rich, in some cases among the richest people in the world, per the Forbes financial magazine. This would suggest that the power they exert is not to make themselves richer, but only to hold on to power to ensure the status quo. With the support of their "advisors", they have devised devious ways of entrenching themselves in power via economically exploitative rules, laws and measures, most of which are deemed illegal by UN and AU standards or generally accepted morality.

To resolve the "Big Men" entrenchment, The African Times suggests that the most plausible approach to solving this conundrum is for the "Big Men" to adopt corporate management techniques to address the affairs of state, and change their life's purpose to serve the People.

That transition would be dramatic. Successful executives employ the classic "three Vs" strategy. Here re-tailored the "three Vs" for Africa's "Big Men":

Vision – Inspire people to look enthusiastically toward the future and outline the specific strategy you plan to institute to reach the "objectives" otherwise known as "management by objective". In most cases this will mean changing many, if not all the laws and systems that create loop-holes for stealing, and put the economy and the People on top of the "objectives" list.

Visible – Communicate the strategy and tangible objectives, making the vision visible to everyone, and encourage the People and the business communities to become partners in the new strategy.

Value – What does the individual contribution of the citizenry and business mean to bring about the vision; what does the new direction hold for them? In simple terms, how will the People, the nation and the businesses benefit?

This would mean a new style of leadership that would start the transition from the "Big Men" to a "Great Men" era. With such a new approach and the results that would come from such efforts, most of the People will be willing to forgive these "Great Men" even if they overstay their terms.

EDITORIAL - Jan. 2012

Africa’s Eco-Apocalypse or “Eco-Lypse”

Two events of ecological and sustainability concerns for Africa took place and the ramifications of one can be viewed as devastatingly uncaring by the governmental and business sectors of our world.

End of last month the United Nations published its report on the 50 year accumulated damage in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. President Jonathan Goodluck requested the report from the United Nations.

The 50 years of operations by petroleum companies, most notably Shell Oil, have produced what some call the Eco-Apocalypse or what The African Times calls “Eco-Lypse.” The report documents the environmental disaster of unimaginable consequences to the people of the Ogoniland and Nigeria nationally. The report also provides the steps needed for a hopeful rebirth of what nature intended the once beautiful Niger Delta to be. It took political courage to ask the UN to do the evaluation – the economic and political forces in Abuja and all the states capitals of Nigeria have a direct stake in the Eco-Lypse, as do all the beneficiaries of the oil consumed by the Western world economies.

The report outlines the recovery costs – $23 billion and 30 years - now the question becomes who and how will this be paid.

This is where the second part of Africa’s eco-Apocalypse comes in. Few months ago in Cape Town, a meeting of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) was held. This is the financing mechanism for developing countries entry into a sustainable development, with emphasis on ecologically principled solutions, including resolutions to eco-devastation. CIF is funded by 14 primarily Western countries and thus far, after two years or so, has amassed contributions of $6.5 billion to projects in 45 developing countries. Of this $2.6 billion has been assigned to Africa. At the conference, Mr. Bobby Pittman, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Vice President in charge of Infrastructure (former US President's advisor on African affairs), presented the bank’s position on CIF, of which the Bank is Africa’s manager. His remarks outlined the Bank’s deep concern as regards the low level of climate finance channeled to Africa.

His and the AfDB concern of funding must be placed in the context of the Nigerian eco-crises.

Simple mathematics makes the point. To cleanup the 50 years of supplying oil to the Western world will cost $23 billion, against the total contributions by that part of the world which used that oil, against the African CIF total of $2.6 billion.

An extremely measurable abyss that needs to be addressed, without waiting the next 30 or 50 years.

EDITORIAL – Oct 15, 2007

Where Are All The Billions?

Per the most recent report by the U.S. government Equatorial Guinea in 2006 received 3.3 Billion dollars in revenue for their oil, and their 550,000 people, 99.99% of the population of Equatorial Guinea continues to live on $1.00 day (when and if they can find it).

The African Times did the math, and rounded of $3.3 to $3 billion –

Income from Oil $3,000,000,000.00

Divided by population of 550,000

If our calculation is correct, that come out to $5,454,000 per person --- that is five million, four hundred fifty four thousand dollars for every man, woman and child in Equatorial Guinea! So where is the money – or as the contemporary saying goes “Show Me the Money”.

All we can say “It is Shameful” for the government and the U.S. companies and government to condone and be part of such blatant THEFT – Shame on You!!! – both Washington and Malabo.

Then there is Zimbabwe, with the great Big Man of brutal past and present – Mugabe (we chose not to use his title President, since in no way does he represent the people of Zimbabwe!). Here is a man and his entourage (all in their Seville Street suits) continuing to live as if there is nothing happening, as their people can’t find enough to eat and be scared of being beaten. The money the government is getting to make things crawl along is coming from selling parts of Zimbabwe piece by piece, primarily to the Chinese interests. The man, who many placed on the pedestal of honor as a freedom fighter, actually has been one of the more brutal and misguided Marxist products. After he and his entourage are gone he will be remembered, or must be remembered, as the man who stole a country from her people, killed a nation and became a disgraced old man who Africa has be ashamed of.

Africa and all of our readers need to wake up and put pressure where pressure is needed. Both, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe need a resolution to the incomparable demise their leaders have caused, so the people – the men, women and children can benefit from the riches Mother Africa provides and not suffer under the remaining hypocrites of Africa, many continue to call the Big Men, we call them Thieves and unfit to be called Africans.

No other hotel in Kenya captures as much of Nairobi's splendid past and exciting present, and few hotels anywhere can claim a more romantic history. It needs to be placed on your African itinerary.

EDITORIAL – September 15, 2011

Zambian Election Gives Hope to African Democracy

In Africa where leaders are often reluctant to give up power, the now-former-Zambian President Banda conceded defeat to President Michael Sata graciously, saying the people have spoken.   

Voters gave the winner President Michael Sata 43% of the total vote, versus 36% to Banda, whose Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) party has run Zambia since one-party rule ended in 1991.  This makes it the fourth time that power has changed hands since Zambia gained independence from Britain in 1964.

In his concession speech he challenged the nation “Now is the time to unite and build tomorrow’s Zambia together.”  But in his reflection, Banda may have been delivering a message to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where entrenched leaders have suppressed democracy or used deadly force to crush any opposition.

"My generation, the generation of the independence struggle, must now give way to new ideas; ideas for the 21st century," Banda said.

"Did we become gray and lacking in ideas? Did we lose momentum? Our duty now is to go away and reflect on any mistakes we may have made and learn from them. If we do not, we do not deserve to contest power again," the 74-year-old Banda said, words that should resonate across Africa.

His parting words have put him into an elite class of African statesmen, and The African Times/USA endorses every line of his concession speech; a message that our editorials have relentlessly expressed.

To the people of Zambia and President Sata, we congratulate you.

EDITORIAL - April 15, 2008

They Stopped The Killer Cargo

The good peoples of South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia recently demonstrated an unprecedented show of moral courage for refusing to allow the Chinese freighter An Yue Jiang to unload its deadly cargo which consisted of 77 tons of rockets, mortars and assorted ammunition, manufactured by a Chinese state-owned company, and purchased by the Zimbabwean government of President Robert Mugabe and ostensibly destined to be used for the suppression of opposition elements in the troubled southern African nation.

This is civic responsibility at its finest if one considers the fact that the action of the dockworkers at the Durban port and the legal demand of an Anglican bishop who asked the courts not to allow the weapons to be transported to Zimbabwe not only will help to stem the tide of government-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe but sends a clear and unambiguous message to the powers-that-be in Harare that Africans will no longer sit idly by as injustice and official high-handedness continue unchallenged.

China's role in this incident also needs to be roundly condemned. As a world power and one that wishes to work with Africa in the realization of her dreams, it is unconscionable to imagine that the Chinese could act so irresponsibly in the middle of a political conundrum following an election that is now being hotly contested, and which the incumbent may have lost. The danger in the action of the Chinese could not have been lost on Beijing, more so at a time when China is engaged in major public relations battle over their moral right to host the Olympics.

The African Times applauds the extraordinary action of these ordinary people of southern Africa. To us this represents the new climate being ushered onto the Continent by those who respect justice and fair play in Africa and across the globe.

Above all, their courageous non-violent acts have helped to save African lives. Especially, the innocent ones.

EDITORIAL – January 15, 2007

Is Peace The First Step To Peace?

Peace is what all want and wish for; tranquility and mutual tolerance, where life can be lived in “Peace.” To see how Peace can be achieved, we need to look where Peace is not, and when we look all we see is poverty, no food, no shelter, only misery that turn to hate.

Many of the literati, politicians and the blinded idealists, who speak and promote “Peace” – for Darfur, Somalia, Palestine, Iraq and wherever Peace, tranquility and tolerance do not exist (and that includes the Niger Delta) – view Peace as an utopian condition that can be accomplished by behavior modification with love and understanding.

Unfortunately history shows and should teach us that Peace comes only after other things are taken care of first; poverty is a major one, second is meaningful employment, and next comes the promise of a future. It is only after these basics are in place that the people, the tribe, the nation, can actually endorse and hold on to Peace and not succumb to hate and killings.

Reasons are simple – if there is poverty and hunger; breakdown in law and order, and ultimately violence become functions of survival. If there is only desperation, no future, with nothing to do, and no job, almost anyone or any group who promises anything else will emerge as leaders. And for these self-appointed leaders, sectarian, ethnic and tribal hate becomes the principal message.

The steps to Peace, viewed unemotionally are simpler than they seem – put money into jobs, not guns. Those who have jobs and get paid enough to feed themselves and their families will think of their future and ultimately look for and work for Peace and either not accept or depose the self-anointed demigods who only exist on poverty and hate.

We are sure you have noticed that all those who promote Peace are well off, with full stomach and a future, whereas those who do not – the marginalized, the refugees and the dying, first want something to eat, have shelter and something purposeful to do - a job - and then and only then can they turn to the idea of Peace and turn away from killing those they have been encouraged to hate.

And a final point – love or compassion do not bring Peace unless you have taken care of all the other steps first – to talk “Peace” does not bring Peace.

The African Times works for Peace by stressing and encouraging spending money on jobs, not guns or useless claptrap – be it Somalia, Iraq, Nigeria, Palestine, Afghanistan or Darfur.

EDITORIAL – August 1-15, 2007

Africa in Third Person

Almost every international conference which discusses African issues, African development , African governance, African education, African ethics; how Africa SHOULD do this or that, always speaks of Africa in third person, as if Africa was not there. And in fact in many instances Africa is not there; which may be part of the problem of Africa’s entry into the global flow of development and of so many failed “foreign assistance programs.”

A May 2007 conclave in Berlin, Germany was an outstanding example – discussing Africa in context of the role the EU, U.S. and China should have on Africa’s current course of development and her future. From the total of 44 experts only one was from Africa.

The Policy Brief which the conclave generated and intended for distribution to all the relevant international parties, the World Bank, IMF, UN and of course the G-8 governments, has many “inputs” and “opinions” but none reflect Africa. This means that decisions or actions based on this conclave’s conclusions will be flawed and in general non-workable because Africa input was not there.

There seems to be an industry of foreign experts who are “experting” on Africa. Almost all come to the podium with preconceived agendas and points of view. Unfortunately many decision makers rely on their “opinions” and “expertness” to formulate their actions. In fact the Blair Commission on Africa is an excellent example of a failed enterprise, built on the accumulated wisdom and “expertness” of the non-African experts industry.

Another example of exclusion in Africa’s own circumstances was the recent realization by one of the more active and purposeful conservation non-profits that it would be “grand” and “appropriate” to have at least one senior management member who was born in Africa. Their new president can claim Africa as her home.

It must be that Africans are very “private” people who keep “to themselves” and in many ways it can be claimed as an African behavior trait, one which we, at The African Times feel needs to change if Africa wishes to be in the global mainstream and not relegated to the “third person” position.

EDITORIAL – February 1, 2007

China’s African Visits Started In 1417

In 1417 the Chinese Emperor dispatched his Admiral Zheng He, at the head of a fleet of over 300 huge ships, to make contact with the trading town on the East African coast. Opening of trade routes and establishing trade through the exchange of tributes and gifts was a major goal of the voyage. Grand gifts were exchanged, commercial ties established and Ambassadors exchanged. This historic Chinese visit was repeated in 1421 where the fleet, also under command of Admiral Zheng He, sailed along Africa’s East coast, north; to what today we call the Red Sea. The Europeans arrived on the East coast of Africa some fifty years later, and though exotic, proved a little unimpressive to those who had witnessed grandeur and ambiance or had heard of the earlier Chinese visits.

And now history is repeating its self. Chinas’ President Hu Jintao has embarked on a similar mission, one to cement relationships and develop trade with Africa. He has just finished visiting eight of African’s AU countries and reiterated China’s commitment to work with Africa in harmony and mutual respect.

That much for the formalities – Africa has the minerals and resources China needs in its economic and global growth as a major economic and political player. To achieve this Africa’s resources, especially the raw resources nature has blessed her with China’s needs for prosperity and economic growth, including supporting the expansion of China’s middle and professional class.

In review by The African Times there is nothing sinister in this, as many in the Western media suggest. On the contrary, it repeats what Europe and the United States have done in the previous two centuries, and continue to do so – China’s involvement needs to be welcomed.

The African Times supports China’s recognition of Africa’s economic and resource value, however we trust, in the spirit of the original voyages by Admiral Zheng He, and the commands of the Emperor that this new recognition of Africa will again establish worthwhile trade and cultural (and diplomatic) relationships between the people of Africa and China.

EDITORIAL – December 15, 2003

We Wish You Peace

This was, as most other years have been, a tumultuous year. Despots, in some cases called Presidents, Prime Ministers, War Lords, Rebel Leaders, Big Men, Big Business and even Patriots and Freedom Fighters, down to neighborhood Bullies, again have caused untold social and economic upheaval with starvation and deaths, not only in Africa, but all other parts of the World. It seems that the whole World is managed and orchestrated by those who only have self-interest in mind with total disregard for the People they involve, exploit and ultimately hurt.

These are all “Bad People” who have been allowed to attain power over events and the People to achieve their own selfish, unsavory goals.

This year-end and with the start of the next, The African Times wishes for Peace. We realize it is idealistic and bespeaks of Utopia, but it seems like a reasonable objective to take, work for and wish, not only for Africa, but the World in general.

The problem is to replace those who are causing the suffering and indulge in the selfish and cruel dance of death, turmoil and upheaval.

Our wish is of Peace and for those who can influence events, to do “The Peoples’ Business.”

We Wish You Peace

God Bless Africa and the World

EDITORIAL – March 1, 2003

Peace Through Tourism?

As the world and the tourism industry were held hostage by the prospects of the Iraq War, Geneva, Switzerland hosted the Second Global Summit on Peace Through Tourism, of which The African Times is a media sponsor.

The Summit was organized and presented by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) in partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The IIPT is the same organization which presented last year’s Peace Through Tourism conference in Africa. The African interests at the Geneva conclave were represented by Tanzania Minister of Tourism & Environment, Zakia Hamdani Meghji, currently serving as the President of the Africa Travel Association, plus senior delegations from many African nations. The Summit speakers and delegates were the top tourism leaders - World Tourism Organization’s secretary general, representatives of United Nations, the World Bank, premiers and ministers, and even the UNISEF Goodwill Ambassador, former film-secret-agent-007, Roger Moore. All reflected upon the role tourism has (or had) on keeping the world at peace; however they did not allow themselves to exercise their responsibilities to reflect upon the upcoming and looming world calamity.

The Summit was scheduled well before Iraq War was an issue, but after 9/11 and the Mombasa hotel bombing. Combating terrorism was the rationale of the IIPT founder and executive director Louis D’Amore who while a consultant at Deloitte & Touche documented the need for cultural understanding and poverty elimination through tourism as a way to create understanding of tolerance and peace.

The Summit did cover these issues, with the cloud of Iraq War evident, but not confronted. When the issue of the war and the war’s effect on tourism came up and was introduced as “inconsistent with the aims of tourism” by one of the speakers, she was immediately challenged by a top ranking minister as “a far too political decision” drawing an analogy between the Mideast today and Europe of 1939, after which no other official mention was made of the upcoming demolition of international tourism and world peace.

We assume that the future Peace Through Tourism Summits will address how to keep the war-torn world together and how tourism will be able to assist in the world’s economic and cultural reconstruction of itself. We hoped that the neutral voice and purpose of tourism would have been a player for peace and economic development - but it missed the chance to raise its voice to be heard by our readers in the White House.

EDITORIAL - Oct. 15, 2003

Doing The People’s Business

The African Times will be focusing more and more on the concept of governments, organizations and the world doing “The People’s Business.”

Let us define what we mean by “People’s Business.”

It means that government and organization actions must be based on what the People need and desire, that the “leaders” whether in government, organizations or corporations, are not in their position for their own benefit, but are answerable to the People and not their cronies or associates or dictates.

It means full transparency, the ability of the People, mostly through a free press (that is also where we at The African Times come in) - to see and review what the “leaders” are doing and if they are doing it to benefit the People or themselves.

And who are the People? They are the families, the villages, the clans, the tribes and in greater context the nations and ultimately the continents and the world. Conversely it is each one of these, including ourselves, that must become answerable to each one of us - the People. It means to have more organizations and governments subscribe formally to anti-corruption and accept the concept that their job is to improve the conditions for achieving individual well-being and lifestyle (what and which ever it may be) the individual People aspire to.

That is a start of doing the “People’s Business.”

We appreciate your support and as always, we welcome your views - e-mail them to: editor@theafricantimes.com

EDITORIAL – June 1, 2004

Astonishing Arrogance

May 25th was Africa Day - her worldwide “official day,” celebrating over 600 million people, an entire continent with 53 nations, with skin color and ethnicity from A to Z. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke eloquently at the United Nations on behalf of Africa Day and the current President of the General Assembly Jan Kavan of the Czech Republic acclaimed Africa on her day. Overseas, the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan and the UN University co-hosted an Africa Day Symposium in Tokyo, with President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal as a speaker; South Africa celebrated Africa Day with full gusto; the old OAU and the new Africa Union acknowledged being the forty year celebrants and in the U.S. the acknowledgment of the “Day” was made by only two newspapers.

The two papers were the India Journal, a leading Indo-American newspaper published in Los Angeles and The African Times. No other public mention of Africa Day can be traced in the United States; no universities, no cities, no organizations, no clubs, nor anyone in media mentioned her on her “official day.”

It is not that we were expecting parades and festivals - many of these take place in her name in many places, at different times of the year, however a thoughtful reflection of her BEING on her “official day” of recognition within the world and our community would seem appropriate, but it didn’t happen.

To us at The African Times this neglect shows an astonishing arrogance and underscores the lack of editorial prowess of today’s “information age” reportage. It is sad that Africa can not compete for even one line or a split second on the “good news side” of today’s reality information programming and news coverage.

The African Times is taking this void seriously enough to make it our “cause célèbre,” so that by next year, and thereafter, we can celebrate, acknowledge and recognize Africa Day and share Africa’s BEING on her “official day” with her and the rest of the world.

Join us - join the effort!

EDITORIAL – May 15, 2004

40 Years of Assisting Africa’s Growth

The African Times salutes the African political leaders and development experts who rounded off celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the African Development Bank (ADB) Group this September in Tunis. We wish to join them in acknowledging the Bank's efforts in promoting the economic and social development of the continent. All the speakers affirmed that Africa’s economic indicators have begun to show the impact of deeper reforms at the national levels of most countries of the African Union.

These views were repeatedly expressed at a groundbreaking symposium, "Africa's Development - the Journey So Far And The Way Forward. “ Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d'Ivoire, and Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, representing President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, were guest panelists. Their speeches ranged from the ADB's role in meeting Africa's challenges, its support for NEPAD, Africa and the challenges of globalization, to Regional Integration and International Economic Relations.

"Clearly, Africa finds itself today at a considerably more favorable historical conjuncture with respect to its development prospects," Mr. Kabbaj, President of ADB, declared and further stated it was now critical for African countries and their development partners to seize this opportunity to boost the region's development efforts, while maintaining economic stability, and saving part of the windfall gains from higher commodity prices for future generations.

In the 40 years the ADB had come a long way from a modest beginning with a subscribed membership of 33 African countries and an authorized capital of 365 million US dollars to become a highly rated multilateral development Bank with a capital base of 31.40 billion US dollars and a global membership of 77 countries spanning Africa, Asia, the America's and Europe.

The African Times extends congratulations and a “Happy Birthday!”

EDITORIAL – June 1, 2005

Africa’s Shame!

Everyone keeps talking, all are absorbed in protocol, the world keeps watching and listening and over 10,000 Africans are dying every month. We have reported on Darfur, Sudan’s area about the size of France, since the day the “Black Book” was distributed – a mimeographed report of the misrepresentation of the various ethnic majorities and minorities of Sudan within the ruling hierarchy in Khartoum. The “Black Book” stirred the status quo and made the ruling level of Sudan uneasy, protective and retaliatory.

That also was in the mist of the North/South struggle, a struggle that finally got agreed upon – or more precisely, where the division of oil revenue and proceeds were agreed upon in Nairobi between the two military dictators of Sudan. During the final stages of the North/South struggle or more precisely “war” the Darfur situation matured to full scale genocide with the janjaweed militia killing at the orders of Khartoum to cleanse Darfur of the indigenous Sudanese.

At first, all, including The African Times, viewed this at the seeming face value of one party wishing to control the other. However, unbeknownst to us, and we believe many at the North/South peace conference, the petroleum industry was working feverishly and guess what. There is OIL in DARFUR. We believe that Khartoum knew this and used the “Black Book” as pretence to achieve full control of the area, as not to repeat what took place in Southern Sudan.

It is interesting to note that since the “formal” announcement of the Darfur oil finds, the North and the South are working in concert to protect their respective revenue positions for the upcoming oil concessions in Darfur.

We think this entire greed fiasco is shameful – with 10,000 innocent people dying each month, with over a 300,000 people having been killed and 2.4 million displaced since Khartoum launched the “cleansing” of Darfur.

The African Times appreciates the African Union-sponsored mini-summit in Tripoli to resolve the problem; however, thus far nothing has come out or seems to be in the works to resolve the problems.

An interesting sideline is that the outright killings have subsided, the reason, most of the people have been killed or are in refugee camps, where we expect they will stay for a very, very, long time!

Shame on all of us!