The "West": Ivory Coast’s Trojan horse?

Out of all the frames emerging from Gbagbo’s capture/surrender, the most ridiculous is the one seeking to infer western culpability. At best this theme is one that castigates French forces for their treatment of Laurent Gbagbo and his wife. At worst, some who invoke this theme do so only because in the puritanical halls of the third world, it is not only scholarly to rely on anti-western tropes but patently sexy too.

Looking inward has never been the African way. To me this sounds somewhat paradoxical especially for a continent rich with a culture that constantly reminds people to engage in self examination. In Ghana’s local Twi dialect for instance we often say “s3 aboa bi b3ka woa na efri wo ntoma mu” which means “an animal/insect that bites your skin is most likely to be found in your clothes”

For all those still caught up in the high-minded syllogisms of yesteryear, I have news for you. Colonialism is dead. Ant-colonialism is not sexy and neo-colonialism is no hotter. Sure, France might have its own nationalistic interests in Ivory Coast but which country doesn’t? Isn’t that what statehood is all about? No government that cannot identify its dominant national and international policy interests deserves its mandate. Pursuing these goals to the detriment of another state should however not be condoned.

In Ivory Coasts’ conundrum, I argue that the immediate interest of French forces and pro-Ouattara supporters was more similar than divergent. That is, to dethrone the recalcitrant Gbagbo from power.

Why the hue and cry?

Was it western forces that injected Gbagbo with power drunkenness? Was it some western bug that bit him into stubbornness? Which western force made the former history professor cancel elections that were deemed credible by locals and the wider international community? Maybe I missed some aspects of the narrative but I would like to know the western agents that made an African president hide in the bunker of his own building. Perhaps that ruler doesn’t even deserve his position to begin with.

That said all accusations of rights abuse and maltreatment should be fully addressed. I’m not a student of international conflict but I believe even in combat there are rules of engagement. Ever since Boigny died, La Cote d’Ivoire has been on a roller coaster. When people say Ghana’s western neighbor—in peace time—symbolizes African potential, they’re not exaggerating. For the sake of all the people— men, women and children and for the continent’s larger good, I hope Abidjan rises again.

Agyeman Rawlings and the presidency

In the ensuing cacophony surrounding Nana Konadu’s probable run, a pro-con analysis.

Pro: Konadu has political muscle and relentless ambition to go through a party primary. A major figure within the Rawlings era, her role as first lady was more than ceremonial. She participated in and sometimes led lots of programs and initiatives under her husband’s presidency. Many in Ghana will remember her trailblazing work in gender equity. Under her watch the term “girl-child” and “women emancipation” became popular. She’s ambitious, wields great organizational skills and can get things done. Beyond her social and developmental accomplishments her appetite and mastery of Ghana’s political trajectory is legendary.

Unlike Mills, she doesn’t only have the ability to stomach missiles from the NPP; she’s more than capable of conceiving, assembling and launching her own atomic bombs. With Nana K on top, NDC will be on auto-offensive. In Konadu, they have someone whose iconic status can immediately ignite passion, activism and excitement among the party’s base. Mrs. Rawlings has a Palin problem though. She’ll do great in a party primary but will struggle to garner independent votes needed to win nationally. Her candidature in and of itself should be an exciting one: first female with a serious chance of becoming Ghana’s president.

On a lighter note the video embedded shows Mrs Rawlings dancing at an NDC Norway event.

Cons: That Konadu can lay claim to the presidency—however audacious—shows how little the balance of power within Ghana politics has shifted. Agyeman Rawlings has serious questions to answer regarding her role and that of her husband during “their” military and civilian stewardship of Ghana. I have no doubt Agyeman Rawlings will bring vast experience to governance but there are many who want to move Ghana beyond the shadow of the Rawlings’s. Internally the NDC needs to treat Konadu’s stake with extreme caution because her family’s legacy is indispensable to their electoral prospects. Anyone who deems her presidential experiment facetiously does so at their own risk.

Ps: My suggested campaign slogan for Konadu is to borrow Hillary’s… “buy one get one free

Will the youth fall for Obama again?

In the paradigm shifting elections of 2008, young people made a difference. Without their vociferous support Obama wouldn’t be in the White House today. We saw a glimpse of what their absence might mean during the 2010 mid-terms where Democrats made huge losses due to lackluster participation. If college students decide to stay home —as they historically do—Barack Obama could very well lose his re-election campaign. In this video report I explore whether the youthful fervor of 2008 is still present on college campuses.

In a move reminiscent of 2008, Obama team fires first email

Even before Republicans cast lots for their 2012 standard-bearer, it appears the Democratic machine is in motion. In a familiar return to its grassroots organizational strategy that amassed expansive voter records, the Obama re-election team has sent out a first round of emails to supporters.

Jim Messina fired emails to registered Obama supporters late Thursday. “You're in for 2012: Welcome and thanks.” he wrote. Messina is one of the fresh faces on Obama’s team, taking over from David Plouffe as campaign manager after stints in the White House and Congress.

The email was short, simple, lacked the verve and charm of 2008 but went straight to the point. It comprised about 190 words. Supporters are asked to join either by volunteering, donating or spreading the word. In 2008 Barack Obama tapped into his community organizing skills by running a prolific grassroots campaign which grew into an enthralling movement.

“…whether you're a first-time supporter or a veteran organizer, this campaign belongs to you. You own it, and you power it” Messina said.

This email comes as no surprise as President Obama recently launched his re-election bid in a flurry of emails and web messages. No presidential candidate is known to have amassed as huge a record of ordinary citizens as Obama did in the previous elections. Equally important, the current president effectively employed new media and social networking tools to elicit more support especially among the country’s young population.

If observers are looking for any signs regarding how similar or different this campaign will be from the last, then this introductory email gives little or no clue.

Messina’s email mentions no specific details as to how the campaign will be run except to indicate in broad terms that it will be “different”.

“Now forget everything you know about politics. Because I can tell you that the next year and a half will be like nothing you've seen from a campaign. If we're going to win, we have to be tougher, smarter, and more innovative than ever before” the new campaign manager said.

In an effort to recapture the spirit and excitement of 2008, Team Obama is asking voters to take an active part in running the campaign in their individual communities.

“This is an exciting time to get involved -- your leadership today will help shape what kind of campaign we can run over the next few months.”