African Aspiration And Anguish

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Sept 2003

Two months ago world attention was briefly switched from the Middle East to the African Continent when President George W. Bush undertook a five-day African tour, touching down in Senegal, Botswana, South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria.

These points of call were chosen as countries where African initiative and self-help were showing significant results in such areas as economic growth, control of disease and promotion of democratic government. President Wade of Senegal made the point in a welcoming speech: "Africans ask only for infrastructure and equipment in order to work." President Mogae of Botswana said: "We use our diamonds to educate people, provide health care, clean drinking water, roads and housing." President Obasanjo of Nigeria struck a different, but vitally related, chord: "There is a great need for moral and spiritual regeneration within our society," doubtless having in mind the corrosive effects of bribery and corruption.

On his part President Bush indicated America's desire to help solve the Continent's problems. On arrival in Senegal, he said, "Where we see suffering, America will act. Where we find the hungry, we will act." He had formerly initiated the Millennial Challenge Account to reward nations that commit themselves to free trade and human rights. He further proposed making available one billion dollars for education, food aid, countering terrorism and famine relief; also $15 billion for the fight against AIDS. If these proposals are in due course approved and implemented, they will promote the worthy aspirations of many African countries. At the same time he stressed the essential need for African self-help.

The American presidential plane flew past many other sub-Saharan countries of Africa, some of them torn with anguish through appalling inter-tribal wars. Notably in Central Africa savage conflict has dragged on since 1977, notorious for its wholesale massacres of rival groups. The troubles have involved Rwanda, Burundi, the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and western Uganda. Including people who have died of starvation or disease as a result of the fighting, it's conservatively estimated that about four million have perished.

Liberia too has known horrendous suffering. Charles Taylor violently gained the Presidency in 1989, but within two years his supporters had split into murderous factions, reducing the country to chaos. For five more years it was paralysed by violence through which 200,000 Liberians lost their lives. Nearly half the population fled into exile to escape the carnage. Taylor emerged the victor in 1996, but with a reputation for extreme brutality, including the training of children as soldiers. He tried to legitimize his position by holding elections in 1997, but armed rebellion has since engulfed the country, so that two separate rebel groups between them control all but the capital, Monrovia.

Because of America's historic links with Liberia, President Bush has been under pressure to send American forces into the country to restore law and order and maintain peace. American policy rather inclines towards helping to create a West African peace-keeping force, with United Nations involvement in 'developing a political solution'. The arrival of a small vanguard of Nigerian troops in July triggered the hope that at last some relief was on the horizon.

For many years the gospel was broadcast to surrounding African countries from the ELWA radio station near Monrovia. The acronym ELWA meant 'Eternal love winning Africa', an appealing, meaningful slogan! Sadly the project had to be abandoned due to hostilities in the civil war. How ironic that the voice of life and peace should be silenced by forces of death and destruction! Yet the message of salvation will have found an abiding place in many believing hearts. Eternal hope assured through faith in the Saviour will continue to be an anchor to all who have received Him. Moreover, it is written:

'The recompense of God will come, �

And the ransomed of the LORD will return, �

With everlasting joy upon their heads.

They will find gladness and joy

And sorrow and sighing will flee away.' (Is.35:4,10 NASB)

When all earthly aspirations have served their purpose and faded into history, the abiding spiritual values of divine salvation will bring glories against which the anguish of present sufferings are not worthy to be compared (Rom.8:18).

PRASHER, G. | Sept 2003
Focus