AFRICA, DON´T PUT YOUR HOPES IN OBAMA

Let me start by stating categorically that I am a huge fan of the President-Elect of the United States of America, Barack Obama. I admire his charisma and guts. I mean, contesting for and winning the Presidential seat in a country like the United States is no small feat. I am an African, and for the fact that Barack Obama is said to have some African roots-Kenyan to be precise; I feel he is a person I can identify with. I love the fact that he won the presidential elections. As a matter of fact, I had a couple of beers with some friends the night he won to celebrate his win.

Africa is so excited about the fact that Obama has become the first black president of the United States. On his victory, Presidents and Heads of states in several African countries declared Public holidays in his honor. He has become something of a celebrity figure in Africa, consistently dominating the news. You are almost sure to see an Obama-related story on the front page of almost every newspaper in Africa, everyday. It has become a major-selling point for newspapers.

It doesn´t just end there. In some parts of Africa, Obama worship has become a religion, literally. Recently, I read on a blog on how some villagers in Kenya, practically threw themselves to the ground and worshipped a statue of Obama. I must admit that I was a little amused. Many see him as a messiah of sorts- one who has come to liberate Africa and solve all her problems.

I got really worried recently when the front page of a Kenyan tabloid had the headline: ´Obama- Our Hope.´ I think it is worrisome that Africans are getting so carried away as to put their hopes in Obama. Obama is not our hope. We are.

Africans seem to be having unreasonable expectations from Obama. Some actually believe the Obama presidency is going to ensure that Africa gets more in foreign aid. That could happen, but considering that America is at a stage where it is still trying to work out its economy, I don´t think it will be wise to expect so much financially from his presidency for some time.

While Africans are still ecstatic about the Obama win, we must realize that while he may have African roots, he is first and foremost, going to be the president of the United States, and not the president of Africa. Let´s not get carried away. He is not going to come and solve all our problems. Problems of poor African leadership, corruption, wars and AIDS cannot be solved by Obama.

Some African Political scientists, social and economic analysts argue that Obama´s win would see that the world will be attracted to Africa and as a result, the continent will surely get priority when it comes to investments. Many anticipate a dollar-rain on Africa, but I am hardly excited because I don´t trust the African leaders who will be getting the funds on behalf of Africa. It is no news that a good chunk of our African leaders are exalted thieves. So, even if the Obama government solves the economic crisis (which I hope), and for some reason America gets generous with Africa, won´t the African leaders as always misappropriate the funds, stash the money in their foreign bank accounts or spend the money on buying villas and castles just as they have always done?

Some also expect Obama to focus his energies on ending wars and conflicts in the continent. If you ask me, I think it is shallow-minded to think that Obama can solve tribal and ethnic clashes in Africa. The only people who can solve that would be Africans themselves. Africans will need to have a paradigm shift in their thinking patterns, and learn to embrace themselves as one people, if ethnic clashes are ever going to be a thing of the past. Obama can´t do that for you.

At the end of the day, only Africans can solve their own problems. Africa must not get carried away by the Obama win and forget that their destiny lies in their hands and not in the hands of the President-elect. Africa must fight its own corruption, bad governance, poverty and its own economic crisis to get to where it ought to be. If change is ever going to come to Africa, change is going to be brought by Africans themselves, and not by Barack Obama. Obama may only do so much, but Africans will need to bring the change they so much desire, by themselves.

Mfonobong Nsehe is the author of Crazy Billionaires Speak, available on amazon.com

E-mail:mfonobong@hodderway.com