An Open Letter to the President of The United States and the Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa (COESA)

Here is an open letter to the President of the United States that I sent a few weeks ago. I have also attached what I hope could be the basis of a discussion to change things around, to stop this massive corruption and pilfering of public funds and to help enhance democratic ideals and institutions in Africa. Please read the Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa (COESA) and let me know your thoughts, share it with others and give them an opportunity to make comments as well. Remember, with out open discussions, we cannot find solutions to our problems. Here is the letter..

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Kebede D Gashaw
9013 Old Creek Dr
Elk Grove, CA 95758-5407


Monday, July 18, 2005


President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2883

Dear Mr. President:

You have just returned from the G8 summit where the dire situation in Africa had been discussed and some more funds, in billions are going to be spent by the very same donors that have been spending their taxpayers’ monies in supporting tyrants, petty dictators, corrupt and undemocratic rulers. All this is being done in an effort to help address the multitude of problems faced by millions of Africans every day.

In the past forty plus years, many governments have come and gone, and billions of dollars in aid for development had poured in to help the people of Africa. By any measure or standards, those funds could not be accounted for and no major gains have been attributed to the dollars spent. As an African and an Ethiopian American residing in the United States, I along with millions of Africans in Africa and in the African Diaspora whole-heartedly believe that the continent suffers from lack of leadership, corruption and indifference to the sufferings of the people. Time and time again, the ravages of famine, malnutrition and disease continually affect the population. Aid money pours in, only to have the same persistent problems recur repeatedly. In a democracy, such as ours, problems can occur ones and immediately, mitigating factors are instituted in order to avoid a repeat of the problem. If it happens again, the individuals or officials that let it happen will face the voters and will be voted out and will be denied the opportunity not to ever repeat their malfeasances on the population. In Africa, petty dictators, autocrats, incompetent and corrupt so-called leaders are allowed to continue to plunder, pillage and subjugate their people in to oblivion by rampant diseases, malnutrition, famine and poverty.

Mr. President, the time has come to close the chapter on the petty dictators and autocrats and open a new beginning for the people of Africa. The so-called leaders should be accountable for their actions in the eyes of not only their people but of the world.

As a donor nation, the US must take the lead to demand they be accountable to their actions thus far and they must meet certain criteria developed by donors to qualify for any aid funds for development in the future. As any African in the Diaspora with thirty plus years of frustration and anxiety over the state of affairs in Africa, I have finally mustered the courage to put on paper what I feel should be given consideration: a Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa.

Mr. President, this code that I call, COESA for short, is shown as the attached document for your review and consideration. I hope and pray that you will consider it wholly or partially to redeem the people of Africa from the ravages of corruption, petty tyrants, autocrats and undemocratic governments by making them accountable for any development and aid funds they receive with the exception of direct humanitarian aid (food and medicine).

COESA will not only make them accountable but also will require them to commit for democratic reforms, establish the rule of law, protect human rights and allow the establishment of political parties thus establishing the basis for the creation of multi-party democracies.

There is no better time than now to take the necessary action to address Africa’s major problems – corruption and lack of leadership. There is no one individual that can address this issue and that can make a difference for over 850 million Africans than the president of the United States. You have championed the cause of liberty through out the world. Mr. president, here is the opportunity to do just that for a continent and people that have suffered so much and continue to suffer indefinitely unless this courageous and bold action is taken by the United States and other donor nations.

Respectfully,


Kebede D. Gashaw


CC: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Mr. Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank Group