African Leaders Can't Count, But People Still Know They're Lying

We have heard of the Pentagon's undeclared budget or the White house's slash funds and the like here in the US. But, in Africa and in this case, in Uganda - the military budget has a standing $ 1 million dollar allocated for dead or none-existent soldiers, some of whom were deserters and no longer serve in the army. What are the funds used for - read on to find out by clicking at the link above.

Nigerian police rearrest Abacha's son

This is real TV drama with out professional actors. The plot is money being looted from the treasury of the most populous nation in Africa. But the drama includes murder, arrest, incarceration, release and re-arest of the son of the former Nigerian ruler, Gen. Abacha. The general is accused of looting a Billion dollars from the Nigerian treasury and stashed it away in European banks. Please read on..the tragedy in Africa continues many times over... more to come..

Switzerland to give back Abacha millions

Switzerland is to give Nigeria back hundreds of millions of dollars of embezzled state funds stashed away in the country's banks by former military ruler General Sani Abacha.

Swiss banks will be ordered to return $535m under an out-of-court settlement between the Nigerian authorities and General Abacha's family and business associates, the Swiss Federal Justice Department said.

Under the deal, a total of around $1bn will be transferred to Nigeria from banks around the world, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

In return, the country's authorities have said they will drop criminal proceedings against members of the former leader's family.

Disputed funds

General Abacha, who died of an apparent heart attack in 1998, was accused of stealing some $3bn from state funds in the oil-rich country.
Under the settlement, his family will be allowed to keep $100m of the disputed cash.
These funds were acquired before General Abacha began his five-year rule in 1993 and "demonstrably do not derive from criminal acts", the statement said.

Accounts frozen

Nigeria asked Switzerland in 1999 to help uncover the financial network it suspected that Mr Abacha had established.

In response, the Swiss authorities froze around $670m in bank accounts belonging to Abacha, his son Mohammed, widow Mariam and other relatives.

Suspicious money was also discovered in Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Jersey, and Britain has found traces of around $1.3bn thought to have been handled by domestic banks for General Abacha's family and friends.

The Swiss ministry said that the funds to be repaid - currently frozen in various bank accounts abroad - would be transferred to the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.

Source: BBC

If you want to see the picture of Gen. Abacha, please click at the link at the top of the page.

Nigeria recovers 'stolen' money

Here is the beginning of a story that has many to follow. The trail of looted money is hot and some of it is being recovered to the delight of all that have been working to see these kinds of days all over Africa. Please read on...

Sorry for the long absence ......

I have been on a business trip overseas and was not able to post any articles, comments and links on the subject. I just got back on Friday and I will resume postings by Sunday.

A lot has happened over the last two to three weeks. Some of the highlights are the UN Summit and former President Clinton's roundtable on governance, poverty reduction and how the private sector can help eliminate these problems in the world. A lofty goal but in my view quite achievable if it prescribes a different approach and solutions than what has been done over the past forty years. I hope you will all join me in the discussion.

Britain urged to lift Ethiopia aid ban

Britain urged to lift Ethiopia aid ban

Britain should lift the suspension of new aid to Ethiopia, and other nations should continue to support the government despite disputed elections and political violence that has left 42 people dead, a UN envoy said today.

Martti Ahtisaari, special envoy for the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, said as many as eight million people in Ethiopia will depend on foreign aid this year for survival.

Britain suspended STG£20 million after Ethiopian police opened fire on protesters demonstrating against suspected poll rigging. On Thursday, EU election observers said the May 15 general elections in Ethiopia did not meet international standards.

Ethiopian officials have insisted that the elections were free and fair.

The vote was seen as a key test of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's commitment to democratic reform in Ethiopia. Meles also serves on Prime Minister Tony Blair's Commission for Africa, and had been seen as a leader of reform efforts in Africa.

Ahtisaari, a former Finnish president, said the effort to help the poorest people in Ethiopia should be a separate matter from the elections.

I hope the negotiations continue,'' he said of Ethiopia's talks with Britain. Whatever has happened, humanitarian assistance should never be politicised. All those that are in need should be helped.''

Ahtisaari spent eight days in Eritrea and Ethiopia, where more than 10 million people require food aid. In Eritrea, food insecurity has left more than two thirds of the country's four million people dependent on outside help.

In Ethiopia, a $200 million a year pilot scheme has been launched to try and end chronic hunger and dependency among more than one in ten of the nation's 71 million people.

Each year, foreign nations inject $1.9 billion into Ethiopia in food and development aid, but the country remains among the poorest in the world.


Source: http://www.unison.ie 13:40 Sunday August 28th 2005


Comment: My only comment is on the last paragraph: Ethiopia receives $1.9 billion annually for food and development aid. Why do we have 10 - 14 million each year suffering from hunger. Why are they pouring money in if the government doesn't have adequate plans to feed its own people with the help that it is receiving from donors. Why are not the donors asking these questions? You know another fact- in countries like Ethiopia any aid help that comes for the hungry and the poor - governments claim they are feeding and housing the people and the recipients also are made to believe that their government is doing everything it can to feed them. In reality, it is the donors that are feeding the people and not the governments. They create dependency for control of the population and they ask the poor to support them in maintaining power. Another way that governments control people is by maintaining land ownesrhip. The government of Ethiopia owns all land and allocates it to farmers based on patronage and dolling favors for support from the people when the government needs it. Donors are aware of that as well. But, what are they doing about it? Reasonable people should ask and if they do not get reasonable answers they should investigate and act to make sure the aid is going to the people that need it the most and not to carry favors for the government's objectives. Kebede

Corruption in Africa: Western Banks Share Blame for Africa's Poverty

Dear Readers: I have been arguing on the side of the fact that we cannot continue to do business in Africa the way we have been doing over the last 40 years. This article on allafrica.com crystallizes the reason why more than anything else that I can write. It is a well written article full of facts and figures that will substantiate what I have been saying so far. It names names, gives dates and amounts of money mis-apropriated by the so called leaders of African countries. It also lays the blame on the door steps of western donors and governments, that look the other way when crimes are committed by their partners in African countries while at the same time their banks are benefiting form the inflow of capital that has been illegally, criminally being taken from the mouths of the poor in their countries.

Please read on by clicking the link above and suffer the concequesnces, more frustration, more headaches and more sleepless nights.

Who helped Zuma...

Here is one of the latest - unfolding before our eyes, corruption investigation in South Africa.

The story is former deputy president Jacob Zuma, has been accused of corruption. "Mr. Zuma will go on trial in October on two charges of corruption which emanated from the fraud and corruption conviction of his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik". So goes the report from South Africa's News 24. Please go to the link above and read he whole article. I can assure you there will be more on this one. kebede

African migration - Home, sweet home—for some

Here is a very timely article about the brain drain- a major problem, that plagues Africa more than any other region of the world. The article talks about efforts being made to reverse the trend by enticing Africans in the Diaspora to come back to their homeland. It is a worth while effort, but in my mind it does not deal with the root causes of the problem, lack of opportunities in education, lack of basic freedom, lack of basic necessities, low pay, corruption and mismanagement of resources, lack of rule of law and fairness, injustice, discrimination, ethnic or tribal governance that restricts movement from one region to another, authoritarian governments, etc.... Please click the link above and read the whole article.- Kebede

African migration Home, sweet home-for some
Aug11th 2005, From The Economist print edition

Principles To Combat Corruption In African Countries

We, Ministers and representatives of Government, the list of which is annexed hereto, having met under the auspices of the Global Coalition for Africa in Washington DC on February 23, 1999, .... So goes the statement from the Ministers and Government representatives that drew a 25 point code or principles. The irony of it is, I did not see this document and had not done any research on corruption in Africa other than what I read regularly in the news and my own experience and intuition in how things are done in developing countries. I would like others to make comments about the similarity or differences between these principles and COESA. I am just a layman, an African frustrated by the events in the continent and I was just pouring my heart out to anyone that can listen and read. As they say, "all roads lead to Rome"; I just want to see some teeth and "tough love" not only in eliminating corruption but in promoting democracy and the rule of law, which I thinks are pre-conditions to economic growth and development. Please click on the link above and read the Principles.

“Corruption Threatens Democracy”

“Corruption Threatens Democracy”

Document Actions

Corruption “threatens democracy, economic growth and the rule of law.” This is a central assertion of the Final Declaration of the IV Global Forum on Fighting Corruption approved Friday. The five-day event gathered representatives from international organizations, NGOs and government from 103 countries in Brasilia to discuss measures for fighting corruption around the world.

The document defines corruption as “a complex economic, political and social problem.” The nearly 1,800 participants reaffirmed their “commitment to the effective implementation of the international anticorruption conventions” and recognized the importance of signing and the ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption. Brazil is among the first countries to sign and ratify the Convention.

The final declaration of the IV Global Forum on Fighting Corruption urges governments to “deny safe haven to corrupt persons and entities – public or private – and their corruptly acquired assets, and to those that corrupt them.”
“The Forum has become the principal vehicle for all peoples in the struggle for dignity and against corruption,” said Minister Waldir Pires. “Brazil is prepared to support and strengthen all of the international conventions,” added.

The Minister of Public Service and Administration of South Africa, Geraldine Moleketi, announced that her country accepted the recommendation put forth by the international delegations that her country organize the 5th edition of the Global Forum, in 2007.

Civil Society

The distinguishing feature of the IV Global Forum on Fighting Corruption was the participation of civil society representatives the workshop and panel sessions. Participants applauded the Brazilian government’s decision to invite non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academics. The event gathered almost 1,800 participants from 103 countries.

At the Forum’s closing ceremony, the Minister of Public Service and Administration of South Africa, Geraldine Moleketi, stressed that the involvement of different segments of society in the discussions will ensure faster adoption of anticorruption measures. She went on to praise the Public Lottery Oversight Program established by Brazil’s Office of Comptroller General. “The Brazilian government is not merely adopting punitive measures, but is also vigorously pursuing preventive actions,” she stated.

The Director of Global Governance at the World Bank (IBRD), Daniel Kaufmann, spoke of Brazil’s organizational capabilities in expanding the Forum beyond official government agencies and representatives. The first three editions included only government entities. “The participation of civil society and academics reflects a democratic opening in Brazil,” he declared. Mr. Kaufmann lauded the dynamism of the workshops and panels, which focused more on discussion than long speeches.

The Executive Director of Transparency Brazil, Claudio Abramo, said that the IV Global Forum on Fighting Corruption succeeded “with great competence” in gathering representatives of civil society for the first time. Mr. Abramo also underscored that the Forum addressed issues not considered in previous editions, such as corruption measurement and the limits of NGO oversight of the State.

The representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Reiner Pungs, also qualified the inclusion of civil society in the discussions as an excellent initiative. He went on to add that the Forum is an important platform for countries to learn more about the experiences of other countries. “I am certain that some of the measures adopted by Brazil will be adopted by other countries,” he concluded

Source: IV Global Forum to Fight Corruption, Brazil, June 7-10, 2005

Moroccans fight ‘crime against humanity’

Moroccans fight 'crime against humanity'
By Abderrahim El Ouali

Discover how a citizens group took action to demand the creation of a "national independent authority for truth and recovering misappropriated public funds." Please read the article by clicking on the link above. This is the type of citizens action that is required to face up to the corrupt officials in developing countries. Bravo to the Moroccans for being a very good example.

Africans among worst in 'corruption league'

Here is some more bad news regarding corruption and the African Continent. The article is entitled - Africans among worst in 'corruption league'.

Corruption 'costs Africa billions'

Here is another shocker, (maybe it is not to most of us) ...Corruption in Africa is costing the continent nearly $150bn a year, according to a new report. Please click the link above and read on....

Kenya corruption review 'blocked'

An African Union watchdog set up to monitor good governance says it has stopped work in Kenya after the government barred it from its offices.

The fact of the matter is: The African Peer Review Mechanism ( APRM) was set up by the African Union last year as a mechanism to monitor each other's progress towards political and economic reform.

Kenyan papers stung by corruption claims

Let the government be told who among its cabinet ministers and civil servants are corrupt and the figures involved. If credible, the culprits will immediately be sacked.
First Lady Lucy Kibaki in East African Standard

That is quiet a statement, but not from the president but, the first lady of Kenya. (Kebede)

Kenyan courts grind to halt

I had planned to post a video linkage for tonight. But the linkage did not work, I am trying to find a way to do that. Until then, here is another one from Kenya.

Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa (COESA)

Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa (COESA) ©2005

Donors’ Criteria for Aid

1. Commitment to a multi party democracy.
2. Commitment to fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
3. Commitment to open, transparent and accountable government.
4. Commitment to property rights and private ownership of land and resources.
5. Commitment to abolish and/or eliminate government and or party ownership of economic resources.
6. Commitment to open markets for internal and external investors.
7. Commitment to set up preemptive processes to prevent corruption.
8. Commitment to investigate any allegations of corruption and fiscal improprieties.
9. Commitment to prosecute and punish those found to be guilty of corruption.
10. Commitment of recipient countries to allow investigations by donors or their dully appointed representatives to conduct an investigation at will and/or annually and submit a report to donor countries and to make the report public.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recipient Country Obligations

1. Establish the basis for a multi-party democracy by allowing the formation of political parties.
2. Establish a constitution that underlines the rule of law, upholds the fundamental human rights of its citizens, and allows for property rights and private ownership of economic resources including the right to own land.
3. Establish the basis of open, transparent and accountable government.
4. Eliminate state or party ownership of businesses.
5. Establish the means and the process that allows internal and external investments.
6. Elected officials must declare their (spouses included) financial net-worth before taking office and those that are in office must do so immediately to an international body created for monitoring these obligations.
7. Establish preemptive measures to prevent corruption and to establish the mechanism to investigate corruption or allegations of corruption.
8. Prosecute corrupt individuals and make every effort to recover misappropriated funds and punish those that have been found guilty of the crime.
9. Be open and ready to allow investigators from donor nations or their duly appointed representatives to conduct such investigations at-will or at a prescribed time and receive their findings that will be made public by the donor nations.
10. To monitor donor funds and to require the establishment of the lowest possible limit for any overhead or administrative costs being deducted from the funds.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For information contact: Kebede D Gashaw- kgashaw@gmail.com

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..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Corruption 'costs Kenya $1bn a year'

Here is one from Kenya. Expect to see a lot more in the next few days about corruption in Kenya, you will be amazed.