This article by Mr. Cobbs sounds like a good article, which focuse on human rights.But, in Africa this single handed approach has not worked. Typically aid is cut off and a lot of sanction imposed. What is improving good governance in Africa seems to be economic development and trade. That is the new modern way to improve good governance. Other wise, it just becomes an endless debate about human rights, and actually this single approach has worsened human rights in Africa. Where the Chinese have invested heavily in Africa, typically human rights have improved also.

Look at Sudan where the focus has entirely been n human rights,no improvements have been seen. The African Union saw his and oppossed the international community on impossing additional sanctions and prosecution. The approach being suggested, actually does not improve human rights. The Punishment on Zimbabwe did nothing to promote human rights or good governance.

The last sentence confirms my suspicion of empty rhetorics when Carson concluded, in effect, that ‘Other visits to Africa are likely… either on the way to, or coming from, other parts of the world” which can be interpreted that Africa is just an afterthought to this administration on his way to a more important parts of the world. How insulting can he get? Why can't Africa be a destination, for a change, instead of a stepping stone? Condoleezza Rice’s Africa Policy for the Bush administration is by far more robust than this one. Ali Mazrui said it best in his observation of this administration when he posited, “when faced with a dilemma between helping Kenya and helping Bangladesh, Obama may feel compelled to help Bangladesh as a poorer and more deserving supplicant for American aid. Would Africa have been better off if Hillary Clinton had been elected President of the US instead of Barack Obama?” Go figure.

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Jeremiah, chapter 50 : 35 - 37

35: A sword is upon the Chaldeans, the inhabitants of Babylon, her princes, and her wise men; says the LORD.

36: A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote. A sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed.

37: A sword is upon their horses, chariots, and upon ALL THE MINGLED PEOPLE that are in the midst of her; they shall become as women. A sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.

ALL THE MINGLED PEOPLE – What Nation Has More Different Cultures Than America ?

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I can't believe the U.S. government still supports the transitional government in Somalia. That is such a joke. Somalia's government was the most stable it had been in years before we went in there on trumped up charges and created chaos with the Ethiopians. Also, Carson is on the wrong side of Nigeria as well. When oil workers in the Delta are making less than a dollar a day while Exxon-Mobile profits in the tens of billions of dollars, it is damned hard not to root for the underdog. I can't believe he didn't address the gripping poverty and corruption which has caused this mess. I won't buy a drop of gasoline from any American oil company because of their usufruction of the Delta.

Sorry to say but I don't if your boycott of Exxon-Mobile makes a huge difference! Americans drive HUGE gas guzzling SUV's and we STILL drive ALOT even when the price of oil goes up...so trust me..EXXon's profit probably comes primarily from the USA alone! No if Americans STOP driving so much then they WOULD listen!

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i would like to take this opportunity to welcome barack and michelle to africa. welcome home!

In a symphony.

In the light of a symphony there's a charming intention, and also that fortune; there's a little desire and the sound of a beautiful noise....

Francesco Sinibaldi

http://www.afghanistanonlineforums.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1249765272

Johnie Carson must be a comedian. My son was murderd in Accra, Ghana on January 1, 2008. He and his people have done nothing except reward Ghana for their blocking of this investigation. He refuses to answer any questions. He does not care about Americans, only himself.