“Free Trade Cripples Food Production in Africa”

Market reforms were made in the 1980’s that focused on privatization of government functions and a focus on free trade that were supposed to aid economic growth, but have ended up backfiring. These reforms were seen as a way to save failing education and hospital systems, among others, but they have only made more problems, especially for the poorer countries. Food production has declined, and poverty and hunger levels have increased for millions of Africans.

It is thought that these strategies work well in developed economies, but can be devastating in less-developed economies like many of the ones in Africa, a draw-back that apparently wasn’t thoroughly considered.

There are no easy solutions, and the road to recovery is going to be long and tough.
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Jonathan rearranges Yar'Adua's Cabinet

Aondoakaa

Feb 9, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan truly took hold of Yar'Adua's government in the swapping around of members of his cabinet. In the weekly Federal Executive Council's meeting Jonathan took the Minister of Special Duties and moved him to the position of Minister of Labour and Productivity. The Minister of Labour and Productivity was moved to become the new Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; a shady move on Jonathan's part ousting the original Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, hours before he was going to call a closed door meeting with his department to dissuade judicial workers from striking.
In media comments Aondoakaa and all others in government positions are publicly supportive of this switch. Things are less calm beneath the surface though. Immediately following the meeting, workers in the Ministry of Justice met in small groups to discuss in hushed tones the switch. Says one worker "I know Oga, he will surely resign from this appointment because I don’t think he will like to act as the Minister of Special Duties after holding sway in Nigerian politics for such a long time. What will he be doing there? This is like being relegated to obscurity."
During the meeting armed guards were sent to the Ministry of Justice to fence it off and subject everything removed to intense scrutiny.

Jonathan removes Aondoakaa

The Red and the Black

It has become apparent that last week's sudden push for appointing Goodluck Jonathan was the result of one under announced factor: fear of a coup. Security reports showed unrest in soldiers, spawning fears of yet another military coup and subsequent installation of a dictator. To avoid such bloodshed, governors pushed for the end of the political deadlock, and the stabilization of politics in Nigeria. It should be noted, however, that disturbing information from high ranking military shows that certain politicians were actually inciting the military, pushing for the end of peace so perhaps they might climb to the top.

The fears became public four weeks ago, during the sectarian incident in Jos. When the riots calmed, blood was still boiling, and the religious conflict creates an ideal broth for military action. Without a president able to lead, revolution could have been imminent. Hopefully the legislation's action in raising Jonathan, however, will quash the violent ambitions of both the military and the politicians who incited them.

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