I have been to Kenya and South Africa - based on my experience there, the poverty in Africa has absolutely nothing to do with the people - there are loads of enterprising and imaginative individuals there who work very hard. The problem lies in the lack of the rule of law and corrupt government. If that burden was ever corrected, Africa will surprise many people.
It was said of Angola, while it was under Portuguese rule, that it was "so rich, so beautiful, put a dead branch into the ground and it would grow". What Africa perhaps needs is to realise that rejecting the colonial legacy entirely was not the right way to go. Mozambique has learned this, South Africa appears to understand this, if partially - once this lesson is learned, there is no limit to Africa's potential.
Regards, Ivan
A significant problem in many developing, former colonial countries in Africa and elsewhere, including Iraq, is that in order to divide and rule, the colonial powers drew boundries that mixed opposing and hostile tribes into the same country. Nigeria is a good example, with Housa, Yoruba and Ibo tribes. Some may remember the nasty little anti Ibo war they had some years back. Now there is conflict with the northern Islamics and the southern Christians.
Of course the conflict created by the British by drawing the boundries for Iraq with Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites is very obvious today. Its a shame we couldn't have an international boundry redrawing commission.
Strange comment. I thought that the people were responsible for the kind of law and government they have.