I bless the rains

[nicole]

An Africa thread

[nicole]

Wow. https://www.ft.com/content/7724bc6e-c9b ... 9fb7d6163e

Zimbabwe’s army seized control of the country on Wednesday, saying it was removing “criminals” around Robert Mugabe and holding the president for his own safety.

A spokesman said on state television that Mr Mugabe and his family were being held in a “safe and secure place” while soldiers carried out the operation in Harare, which followed a day of high tension between the army’s commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, and Mr Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF.

[tr0g]

It's just a push from the left and a shove from the right. Where is my copy of Luttwak's book, anyway? I hope I didn't leave it lying around for someone named Chiwenga to find.

[thoreau]

[Warren]

I met Claude Rains down in Africa

[tr0g]

On the same topic, I know some Afrikaaners who are now US citizens and to a (wo)man they all have the same attitude: Africa is a lost cause. Quit sending them money and let it burn.

[Warren]

On the same topic, I know some Afrikaaners who are now US citizens and to a (wo)man they all have the same attitude: Africa is a lost cause. Quit sending them money and let it burn.

I am loathe to throw in the towel on a whole continent. But a period of disengagement while we analyze the consequences of past efforts, to be used in establishing protocols and metrics going forward, would certainly be in order.

[Painboy]

Wow. https://www.ft.com/content/7724bc6e-c9b ... 9fb7d6163e

Zimbabwe’s army seized control of the country on Wednesday, saying it was removing “criminals” around Robert Mugabe and holding the president for his own safety.

A spokesman said on state television that Mr Mugabe and his family were being held in a “safe and secure place” while soldiers carried out the operation in Harare, which followed a day of high tension between the army’s commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, and Mr Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF.

What's sad is this might actually be an improvement.

[D.A. Ridgely]

So, would this be an even better place to start reciting Kipling?

[the innominate one]

I don't know, I've never Kipled.

[nicole]

Wow. https://www.ft.com/content/7724bc6e-c9b ... 9fb7d6163e

Zimbabwe’s army seized control of the country on Wednesday, saying it was removing “criminals” around Robert Mugabe and holding the president for his own safety.

A spokesman said on state television that Mr Mugabe and his family were being held in a “safe and secure place” while soldiers carried out the operation in Harare, which followed a day of high tension between the army’s commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, and Mr Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF.

What's sad is this might actually be an improvement.

Well, I think it will be an improvement over what Grace Mugabe would have been, at least.

[Fin Fang Foom]

You guys know that Africa is generally doing pretty good right now, right? You've actually paid attention to reputable foreign news coverage about the region, correct?

[Warren]

You guys know that Africa is generally doing pretty good right now, right? You've actually paid attention to reputable foreign news coverage about the region, correct?

No I did not. Last I heard Boko Haram was still raping it's way across the north and AIDS and hyperinflation were ravaging the south.

[Jennifer]

You guys know that Africa is generally doing pretty good right now, right? You've actually paid attention to reputable foreign news coverage about the region, correct?

No I did not. Last I heard Boko Haram was still raping it's way across the north and AIDS and hyperinflation were ravaging the south.

There's some nasty shit going on in places like Mexico and Guatemala, and cities right here in the continental US that haven't had clean safe drinking water for years now, but I wouldn't write off the entire North American continent over that. How many different individual countries are there in Africa, anyway -- fifty-something, I think?

[Painboy]

You guys know that Africa is generally doing pretty good right now, right? You've actually paid attention to reputable foreign news coverage about the region, correct?

Explain "pretty good."

Overall there has been growth across the continent but there are others like South Africa and Zimbabwe that have been mired in stagnation and misrule for at least a decade, squandering the resources they had at one time. The growth that has taken place is nice to see but even 8% of little is still little. Additionally, number of countries also rely on oil exports for that growth and a price shock could wipe out much of their gains.

The number of massacres and genocides seemed to have calmed down in most of the countries which is great but a number of the governments are still fragile and a crisis away from coming undone.

Is it better than the post colonial-decades? Certainly. Are things "pretty good" now? Not sure about that. Maybe in another decade or two. But it is nice to see some positive trends in recent years.

[JasonL]

Africa is way too big to generalize about as doing well or poorly. Lots of places in sub saharan Africa are doing quite well these days. Kenya for sure.

[Fin Fang Foom]

Yes, Africa is complex. A land of contrasts, if you will. There appeared to be a quick descent into soon mongering upthread, whereas Africa now more warranted.

[Warren]

Can you point me to Africa's five biggest success stories?

[Aresen]

Wow. https://www.ft.com/content/7724bc6e-c9b ... 9fb7d6163e

Zimbabwe’s army seized control of the country on Wednesday, saying it was removing “criminals” around Robert Mugabe and holding the president for his own safety.

A spokesman said on state television that Mr Mugabe and his family were being held in a “safe and secure place” while soldiers carried out the operation in Harare, which followed a day of high tension between the army’s commander, General Constantino Chiwenga, and Mr Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF.

This looks like a classic "We're here to protect the King from evil counselors" coup. Readers of Shakespeare know this one well.
After a decent interval, it is usually followed by "Our beloved _______ fell out of a window/ate the wrong mushrooms/was playing with his guns and is no longer with us."

[lunchstealer]

The thetan known as Robert Mugabe as ascended to the next level of OT and discarded his body.

[Shem]

Can you point me to Africa's five biggest success stories?

Botswana. Ghana. Namibia. Gabon. Zambia. And even places like South Africa have massive swaths of land that are essentially global middle class. It's like saying "five neighborhoods in Chicago are hugely unsafe; time to write the whole city off as a shithole and let it collapse."

[Warren]

Can you point me to Africa's five biggest success stories?

Botswana. Ghana. Namibia. Gabon. Zambia. And even places like South Africa have massive swaths of land that are essentially global middle class. It's like saying "five neighborhoods in Chicago are hugely unsafe; time to write the whole city off as a shithole and let it collapse."

I don't know anything about Namibia, Gabon, or Zambia. Botswana I thought of as a "good by Africa standards" place, and I'm frankly surprised to see Ghana on the list.
*reads Wikipedia*
It sounds like Botswana is doing quite well and on the right track.
Ghana sounds like it's doing okay at the moment but there's this:

According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index of 2013, out of 177 countries, Ghana ranked 63rd with Cuba and Saudi Arabia.

It's also worth noting that both countries rely heavily on export of natural resources. Not necessarily a problem if the proceeds are invested wisely.

[dhex]

africa is a big fucking place.

[nicole]

Interessant

The general behind Zimbabwe’s coup may have sought Chinese approval days before the army launched its takeover of Robert Mugabe’s government, it emerged on Wednesday.

Mr Mugabe remained under house arrest, still president of Zimbabwe if in name alone, a prisoner of once slavishly loyal generals who now hold the country’s fate in their hands.

As the former British colony faced a deeply uncertain future under military tutelage, a trip to Beijing by Gen Constantine Chiwenga, the head of the armed forces, last week has reignited concerns about rising Chinese influence in Africa.

The general held high-level meetings with officials from the Defence Ministry, and visited a school to observe a Shaolin Kung Fu class.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11 ... ting-coup/

[Kolohe]

Interessant

The general behind Zimbabwe’s coup may have sought Chinese approval days before the army launched its takeover of Robert Mugabe’s government, it emerged on Wednesday.

Mr Mugabe remained under house arrest, still president of Zimbabwe if in name alone, a prisoner of once slavishly loyal generals who now hold the country’s fate in their hands.

As the former British colony faced a deeply uncertain future under military tutelage, a trip to Beijing by Gen Constantine Chiwenga, the head of the armed forces, last week has reignited concerns about rising Chinese influence in Africa.

The general held high-level meetings with officials from the Defence Ministry, and visited a school to observe a Shaolin Kung Fu class.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11 ... ting-coup/

Ah, so that's what White Rose is up to in 2017.