AfricaBlog

Togo in the News

This is a good, positive development:

The African Union has suspended Togo from the pan-African body, calling for sanctions against the country to be endorsed across the continent.

The moves follow growing international anger at Togo's military-installed leader, who took power hours after his father's death earlier this month.

For the first part of Africa's post-colonial era, the leaders of one country were loath to be overtly critical of other leaders. Likely, since most of the leadership was mired in their own corruption and propped up as, at best, semi-legitimate leaders, they feared that the criticism would be turned back on them.

Whatever the reason, though, this unwillingness to point fingers at their neighbors was a stumbling block to progress. That the AU is looking to take a hard line with Togo is in line with recent history, where African governments are more willing to put sanctions and pressure on members in hopes of forcing better behavior.

No group of nations can better themselves without self-examination and critical thought.

Developing and third world nations don't become healthy over night, so it remains important to recognize the steps that take a country and a government closer to self-sufficiency and legitimacy.

Good for the AU for making the right call for action. The willingness to scrutinize one member nation is coupled to at least some level of willingness to accept scrutiny. That has to be considered a mighty good thing.

Read the story.

Posted by zombyboy at February 25, 2005 12:14 PM