In forming United Nations and colonized nations becoming politically independent, the world took one step forward. However, by retreating to extreme nationalism and engaging in violence to solve national and international problems, the world is taking two steps back.
It is often pointed out that Africa is the riches in natural resources. It is a fact that cannot be disputed. But then, the argument proceeds with a comparison with countries which are comparatively poor in natural resources. Look at South Korea. It had lower GDP than many African countries at independence but look at it now. The same, they argue, is also true of Singapore. Or they turn to size. How come tiny countries like Israel, and Japan are economically and technologically more advanced than African countries. So, what is wrong with Africa?
By Mesfin Genanaw, a college professor in Texas, USA
Africa has been depicted as the "hopeless continent" by Western media and the public. But Africa is more diverse and bigger than most people think, with a land area exceeding Europe, the United States, and China combined and a three trillion-dollar economy. According to UNDP, Africa has 1.34 billion people (17% of the world pop), home to some 30 % of the world's mineral reserves, 40 % of the world's gold, 90 % of its chromium and platinum, 12 % of the oil reserves, largest reserves of uranium in the world and 65 % of the world's arable land. Despite such a long list of natural resources, Africa can't fully feed itself.
By Kato Mpanga, U.K Academic Lawyer and Wyclef Kayonjo, Lead, Innovations and Client Strategy at Fine Media Uganda
Though the issue of mediation is relevant to many other countries, the discussion here will focus on the situation in Uganda where on 1st February 2013, the Judicature Mediation Rules 2013 were passed into law. The rules made it mandatory for civil matters such as land, and family disputes, among others, to first attempt mediation before being taken to the High Court and its Subordinate Courts.
It’s always sad to see migrants up against it–whether it is the deadly waves of the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas, the slow churning processes of the US/Mexican border and, in the case now in the news, of 4,000 or so mainly Kurdish migrants trapped on the Polish/Belarus border. The migrants are facing Polish soldiers on one side of the barbed wired fence on the Polish side. Behind them, guarding the route the migrants took from Minsk airport, Belarusian soldiers don’t want them to return home or even look for jobs in Minsk.
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It’s always sad to see migrants up against it–whether it is the deadly waves of the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas, the slow churning processes of the US/Mexican border and, in the case now in the news, of 4,000 or so mainly Kurdish migrants trapped on the Polish/Belarus border. The migrants are facing Polish soldiers on one side of the barbed wired fence on the Polish side. Behind them, guarding the route the migrants took from Minsk airport, Belarusian soldiers don’t want them to return home or even look for jobs in Minsk.