This week we explored the issue of African militaries. Many of our listeners agree that the topic was cant be discussed in one show,we therefore promise to revisit it,perhaps with a different approach. There are many reasons why this issue is important and timely.The political turmoil in Zimbabwe,and the crisis in Congo.
As an African,we understand that the primary role of the military is to provide security and stability,both being essential in setting the right conditions for economic development.People need to have the confidence that their investments will be protected.Basically, the military ensures that our lives,energy and resources are secure.

However,we came to a consensus that most of Africa's militaries are used by existing governments to preserve the political status quo. This is evident in times of crisis when the military tends to stifle peaceful dissent on behalf of the government.I understand the argument that there is a need to protect law and order,but in most cases our militaries have blindly followed orders from their commanders to intimidate and often times forcefully subdue citizens who are peacefully demonstrating against a government policy,opposition meeting etc.

This goes against the fundamental principal that is the basis for this powerful institution-protecting the citizens at all costs. It is no surprise that in a country like Zimbabwe,the military has failed to intervene on behalf of the citizenry,how else would you explain the fact that Mugabe and his henchmen are still holding on to power even after loosing the election. It is also debatable if we should expressly permit the military to intervene when our democracies are usurped or when we cant resolve issues using or involving civilian institutions.

During the show,i spoke to Prof Herbert Howe a re-known author and expert on the topic of African militaries, he says that our governments should be seeking to create more professional armies that can perform more external roles than just being custodians of our internal security. Of recent,he is encouraged by some African countries who have assigned their armies--under the auspices of the African Union- to perform a range of tasks on the continent, including diplomacy, peace support operations and humanitarian assistance. He mentioned the African Standby Force (ASF) which will take on such roles as those that we often call upon the UN to help us with.

First,i must point out that it was by mere coincidence that as we discussed the scourge of corruption in many African government institutions,a major story involving the soon-to-be-former Governor of Illinois Blagojevich (read as-Bagayovich) was unfolding.
As i curiously watched it, and more details were being revealed in the indictment,i thought to myself that not even a Hollywood scriptwriter would have come up with such a ridiculous plot line. In my view, this Blagojevich fella could easily claim insanity and get away with it. Because apparently he doesn't appear to have full control of his mental faculties.
But as an African,in my lifetime i have heard and seen such people that are entrusted with public office, abusing it and getting away with it. So this does not come as a shocker. I guess in this case it was the very comical nature of the governor's earlier press conference in which he informed the world that he knew of people listening to his phone calls and watching him. So he knew it, and yet he still kept on his charade. This makes him the either the cockiest man in Illinois,or the dumbest.
Anyway,back to our discussion this week,most listeners who contributed to the show agree that many corrupt officials in Africa go unpunished. The listeners also seemed to strongly echo the need to act. We cant forever resign ourselves to a state of affairs that has been described as a 'cancer eating Africa'.

We also know that we will never develop as a continent if we don't purge our institutions of such individuals,and struggle to create more transparent systems of accountability.
So the question is where do we start? Do we have the capacity to take on entrenched political powers that continue to grab African resources and amass millions,while the majority of our people live below the poverty line?
I also wanted to find out from our guests,who is more guilty in this process,the person paying the bribe or the one taking it? How do we break a system in which we are all players?
Please join the discussion.

So the conversation continues,and we ask that you join it,we had some interesting views on the overwhelming support that Obama recieved from Africans regardless of whether they understood what he stood for or not. In future shows we will explore some of the prevailing misconceptions regarding his presidency-there are many out there believe me.
So this week we looked at some people that inspire us in our daily lives,our heroes past and present. What acts qualify one to be a heroe? Do we have different parameters in defining our heroes...can one's heroe be a villain to another...can one's words be enough to inspire others-we certainly saw that during the last presidential campaigns here in the US.

The one living person that most listeners say has inspired them by his words and actions is Nelson Mandela. His selfless acts on behalf of his people as they struggled against apartheid, has made him a living legend. He continues to inspire millions around the world through his work on behalf of the suffering masses.


But heroes don't necessarily have to be famous people or achieve feats like those of Nelson Mandela. They sometimes live among us unnoticed, serving others selflessly without recognition or renumeration.
Join the discussion...who do you consider a heroe and why?