ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702070033
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FREDERIC BELLE TORIMIRO
THE SELECTION of Kofi Annan as the seventh secretary general of the United Nations raises a glimmer of hope that Africa will now have a real voice, a visible and powerful voice. It also creates rising expectations for a continent whose inhabitants are beleaguered by a myriad of economic and sociopolitical problems.
A U.N. leader from sub-Saharan Africa readily invites speculations on the status of a continent often ignored or relegated to a position of indifference by political, cultural and geographic circumstances.
As much as Africans chant, dance and express wails of joy over the selection of Annan, there is concern about the nature and scope of a U.N. focus on Africa. For most Africans, the overriding issue is whether the United Nations concentrates on problem resolution, peace-keeping and humanitarian interventions that do not depend heavily on the use of military force.
This issue is especially relevant as Africans debate, negotiate, ponder and fight over the political and economic fortunes and misfortunes of the continent. The questions of democratization, governance, political stability and economic development are no doubt areas that must interest any global organization led by an African widely respected and believed to have a wealth of personal experience, intellect and professional expertise.
Annan must be willing to listen to the echoes outside the walls of the General Assembly or Security Council. He must be a leader who can easily recognize the cries of Africans frustrated about the slow pace of democracy, the absence of political accountability, human-rights violations, corruption, environmental degradation and the elusiveness of sustainable economic development programs.
The United Nations will be envisioned by the ordinary and disenfranchised Africans as the only avenue with a collective voice and resolve needed to bring some solace to their sufferings. In effect, the idea of leaving Africans to solve their problems will have to be qualified by a genuine global commitment and support under the stewardship of Annan.
It is obvious that the success of the Annan regime, in terms of timely political and economic changes in Africa, will be influenced by the amount of support it receives from the advanced, industrialized states (especially the United States). The willingness of wealthier states to maintain a substantial and constant level of financial support of U.N.-sponsored programs is critical to the organization's effectiveness.
Furthermore, a moral commitment from the West as well as from Japan, Russia and China is necessary if the United Nations is expected to put enough pressure on those African leaders and social groups who are reluctant to relinquish or lessen their grip on the reins of power.
Frederick Belle Torimiro is an associate professor of political science at Ferrum College.
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