Letters Readers’ views

The AU, headquartered in Addis Ababa, has been accused of being toothless

Charles Darwin, whose Theory of Evolution is under fire

Now that the “king” is gone Like all human beings, Muammar Gathafi, had his failings and good points. The way he met his end is very lamentable. As much as it is an indictment on governance and leadership in Africa, one can’t close one’s eyes to what neo-colonialists are seeking to do on the African continent.

No one should easily forget, either, the involvement of France in removing Laurent Gbagbo from power in Côte d’Ivoire.

Now that Gathafi is gone, is there any hope for Africa’s unity in our lifetime?

kwasi Agyeman-Dua

Cantonments, Accra.

Who is to blame for the African Union’s failure to deliver ? The fact that the African Union (AU) is unable to deal with African issues is beyond doubt. However, as we blame the organisation for a lack of teeth, we should try to understand what really makes it a nonstarter.

At the 37th OAU Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, said the creation of the AU required “leadership, courage and willingness to depart from the past”.

Annan could not cite better values to make the AU deliver but making a reasonably good number of African leaders embrace such values is an uphill task. Its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, was easily renamed the African Union but the sad fact is that if Africa has not had much UNITY, what do you create a UNION from?

No organisation can function without financial support and some level of independence on the part of those running it. An eve of Summit meeting of foreign ministers in 2007 was reportedly handed a report which showed “only seven African states were up-to-date with their dues to the AU”.

Maxwell Nkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs at the African Union in Addis Ababa, is on record as saying that the biggest challenge to the AU is a lack of funds. How can more than 50 nations fail to fund a continental organisation, which has been revitalised to “pave the way to a better life for all Africans?” The Libyan leader Gathafi’s assassination has thrown the AU’s future into even more doubt. Not only did he pay his country’s dues – until two years ago – to the AU, the “brother leader” paid for other African countries which “could not afford to pay”.

The claim that some African nations are too poor to pay their AU dues must be taken with a large grain of salt. The real issue is that too many African leaders, besides flying their jets (the few who care to attend) to speak eloquently at the AU’s conferences, deep down in their hearts have no regard for the organisation.

At a time when delegations needed to be sent to negotiate a peaceful resolution to conflicts in Côte d’Ivoire or Libya, there were reports that the foot-dragging on the part of the AU was actually due to lack of funds for such trips!

Although the AU was opposed to a no-

fly zone over Libya, it was the votes of African countries that eventually gave NATO the green light to begin raining bombs on Gathafi’s planes and tanks.

When things began going wrong for Gathafi, the West decided that regime change was, after all, part of the whole business. The protests of the African countries which in the first place gave the necessary votes for the no-fly zone fell on deaf ears and the “King of Kings” was smoked out of his palace and eventually, brutally killed.

Until our leaders learn to reach consensus on what is in the interest of Africa, the AU will remain a laughing stock. For all their controversial decisions, I must appreciate the refusal by some of our leaders to allow the immediate formation of the United States of Africa. As long as we still disagree on what is in the interest of the continent, fail to feed ourselves when we are at each other’s throats over power or wealth, and hope that those of us hit by famine should be fed by the European Union and the United States of America, the United States of Africa will remain a dream.

Kambanda Vedaste

Kigali, Rwanda

On the passing of Gathafi On the passing of one man comes the passing of another, let the father of both decide who was great...The man of God must have had his reasons for prophesying so and maybe the same could have been said for Gathafi. But one can’t help feeling less than human for what human beings did to him. Since we are all one, we should all act as one. No one minds a megalomaniac being brought low. No one minds the tables being turned on a dictator. But do we need to become monstrous in our actions, showing the world we are no better?

No matter, it is really not the maniac or the superman that we are concerned with today. It is the continent we should be concerned about, a continent that now stands much weaker and more vulnerable in the absence of one who spoke out without fear against tyrants and dictators.

North of the Sahara we felt there was a wall holding back Europe. North, South, East, West, there was a strong man who

6 | December 2011 | New African 1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1911>Thestory of Nissan begins Three Japanese gentlemen with a love of all things automotive form a company called The Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works, later renamed DAT Motorcar Co.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1930>NipponSangyo - Nissan Nippon Sangyo, abbreviated to Nissan on the Tokyo stock exchange, acquires the controlling shares in DAT Motors.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

1980’s>Paris-Dakar Success The 160 series wins first place in the Paris-Dakar rally in 1984 firmly establishing the Patrol as an exceptionally tough and capable 4X4. The enhanced wheel articulation and ease of parts replacement out in field ensures that the Y60 series, produced from 1987, is still today widely used for military and humanitarian purposes.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2007>TheLong Way Down The Patrol is chosen for support vehicles in the British TV series Long Way Down which documents a 24 000km motorcycle adventure from the UK to Cape Town.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

2010>Hydraulic Body Motion Control The legacy lives on as the Y62 is launched in left-hand drive markets and goes on to win a number of international awards. This cutting-edge 4x4 is an expression of premium quality and design, and boasts a number of exciting new features, including a 5.6l V8 engine that delivers best in class 526Nm torque and the world’s first ‘Hydraulic Body Motion Control’ suspension. With its impressive on-board entertainment system and dual-zone automatic temperature control, the inside is no less exceptional.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1951>Japanese Military Commission To rebuild after the devastation of the 2nd World War, the Japanese Military commissions a four-wheel drive vehicle capable of traversing even the most challenging terrain. Nissan responds by creating the 4W60 and so the Patrol legacy begins.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1960>Simpson Desert Crossing The Patrol 60 series is the first vehicle in history to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

1997>AnotherDakar Victory The Y61 Patrol goes on to win first place at the Dakar rally T1 class.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

2004>17Countries - 157 Days With its proven dependability and superior 4x4 capabilities, Barclays Bank uses the Patrol for the Miles Ahead Expedition into Africa, covering 17 countries and the world’s most inhospitable terrains in only 157 days.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

Now>TheKing Of All Terrain Nissan is firmly established as one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with the Patrol as its proud flagship: a paragon of quality, capability and luxury; the King of all terrain.

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move

SHIFT _ t he way you move