I agree that this is a problem not only in Angola but in all of Africa. Poverty is the one major issue that has to be addressed. I agree that the business community that controls the oil and other resources that Africa provides should and must take care of the people that provide the labour force. They must develop the country such that all enjoy the fruits of the land. Merely raping the continent will only lead to all the anti-social problems that one sees prevalent in all parts of Africa.

The international community must play an integral role in empowering the people of the continent so that they could control their own destinies.

Education is the most crucial component of the formula for success. Health care is next in line that is needed to stem the growing pandemic of HIV and AIDS. Full employment will definitely add to the growth of the economies.

Another phenomenon is the idea of the African Renaissance that is being touted by the S.A. leadership. One has to be very skeptical of this idea. Remember that Africa is a continent filled with people of all stripes, colours and religions and one cannot forget that all are part and parcel of the success of the continent. If the African Renaissance were to succeed then one will only ‘Balkanize’ Africa once again for more exploitation by the external forces.

Hopefully some of these ideas have been uttered by others but I felt that I should also add to the list.

Prof Soyinka's eloquent discourse on the collective failure of the world, Black Africa included, is a damning indictment of those who have the power to stop and prevent the first genocide of this century. The UN has been prevaricating, the AU has been silent (in spite of the weakly mandated Peace keeping Forces in Darfur), and the Arab League does not believe there is a problem in the first place. Against this backdrop, it is heartening to see Black intellectuals taking the lead on this issue. This offers little comfort to those who are raped, killed, tortured and rendered destitute in their own backyard. The words "never again" mean nothing when it comes to that continent.

The challenge has been issued by Soyinka to African leaders to show even a token response: expel Sudanese diplomats from African capitols to show that we are serious about Darfur.

The article entitled “The Psychosis of Denial” contains inaccurate statements. The problem in Zimbabwe is caused by the current majority ZANU PF government. What has MDC got to do with the problems? Is it the MDC that has failed the land reform, or embarked on operation cleanup or caused the shortage of food and fuel? The authors of this article clearly benefit from the current situation in Zimbabwe. Those that are benefiting from the current misrule are known to be corrupt and nothing is done to them. There are many laws, e.g. the Public Order and Security Act [POSA] which benefit ZANU PF and not the general public. They say there is a rule of law but there is selective application of this, especially where corruption is involved. It is who you are, and your loyalty to Mugabe that matters in Zimbabwe. Too many laws are passed to keep the status quo intact. Zanu PF is worse than the apartheid regime considering that it is a Black government mistreating its people yet blames Blair and Bush. How are Blair and Bush responsible for the oppression of ordinary people in Zimbabwe? Are they responsible for plundering the country's economy?

The Mugabe regime has run short of what to say and they don't want to accept responsibility for their mistakes. Instead they pass endless laws that are retrogressive to the building of a country.

It is a power struggle issue in Zimbabwe. Someone thinks because they fought a war therefore no one else should rule the country except them. If you look for example at Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, they have changed political leaders, but what has Zimbabwe done, and why? There is more to it than blaming other people and the opposition.

Zimbabweans are tired of the ZANU PF propaganda. The country is run on propaganda. Zimbabweans are just fed up. And we are waiting to see where this propaganda will take ZANU PF. The truth is ZANU PF is not committed to change or to the development of Zimbabweans at large. Look at who benefited from farm invasions, and what is coming out of those farms? Nothing. If your loyalty is questionable the farm is simply taken away from you.