'Bush is a war lord'

2004-10-15 14:26

Lagos - For many Africans the United States presidential battle is a distant struggle of which they know nothing, but those who have taken the time to think about it generally have strong opinions and few back George W Bush.

From the souks of Rabat to the vineyards of Cape Province, from the dusty wastes of the Sahel to the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa's long-suffering citizens have problems of their own in poverty, disease and war.

When they look beyond their shores, most Africans see little chance of salvation coming from the United States, whichever wealthy white candidate wins next month's race for the White House. Nevertheless, many are watching.

"America is the world's greatest country. America participates in all things. The American elections are my country's business, not just America's business," said Hennock Lemma, an 18-year-old actor from Ethiopia.

Favour Kerry

Africans largely favour Bush's Democratic challenger, John Kerry, who is seen as more likely to fund Aids research, is the choice of black Americans and, crucially, is seen as anti-war in a continent ravaged by conflict.

But the continent would not vote en bloc for the Massachusetts senator.

In the Muslim regions of the Arab north and of troubled west Africa, Bush's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and his uncritical support of Israel have stirred anti-American sentiment and made the Texan a figure of hate.

On the other side of the continent in the Indian Ocean port of Mogadishu, many still remember the hundreds of dead left behind by the US troops on former president Bill Clinton's ill-fated 1992 mission to snatch a local warlord.

But Somalis don't like Clinton's Republican successor any better.

"Bush is an international warlord and we hope the United States' voters will not elect him if they truly, like other people, want peace," said Amin Osoble, the owner of a construction company.

Nevertheless, in East Africa especially, Bush's "war on terrorism" has won him respect.

Benjamin Majura, a 25-year-old Tanzanian law student, recalled that in 1998 even before the September 11 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, an al-Qaeda bomb blast left scores dead in his capital Dar es Salaam.

'Bush is needed'

"Strong people like Bush are needed, not the ones who compromise with terrorists. Let Bush come again and finish the job and smoke out Osama bin Laden from his cave," he said, echoing one of the US leader's own catchphrases.

In general, however, Africans feel it is time for a change.

"Over the years, the Democrats have proved to be more friendly to Africa," said Bonni Iwuoha, a veteran Lagos political commentator who has analysed US president duels for the past 20 years.

"Kerry will lead Americans on the path of dialogue rather than the path of war. What has George W. Bush gained by going into war with Iraq and supporting the Israelis against the Palestinians? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

- AFP