Does Africa Still Matter?

In June and July of 2005 Africa was very much the topic of discussion of the most influential people in the world. From Blair to Bush to Bono Africa was being discussed in a manner that would make one hope that its problems would finally be heard in an earnest manner. Newspapers around the world where also giving the continent the space it deserved. Then, as the G8 summit was just getting underway, the terrorist attacks that killed more than 50 people in London called into question the future of the meeting, and thus the issue of dealing with Africa's poverty. Africa quickly disappeared from the pages of the world's newspapers making it appear that, in a relatively quiet news cycle, Africa was nothing more than filler for slow times. Despite the change of focus and saying that they would not be deterred by the blasts the G8 leaders steadfastly declared that terrorism would not stop their efforts to making Africa a better place. With that decision the leaders of the richest industrialized nations pledged 50 billion in aid which would benefit the lives of millions of Africans who die each year from AIDS malaria and tuberculosis.

Despite the leaders' pledges to remain focused on Africa (how many of these leaders have mentioned Africa since the blasts?), much of the world's attention has shifted back toward terrorism and its immediate effects. Lost amongst the pressing news of the blasts and the official statements of aid are the voices of impoverished Africans who are making great sacrifices in their own lives so that their continent will be a better, safer place to live for their children. (With regard to terrorism, every analyst agrees that a functioning, healthy Africa is a much stronger ally in the war on terrorism than an ill performing, impoverished Africa.) If the G8 leaders are as steadfast in maintaining their stance of improving Africa over the long term as they say they are then the voices and efforts of impoverished Africans need to be recognized in order to truly make sure Africa will be a better place for future generations.

Nearly two weeks ago (at the time of this writing on 14 July 2005) close to two million people attended concerts (millions more watched on tv) that addressed Africa's plight. Has that concern simply dissipated with the blasts? Does the 50 billion pledged in aid still have relevance in a time of renewed terror attacks in the west? Do the millions who slowly die each year of curable diseases still matter when our attention is focused on the fast explosions that kill equally innocent, but vastly fewer people?

In the precarious times we are living in Africa especially matters because the battle against poverty can be won and millions of innocent lives can be saved. If we want a safer, more secure world with a stronger ally in the fight against terrorism then the voices of Africans and their struggle for better lives need to be heard more than ever.