User:Toussaint/Africa at 50

In 2010, a number of African countries will celebrate their 50th anniversaries of independence:


 * Republic of the Congo
 * Democratic Republic of the Congo
 * Burkina Faso
 * Nigeria
 * Somalia (if any of it is left by that time)
 * Cameroon
 * Togo
 * Senegal
 * Mali
 * Chad
 * Gabon
 * Madagascar
 * Mauritania
 * Niger
 * Benin
 * Central African Republic
 * Côte d'Ivoire

However, what has changed in most of these countries since their independence? The RotC, BF, Cameroon, Togo, and Gabon are still ruled by plundering pirates with guns; Nigeria, DRC, Somalia, Cd'I, and Madagascar are all a total Third World mess.

What much will be celebrated in 2010? 50 years of unending war, poverty and disease?

Let's look at the countries which will also celebrate their own milestones on this year:


 * Zambia turning 46
 * Zimbabwe turning 30
 * Angola and Mozambique turning 35
 * Lesotho and Botswana turning 44
 * Equatorial Guinea turning 42
 * Sudan turning 54
 * South Africa celebrates 16 years as a multiracial democracy
 * Namibia turns 20

So how mature and post-colonial will Africa have become by then? Will Africa begin to change from being a post-colonial horror story to a saga of radical political change?

Just as how Indonesia experienced an unprecedented shake-up after its first 50 years of declared independence, it seems likely for many countries on the African continent to experience a major shake-up after 2010.


 * Southern Sudan is bound to vote for secession. Darfur remains to be seen.
 * Nigeria will have a major war in its unruly southeast.
 * Katanga will re-arise as a major issue.

Will things and conditions have changed in the world sufficiently for Africa to mature beyond its current state?