PRLog - March 12, 2015 - WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Friends of Marafa Committee (USFMC) issued a position statement questioning the primarily economic focus of Brookings Institution's Africa Growth Initiative (AGI). The USFMC is an outgrowth of Marafa Watch (MW), a grassroots, U.S.-based campaign for release of Marafa Hamidou Yaya, former Secretary-General at the Presidency of Cameroon. The group takes issue with what it contends is "short shrift of humanitarian considerations" by Brookings AGI, "except in justifying U.S. tax and private dollar investments in Africa."
The USFMC asks, "What do you call giving millions or billions to unadulterated tyrants and linking the funds to global poverty relief?" and answers, "A farce." USFMC members reportedly "doubt American taxpayers should simply hope African leaders properly expend U.S. tax dollar investments they control, undeterred when one or more of them unjustly imprisons an actual or perceived critic or political rival of theirs." According to the USFMC, "(w)hen a country imprisons one or more people to quash the idea they or anyone can pursue otherwise lawful conduct, the reigning government is not a democracy and could not thoroughly embrace capitalism."
Describing the late Queen Marie-Antoinette as a symbol of "decadent monarchs, indulging lavish lifestyles at the expense of the poor", the USFMC goes on to assert:
Resigning ourselves to the Marie-Antoinette proteges of Africa is one thing. Quite another is making them stewards of economic development and poor relief while they conspicuously and unjustly silence even prominent proponents of democracy, capitalism, human rights, freedom, and justice.
The USFMC suggests "whatever good accomplished" while these advocates are imprisoned has little or no value given underlying investment goals. The USFMC further submits there are "face-saving measures" for securing release of Africa's political prisoners in exchange for U.S. aid to Africa.
To read the full USFMC position statement, CLICK HERE or visit http://marafawatchnews.tumblr.com/post/113429746992/let-them-eat-cake-obamas-legacy-for-africa
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U.S. Good Government Advocates Challenge Africa Growth Initiative of Brookings Institution
March 12, 2015 at 15:43 PM EDT
