The news from Africa is bleaker than usual but I shall add a ray or two of sunshine!
* SOMALIA is in the news again. This impoverished country has not rested in the past 15 years. It was in 1990 that the infamous warlord Mohamed Aideed sought to take control of the country. You know what happened after that! Now, the US backed Warlords running Mogadishu, the capital, have been expelled by the Islamist Militia and the city is, as usual, enveloped in a war of greater intensity. There are rumours that the US is prepared to dangle some carrot in front of the Jihad donkey, but are staying well back for now. I think that is probably wise. Mogadishu must be one of the few cities in Africa with no government, a failing infrastructure and a lawlessness that seems unredeemable. The UN, a quasi World saver, is unlikely to give much assistance, given that they are incapable of saving anything other than a latrine in the DRC.
* Zimbabwe (Don't cry for me), has just issued its newest banknote, the 100 000 dollar note. Apparently one note will buy a loaf of bread and a Pepsi. It is rumoured that Comrade Robert (he of the Hitler moustache and a wife who has a fondness for Harrods), is buying Russian planes for Air Zimbabwe (www.airlinerworld.com), as the travelling set will not fly on his Chinese fleet. Well, you and I know the reputation Russian planes have in Africa! Now I wonder how many notes of 100 thou it takes to buy an Ilyushin. The great senile wise and holy one is also trying to convince the Republic of South Africa that he needsa loan. Today's news says they have turned him down. Oh well, back to the Chinese.
* The city of Luanda, Angola, is likely to explode with football fever on Sunday when Angola play Portugal in their first round game of the World Cup on Sunday. I lived in Angola for 6 years and I know how football crazy they are. Portugal and football equals great pleasure in the former colony. Angola vs Portugal is going to add 100 % to the pleasure and I know that city will close down at kick-off. I would love to be there with them.
* Talking about Football, the USA and Australia will be there too (apropos the above: USA 1 Angola 0 in the warm-ups.), and let us not forget that the US, an American Football nation, has a great "soccer" team. Last time around the US went through to the next group in Korea/Japan. Good luck guys!
Look out for "News From Africa" every week on Joeuser.