...so the gluttony increases.
The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday on arrangements for the African Union annual conference being held in Khartoum ( pick a country, any country, it won't be the Sudan). Apparently (and I can believe this), over 1200 limos, mini-limos and minibuses will be used to ferry Presidents and their entourages around the city . There are 53 Presidents/Prime ministers so I presume each entourage will be enormous. Actually I should not be so presumptious. The entourage will probably consist of numerous wives and children, uncles, aunties, secretaries, bodyguards, assistant Presidents and possibly a few friends and floozies thrown in. Hertz is going to make a fortune.
Then there are the hotel costs. The Grand Holiday Villa (5 star) and the Meridien Khartoum hotel (4 star) will probably host many of the visiting dignitaries. This is the biggest boost to the Sudan economy since General Gordon rode in on his horse. Can you imagine how much of Africa's money will be spent in those hotels? Let's not beat about the bush: Accomodation, meals, secretarial services, laundry, phone calls and all the other sundries (gift shop purchases for Mama President, order out for baby President, toy shop purchases for older child President ---they have toy shops in Khartoum?---and renting of DVD's for teenage President). After this fiasco Khartoum will be able to build a proper 5 star hotel.
I have lived in Africa for most of my life and the greed and corruption amongst the "upper classes" never ceases to amaze me. It is a free trip to excess and gluttony. The AU summit will certainly prove that. Pity those tiny countries with zero growth--they'll be picking up a large tab. There is one great irony about this AU summit. Khartoum has nothing of interest, dies at night and begs in the morning. Just like many African countries.
So, Africa, if you are hungry, go and dine with Comrade Bob tonight. I believe he'll be dining on seared scallops of antelope. And he'll be overlooking the Nile in Khartoum.