July 14, 2005
Ambassador Cyrille S. Oguin
Embassy of Benin
Washington, D.C.
Topic: The Future of Africa.
The briefing of Benin’s
Ambassador Cyrille S. Oguin at the ELF business
luncheon was a historic message from Africa. He
offered a clear and honest picture of Africa’s state
of affair. He emphasized that the 50 African
countries, with 850 million inhabitants, have
different condition and different situations. Some
are caught in poverty and conflict with no good
prospect in the nation-building process; and some
countries have implemented significant macroeconomic
reforms and are prosperous. The Ambassador pointed
out that the future of Africa is complex and
provocative. The turning point came in July 2000,
when the transformation of the Organization of the
African Union (OAU) to the African Union (AU) became
a reality. This political organization has assisted
Africa to become a global player. Economically,
however, many African countries have grave economic
and social problems. The debt burden slowed down
the much needed development. Health is a major
concern; HIV/AIDS affects and kills the juvenile
forces of the continent; and malaria is the number
one silent killer. But, “There is hope,” said the
Ambassador. The Conference on “Security,
Stability Development and Cooperation in
Africa
(CSSDCA)” aimed not only to prevent conflicts on the
Continent, but also projected a roadmap for
promoting democracy, good governance and cooperation
among the African Nations. He concluded with an
enthusiastic remark that the recent debt relief, and
the developed countries’ economic assistance and
investments Benin and other stable African countries
will bring the much needed prosperity. “Indeed,”
said the Ambassador, “our challenges in Africa are
the best business opportunities” for the United
States and, of course, for Mississippi.
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