This YULETIDE

Of course we must give thanks for the gift of life and the privilege of making it this far as individuals, as families, as communities and as nations. Glory to God!

We have to also reflect on our lives and our times. Today is a poor image of what our world should be, isn't it? Those who should know know. Those who should act don't. So we are ending the year 2010 with unfinished business almost willfully!

You may go round the globe in panoramic despair for all the examples you wish, and you will reap more. Not too long ago, we had long lists of hopes and expectations. Today, the lists are longer! And it is so in all nations.

World leaders, please do something!

All Leaks - Wiki or Wanky

The great lesson from the current frenzy over the Wikileaks of US diplomatic cables is the simple fact of being true to one's conscience.

Speak and write the truth to self and employers! No sleepless nights will haunt you.

Use fine and refined language, embrace the code of conduct! No stray message will hurt you.

Give honest service to nation and nobodys! No leaks will harm you.

Inevitably we make mistakes. Just compare and repair.

Let no-one mock yet - it may be too early, and short-sighted!

All things give gains, and pains.

Beware.

Europe's Freeze

The freezing weather across Europe and its human toll must teach us all to be responsive to Climate Change and its deleterious consequences. When it freezes, it harms and kills. When it's heat-waves, it hurts and kills! Both the people and their fellow global villagers are concerned. We do deeply feel for them.

Let the Cancun Summit deliver on its promise : a safer, healthier world for us and future generations! That's the barest minimum we would accept. No more excuses, please. We are harming our planet! Are world leaders listening? Do they not see?

Now to some concrete steps by the EU-Africa Cooperation/Council: Build Holiday Camps, Homes and Resorts in Africa! Spread/locate them across the continent. Do this right away so Europeans can come over for Winter Escape & Summer Rendezvous! Make it an ambitious 10-year Intervention. It is good health, it is life-saving, it is sound business, and it is futuristic governance!

As the governments mull and pull this agenda, let the private sector and civil society bodies roll out templates and pilots. Action is overdue - long overdue.

Cote d'Ivoire, why this?

Over the years, I have been a fan of Ivory Coast (as it used to be called) for a variety of factors. The West African country had been quite stable and dependable in the past. Yes, it had a dictator in Houphet Boigney and poverty was palpable everywhere, the place was nothing near the utter chaos and brink-hugging catastrophe we now endure.

One of my most intriguing memories was the refusal of Pope John Paul II to go dedicate a huge Basilica built by the late dictator in Yamoussoukro. It mocks Christianity!, the pontiff declared. How could a nation sprawling with poverty in the midst of plenty live with such monstrous hypocrisy, demanded John Paul. It was a lesson African leaders - with the generous help of the Western (especially European) handlers/backers - have never really learnt. If anything, they are now carting the people’s patrimony to the East!

The political crises in Cote d’Ivoire are elite-generated, driven and sating. All sides have their faults. But democracy, built on a UN Peace Deal, supported by ECOWAS, AU and the international community, has spoken the people’s voice. It must be heard and obeyed.

President Laurent Gbagbo must hand over to President -elect Alassane Ouattara or be made to do so. The world and the long-suffering people of Cote d’Ivoire deserve to savour this victory! Let’s have a full UN-organized Presidential Inauguration, with the loser embracing the winner in true African brotherhood and the spirit and letter of the peace accord!

Long live Cote d’Ivoire! Thank you, the United Nations - well done!