Madam, - K.W. Supple Kane (September 3rd) claims that because the colonial powers left sub-Saharan Africa with governmental structures and infrastructure, they cannot be blamed for subsequent failures.
However, this fails to take account of the West's continued meddling in African affairs, siding with this dictator, that "freedom fighter", or the other civil war belligerent. It also ignores the selfish trade policies enacted by the West towards Africa - refusing its countries the opportunity to use the protective trade policies that helped European and American countries develop their economies in their initial trading years.
While Africa's leaders are far from blameless in the continent's problems, they are also not the only culpable parties. - Yours, etc,
KEITH MARTIN,
Island Street,
Dublin 8.