JOHN O'SHEA,
Sir, - I congratulate Kevin Myers on his astute observation of the vile activities perpetrated on the people of Africa by the "kleptomaniac psychopaths who have emerged from nowhere and seized power over most of the continent" (An Irishman's Diary, March 13th).
The situation in Africa is indeed depressing and likely to get far worse, if that is possible, before it gets better. Mr Myers asks what can possibly be done for the innocent millions facing calamity. It has to be said that, without a seismic shift in attitude by the international community, the answer is "not very much".
Not until the international community, and that I suppose means the United Nations, drops the notion that national sovereignty is sacrosanct and pays more attention to the rights of people to a decent life will we see any great change. The causes of Africa's problems are many and deep-rooted and it is surely no coincidence that it is a continent that was ravaged by colonialism. Whatever the causes it is incumbent on the international community to search for solutions.
As Mr Myers points out, Africa could be the Garden of Eden, such are its natural resources, physical beauty and fertility. But, thanks to a long history of misrule, the vast majority of its people are living in absolute poverty. As much as anything they need protection from their leaders. Their security and well-being must be considered more important than national sovereignty, which serves only to protect corrupt tyrants.
Perhaps, if the UN had an international force ready and equipped to intervene when instances of human rights abuses arise, the world would be a more bearable place for many millions of people. The remit of the proposed international court should also be widened, because it is not only in times of war that crimes against humanity are committed. - Yours etc.,
JOHN O'SHEA,
GOAL,
PO Box 19,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.