Which African Nation should step up to take an active leadership role?

[Mithie]

So the big question lately has been why aren't Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc doing more to curb serious problems right in their backyard, such as piracy and the Darfur genocide? Many first and second world nations have pledged monetary and even military support if a regional power, such as a member of the African Union, steps up to the plate and take political leadership and civil responsibility to tackle these problems.

In the 80s, Nigeria often stepped up to mediate African conflicts and keep a political balance. Later, with the further development of the African Union, South Africa has replaced Nigeria as the de-facto political arbiter. During much of the 90s and early 00s, various nations like Congo, Kenya, and Zimbabwe have stepped up to the whole of Africa in front of the world to say "Look - this is a serious problem for ALL of Africa, and ALL of us need to make an active effort to solve it".

Lately, especially the past half-decade, such leadership is missing and silent. I think a lot of these problems plaguing Africa could be eradicated if one African nation just took up the leadership mantle and got something done.

Who do you think that nation should be?

[Pallantides]

[Norge]

France.

[Orko]

Britain. bring back the British rule to Africa.

[bushbush]

France.

France is an African Nation.

[Norge]

France is an African Nation.

Yep, In all areas except geography.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Pallantides]

bring back good old Rhodesia



Rise, O voices of Rhodesia.
God may we thy bounty share
Give us strength to face all danger and,
where challenge is, to dare.
Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
ever of thy grace aware.
Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always,
for this land within thy care.Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
bringing her your proud acclaim,
Grandly echoing through the mountains,
rolling over far-flung plain.
Roaring in the mighty rivers, joining in
one grand refrain,
Ascending to the sunlit heavens,
telling of her honoured name.

[Erik]

South Africa SHOULD be taking a more active role, IMO.

Contrary to popular believe, there are plenty of stable democratic countries in Africa, but they are mostly located in the West.
Nigeria and Mali are some of the bigger names, but smaller countries like Ghana and Burkina Faso also contribute to stability in the region.
But I think those countries aren't really that interested in the more violent and unstable East. (remember we are talking about a whole continent, the EU is closer to Somalia than the countries I just listed)

It's a shame Kenya has recently taken a turn for the worst, it used to be somewhat of a beacon in the East.
At the moment Botswana is probably the most stable in the region, but it's a very small country.

I think everybody just has too much trouble of their own to concern themselves with their neighbors.
So far only Gaddafi has volunteered to lead Africa as a whole, shame his past as a crazy dictator stand between him and credibility, but maybe one of his sons can do some good.

[mozdol]

I personally think Africa needs a giant overhaul. Let's face it, when we look at a map of Africa and see the borders, it's very hard not to accept that all these borders are arbitrary lines drawn up by the imperialist powers of Western Europe that paid no attention to tribal, cultural and social differences. The plight of sub-Saharan Africa today (poverty, draught, hunger) is largely due to the fact that Europeans created artificial borders, stopped the migration patterns of many horticultural tribes and forced them to do intensive agriculture in an already water-needy (is that a word?) area. Then you had violence breaking out between different tribes the second Europeans got out, because of decades of repressed anger and frustration that was created due to the "colonialists" favoring one tribe over another (Rwanda, anyone?)... but I digress...

I don't think any one country could and should be the leader. There are many differences between the countries. In the north you have Islamic countries with largely arab (or descendants of arabs) populations, with different viewpoints and cultural values. Eric also accurately pointed out he differences between the western and eastern states. Ultimately, some of the names thrown out aren't bad. I personally thought of South Africa as well as a first response.

[Axeman]

South Africa probably should be taking a stable roll , but the fact is nobody wants to , 6 years of constant war left thier mark from Angola and Mozambiuqe , we got tired of helping people who responded by shooting at us. Justified or not nobody in South Africa wants a war unless we have to.

Nevertheless , the bigest potentials are South Africa , Egypt , and Nigeria.

[craziii]

south africa? ever since the desegregation in the 90s, the country is in chaos. it can't even take care of it self let alone trying to be a mediator in other country's matters.

[Axeman]

south africa? ever since the desegregation in the 90s, the country is in chaos. it can't even take care of it self let alone trying to be a mediator in other country's matters.

Most people in South Africa have food , shelter , and healthcare , and while many Europeans or Westerners wouldnt be thrilled in living in the average south african household , we arent starving people with spears living in huts.

[craziii]

Most people in South Africa have food , shelter , and healthcare , and while many Europeans or Westerners wouldnt be thrilled in living in the average south african household , we arent starving people with spears living in huts.

did something changed in the last 8 years? I admit my info is really old, like 8 years old. last time I checked news on SA, it was all about food shortages(went from exporter of food to starvation) and the rampant crimes on the streets.

did the SA gov clean up all of that mess?

[Axeman]

did something changed in the last 8 years? I admit my info is really old, like 8 years old. last time I checked news on SA, it was all about food shortages(went from exporter of food to starvation) and the rampant crimes on the streets.

did the SA gov clean up all of that mess?

There was an agricultural collapse with the "white flight" , however unlike every other tinpot dictatorship we didnt adopt communism and give away the land to random people , we again export food and Cape Town or Johannesburg looks the same as any metropolitian city.

[jankren]

Most people in South Africa have food , shelter , and healthcare , and while many Europeans or Westerners wouldnt be thrilled in living in the average south african household , we arent starving people with spears living in huts.

Really?

[Thanatos]

None of them. They are all too weak, and nobody cares enough to start working together.

[Heathen Hammer]

Germany.

[Last Roman]

Im not sure any are in a real state to be leading Africa.

[Bovril]

I don't think the Nations of North Africa can be relied upon to get involved in Sub-Saharan affairs. There is too much of a cultural gap. If it did happen, I think the fact that they might favour fellow muslims would be a dangerous factor. Imagine Algeria policing Darfur. Sub-Sahran African problems are largely distinct from North African problems, it seems to me.
I don't think any single nation can be relied on to lead the way. However, more cooperation between the more stable and democratic countries, and the exclution from responsibility of the worse governed countries would be a step forward. Perhaps even the begining of a loose economic union between stable countries as a way of motivating other to clean up their act. YOu can have too much African solidarity if you ask me. It often creates a place to hide for dictators. Look at the way Mbeki treated Mugabi. He wouldn't condemn him because he had fought against the Rhodesian version of Apartheid. That attitude of solidarity just because someone is African has to go if real pressure is to be brought on misgoverned countries.

[Osceola]

Bring back Rhodesia.

We tried numerous times letting them do things themselves. First Liberia, then Uganda..

Rhodesia and South Africa just need to start conquering . Let the French run anything with a French name, give Sudan to the Egyptians.