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The Glory and Tragedy of Africa
      Today, Africa remains a place of great suffering and turmoil. Amidst some of the most beautiful landscapes and abundant natural wealth in the world, Africans continue to live in poverty, in countries hopelessly in debt and often chaotic or dictatorial. Fortunately, there are exceptions to this theme, and through the efforts of a hard-working minority, hope remains for the future. Although neglected for a long time, African history provides a wealth of inspirations and proof positive that the continent can succeed and regain their past glory.
       Central Africa was once home to some of the most wealthy and powerful kingdoms in the world. These were mostly Muslim, but Africa also has one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world, being the birthplace of the Coptic branch of Orthodox Christianity. So far, there have been two Roman Catholic pontiffs from Africa, both of whom are saints: Pope St Victor I and the Roman-born African Pope St Gelasius I. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian nations in the world, and can trace their Imperial Family line all the way back to King Solomon himself (how's that for 'Divine Right of Kings'?)
HIM Emperor Menelik II
      Naturally, nations such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco and the like, have been well known to the rest of the world for some time. However, it was not until the age of exploration that significant contact by Europe was made with sub-Saharan Africa. Not long after this, unfortunately, the slave trade became big business. The first trading in African slaves was done by the Muslims of northern Africa who traded by caravan across the Sahara with the wealthy Empire of Ghana. Later on, this trade was expanded by the Dutch and Portuguese. The natural resources of Africa attracted further conquests and soon the only independent nations in Africa were the Republic of Liberia (established by the United States) and the ancient Ethiopian Empire. The remolding of Africa according to European ideas was extremely traumatic, to say nothing of the economic exploitation that occured.
      Sadly, even after independence, the state of most African nations only became worse. In much the same way as in Asia, many people blamed their suffering at the hands of foreigners on their own traditional leaders. The loss of these ancient monarchs opened the way for Communism and other brands of political extremism to take over. Dictator fought dictator and the native African culture was the first casualty. Most of these dictators also sought to build up their militaries as rapidly as possible. This caused them to go into debt to foreign investors, the World Bank and international corporations. They willingly signed away the future of their countries with these loans, which allowed their economies to be controled in board rooms across the oceans and brought Africa into its present state of corporate, neo-colonialism. In most cases, interest rates are so high that the borrowing nation will never be able to totally pay off their debt.
      Some countries though, are starting to restore their native traditions and revive old customs. In Uganda, the four ancient kingdoms have been restored as tribal constitutional monarchies. Their kings preside over ancient ceremonies and carry on the traditions of their ancestors, which date back for centuries. The deposed Imperial Family of Ethiopia has been working endlessly for the aid of the country and the restoration of the monarchy. One of the other candidates for 'hardest working ex-monarch' is definitely HM King Kigeli V of Rwanda, whose country is in the most dire need of a royal restoration.
Music playing is "Dry Your Tears Africa"
King Chwa II of Buganda
Prince Ermias of Ethiopia and King Kigeli V of Rwanda
      For Africa to prosper there must be some changes that are simple enough to identify, but difficult to put into effect. First, the Africans must return to their roots and restore their traditional monarchies. This would provide much needed stability and a way to restore national pride by replacing imported customs with native African traditions. Second, their must be a religious revival. Most of the world shares this need, but in Africa in patricular it would be a vital tool for stopping the spread of AIDS. Africa also has the benefit of being home to some of the most devout and traditional Christian communities anywhere in the world; Catholic, Anglican and Coptic. Recently, the African Anglicans have made me proud for refusing to embrace the heretical actions of the church in the United States and upholding the perfection of Scripture.
       Finally, and perhaps what will be the most difficult, the rest of the world will have to put greed aside and forgive the debt of
these African countries (once they have restored proper and stable royal governments). This is simply the only way Africa will ever be able to recover its economic independence. In most cases, the original amount loaned was repaid long ago. The World Bank and international corporations must simply take a loss and realize that everyone will be better off because of it.
This would allow the countries of Africa to finally stand on their own two feet and bring relief, not only to Africa, but to the rest of the world as well with the increase in prosperous, stable countries in an area of the world which has all of the other necessities for success.