Why doesn't anyone care about what's going on in Africa??
597819
There are a few good answers here, but in general many are not well-thought at all. Even Dan Rather had said it was inexcusable that the world media was focused on Bill Clinton's fling while 3 million people died in central Africa over a two year period alone. Africa's problems are immense, and perhaps that is the biggest problem: no one knows where to begin that will have any affect at all.\n\nTo be fair, President Bush has taken an initiative to begin helping those African nations that have taken steps to help themselves. This might seem harsh, sending aid to those that need it supposedly least, but in a way it is not. The countries that are in the worst shape are bad primarily because their leadership and their governing institutions are so rotten to the core that any money or aid sent to them will just be wasted or stolen or worse, and while that might make us feel less guilty it will not really help anyone (just like Live Aid, which gave most of the money raised to a genocidal and corrupt Communist government that was mass murdering its enemies under cover of a manufactured famine).\n\nIt is difficult to mobilize public support for Africa for a number of generally embarassing reasons. The continent has very few 'sexy' resources to trade so we Americans are not directly affected in our daily lives by turmoil (except for a few nations in central Africa, there is very little oil to make us pay more at the pump, we as a rule don't eat the food that they grow so we don't miss anything at the dinner table, we only buy diamonds at very rare occasions, all of the minerals are available from other sources, and for the last hundred years the migration from Africa has largely been to Europe so there is no indigenous ethnic lobby in the United States). The entire continent seems to be so mired in catastrophes of such monumental size that it looks absolutely hopeless, and even thinking of beginning any sort of radical help is completely daunting. Every time foreign armies have tried to intervene (France and England, Soviet Union and Cuba, USA in Somalia) the outcome is nothing but horror stories that would make Freddy Krueger throw up all over himself - prisoners hacked to pieces, infants have arms and legs cut off by rebels simply because they think it is fun, soldiers dragged through the streets to the cheers of little children, etc. Every time a major aid project begins, the material elements are immediately stolen and therefor nothing gets done.\n\nIf the United States is going to intervene, it will have to be with massive amounts of force and social reconstruction on every level, and it will look like colonialism. I can tell you that, from the way we are responding to the relatively benign American behavior in Iraq and the relatively weak opposition we are reacting to, WE DO NOT HAVE THE STOMACH FOR THIS!!!!!!!\n\nSometimes doing something poorly can be worse than doing nothing at all.
640838
Unfortunately television is the way most people get their news...there are all sorts of issues that we Americans went forever without hearing turmoil in Sri Lanka...mass genocide in Africa just be glad that TV still gives some issues a voice otherwise everyone in this country that didn't read would be clueless...
783064
Most of Europe went through the process that African countries are going through about 600 years ago.  The problem is, we sorted them out with bows and arrows, whereas the ruling elite in Africa are armed to the teeth with 21st century weapons.\n\nNigeria and the whole of Africa is growing up far too quickly and doing so in the knowledge that there is a better life to be had if one has lots of money, and that money is available to the corrupt.\n\nThus, anyone in any position of power anywhere in Africa has the opportunity to rise above the poverty that is endemic by taking corrupt money.\n\nAfrica is doomed to have a very few rich people in positions of power while the rest of the population ekes out a living in abject poverty.\n\nWhen we achieved greatness we had to do so by ingenuity and industriousness.  All an African has to do is be dishonest.  There really is very little hope for Africa in the short term.  This is a crying shame because Africa should be the jewel of the Earth's crown.  It has everything - a beautiful coast, wonderful flora and fauna and mineral wealth beyond imagination.\n\nHowever, the people are unable to see beyond today and they are thus doomed.
1033347
America is not alone in their disregard of African atrocities. It's got nothing to do with being Muslim. It has to do with the fact that there isn't an economic necessity to go in there and do anything unfortunately. Unless we stand up as humans and say something our governments won't do anything about it.
881467
Most english speaking people have no idea honestly. We don't care about people in Africa unless they're the cute dying kids on t.v. Sad, but true.
675401
Just another example of the fact that unless the US does something to protect the oppressed, not a single other nation on Earth will. We are the only ones that give a damn.\n\nThis is Kofi Anan's second failure to protect against genocide. Kofi was head of UN peacekeeping missions when the UN troops in Rwanda called him to tell him something terrible was going to happen, and he needed to send more troops and give them instructions. He did nothing.\n\nNow, he has completely ignored the atrocities in Darfur, and has not even objected to Sudan being on the UN Human Rights council.\n\nBut it is time to open our eyes and see that no other country cares about others. There is no African, EU, Asian, or American (N., S. & Central) that gives a damn.\n\nAnd that's a sad indictment on the rest of the world, especially all those moral midgets who throw aspersions at the USA.
229191
The main issue in Africa is tribalism.  It has caused many problems in the past and current day.  Until they are able to get past this major obstable, Africa will stay in this state of confusion and chaos.  Nothing is being done by Africans or its governments to solve this problem.
91226
There's no doubt Africa is in a bad way right now.  However, we must remember that most African countries are less than 50 years old.  Even the US was still having problems at that point.  Africa was more exploited by colonizers, and so it only makes sense there are more problems.  However, progress is being made.  Democracy is the way of rule in many countries, having progressed from dictatorships-- Ghana is a good example.  Botswana is doing well economically (comparatively).  Africa is moving forward, and that in itself is cause for hope.
224561
oh !john c. America doesn't have any interest there. What products does the eastern part of africa export to the usa? can't think of anything ? and that is why america won't do anything. if we were a country that was focused on humanity then yes we would be over there in a new york minute.It makes me so mad! because there are millions of people dying there! it also has a lot to do with race wheteher we want to admit it or not.Throwing a million dollars to them means nothing if a evil dictator gets it!
673596
I'll say any country besides mine.  Stupid question.\n\nAmerica isn't a country.  It isn't even a continent.\n-----------------------------------------------------\nI've told you about this, mavops.............\n\nWhile former South African President Nelson Mandela, 85, scoffs at rumors of ill health, plans are being made by the nation's Communist Party to slaughter all whites in the country upon his death, G2B sources say. \n\nOne of the operations planned entails 70,000 armed black men "being transported to the Johannesburg city center within an hour" in taxicabs to attack whites. \n\nThe plans are variously dubbed "Operation Vula," "Night of the Long Knives," "Operation White Clean-up," "Operation Iron Eagle" and "Red October campaign." \n\nOperation "Our Rainy Day" was to be carried out after the death of Nelson Mandela and would have entailed blacks being transported to the largest cities in taxis. \n\nThe assailants were expected to "take over" fuel points and massacre whites. The attacks would lead to a coup. \n\nSources say most blacks in the country are aware of the plans. When racial disputes occur, blacks often tell whites, "Wait until Mandela dies.” \n\n"White people in South Africa can deny it to the end of the earth, but we are in real danger," one resident said. "This is no joke and any person with half a brain can see that this rumor has spiraled out of control." \n\nMany whites are now convinced a vicious campaign of ethnic cleansing will follow Mandela's death whenever it comes. Some are making preparations for retreats. \n\n"I have prepared myself and we have a gathering place where we can fortify for four weeks after Mandela’s death," said one white South African. "If nothing happens it will be a miracle." \n\nThe Red October campaign is allegedly a Communist plot to oust President Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki would be replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa. \n\n"I was starting to think I was going nuts!" said another white South Africa resident. "'Operation Uhuru' or 'Operation White Clean-up' is definitely no rumor. I spoke to someone who told me that some blacks in Zimbabwe have also confirmed that this 'event' will take place. My cousin stays on a farm in Mpumalanga, not too far from Johannesburg. A black police officer in that district told his white colleague that they are going to kill us like flies, and there is nothing we can do about it. And that they also don't care if we know." \n\nMeanwhile, Mandela, obviously aware of the growing rumors, last week assured the public he is well. \n\n"My health is all right," he told reporters in Cape Town. "I'm doing very well. Others have gone further and said I am on the eve of going to my grave. If that day comes, I will go and knock at the door of heaven. ... They will look at the list and say: 'Your name is not here ... can you try next door?'" \n\nConcern about Mandela's health surfaced last month when he canceled a scheduled meeting with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The former president was at the time relaxing on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. \n\nMandela joked that when his time comes, "I will look for a branch of the ANC (the ruling African National Congress) in that world (and) I'll join it." .....................\n\nPerhaps it IS a continent filled with animals.  Sounds like it to me.
1176775
Why the hell would anyone care?
596345
I am more concerned about the ethnic tensions in America right now. Sorry. I don't have any info on Uganda.
102741
Tribalism is the root of Africa's problems.  Similar to Hitler's genocide, but no one cares.  Africa offers some natural resources.\n\nMuslim extremists are now expanding in Africa.  Sudan is a prime example.  The Arab Sudanese government is trying to destroy the native African Sudanese.\n\nEven when the West help them, there is corruption.  They will take the donated grains and sell it to the poor.  Somalia is basically a country run by gangs with big guns.  Warlords rules Somalia.  Each having its own rules and killing whomever they want.\n\nWith such instability and corrupted government, insurgencies start.  This combination will limit investments from companies and make the situation worse.  No food, no economy, but a lot of guns.  Millions are dying and their own people/government do not care.
173677
I agree with Dr ans its really shame i donno what the world is watching and what these US and UK doing to stabilize peace in the world? \n\nIn Darfur i really dont understand where the money is going.What this BIG BOSS US is doing cant he understand this.
98418
Well, I think that the US people are mostly to blame. We always get fixated onto our own 'domestic' issues, and hardly ever look outside the box. Our media giants never feed us the true news, and we have to spend hours searching on the internet to find the true story, but I still think we are too naive. There ARE much more important things than Iraq, like the genocides in Africa, but we never really care. Sometimes, it just gets me so mad. Then again, i'm only 13... PS. Thanks for helping me on my WWII question. I think yours was the best answer, but I accidentally clicked on Start a Vote. It's my first time using Yahoo!Answers,
714395
Yes there is something wrong with african people, but it is not their fault as individuals it is a result of living in a difficult continent and not being properly helped by their country or the world at large.\n\n Africa is very big and poor and is susceptible to disease and natural disasters such as drought leading to famine. Corruption; poor infrastructure: transport, education, medicine and agricultural practices; civil wars, a tribal mentality and bad government slows development and often only make these matters worse.\n In particular Aids today is killing a whole generation:\n\nInto 2005, UNAIDS estimates suggests that the situation does not look much better. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there were\n\n25.8 million (out of 40 million worldwide) living with HIV\n3.2 million (out of 4.9 million worldwide) new HIV infections\n2.4 million (out of 3.1 million worlwide) AIDS deaths
459887
This is about Sudan.\n\nSad Sad. http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060408/OPINION/604080307/1004/NEWS