A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – BARACK OBAMA

By Walang M. Abang
Mr. President, accept greetings from the people of Africa. This essay may not represent the view of all the peoples of Africa, but it will certainly cut across the lives of all people of African origin living in the Diaspora. Africa is blessed abundantly with many natural resources and peoples of various backgrounds and cultures. We are a generation that has started taking our responsibilities into our hands by working hard to excel in whatever domain we engage. What I write here should not be taken for a complaint; these are just my observations which I want to share with you, hence, with the rest of the world.
 

Worldwide cheap calling cards

Stop Snoring Now with MySnoringSolution!

Mr. President, I think that just as much as it is not the choice of a child to belong to a particular pair of parents, or to have a particular set of people as a family, both immediate and extended, so too it is not the choice of a man to be born in a particular continent like Africa, or Europe, or America. Please Sir, don’t misconstrue my intentions. I am certain that together with most Africans, we are very proud to be born in this part of the world because we know that Africa is richly blessed by God for the benefit of her wonderful children. But just as much as it is not our choice to have been born here, so too are many of our leaders not our choice. Choosing a leader in most African countries is a near forbidden luxury for the African people. These very leaders the West asks us to blame for the backwardness of Africa came to power through means strange to the common African. Perhaps you know how, perhaps you don’t know. And unless we the common people are called upon to believe that power is not always given by the choice of the African people, we say that we have no authority over our leaders who have often not been our choice. Does it thus suffice for us just to blame these people, most of whom we never chose to lead us?

It is not our choice either for our leaders to steal and starch gargantuan sums of money in foreign and mostly western banks. Neither is it our choice to have these leaders prepare their sons and/or daughters to succeed them in what is fast becoming a monarchic democracy in Africa. It has never been our choice to suffer in a land that is richly blessed with human and natural resources way beyond our needs; a land where plenty means all for a few and nothing for the majority; where fighting poverty means all sorts of economic manipulation meant to extort money from the poor man; where laws of the land are distorted to keep the corrupt in power; where speech is free only when words of praise are constantly lavished on unproductive leaders. All these have never been - and may never be - our choice. Yet, we can only blame them and continue to swim in this misery which remains our only stock. What a weapon; blame.

What happens when we blame our predicaments on our leaders? They still encroach to power as if their entire life depends only on that power. They organize bogus and fictitious elections in which their ultimate victory is ensured years before the election. They fight corruption only by witch-hunting those whom they consider as potential threats to their position. Yes, we will blame them but can do nothing because they are adorned with some of the most modern and sophisticated riffles that can shoot through concrete and kill indiscriminately. Yes, we will blame them for siphoning billions worth of our money; yet they have the judges and police officers that have been trained to be repressive, who kill thousands in a protest against the excesses of our leadership. Yes we will blame them, but they will continue to get the support of some western democracies whose interests in the nation supersede that of the common man. Yes we will.

Is it our fault, Mr. President, that we have such leadership that we never chose. We have seen more than enough pain and agony come out of some countries where such leadership has led to the most blatant genocides the world has ever experienced and truly, we don’t envy those countries. It wasn’t the choice of nationals of those countries to be born there. Moreover it wasn’t their choice to have been brutally murdered. Just like us now, perhaps they were called upon to blame their leaders for their countries’ predicaments. While the leader who loses his popularity among the common man loses his position automatically in your democracies, most African leaders become stronger and more determined to stay in power when they lose their popularity, even if it will cost millions their lives. That is why African countries fight wars. Power does not change hands. One person holds power for longer than he can manage the affairs of his country. He gets tired and instead of going on retirement, opts to rest in the presidency. He makes countless pleasure trips abroad on his country’s finance. Such trips are made for reasons known to the common man as largely unproductive and non beneficial to the country. They create fictitious political parties to mislead the international community and convince donors that their countries practice true democracy. When their unpopularity can no longer be tolerated by the common man, they engage force which may eventually lead to civil war. Yes we will only blame them, for that is the only weapon you have equipped us with.

It is true that the predicaments of Africa should be blamed on our leaders. African leaders are often very corrupt dictators who siphon the resources of their countries and starch the money in foreign accounts, most of which are in the West. Hence a form of complicity between Western banks and our leaders is established as long as the money stays where they have kept it. Those banks are not our choice and for that we blame our leaders for their naivety and greed. If anybody can stop these banks from acting as accomplices to our corrupt leaders, it will definitely not be the common African. Blames have not been known to affect leaders one bit in Africa. Even if their atrocity caused the death of millions, they still raise their shoulders high and enter world respected circles with no one raising so much as a finger. The common African like me does not have any say in the future of my country, unless when we take to the streets. When that happens, our leaders, who feel that their dear power is threatened, deploy their most sophisticated killers they call soldiers to loot and kill indiscriminately. Moreover, blaming our predicaments on our leaders won’t provide bread on the table; it won’t reduce unemployment or solve the numerous crises that Africa is facing. Blames can never deliver Africa from the evils of her leadership. Yes they can never.

It is true that as president of the United States of America, you have your priorities which are contextual to the inner and outer stakes of your country and you, as the commander-in-chief, are expected to enhance the interests of your country the world over. Yet Sir, be informed that it was the desire to a great extent of almost every human being on earth to have you as president of the United States of America. Most of us thought and still do firmly think that you are like the Messiah who has come to wipe tears from the eyes of those who weep, give food to those who starve, medicine to those who are sick, shelter to those with no home, hope to those who fear and doubt, and correction to those who commit crimes against the common man with impunity. Have you been possessed yet by the true spirit of leadership Sir? We understand that the commitments of that House are many but, Sir, your mission to the common man is imperative. You have been ordained to radically transform the life of every common man in this world. Perhaps I am just dreaming, perhaps I am not.

Whether we like it or not, your name will be engraved into some of the greatest tablets as a one time president of the United States; even if you folded your arms now and went and stayed in your grand mother’s house. There have been many presidents and more are yet to come. Yet the kind of president you will be is what matters most. What do you want posterity to say of your presidency? That may not be my business, yet it may be, somehow. It is not my place to judge you Sir; you are a man of integrity with your own vision in life. I truly believe that when your vision as president is consistent with the amelioration of the lives of all men, then your presidency will be the most popular so far.

Mr. President, I know that it always takes a bold radical step to do the right thing. Work for the common man with all your might, for he is the reason that you occupy that office. Many will oppose you when you set out to do the right thing. Many will persecute you. But no one can stop the right thing from being done. Only the wrong things are hidden. The right things are just done. We are doing our part everyday, though in the most difficult circumstances. Do yours for the common man; in Africa and the world over.

Walang M. Abang
African Commoner and Citizen of the World,

                           To

Mr. Barrack H. Obama
President of the United States of America and Citizen of the World

Comments

[Gus]

The dictator in Yaounde is well described.A call that we all hope President Obama is answering. More letters of this type help get the message louder.

[Taurai Manhenda]

Try to be more concised next time you are writing to a Man Like Barack Obama. And please what do you mean by citizen of the world. WHICH IS THAT COUNTRY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?

Do not write a serious thing and put it as if you are joking or you are afraid to write.

Once you take the endeavour, make sure you do it appropriately. be brief and precised. Obama will not have much time to be reading your long notes when the problems of NIGERIA, YEMEN, AFGHANISTAN and IRAK are troubling him.

If you do not know how to do it, give it to somebody to do it better.

We all know Obama has been very dormant concerning AFRICA since he took power. We even doubt if he will ever do anything for Africans before the end of his first four years.

But we should be clear, and precised when it comes to putting issues before him.

THANK YOU.

[Taurai Manhenda]

Dear People,

To be more precised, Barack Obama has aparently forgotten Africa. And looking that his gestures, he does not seem to recognize the the fact that his father came from AFRICA.

We Africans Know, and we can feel when things go against us and even when one does not love us.

Apparently Obama is failing far more than George Bush. He has got no powers like a President of the strongest country in the world.

Barack Obama has not taken any strong decision in any thing since he mounted the top post of the world. He is different from George Bush who was such a strong man, apt and decisive.

He needs to step up now, and STOP NEGLECTING AFRICA. Remember Us - AFRICANS because you came from Africa. Do not hope for a secont term if you maintain this pace.

We are now realizing that White Presidents of the United States of America were better off. Because they thought of AFRICA. They made decisive reforms in Africa. They Critisized tyranic Presidents like Robert Mugabe outrightly. Yes, George Bush did. So Barack Obama, What do you have for Africa???

We are now begining to thing that its not even the whites who are being racist with the Blacks in Africa but YOU a black President from Africa.

Step Up, or loose your second term. That's just to be frank with you.

T. Manhenda
Mutare,
Zimbabwe.

[ntam]

The appeal is touching and emotional but i wonder if it has been addressed to where the solution lies.Obama as president of the US has his duties and limits which may not permit him directly deal with or interfer with issues concerning sovereign states.Adressing such appeals to organizations like the E U,The world bank where there can be collective responsibility for action would be better.Obama is still struggling to get the US out of the countries that Bush unlawfully took America into.Nonetheless Obama can still initiate some kind of collective action with other world leaders but which may also end at the level of blames like in the case with the current crises in iran.Some how,the oppressed have to take up the responsibility of liberating themselves.It is unfortunate that there is always a price to pay for liberty but it is worth it.Yes,those who want their children to live tomorrow in peace,must suffer today even if it means giving up their own lives
Ntam

[Va Boy]

We are on our own. Obama may be an inspiration, but he is NOT our savior. Nice try, and keep them coming.

[Tanifon Silvanus, Author of No Longer at Home]

That the problem of leadership exist almost everywhere in Africa, I do not gainsay. But that does not in any way imply that it would be solved in general fashion. When next you are committing such serious views on paper don't fly around in the air! Land somewhere. If you want to refer to Cameroon and the Unfashionable leader in Etoudi, say so. Don't only insinuate. The more facts the rest of the world is fed about our situation the more compelling the need for any intervention of sorts. (I can also understand if you are afraid, but why write if you don't have the heart? Why affix your photo and mention your name, if you were so keen to be anonymous?)

[The Entrepreneur Newsonline Inc.]

....Illusion driven by an obnoxious media...

....Have you visited New Orleans? Go there today,
and see massive poverty in Neighborhoods, destroyed roads almost 10 years ago from the storms, wooden houses where in winter the citizens have merely used plastic sheets to shield themselves today in 2010 !

....Obama has a lot of work in his hands to re-write the historic imbalances in his society, and the grinding poverty in his country where people slave without sleep from paycheck to paycheck.

Take care of yourselves....and forget about the presidency just as the people of New Orleans, South Side, Bronx, Harlem etc. have forgotten about the Whitehouse and are toiling for themselves, 24 hours daily, seven days a week.

....Wake up from your debilitating illusions

[Bob Bristol]

What are you guys expecting from Obama? If we want him to come and topple our gov'ts for us, then we are missing the point. Rather, we don't need ANY INTERFERENCE but this is a far-fetched dream since they have economic interests to protect. This may give the impression that the future is doomed but we shouldn't give up. There are times when I ponder how we are ever going to get out of this mess. How can we stop France or even America from intervening ?

Basically, we have two things to address:
1) How to stop external intervention and then
2) How to prepare for leadership positions.

There is a complete lack of trust on those who stand fill the vacancies should we succeed in ousting the present regime.

Virtues alway triumph.

[Dr A A Agbormbai]

Good content, but the paragraphs are too dense for easy reading by a busy person.

May be asking too much of Obama. A messiah? Certainly, not!

Obama is the first black US President. That in itself is a big accomplishment. He also has a good moral mind. But these attributes and accomplishments should not be taken too far.

He made it to the Presidency because:

1. He worked very hard.

2. He listened well, though at times he over did it almost to his own detriment.

3. He received considerable help strategically, tactically, and financially. Without this help he certainly would not have made it. He would not have got past the formidable Clintons, and he would have found the dirty tricks of the Republicans hard to live with.

Obama can take proactive steps only with regard to US interests. As regards other nations, the proaction must come from their citizens. However, Obama's policies can encourage and support these proactive citizens to help them succeed. His policies can also stifle and frustrate the dictators.

[Taurai Manhenda]

The issue is not about Obama going to Africa to Topple Currupt and enduring dictatorships, like what we have in Yaounde and Harare.
We want him to show some concern about Africa. Afterall, most white presidents have done in. George Bush who just left office was the best in History when we talk about US Presidents and their reforms to Africa.

WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE SO FAR? NOTHING.

This is our opportunity. Obama is not sure to grasp another term in office. And if he does nothing for Africa, it will take another 200 years for a black man to step into the white house again.

Obama is really messing up in all aspects now. Even me, I think I am fed up with a deal that has no future. If he can't get up from his slumber, then let him give way for reformists. There is no time to whaste with an elegant, slim Black President, who only came to change history and did nothing eccept that.

[Paolo]

Taurai,

The rage and impatience expressed in your words is blinding the good intentions I know u have. You seem impatient, anxious and frustrated - just like these "leaders" u deplore on the continent. The brother who wrote this letter, regardless of his writing style and content, is writing with good intention. BUt what do you do sir? U criticize and condemn; first his writing style, then the content. That doesn't do any good sir. And unfortunately thats how most of us think. Instead of having a dialogue, we persecute and blame and maintain a "I have a monopoly of ideas" posture. And we are surprised at our lack of unification. The problems in Africa are simple - poor governance. If we have elected leaders who understand that they are employees of the people, they will be accountable and act accordingly. How do we get such leaders? By revolution. Thats it. All this blame and pleading for help and expressions of frustration and big grammar essays on the plight of contemporary Africa is for naught. People all over Africa MUST be prepared to DIE for their children and the next generation otherwise this B.S. of posting irrelevant messages on line will continue for the next century. So are you ready for that? If not, shut the hell up and continue living your abysmal life because thats what you have settled for. I believe African leaders know this too, and just like a bully threatens and harasses his victim endlessly, until the victim snaps and reacts with unprecedented violence, our leaders will continue to punk us out. Obama will not do anything. He cannot. Like you said correctly Taurai, he is not as strong and decisive as we thought he was. He is too much of a "play both sides of the fence" guy. He is too much of a politician and less a visionary. And because of that, I believe his presidency, after all is said and done will be a failure. He is inspirational, yes - but that's about it. Dont expect anything from Obama. He barely knows what he is doing. This "African problem" is up to us and no one else. And we can only begin this journey to "freedom" by FORCE. What the Army did in Guinea was powerful, until the asshole president decided to change the constitution. Look at Honduras - the president won an election and then decided to change the constitution! Not so fast sir - the army took over, toppled him and held new elections. Today, Honduras has an elected president who Im sure knows will adhere to his term or else.....Thats what we need. A strong man who will not give in to emotions and all that crap. Take over, spill lots of blood and then fix the dam place.Thats the price for freedom Im afraid and you all watch - We SHALL make this happen! Enuff said.

[Bob Bristol]

I think Paolo has said it all. That was a good shot.

[Abakwaboy]

Forget the style of writing and to whom this letter has been addressed. Fellows, lets pick out the underlying facts and see if they apply to our country (Cameroon) and try to find a solution. Pulling and pushing criticisms on persons without trying to work on his/her ideas has left us backward for some years now. It is high time we forget about who ever brings up an idea and his/her style of writing and try to find out the points raised and if it could be debated upon and after implemented for the best interest of our society. God Bless Cameroon.

[mike Nana]

I think this piece of article is well written but the person addressed to cannot mourn more than the bereaved. The question i keep asking myself is that "why do Cameroonians each time keep saying we have been pushed to the wall? does this wall keep moving? if not why have they not reacted when pushed to the limits?
Mike Nana

[Va Boy]

Taurai, did you vote for Obama?

Americans did. He is an American president. Never mind his color. Never mind his ancestry.

You remind me of African extended families. All too often somebody shows up whom you have never known, and just because you are related in some way, wants you to move heaven and earth, feed him and pay his child's school fees. Never mind that you have problems and priorities of your own. He makes demands with such vehemence and righteous sense of entitlement too.

Don't do that. Be realistic. Now, see what he is doing for Haiti? That is good. Haiti may be in the Americas, but it is an African country too.

[Sesseku Arrey.]

I think that Pres.Obama came to power without any Black nor Africa agenda. Africa will be change by Africans, the earlier we realize it the better for us.Obama doesn't want to see himself loosing political points nor attack by critics by ever taking sides with Africa. OBAMA WILL NEVER HELP AFRICA; period.

[Sesseku Arrey.]

Obama can only give speeches about Democracy, freedom of speech and press, religious freedom, womanism, e.tc. I don't find him powerful enough to take decisive decisions against any Monarchy nor regime in Africa. Obama will dissappoint many looking unto him.For any U:S president to be firm against the tyrants of Africa, He must be Aggressive and stubborn at-times. The pace at which the World is moving, All U;S presidents must be aggressive. But Obama is not. He prefers Dialogue and Mutual Understanding but not all will want Dialogue.Some may require Pressure.It should be noted that Obama is not capable enough to persuade IRAN to abandon it Nuclear Ambitions. Mr. Obama is a weak U;S president.

[Anita L. Kulp NDEMMANU]

I've read and digested the content of the letter above as well as the comments written. There are some very poignant and passionate points made and yet as so many times happens, you miss what is right in front of your nose. How many of you are aware that there is someone in Cameroun today, who has and is willing to take up the banner for you Camerounians? He is not afraid of the BIYA regime and continues to put himself in harms way to prove it to the population.
I write from the United States as his wife after a failed attempt to 'silence' us. I know first hand of what I speak.

If you truly are looking for a leader who is NOT corrupt and has a plan to build Cameroun look at our blog: http://qnefertiti.blogspot.com.
Don't just sit there and criticize, take action and stand behind someone willing to do the JOB.
Sincerely,

Anita Lynne Kulp NDEMMANU

[Sesseku Arrey.]

Dear Anita L.
It's off-course interesting to read that, Does your husband owns his own party or he is an independent candidate? Surely he's not known by many in the Diaspora.I visited your Blog thats was great. He needs to speak up and show himself different from the tyrants of cameroon. What are his Political Agenda's? Good Luck---.

[ndifor]

This is one of the best article I have ever read on Post news line and maybe all from Africa. Thanks alot Walang M. Abang!!! and finally, I see us getting to know the true enemy. Yes, biyas and his ilks are just gatekeepers. The real enemies are in the west.
Thanks

[ndifor]

Walang M. Abang should be praised for highlighting the real problem. I read the comment and its disgusting to learn how Walang M. Abang
is being castigated for what is rightly correct!

The genocidal ameriKKKa, evil european union and the united KKK kingdom are the true enemies.
These genocidel institution are mass exterminating our people inorder for their vampire corporations to ravage all our natural resources to eb wasted along the process of polluting the earth.

biya is the willing gatekeepers who has accepted to be an accomplist. He is well placed, protected, armed and justified. His role is to keep all of you checked.

Anita, you can do best to write or tell your vampire genocidal so called countries to remove their nostrils from our country. Maybe with that done, your husband will have a chance.

okay comrades, thats the truth.
Know your enemy and know yourself.

[Sesseku Arrey.]

Ndifor i strongly support your hard words, the real terrorist and their Conspiracy theory to bring about a "one world Gov't" are those of the west and the U.S. They've have succeeded to initiate pple likes the Biya's and others in to their Occults to keep a close eye on us so that when the time comes their mission will be accomplise. when they must have succeeded to loot Africa from all its resources thru their egoistic companies, then Africans will be left with nothing and will rather surrender to them. They go about preaching Hypo critic Democracy.

[E.I.N]

The solution to our problems should be provided by us! You should be dreaming if you think some "alien" from the west will come to rescue Africa.
They have their own problems to solve.
Just to illustrate this: I happened to study last year in a European University and when asked by my teacher of a medical problem of public health interest that should benefit from routine screening ,I cited HIV/AIDS(problem in Africa)...surprisingly my teacher said NO! And said Lung cancer (problem in western world) was a better example!!!!To make long short....don't wait for any miracles for they will not come if they will not too soon!They have their own problems to solve!
IN

[ndifor]

Sesseku, I am with you! Lets discover the true enemy and confront it!

@E.I.N, Please, if there one error we have been making then it is nothing other than not be able to know the true enemy.

Look behind the curtain to see the enemy that is hiding behind it why blinding us with the stooge biya.

I will post links for you to read!

Africom - Latest US Bid To
Recolonise Continent
http://www.rense.com/general89/obams.htm

The Secret History of the American Empire
http://fora.tv/2007/06/21/Secret_History_of_the_American_Empire

Confessions of An Economic Hit Man - What Really Goes on Behind Global Affairs

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=808526880666247652#

My message to my people is......, Know you enemy and know youself. When you know the true enemy, you will be able to make better war plans how to defeat your enemy and gain your true freedom.

biya is well armed, placed, protected and justified by someone out there to do exactly what he is doing.
Keep all of you checked so that, these same entities behind the scenes will march in and ravage all our natural resources for free and without nuisance from our people.

E.I.N, You even quoted a good example, who is responsible for the purported HIV-AIDS in Africa?
Because your professor said lung cancer is the problem, does that means the HIV-AIDS is not real and that its the the west that is responsible for it?

Please my people, comrades, fellow Africans and my Race, we have to be wise, be intelligent in this third millennium to know the truth and stand up for the truth.
again, know your enemy and know yourself.

ndifor can be reach at kkrizs(att)gmail(dot)com for more information