U.S. Africa Policy

Re “Albright Vows to Increase U.S. Aid to Nigeria,” Oct. 20:

It is refreshing to note the candor with which Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has dealt with Nigeria’s myriad problems with the current administration, but her promise of a tripling of financial aid to Nigeria at this time is disappointing. Why triple aid to Nigeria when democracy and viable institutions in the country have not undergone effective democratic changes? The repressive laws under the past brutal military rulers are still in place, and freedom of the press is limited.

President Olusegun Obasanjo has failed to deliver on the reforms he promised when he won the election; instead he surrounded himself with the same corrupt officials who have held official positions in past civilian and military rule. To reward this administration with financial aid at this time will continue to promote inept leadership and corruption. Madam secretary, please wait and let’s have entrenched democratic values before doling American taxpayers’ funds to Nigeria. Many among these administration officials have ill-gotten wealth, embezzled from the treasury at the expense of the people they govern.

AKANDE OLUSOLA

Rialto

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The greatest challenge Africa faces today is how to stop the various wars that are killing its children and exhausting its meager resources. The war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, for example, has taken the lives of 70,000. Now there is ominous news coming out of Ethiopia that speaks of final preparation for another offensive, which the rainy season has delayed, by Ethiopia against its tiny neighbor.

Ethiopia is asking donor nations to provide 274,000 tons of food, forgiveness of its old debt as well as an extension of new loans. I think there should be a linkage between the two (peace and aid) if we are to avoid another catastrophic human and material loss in the next few months. Eritrea has agreed to the peace formula sponsored by the Organization of African Unity, and Ethiopia should be pressured to do so.

MESGHINA ARAIA

Union City, Calif.