Joseph Kaifala

For many years I have pondered on whether Africa is politically excluded from the Middle East Peace processes by those involved or whether the continent is merely reluctant to participate out of fear of the complicated nature of the conflicts, especially the Israeli-Palestinian disputes.

God has always been the idea that most represented Africa for me, especially the moral teachings of love and compassion embedded in most religions. Whether one’s brother is Christian, Muslim or a believer in traditional African religion, the rule is to be their keeper.

Many in Africa might be wondering why Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian who was captured with an explosive device in his underpants onboard the Northwest flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit, was not immediately tortured or killed by US security forces.

The problem with the international community is that it is either acting too slowly, with unnecessary consultations taking the bulk of its time, or acting too swiftly without proper thinking. The latter has been the problem with international response to the situation in Guinea.

History helps human societies maintain the things of the past, which they can cling to for the future, and those they can safely cast into the bottomless ditches of obsolete traditions.