I am currently reading the book, The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by journalist/historian Martin Meredith. It is an extraordinarily well written book, covering in somewhat chronological fashion the inspiring and devastating history of Africa's many nations. From the aid and oppression of the colonizers to the liberation and then too many times exploitation by deliverers, Meredith details the story of how power corrupts and how absolute power absolutely corrupts. There are stories of hope and sacrifice but regretfully too often these are countered by horrific accounts of opportunities squandered, predatory opportunism and ethnic violence. From Nasser, Nkrumah and Selassie to Mugabi, Amin and others. They are contrasted by the rare examples of Senghor and Mandela.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus when he challenges his followers not to lead like the "Gentiles, who lord it over," their followers. Truly the gospel and Jesus as our Redeemer, Savior, leader, example and Servant is radically counter to the proclivities of the human race to live and lead often out of selfish, paranoid ambition.
Martin Meredith does not paint an optimistic past or future for Africa with it's massive political and ethnic battles, its overwhelming scale of suffering, the suffocating burden of billions of dollars of debt against which there is not adequate assets or income. I believe that there is hope, a hope that is rooted in the gospel. Pray for the continent of Africa.
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