Bravo Amadou et Mariem! Vous faites honneur au Mali serieux dans le travail.

Lacroixfrancis from France, is incredulous with joy:

Pour eux cela doit être irréel, ce retrouver a chanter devant ce phénomène , bravo Monsieur Obama, pour ce choix si judicieux et tellement symbolique, vous au moins ne faites pas dans le BLINGBLING, le Mali peut être fier de ce choix et ce dire que les américains vont peut être enfin savoir ou ce trouve ce petite pays d'Afrique,THANK YOU SO MUCH MISTER PRESIDENT !! and good luck Marianne et Amadou, I HAVE A DREAM!!!!

Julien Michel sees the invitation as a sign of recognition of lesser-known talents from lesser-known nations:

Je tiens à saluer les performances de ce groupe qui au dela de leur talents musicaux ont su transmettre un réel message venu d'afrique, de la population dite “pauvre” (bien qu'elle soit très riche d'un point de vue culturelle et qu'on en parle pas assez).
je tiens aussi à saluer le geste “d'ouverture” du président américain Mr Obama qui à compris les enjeux de demain et qui a su tendre la main à des talents moins dirigés par la course aux bénéfices.

Sometimes, Africa and American politics come together in the most unsuspected place from the most unsuspected band. The long-awaited album from the heavy metal band Guns N' Roses, Chinese Democracy, has one track called Madagascar (see video below).

The song speaks of drifting “so far out from the shore that I can't find my way back, my way anymore” a recurrent theme when it comes to Madagascar. The mention of an African country is already a not-so familiar territory in the heavy metal universe but the more unexpected part is that, as seen on the video, a major portion of the song contains part of Martin Luther King Jr's famed speech, “I have a dream”. And that's how, thanks to Axl Rose, one mixes rock n' roll, civil right movement and Africa.
Almost on cue, Malagasy blogger Vola recently wrote a blog post celebrating the life of Dr. King, 40 years after his passing and invites her readers to attend an exhibition in honor of his memory.

(photo credit to Vola)

Kamer Stories sets the tone with her My Obama Post in which she says:

“While I may understand Americans and non-Americans (Africans included) living in the US, celebrating to their heart's content, after all they live there and this victory is bound to affect them more profoundly than others, what I don't get is Africans living in Africa or in other parts of the world celebrating in a like manner. I do not think it calls for popping of champagnes, dancing the days away and all what not, when our countries are in a shambles. We have an ongoing war in Congo, I hardly
see Africans saying anything about it, much less doing anything. Hunger and poverty is still a reality in many parts of our continent, and until that is greatly reduced, I do not see why we should be in such a celebratory mood. Let me come closer to home. In my country, we have a president who has been on the ‘throne' since before I was born (and I am in my twenties) and all attempts till date to make him see the error of his ways have come to naught. How can we be celebrating in such a manner, when all this is happening in out own backyard? In all honesty, I do not get it.

To me, Obama's victory is only a small part of the issue. Since I am that kind of Cameroonian whose every waking and sleeping thought is about my beloved country Cameroon, I wonder how his win will translate into something positive for my home country, how shall we apply this to making things better in Cameroon, make our country a better place to live in. When shall Cameroon have its own Obama? Shall we allow it to happen?”

If the comments to Kamer's view were divergent, the debate on the relevance of celebrating an Obama victory in Africa and Cameroon are nearly cut-throat at Scribbles from the Den.

They are mainly reactions to a post by a US citizen of Cameroonian origin, who recounts his experience on the campaign trail for Obama and his vision of what this Presidency would mean for the world:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for having worked so hard to bring change to our great country. I am so honored to be have been one of yours; I am blessed to be called one Obama Soldier among Millions like you. Thanks for anyone who supported our strategy at the Real-Time Obama Active Response (ROAR). As I prepare to deploy overseas on another active duty tour in January I would like to share a few words from my blog with you…..

Barack inspired me in a way that only one other person ever had - and that was while I was still a student and journalist in my native country Cameroon, Africa. Even though I was on active duty with the US Army - California National Guard for most of the period of the campaign (and I'm still on active duty at present), I traveled far and wide, on my own time and dime, to work for Barack because I believe in his word. I believe in his promise to change America, thereby changing the world too. I believe in his positive message that transcends hope as a mere feeling, transforming it into a real, palpable, reachable, touchable emotion.”

Not all readers seemed to be impressed as this comment from Penambuco suggests:

“Man, guys like this writer make me cringe. Being inspired by someone is one thing, but after reading something like this gushing piece, I find myself yearning for the worldly cynicsm of a kermit The Frog. I've not got anything against Obama, please don't get me wrong, but I also like to exercise caution in every sphere of life. I wish Obama well (hell, if all Americans had to choose from was between him and McCain, then why not him?) but here are my reservations about him:

1) He's a member of the Council On Foreign Relations.
2) He's a member of the Trilateral Commission
3)He came from nowhere, and suddenly he's got hundreds of millions of dollars behind him in campaign money. Most of which is not from contributions at street level. Where's this money come from? Why did these donors choose him, and what has he promised in return? Are his promises in alignment with the needs and of ordinary Americans?
4) His fawning stance towards Israel.

After seeing what the real powers-that-be in America made the likes of Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell do, I would rather not be embarrassed by another Black person grovelling in front of an elite who don't give a damn about me.

The writer describes himself as someone with “experience in international journalism, public affairs and intelligence”. I just wish he'd have used all this to read between the lines a little bit more, analyse American politics a with a little more emotional detachment, instead of this saccharine piece of tripe.”

And that was not all. The proof is the following comment posted by United states of Africa:

“No God's blessings for Cameroon or Africa?

My problem with this Obama-mania is with these Africans worshiping Obama as if he has won the presidency of the United states of Africa or their individual African countries. I was watching clips on youtube from various African countries and people foolishly kept saying how Africa has been saved now that Obama is president. One woman even went as far as saying that with Obama as president, Africa will be at the forefront of African politics. Naivety has eaten deep into the core of Africa…so deep it sickens me. Typical African fashion; always trying to claim what is not ours.

I give these people one year of the Obama presidency…just one.”

Another reader Louis Mbua seemed to have some answers to the doubts expressed:

« Hello UnitedstatesofAfrica,

Your comparison between Obama and Rice and Powel is inappropriate because Obama is an elected leader of the American people while the latter two were appointed by Bush, an elected leader. Obama has powerful executive powers to help Africa, his own country America, and the world while Rice and Powel didn't have such a luxury.

Addressing your doubts as to who controls Obama; the answer is that no one but the American peoples wishes: especially the Middle Class. Obama never took money from the Military Industrial Complex or big co-corporations such as Rupert Mudoch's empire. He actually paid the Media to make his broadcast on the eve of the American General elections. He is actually genuinely trying to come to the embattled General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.”

But that did not close the matter as another reader codenamed SouthWestener surged in:

“Africans should stop their senseless HOPE. Barack is not gonna be any different from other occupants of the white house. I wonder if he would muster the courage to stand up to BIG fat COWS that are having a field day exploiting poor countries of their natural resources.

I think BUSH gave more help, atleast on paper to Africa than Clinton. Yet he was hated and less popular than the former in the African continent.

Africans must be their own change agents. We are used to this notion of hoping that somehow a MESSIAH will come from somewhere to save our asses based on some corrupt western religious teachings. We wait, fold our arms, give our corrupt leaders a pass and keep waiting, hoping that GOD will take care and all power belongs to GOD or ALLAH etc.

Africans, our mental slavery, our refusal to believe in ourselves and hoping the solutions to our troubles must only come from someone, somewhere out there is the biggest stumbling block to our progress.

I dont give a DAMN about OBAMA. I just wish him luck,no more, no less.”

All these comments actually bewildered the original author of the article – Nfor Julio Barthson who posted this comment:

“Wowie!!! I was totally missing out on this hot debate ongoing here in the Dibussi World. I had totally forgotten that he wanted to cull one of my blog posts, and I'm amazed that a few words of reflection post-campaign have unleashed such a deluge of opinions from the left, the right, the top and, yes… from the bottom. Please, keep them coming. I'll probably return with a word of mine if I think I need to clarify anything,”

Surely this debate will continue…

First in Africa.  Kenya seems to be still in the grip of Obama-mania, from reports I’ve heard.  And why not? There is much to celebrate.  I also hope that the extremely popular “Obama - the musical” will transfer from its Nairobi home to London at some point.

In Rwanda, the day after the election also saw great scenes of jubiliation.  Some of those moments are captured on this video. 

What is most moving and significant on the footage is the re-emergence of a positive reaction to America and what it stands for.  That is the impact from day one of Obama’s victory, and it can’t be understated.  I was mocked, along with many others, for believing that the symbolism of his candidacy and the rhetoric of Obama’s message of hope and change was important, as well as the actual policies he might implement.  But the change in mood and perceptions that has been happened not just within a few African countries but throughout much of the world, indicates what can be achieved this way.

Here in the UK we are still feeling it too.  Over two weeks on from election day, I continue to proudly wear my Obama badges and my Obama hat. And people - especially London’s black community - continue to respond enthusiastically.  Every so often, I get an “O-bam-aaaaa!” cry as I walk past, or a compliment about the badges and sometimes a request for one.  I could have made some useful cash by buying a whole load of “yes we did”-type merchandise from the sellers outside Grant Park and flogging it here.  But that’s not my style. 

On Tuesday I attended an Obama victory party hosted by one of the main Obama UK meet-up groups.  I’d never been to one of their meetings or events before, so was a first-timer.  Over 30 people were there: a range of ages, nationalities and backgrounds.  Most were not politics nuts like me.  Some people had connections with America, or were American citizens themselves; but by no means a majority.  Among the people I chatted to were a guy from the Ivory Coast, a Labour party organiser from Stevenage, a woman from Missouri who had ran a local Obama campaign office there, a Bostonian performance artist with her English partner, and a retired couple who had gone out to North Carolina to do phone-canvassing and volunteer recruitment that final week of the campaign.  One woman had flown back to her native California so she could vote in person and just experience election day - and the result - firsthand.  There was even someone else who had been in Grant Park, Chicago for election night.  She had her prayers answered in the same way I had in Denver back in August - a ticket for the main event received at the last minute thanks to someone’s generosity.   As well as toasts to Obama, another part of the evening was for people to get up and tell their election stories to the group.  The event took on the air of a revivalist meeting, as one-by-one people (including myself) recounted their journies and emotional highs.  

Tomorrow (Friday), I meet up with Meghan for the first time since Chicago: to do a last bit of filming and no doubt to swap tales of UK responses to Obama’s victory.

Donald Kipkorir in Nairobi, Kenya writes a fictional memo from Obama to his Kenyan supporters:

During the campaigns, I consistently and fondly spoke of my Kenyan roots. I am an American citizen and, on January 20, 2009, I will be America's 44th president. As a son of a Kenyan father, I know that Section 90 of your constitution bestows upon me automatic citizenship. In the fullness of time, who knows, Michelle and I may decide to come and retire in the land of my father. I know that most, if not all, Kenyans expect me to have a magic wand to your problems and aspirations. To avoid future misunderstandings, we need to agree at the outset on my limitations. And I am making candid confessions only because of my paternal heritage and the special place you hold in my life. […] America as the pre-eminent democracy, military and economic power in the world faces unique challenges which we are demanded of to resolve or lead the way. Part of our foreign policy is to ensure the safety and secure borders of Israel, safe routes of our oil supplies and commitment to our bilateral and multi-lateral allies. Kenya has always been our friend, and these ties shall now be strengthened by my heritage. Our relationship could be imperiled should your foreign policy be at odds with ours. We will never dictate your foreign policy as you are a sovereign state, but our relationship is dependent on your choices. Before I forget, there is the issue of visas and immigration to America. I know that most Kenyans, including the hundreds of thousands who live or study in America, are now expecting preferential treatment. The US citizenship and immigration services are an independent federal department that deals with issues of visa, immigration and citizenship.

The topic of visa authorization to the US for Kenyans was also revisited by Wonkie in a humorous cartoon. The article also states that the current domestic challenges facing the future Obama administration are probably too great to address anything else:

He has a lot on his plate and mostly back on home ground - from the dire financial crisis and Iraq to health care - there is no shortage of challenges. Still, surprisingly, Mr Obama has made some foreign policy commitment to Africa - e.g. assistance with funding for ARV for HIV patients. Something for Africans to be optimistic about though it’s not quite the equivalent of visa-free travel to the US that many were secretly hoping for in Kenya.

Rajiosy, a Malagasy blogger, also wants everyone to calm down from the messianic rhetoric about Obama (fr):

Ne nous emballons pas. Obama a gagné avec environ 53% des voix. Ca laisse quand même 47% de non-croyants aux Etats-Unis. Quant au reste du monde, je crois que dans les campagnes du monde, il y a un certain nombre de gens qui s’en foutent complètement. Allons, allons, l’Amérique n’est pas le nombril du monde. Arrogance (inconsciente) quand tu nous tiens…
La terre a tourné avant Obama. Elle tourne pendant Obama. Elle tournera après Obama. Cette vénération est vraiment stupide. Rappelons-nous, la foule grégaire aime bien brûler ce qu’elle a adoré.

I met Bill Clinton some years back. I admired his presidency. I admire his character, I admire what he is doing for HIV/AIDS through his Clinton Foundation, but I am still against Hillary Clinton becoming the next Secretary of State.
As I have said before, the US needs a fresh approach in foreign affairs. Hillary Clinton possesses zero experience. She was a sour loser after the primaries, she did very little to support Obama, why should she be rewarded with a cabinet post? Again, her campaign for this position is also worrying me. There is Swahili adage that says, ” a tin makes the loudest noise”. For me, she is an empty tin.
Click here to read an article by Toby Harnden giving 10 reasons why Hillary should not be the next Secretary of State.

Daschle is a classy, well-liked politician that commands respect from both sides of the isle and I am so glad to see him back after republicans from all over the country converged on South Dakota in 2004 to make sure he lost his seat after he was viewed as an “obstructionist” by the republicans for trying to stop the “Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act” in 2001 that offered a $1.4 trillion tax cut to mostly wealthy Americans. Fast forward to the situation in 2008…….need I say more?

Just glad to see Daschle back.

The Secret Service has investigated the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho making the suggestion of a free public hanging of Mr. Obama. In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Mr. Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus. In a Maine convenience store was a sign inviting customers to spend a dollar to join a betting pool on when Mr. Obama might fall victim to an assassin. The money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Mr. Obama was attacked. The since taken down sign cheerfully closed with “Let’s hope we have a winner.” In Denver, a group of men with guns and bulletproof vests made racist threats against Mr. Obama and sparked fears of an assassination plot during the Democratic National Convention. Just before the election, two men in Tennessee believed to be skinheads were charged with plotting to behead blacks across the country and assassinate Mr. Obama while wearing white top hats and tuxedos. In Milwaukee, police officials found a poster of Obama with a bullet going toward his head on a table in the middle of the police station.

The Secret Service also cautions that the public should not assume that any threats against Mr. Obama or his family are due to racism. However, cases of racially hateful graffiti, not necessarily directed at the Obama family, have emerged in numerous reports across the nation. I guess the public is supposed to believe that this is just an unfortunate coincidence. Chatter among white supremacists on the Internet has increased throughout the campaign and since Election Day. But again, that’s just another one of those coincidences that doesn’t necessarily mean any racial hostilities are fermenting.

With the selection of Mr. Obama as the first black president, racists and white supremacists are using the belief of anonymity to post some serious hate on the internet. There are lengthy discussion threads about what will happen now that Mr. Obama has been elected as our next president. There are a number of white nationalists and patriots who inhabit these sites making derogatory postings with racist slurs.

The Secret Service cautions that the public should not assume that any threats against Mr. Obama or his family are due to racism.

Many of these people aren’t going to do anything they say. In many of the investigations already concluded the consensus was that there was no credible threat to Mr. Obama or his family. Most of these people are pretty toothless. But the behavior of these people and the sudden upsurge in racist slurs should be a concern to anyone with a genuine interest in the condition of race relations. It is true that none of these people may pose a threat to the Obama family, but many of these people may not hesitate to take their wrath out on the nearest or most convenient person of obvious African American descent.

I would expect that if anyone was to put together a message on the internet or anywhere else saying that he or she is going to go down to the local school and kill all the people there, that person would find his or her self under an FBI microscope and facing some kind of charges, if for nothing else for making somebody in law enforcement do some work. America has a rich history of people following through on their racial hate. We also have a history of blaming the victims of racial animosity for being attacked and defending themselves. People who try to get protection from being harassed, people who try to take their concerns to law enforcement, are dismissed with a roll of the eyes. Nooses are just pranks. Threats against our black president-elect don’t need to be taken seriously. And when people are attacked for having the same obvious ethnicity as our first non white president it will be nothing but a weird coincidence of ethnicity.

Still, surprisingly, Mr Obama has made some foreign policy committment to Africa - e.g. assistance with funding for ARV for HIV patients. Something for Africans to be optimistic about though it’s not quite the equivalent of visa-free travel to the US that many were secretly hoping for in Kenya.