Just watching the news about the kidnapping of the British workers in Ethiopia. All manner of people have been labelled ’Africa experts’, and wheeled into news studios to give their opinion on what exactly might have befallen the hapless workers.
I view such opinions with a healthy scepticism. Perhaps having lived in the affected areas myself (Ethiopia and Eritrea, that is), I also should roll up to the studio and offer my opinion.
The truth is, nobody knows what has happened to these men. Until the investigators uncover some more evidence, we do not even know on which side of the border they are. Nobody needs an ‘Africa expert’ to tell them that.
March 5th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Out of interest- were you in Ethiopia back in the nineties when all the trouble was?
I can remember Eritrea becoming independent- I think it was 95?
Sad how the country has gone since 1975.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Yes Joe, I was there in the early nineties, at around the time Eritrea was getting self-determination. I managed to avoid all the war zones though. Back in those days, no one would have dreamt of going anywhere near the Afar region. Getting kidnapped would be the least of it.
Even so, I was surprised when I heard that people now go there for tourism amd the like.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Definition of an expert:
“Ex” as in has been
“Spert” as in drip under pressure.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I suppose there is quite a bit to see for the brave; Amhara Gondar, etc.
I’d quite like to traipse the Afar region looking for Habiline and Australopithecine remains.
But it doesn’t seem things are 100% safe there yet.
March 14th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I know in Lagos, there is often little sympathy when Europeans rush in where Africans fear to tread.
The usual “wetin you sef dey find there” is the typical Nigerian response to such.
At least they are safe now, we thank God
March 14th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Biodun, that made me laugh out loud.
Truth be told, I did actually think that to myself when I heard about the kidnapping. Good to know I can still summon up the Nigerian response, even after all these years.
Good to see you. Where you bin dey since?
March 17th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I got a new job sort of mid-last year.
No internet access for the first couple of months, now I have restricted internet access which blocks “messageboards” a banner under which blogs fall.
When I get home I surf through my favourite blogs but I’m too tired to write or post anything.
Email me I’ll tell you more!