Is African Union on wrong side of history on Libya?

Libyan rebels advance into Tripoli for the most part came as a surprise to the World. Gaddafi's spin machine was at its best in scaring the hell out of the rebels of the dreadful encounter awaiting them in Tripoli. However, thanks to the braveheart of the rebels and good judgement of residents of Tripoli, the encounter was more or less a drive-through.

Now pondits, Libyan Transitional National Government and other policy makers are debating post-Gaddafi' Libya.

One conspicuous missing link though is the voice of the African Union in all of this. South Africa for example has not been particularly thrilled by the turn of events over the last few days. They actually moved to block a vote at the UN enabling the Libyan TNC funds to settle in.

Much as we all abhor the west meddling in internal African affairs, we have to understand that the Libyan experience is what can be considered blueprint for such operations. Gaddafi is a mad dog who has oppressed his own people for over 42 years, period.

It is about time African Union tilt to the right side of history and support their brothers and sisters in Libya.

Can migration be a positive- sum game for Africa?

The last two decades have witnessed mass emigration of young talents from Africa and other developing countries en route to the North. Experts are quick to point to brain drain (as it is labeled) as one of the factors impeding progress in developing countries. Africa is said to have lost a great deal of its highly skilled talents particularly in the medical field as a result of brain drain.

Critics of brain drain tend to take aim at both the migrants as well as their host nations for enticing and syphoning the best human resources from poor countries who need these talents the most. In truth, Africa has fallen victim to loss of qualified medical doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, and recent university graduates to countries like the United Kingdom, U.S. and the like.

The effect of this vacuum has been amply documented and much talked about.
ome hospitals for example are without qualified doctors and nurses to take care of patients. What I beg to differ is the long term impact brain drain can have on these countries at the receiving end.

Financial returns (running into billions of dollars) in terms of remittances have gone a long way to cushion these economies at a time when donor countries are cutting back thier commitment to Africa. If properly managed, this can go a long way to circumvent any short-term loss due to brain drain.

Another positive impact of brain drain is the skill set these immigrants bring back to thier countries down the road. the reality of this debate is that most of these professionals return later on in thier lives. They often bring to bear their rich experience from their host countries. Most returnees are making a big difference in the medical, education,political and other sectors of the African economy.

In effect, my sense is that, brain drain may not be all that bad.