Gaddafi may just have a point.........

The news canvas of Africa today shows Pfizer wining an early Nigeria battle in which a Nigerian court, presided over by a Nigerian, refused to allow more cases to be added to a lawsuit against Pfizer. The Nigerian government wants $7bn in damages and compensation for the families of the children who died or suffered serious side-effects during improper drugs trials on children.

In Zimbabwe, prices are going through the roof as people on the ground claim that some Americans where out in full swing buying Zimbabwean dollars, which then creates a shortage. At the the World Trade Organisation (WTO) the Doha Round of international trade negotiations has collapsed and African governments have been the most vocal in expressing their disappointment at the difficulties in reaching agreement. Then comes in China with a $1billion dollar fund to trade with the continent.

I am beginning to wonder- is Gaddafi right that we need a United States of Africa, without which there seems to be a number of problems single states cannot resolve on their own. While all of these changes are taking place, I can see carrots and sticks flying on the continent as the powers seek to maintain their relations with the motherland. Watch the cancellation of debts.