In June 2003, General Eric Ken Shinseki in his farewell speech at his retirement ceremony, a departure forced upon him by the current US administration, warned against arrogance in leadership.
The comment he made then was very firm, and should come back to our minds, the day Barack Obama discloses his intention to appoint this four-star general as Secretary of the Veterans Department.
"You must love those you lead before you can be an effective leader," he said. "You can certainly command without that sense of commitment, but you cannot lead without it. And without leadership, command is a hollow experience, a vacuum often filled with mistrust and arrogance."
Gen. Shinseki is a very good choice. Once again President-elect Obama has shown he means business.
domingo, 7 de dezembro de 2008
segunda-feira, 1 de dezembro de 2008
See you later!
Copyright V.Angelo
Children keep smiling and welcoming a better world. They believe in the future, they also ask for so little. Protection, schools, acceptance of their diplomas once back in Darfur, and no forced recruitment into any armed group.
domingo, 30 de novembro de 2008
Window of opportunity
Copyright V.Angelo
There is always a way forward. One should open the windows that are available and move on.
sexta-feira, 21 de novembro de 2008
The livestock market at Karmé
Copyright V.Angelo
Every Sunday, people from many places, including from Nigeria and Niger, come to Karmé, 165 Kms East of N´Djaména, to sell and buy livestock. It is time for big business. Money flows all over and people enjoy the tranquility of a day with different communities.
A strong woman
Copyright V.Angelo
It is not very easy to play a social role, if you are a woman in the Sahel. But the market place is opening new opportunities for women to earn a living and have a voice.
domingo, 9 de novembro de 2008
Going home
Copyright V.Angelo
All they need is a good rainy season, water, water, water. And security. Then, they take care of their families and themselves. They are not heavy on world resources.
domingo, 19 de outubro de 2008
Old woman at the market
Copyright V.AngeloThe market place, even in the middle of the Sahel, in very harsh living conditions, is a crossroads of hope and freedom. It is wise not to expect much and keep the smile on.
sábado, 11 de outubro de 2008
Maldives, vacations and elections
Thousands of holiday makers flock to a speck of islands in the Indian Ocean throughout the year to bask in its sunshine, to be caressed by its balmy breeze or to swim in its turquoise waters.
The Portuguese too have been lured by the fame and beauty of Maldives. It has not been just in recent years that the archipelago has attracted Portuguese tourists. The first batch of Portuguese travellers set foot on the islands, located close to the southern tip of India, arrived on the shores of Maldives in 1558. They stayed for 15 years before leaving after the islands were wrestled away from Portuguese control.
This week Maldives has attracted more than its usual planeload of well-heeled tourists. Election observers have also descended on the tropical islands for the presidential election slated for 8 October. A splendid place to be indeed - I would gladly trade places with anyone who would be willing to swap with me, if only for a couple of days.
A friend who is one of the election observers says in a matter-of-fact manner that he will be in Maldives strictly on business. The presidential election could herald in a new era of political pluralism and liberal democracy in this tiny island nation. The country's Head of State, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, is the longest serving leader in Asia, having been at the helm for 30 years. This week's presidential election will be much watched by Maldives' neighbours and democracy advocates around the world on how much political space will exist under its azure skies.
The hordes of tourists on the resort islands in Maldives may be blissfully unaware of the political jostling taking place mainly in the capital, Malé, where the majority of the population, some 80 percent of them live, as the tourist resorts are located in outlying islands reachable only by boat. But this week, they may join the people of Maldives in waking up to a new dawn. Or maybe not. Like all incumbents - President Gayoom is contesting the election for a seventh term in office - it remains to be seen if his ruling party will play by the rules that he himself was party to in drawing up the new constitution and electoral laws that have facilitated a multi-party political system to develop in Maldives.
This week's presidential election will determine the future for the people of Maldives. Will the country move with the tide of democracy or against the tide? Does it matter to the tourists whichever way the tide flows? It does matter, and it should matter. Because their tourist dollars are propping up the Maldives' economy and entrenching the government in power.
A country that offers political space and freedom of expression is a place in which tensions are less likely to boil over into conflict that impact on stability and security - which threaten the physical safety of its citizens and of visitors, besides affecting the tranquility of the environment that is the attraction of Maldives.
It is hoped that no storm clouds will gather over Maldives as its people choose wise leadership that will pave the way for greater openness and freedom for the people of these beautiful islands that many like me only get to romanticise on, while they get to live our dreams of an island in the sun where there is a place for everyone.....
The Portuguese too have been lured by the fame and beauty of Maldives. It has not been just in recent years that the archipelago has attracted Portuguese tourists. The first batch of Portuguese travellers set foot on the islands, located close to the southern tip of India, arrived on the shores of Maldives in 1558. They stayed for 15 years before leaving after the islands were wrestled away from Portuguese control.
This week Maldives has attracted more than its usual planeload of well-heeled tourists. Election observers have also descended on the tropical islands for the presidential election slated for 8 October. A splendid place to be indeed - I would gladly trade places with anyone who would be willing to swap with me, if only for a couple of days.
A friend who is one of the election observers says in a matter-of-fact manner that he will be in Maldives strictly on business. The presidential election could herald in a new era of political pluralism and liberal democracy in this tiny island nation. The country's Head of State, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, is the longest serving leader in Asia, having been at the helm for 30 years. This week's presidential election will be much watched by Maldives' neighbours and democracy advocates around the world on how much political space will exist under its azure skies.
The hordes of tourists on the resort islands in Maldives may be blissfully unaware of the political jostling taking place mainly in the capital, Malé, where the majority of the population, some 80 percent of them live, as the tourist resorts are located in outlying islands reachable only by boat. But this week, they may join the people of Maldives in waking up to a new dawn. Or maybe not. Like all incumbents - President Gayoom is contesting the election for a seventh term in office - it remains to be seen if his ruling party will play by the rules that he himself was party to in drawing up the new constitution and electoral laws that have facilitated a multi-party political system to develop in Maldives.
This week's presidential election will determine the future for the people of Maldives. Will the country move with the tide of democracy or against the tide? Does it matter to the tourists whichever way the tide flows? It does matter, and it should matter. Because their tourist dollars are propping up the Maldives' economy and entrenching the government in power.
A country that offers political space and freedom of expression is a place in which tensions are less likely to boil over into conflict that impact on stability and security - which threaten the physical safety of its citizens and of visitors, besides affecting the tranquility of the environment that is the attraction of Maldives.
It is hoped that no storm clouds will gather over Maldives as its people choose wise leadership that will pave the way for greater openness and freedom for the people of these beautiful islands that many like me only get to romanticise on, while they get to live our dreams of an island in the sun where there is a place for everyone.....
sábado, 4 de outubro de 2008
Today in school, leaders tomorrow
These Sierra Leonean schoolgirls live in a village that is two days away by road from Freetown. The area borders a remote corner of Guinea, and is known for the beauty of its mountains.
School attendance has increased dramatically as the country entered a period of peacebuilding, four years ago, and gradually reconstructed the social capital that had been devastated by the long years of brutality and civil war.
Sierra Leone is today a success story, including in terms of free elections. Now the nation needs to become more united and better prepared for the future.
These girls are part of tomorrow's Sierra Leone.
Photo copyright V. Angelo
quarta-feira, 1 de outubro de 2008
Meeting the village elders
copyright V.Angelo
The old men in Africa are a key source of authority and wisdom. The tradition requires they should be heard and respected. As we promote peace and development it is important to have the elders fully engaged. They are so keen to be of help.
The old men in Africa are a key source of authority and wisdom. The tradition requires they should be heard and respected. As we promote peace and development it is important to have the elders fully engaged. They are so keen to be of help.
quarta-feira, 24 de setembro de 2008
On the road, taking care of themselves
I met them on the road, they asked for nothing, just wanted to be safe and be able to take care of their families and cattle. Security and freedom of movement remain the key pillars they make use of to build their lives.
domingo, 14 de setembro de 2008
The mud
At this time of the year the city is muddy and we get stuck very often.
Other people get stuck even when the road is smooth.
Other people get stuck even when the road is smooth.
sexta-feira, 29 de agosto de 2008
Cacofonia política, protagonismos descabidos e liderança a menos
É o que se está agora o observar na área da segurança e ordem pública. Já não se percebe quem deve tomara liderança, quem coordena, quem faz o quê.
Por outro lado, o debate à volta da figura de um Secretário-geral da Segurança Interna é um debate sem sentido num estado democrático. Os receios que levanta não são mais que reflexos políticos de um passado de repressão que já não existe no nosso quadro jurídico e constitucional.
Por outro lado, o debate à volta da figura de um Secretário-geral da Segurança Interna é um debate sem sentido num estado democrático. Os receios que levanta não são mais que reflexos políticos de um passado de repressão que já não existe no nosso quadro jurídico e constitucional.
quinta-feira, 28 de agosto de 2008
Paquistão e a União Europeia: o diálogo político requer uma melhor estratégia por parte de Bruxelas
A VISAO de hoje publica o meu artigo sobre a necessidade de um diálogo político mais estratégico entre Bruxelas e Islamabad.
Com a eleição de um novo Presidente a 6 de Setembro, abre-se uma nova oportunidade para uma cooperação mais inteligente entre a União Europeia e os dirigentes paquistaneses. Uma cooperação que tenha em conta também os objectivos que a UE está a tentar alcançar, sem grande resultados, no Afeganistão.
Estamos perante um grupo de dirigentes muito frágeis mas que entendem as vantagens de um diálogo produtivo com a comunidade internacional, e em particular, com a União Europeia. Um diálogo que na verdade é necessário para que se estabeleça uma cooperação internacional efectiva nas áreas da segurança e do desenvolvimento. Um diálogo que, sem ofender o forte sentido de patriotismo dos paquistaneses, ajude a nova liderança a vencer as hesitações actuais, a maneira frouxa e pouco coerente como tem tratado com os extremistas.
Se isso não acontecer, veremos novas rebeliões de cariz marcadamente religioso surgirem naquelas partes do mundo.
Com a eleição de um novo Presidente a 6 de Setembro, abre-se uma nova oportunidade para uma cooperação mais inteligente entre a União Europeia e os dirigentes paquistaneses. Uma cooperação que tenha em conta também os objectivos que a UE está a tentar alcançar, sem grande resultados, no Afeganistão.
Estamos perante um grupo de dirigentes muito frágeis mas que entendem as vantagens de um diálogo produtivo com a comunidade internacional, e em particular, com a União Europeia. Um diálogo que na verdade é necessário para que se estabeleça uma cooperação internacional efectiva nas áreas da segurança e do desenvolvimento. Um diálogo que, sem ofender o forte sentido de patriotismo dos paquistaneses, ajude a nova liderança a vencer as hesitações actuais, a maneira frouxa e pouco coerente como tem tratado com os extremistas.
Se isso não acontecer, veremos novas rebeliões de cariz marcadamente religioso surgirem naquelas partes do mundo.
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