On Mogae, Botswana and the Mo Ibrahim Prize..

It is to be lauded, the idea behind the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Prize for good Governance, initiated by Sudanese- born Dr Mohammed Ibrahim.

A prize won in Its inaugural year by Joaquim Chissano (former president of Mozambique), the 2008 winner has been named as Dr Festus Mogae, Botswana's former leader.

Kofi Anan, spokesperson for the foundation described Mogae's efforts to protect the peace, security and development of his country in the face of tough challenges, as the reason for his securing the prize.

Despite critics accusing Dr Ibrahim of wasting his money trying to bribe African leaders into behaving themselves, there is some sense in initiating such a prize..

.. On a continent rife with conflict, poverty, disease and corruption, there is a desperate need for achieving necessary traction in solving the continent's ills.

A Prize for good Governance which by virtue of its principles, encourages a striving for the noble and the ideal, goes some way in creating the platform for achieving this necessary traction..

Talking means one cares enough..

The recent comments made by Brigadier Mark Carlton- Smith the British commander in Afghanistan, regarding the war in that country, is put in perspective..

Brigadier Carlton- Smith declared that the British [and indeed the Americans] were not going to win the war [against the Taliban] and insisted that it was about ".. reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that is not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army".

He went on to highlight that talks with the Taliban about a political settlement should not be ruled out...

These comments show admirable insight and tremendous personal courage.

There is however another side to the issue..

.. That Talks mean that hopefully, untold hundreds of ordinary Afghans caught in the cross-fire get to enjoy relative peace.

.. Talking means you care enough about them..