LONDON—Malawi born James Woods-Nkhutabasa, an entrepreneur-cum-African Affairs analyst was this week, on London based Arise TV, weighing in on leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Joseph Kony. The LRA leader is Africa’s most wanted, most hunted fugitive and war criminal. Woods-Nkhutabasa, also discussed the big drawbacks and positives for the African continent in the just ending year, 2016.
On fugitive Kony, Woods described him as “a rebel leader…a leader who has had the belief that he is fighting for multi-democracy in Uganda, to bring the rights of people in the front, to oust (President) Yoweri Museveni, and to allow people elect someone else. Individually, he believes he is fighting for this cause to see Uganda ruled under the biblical Ten Commandments but has along the way broken all of them.”
Up to now, nobody really knows where he is despite efforts to track him down.
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Woods making a point
sked as to why he thinks it is taking time for the war criminal to be captured, Woods speculated that perhaps it might be because of the fact that He (Kony) lives in the Jungle, understands the terrain of the Jungle to which government forces find it difficult to operate in such terrains in their bid to capture him.
Commenting on Kony’s poaching behavior, Woods observed that this is perhaps his only survival tactic in his bid to try to still put together the remnants of his depleted forces, having stopped being funded by Sudan in the 1990s.
Tapping into Wood’s wider experience as an African Affairs Analyst, the Arise TV News anchor Charles Aniagolu broaden the discussion to review challenges and hopes for Africa in the year (2016) ending tomorrow.
Challenges
Woods singled out the lack of peace for the young nation in Africa, South Sudan, as one of the biggest challenges Africa experienced this year saying that “it’s about time South Sudan really gets herself and brings about peace.”
Positives
Woods, a holder of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and History and a Masters in Social Policy and Development from London School of Economics and Political Science, pointed out that several countries, about 20 countries, conducted elections (Presidential, National Assembly, Local and House of Representatives) in 2016 which saw “both sides of democracy being followed” like in Ghana and Benin notwithstanding the challenges in some countries such as Gambia, Gabon and DRC.
“Looking at the promotion of democracy, we have seen a changing tide of the nationals of these places demanding change, transparency and accountability; we have seen individuals having access to information” said Woods arguing this is good.
He added that even private individuals are doing their part to help government.
“We have seen individuals come in through private sector social enterprises to drive forward development. We don’t need to rely on governments and we look at Nigeria for instance, Tony Elumelu, the initiatives he is carrying out is developing the next generation,” concluded Woods.
Watch the Full Interview on the you tube link below.
