JJ Rawlings  not happy with African leaders 

Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has expressed his displeasure at the failure of African leaders for not showing open sympathy on the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and wondered whether they were frightened of Western reprimand if they took decisions to openly commiserate with the people of Venezuela.

Flt Lt Rawlings is also disappointed that flags did not fly at half-mast in African countries for a man who he said had bridged the gap between South America and Africa and also defended his African credentials at every opportunity.

Former President Rawlings who left Accra on Wednesday for Caracas, Venezuela to pay his respects to the fallen leader of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Rafael Chavez, in a statement said Hugo Chavez defended the rights of Africa and developing countries by promoting policies in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that supported development in less endowed countries.

The statement issued by the office of former President Rawlings said in 2000 at a Caracas Summit of OPEC, President Chavez challenged members of OPEC to tackle foreign debts, terms of trade and other issues for developing nations in its dialogue with rich countries.

Adding that Chavez was the first Latin American leader to declare himself  of African descent.  

In 2005 he reaffirmed his commitment to Africa when he said: “And one of the greatest motherlands of all is no doubt, Africa. We love Africa. And every day we are much more aware of the roots we have in Africa… Racism is very characteristic of imperialism.”

Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings had a good relationship with Hugo Chavez and described his loss as a huge blow to Africa and the rest of the developing world.

GBC