Coronavirus – Lessons from Senegal and Malawi

Introduction

While the invisible enemy continues to ravage the world as its primary geography, halting and reversing the best policies and plans, there is wonder that even the most powerful in the world have been contained for a while. Considering that this is not the first global pandemic human history, it is conclusive that Europe and North America decline is formalised. The emerging picture paints positive experiences from Senegal and Malawi devoid of neo-colonial machinations.

Hollow Media

Since coronavirus advanced ruthlessly into Europe and North America with its multiple star generals lethally attacking defenceless families and communities, the resulting shock and awe is felt most by outsiders caught up in an unexpected display of weakness of the supposed most powerful and most advanced parts of the world. The shock is driven by elevated error placing democracy, free-market and questionable Christianity as the recipe for virulent accumulation and monstrous domination. History is not linear and this is an important lesson for all nations across time. There is time for everything. Empires must rise and fall for others to rise and fall. 

So the western media in sudden shame and embarrassment at the domestic collapse of their governments have consistent deflected attention by insulting and humiliate Africans. Most by-lines anticipate doom and gloom for her peoples, relishing how coronavirus will decimate, poverty will build skyscrapers as a result and development will be reversed forever. Not debt cancelation for Africa. Wishes do not translate to reality. Sadly many Africans at home and in diaspora swallow these poisons hook, line and sinker. Pity their children who may inadvertently suckle the poisons. Good comes from Africa!

Senegal

This country on the western tip of Africa has prestige and pedigree. There is no stain of questionable military intervention since her independence. Her representative governments have sustained since their first president Leopold Sedar Senghor ruled in 1960. He was a champion of Negritude. His line of succession has continued by various ruling and opposition groups hence blunting the need for imported or evangelised brand of democracy.   

When the crowned poison arrived Dakar, there was no panic rather resources were allocated to join fight. Among the measures deployed by the government of President Macky Sall is the prescription of anti-malaria chloroquine to only those who show symptoms of coronavirus. This therapy is not applied to those with full blown infection. This position was attacked viciously in France since Paris led the anti-chloroquine campaign instead of focusing energy on protecting and saving her vulnerable population. Dakar defended her position robustly including demand for Africa’s debt cancellation, Paris is too weak to press action.

Why? Since medicine and doctors have become geopolitical, a clarification is necessary. Besides anyone can offer a sad opinion including recommendation of disinfectant (orally). There is peer-reviewed science on the role of chloroquine on coronavirus. The problem is thus: Europe and North America pharmaceutical firms no longer produce chloroquine since related diseases/infections have disappeared. Besides the profit margin of production is slender. Current major producers are India, China, Brasil and other member of the Global South. Support for chloroquine mean massive cash transfer out of Europe and North America. So Senegal held her line and won. Senegal makes Africa proud!

Malawi

This is a bastion of common sense in the southern region of Africa. Another nation untainted by misplaced military usurpation. Along with Taiwan, South Korea, Sweden and Nicaragua, she legally objected to lockdown. Of course, it is expected that lockdown is an unreconstructed and uncritical universal tool for stemming coronavirus. Lilongwe advanced a contrary narrative. When the government imposed lockdown probably without emergency powers, citizens objected by lodging a court appeal. 

The government failed to make her case and her lockdown policy was suspended for constitutional interpretation. The critical point is the government’s inability to explain how the vulnerable will be protected during lockdown. At the time of writing, with the lockdown suspended, the government has responded with public health directives and cash payment to the most vulnerable. 

The message is clear. The rule of law works in Malawi, constitution is respected by Malawians and common sense is operative in the land. There is no need for foreign intervention or international humanitarian assistance. The gullible position that Africans are incapable of managing their affairs with credibility, honesty and integrity has once again fallen. Of course attention always focus on the cancerous so-called giants whose foundation are no stronger than quicksand. Malawi makes Africa proud!

Conclusion

Coronavirus outbreak is global but the patterns of infection, mortality and recovery are non-uniform in time and space. Different communities and peoples address it based on experience and unique circumstances. Geopolitics can still play but its full spectrum application is modified by domestic pressure and internal centrifugal forces within the global powers. Within this context Senegal and Malawi’s mature and legal responses can be maximised for the dignified, honourable and excellent peoples of Africa.