A messiah, philanthropist, politician, courageous and a play boy
The 44th and first African-American President of the
Ordinary Africans: They see Obama as someone who is expected to use his position to pressure African leaders to stop clinking to power. They also hope he will prevent US and US firms and other western companies and banks from serving as safe-havens for embezzled funds from the continent.
Pan Africanists: They believe
This is however, daunting and life threatening because; he has to serve the interest of the
Just as Obama cautioned those who prolong their stay in power through corruption and deceit, many expect him to caution developed countries who use their military and economic prowess to stifle political and economic development in developing countries and institutionalise state corruption through shady contracts and other business deals. People see in him, a man courageous enough and capable to change the tides. It’s just a matter of will.
Moderate Arabs. Obama’s policy of pursuing dialogue before action is likened to thinking before acting. This is well received by many who see in him, a kind of solution to the disturbing Israeli Palestine conflict.
Obama must be bold enough to tell Israel that they have to make major pre 1967 concessions just as well as remind Palestinians/Arabs that they must recognise Israel’s right to exist. Anything short of this, will mal any “sustainable”
Fundamentalists: They say Obama is just a rubber stamp who will not be able to make any change or difference. Some of them see his choice of Rham Emmanuel (Chief of Staff) and Hilary Clinton (Secretary of State) diehard supporters of
Europeans. They consider Obama as a president whose mandate will be more subtle than that of his predecessor.
Some believe Obama is a messiah with a panacea to all national and international problems. Never in world history has a leader of a country been greeted with such euphoria as was the case with OBAMA in various continents
Many see Obama as a philanthropist because as they say, he seems to have the good will and intentions. They see him as someone who will "re-distribute" the wealth not only within US but also out of the US. That is while some equally say he is more socialist, liberalist inclined than the traditionally capitalist
Others see him just as any other politician. Politics is a game of interests and politicians hardly respect their words. They constantly use sweet words to cajole people.
A lot more see in him a “player” and a “lover boy”, a handsome guy who can be the target of any woman. They already fear another “Monica Lewinsky” affair in the White House.
Many see him as an incarnation of hope and the dawn of a new era. Swedish newspapers among which, DN asserted this. Others equally see him as just trying to gain attention for his first days in office and will soon change course.
People also see Obama as Mr Realistic, Understanding and Pragmatic. He started manifesting these from day one in office by suspending Quantanamo trials and cutting the huge salaries for White House senior aides. People also want to him to understand that democracy which is
Some see him as a star/celebrity and will want be with him all the time, reason why his inauguration attendance was record breaking in
Whatever be the case, a builder can only be judged on how and what he builds. Time will tell.