Owen and Obertan: Are they just surprise buys?

Only a few weeks before the English Premier League kicks off for the 2009/10 season, fans are waiting with bated wondering whether the summer signings will pay off and become celebrated stars in their clubs.

Of focus will be Manchester United who sold their priced asset in Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a record US$131million. Out Ronaldo, in comes three new signings two of which have come as a total surprise to the Old Trafford faithful.

With US$131 million, many United fans were hoping for some big signing who would replace Ronaldo’s goal scoring spree at the club. However, it came as a surprise as Sir Alex Ferguson went for out of contract at Newcastle United Michael Owen, Wigan’s Antonio Valencia and less known 20 year old Frenchman Gabriel Obertan. Let it not be forgotten though that Ferguson brought an 18 year old winger from Sporting Lisbon and in six seasons made him the world’s best player.

While the Scot has purchased his fair share of big-money superstars, he has also raised plenty of eyebrows with some buys that have had United fans scratching their heads.

 Some have been massive successes, Peter Schmeichel  and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being prime examples. But for every Solskjaer, there's a Bellion.

Obama kicks butt

 Romance is over

First visit to Africa and the romance with Obama seems to be over; for good or for worse.

We had already forgiven him for snubbing his fatherland, having understood how badly we behaved after the 2007 general election. We however looked forward to his debut visit to the continent with great expectations.

So why are some disappointed?  Because declarations about ending tyranny and corruption have been made many a time.

Obama may be sincere in his wish to end these vices but it seems he has started on the traditional footing. Perhaps he should have asked: “America has been engaged in this continent for many years. In Kenya the US has played a very visible role for 46 years; since independence. Why have US policies failed in the past? What is to be done differently? We Africans know the answers but often no one listens.

Kenya: The Hague or Local Tribunal?

More than a half of Kenyans want suspected perpetrators of post election violence tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, according to a recent survey.

The report by consultants hired by the African Union Panel of Eminent Personalities shows 53 percent of respondents support the ICC route as opposed to 33 percent who vouch for a local tribunal. According to South Consulting, most of those interviewed believe the local Tribunal would be corrupted and trust they will only find fair judgment at The Hague.

These fears arise from the perceived weaknesses in the judicial system and the fact that successive Kenyan governments have lacked political will to prosecute influential persons for serious offenses, including political violence.