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In a banana republic, one might slip on a banana peel but things do work - now and then for the people, albeit inefficiently and unreliably.

From George Ayittey

The richest persons in Africa are heads of state, governors and ministers. So every 'educated' African who wants to be rich - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich - heads straight into government or politics.

From George Ayittey

Africa has more dictators per capita than any other continent.

From George Ayittey

Dictators cause the world's worst problems: all the collapsed states, and all the devastated economies. All the vapid cases of corruption, grand theft, and naked plunder of the treasury are caused by dictators, leaving in their wake trails of wanton destruction, horrendous carnage and human debris.

From George Ayittey

Dictators are allergic to reform, and they are cunning survivors. They will do whatever it takes to preserve their power and wealth, no matter how much blood ends up on their hands. They are master deceivers and talented manipulators who cannot be trusted to change.

From George Ayittey

Getting rid of the dictator is only a first step in establishing a free society. The dictatorship must also be disassembled.

From George Ayittey

Africa's salvation doesn't lie in begging and begging for more aid, and as an African, I find it very, very humiliating.

From George Ayittey

The solutions to Africa's problems lie in Africa, not in Live Aid concerts.

From George Ayittey

There's a belief that since Africa got a raw deal from the colonial West, then the Chinese must be Africa's best friend. But the evidence doesn't show that, and the main criticism is that they are building infrastructure in exchange for Africa's resources in deals that are structured to favor China.

From George Ayittey

What Africa needs to do is to grow, to grow out of debt.

From George Ayittey

George Ayittey

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