At the recent Technology, Entertainment, Design conference in Arusha, Tanzania, delegates witnessed a curious tantrum. Whilst Andrew Mwenda, a conference delegate, was making his argument against foreign aid as a panacea for Africa’s ills, Irish rock star Bono heckled him with expletive laden interruptions that raised more than a couple of eyebrows. Bono’s heckling not only exhibited an intolerance to a particular line of argument, but it also revealed a sensitivity to being upstaged on a matter where he sees himself as a champion. This is unfortunate because the Bonos of this world need to listen more and display greater humility to African perspectives on African problems. Or is he not quite sure that Africans can come up with solutions to their own problems?

The ‘moral outrage’ argument has lost its currency. The G8 countries are increasingly immune to the sights and sounds of Africa’s misery- starving babies, dying mothers and children, and victims of conflict. Why else do they need the same very vocal celebrity campaigning at every annual summit? Bono and Bob Geldof know this but they insist on playing along, blinded by the false hope that the G8 industrialised nations will listen to them because of their celebrity power. Geldof recently said that whilst he is inclined not to take Chancellor Merkel’s promises on more aid to Africa seriously, he is nevertheless willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. What astonishing ignorance. Or is it?