Africa's third liberation book to be launched in KenyaBy SANDRA CHAO in Nairobi | Friday, September 21   2012 at  13:17

A book criticising the form of leadership in Africa is set to be launched in Nairobi next Monday.

Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga will preside over the launch of; In Africa’s Third Liberation: The New Search for Prosperity and Jobs; at the Institute of Security Studies in Lavington.

It is co-authored by Greg Mills and Jeffrey Herbst and revolves around the theme of economic growth and how in the last decade, a lot of opportunities have emerged in Africa.

Between 2000 and 2010, six of the 10 fastest-growing economies worldwide were African.

The two authors show how Africa has experienced two liberations: the first from colonial and racist regimes and the second from the autocrats who often followed foreign rule.

What they describe as the third liberation, is freedom from political economies surrounded by elitism, graft and social inequality.

The writers say that aside from the need to create an enabling environment for business through good governance, provision of infrastructure, and improvements in education, most critical was the need for a laser-like development focus by governments.

A new African political debate is therefore necessary to make progress in accelerating growth and creating jobs.

The book was initially launched in South Africa in August in a ceremony that was attended by Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.