Does fame help spread the word?
Bob Geldof's return to Ethiopia has turned the spotlight back on pop stars who become activists. He attacked the EU again yesterday in a debate with Glenys Kinnock MEP, who branded his criticism of the union as "unhelpful and misinformed".
Bob Geldof's return to Ethiopia has turned the spotlight back on pop stars who become activists.
He attacked the EU again yesterday in a debate with Glenys Kinnock MEP, who branded his criticism of the union as "unhelpful and misinformed". As he ends his five-day visit today, Ethiopians are wondering how much Geldof's presence has helped them.
It was a circus - there is no other way to describe the visit to bewildered villagers by a motley crew of agencies, journalists and hangers-on. There was a carnival feel to the big vehicles thundering into town, the Boomtown Rat-turned- ringmaster.
Geldof and his aides readily admitted it was a circus, but one with serious intent: to keep Africa on the international community's agenda, not least at this weekend's G8 summit in Evian, France.
Did it succeed? Geldof was well-briefed, fluent and passionate. He denounced the incompetence that allowed people to starve. His visit may have touched deeper chords. Ethiopia's prime minister, Meles Zenawi, accepted some blame for his country's problems after meeting Geldof. Since Bono's seduction of Jesse Helms, a power-broker of the American right, pop stars have been credited with real influence.
Geldof, 51, was aware that celebrity activism could look silly. "I'm just a half-assed pop singer," he said. "At least Bono is a full-on rock star."
He attacked the EU again yesterday in a debate with Glenys Kinnock MEP, who branded his criticism of the union as "unhelpful and misinformed". As he ends his five-day visit today, Ethiopians are wondering how much Geldof's presence has helped them.
It was a circus - there is no other way to describe the visit to bewildered villagers by a motley crew of agencies, journalists and hangers-on. There was a carnival feel to the big vehicles thundering into town, the Boomtown Rat-turned- ringmaster.
Geldof and his aides readily admitted it was a circus, but one with serious intent: to keep Africa on the international community's agenda, not least at this weekend's G8 summit in Evian, France.
Did it succeed? Geldof was well-briefed, fluent and passionate. He denounced the incompetence that allowed people to starve. His visit may have touched deeper chords. Ethiopia's prime minister, Meles Zenawi, accepted some blame for his country's problems after meeting Geldof. Since Bono's seduction of Jesse Helms, a power-broker of the American right, pop stars have been credited with real influence.
Geldof, 51, was aware that celebrity activism could look silly. "I'm just a half-assed pop singer," he said. "At least Bono is a full-on rock star."
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