The Blair Commission, frankly, epitomises the failed development experience in Africa – a product of policies designed by the state and for the state in collusion with the so-called "development partners" where the continent's people have very little say. This weakness has been recognised but not overcome. These days the state and the donors pretend to consult "the stakeholders" through meetings like the infamous "social Forum" when in fact they only fulfil a formal obligation for the next kill.