Tony Hayward, BP CEO, will not get his life back very soon. After a series of controversial statements made by him and his company, US law makers did not miss their chance to rain criticism on him during his testimony on Capitol Hill.

His apologies are not enough to calm down the US. At this time of intense anger, the lesson that Mr. Hayward and BP should learn is to avoid public statements. Their words are carefully analyzed, and turned against them.

I do believe that Mr. Hayward is very sincere in his apology to the victims of this tragic event. Silence and actions will speak more loudly than promises. As the Baasa of Cameroon say, “A bird with fire on its tail burns its own nest.”