OPINION – The falsehoods about Independent Africa must be debunked. In the post colonial era that we live in, our brains have been washed by efforts by the powers that be who try to pacify our broken souls with reminders that we are Independent nations.
The realties of our times speak a different tune. A struggling society with pictures of African heads and establishments still struggling to free ourselves from the shackles of mental slavery and oppression.
As we stand on the weakest ends of the bargaining processes, our leaders make trade dealings with “ Colonialists” that are meant to suffocate our economics.
I recall a Minister in Uganda who stated before the commission of Inquiry that she had appended her signature on a deal without reading through the paperwork. We likely understood that she meant she had no option to not sign even she would have read through the paper.
It is imperative to remember we come from a continent endowed with many natural resources but at the same time a continent known for poverty and low standards of living . While our people wallow in abject poverty, under the cover of the darkness a deal that gives us only 10 percent benefit and gives the “ colonialist “ 90 percent gets signed.
Looking at the Unending Instability in the Congo and the continuous occupation by the United Nations organizations in the region, you would want to think that they care about the citizens of Congo. While we get busy and occupied with humanitarian crises and management,more deals get signed to exploit the richest mineral resource country.
And if the “a colonialist” does not get his way he will attack the government using either proxies or by employing the divide and rule tactics.
It is Unfortunate that we still have in this age people that celebrate aid and loans provided to African nations. Experience teaches us that most of it precedes an Unfair trade dealing. And to be precise, if we wanted to ensure fair trade dealings that give us a lion’s share , we would not need aid. We would give aid.
The Gold, the cobalt, the copper, the rare earth minerals, the oil, the organic foods and the skilled labor force are all resources that are enough for the economy that Africa needs.
It’s painful to think that more than 50years post independence, Africa is still accepting deals on the “ colonialists” terms and conditions while claiming to be a sovereign in part. It’s even more painful to say that Europe,UK and America still exhibits colonial characteristics like the recent British parliamentary debate that was focused on hurting Uganda just because we shunned the homosexual agenda.
Talking about homosexuality, Britain will not be debating Qatar, Russia or Saudi Arabia, countries that share our values about sexuality. For some reason Britain knows that even past colonialism, we are still their colony and therefore they spend 10 minutes of their parliamentary sessions embarrassing themselves showing how they want to punish Uganda for not conforming to the homosexual expectations.
The image they painted should spark an outrage and it’s high time Africa starts fighting back because really and truly we have a way.
The Ignorant masses need an awakening to realties of our times and how to make their leaders put African interests central to the dealings our leader get in with the West.
The Writer is a Pan Afrikanist,Former Media Administrator, Health Promoter, Technology Activist, Social Worker and Politician
@Katushemererwe Brenda (aspirant MP Igara West).
END.
