Aaron Gono
As most African countries began attaining their sovereignties from their colonizers; which included the French, British, Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Germans and Belgians.
Most African people were optimistic that their lives will be filled with prosperity.
Still to date that dream is still far away from attaining it. When African countries attained their independence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, that was time Africa’s fate was sealed.
Conferences to halt the hostilities in Africa were reached in their former colonizers’ soils. Decisions which shortchanged Africans were reached there. The Gold Coast (now Ghana ) was the first country to get independence in 1957, under Kwame Nkrumah. He believed that Ghana’s independence was nothing as long as most African countries were under the tutelage of their white masters.
Kwame Nkrumah became a threat to the establishment, although many African countries got their independence in the early 1960s. Mocambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa began getting their autonomies from 1975 to 1994. The whole African country was now free, as South Africa was the last to be released from the colonial bondage in 1994.
As Zimbabwe, was celebrating its independence in 1980, Mozambique was burning, the Renamo bandits under Dhlakama were ruthlessly and efficiently knocking off the Frelimo soldiers of the government of Mozambique. Instead of Zimbabwe enjoying its peace and building its economy, it was entangled in that war, supporting its ally, the Frelimo. Resources instead of improving the lives of Zimbabweans were diverted to feed the Mozambican war. And the apartheid regime of South Africa, besides supporting Renamo with financial and logistical support; was also involved in South West Africa ( Namibia) and Angola. The South African Defense Forces was the modern day US army of Africa.
The Boers were well trained, equipped and ruthless in their endeavors. Angola and Namibia were only served from the South African occupation by Cuban forces. Currently Mozambique is in a state of uncertainty; as the previous elections held in the country were not accepted by the opposition who called them a sham. And in Zimbabwe, things are not yet clear what is really going on, as some factions of the war veterans are calling for the president of the country to resign. And South Africa is in the crosshairs, after it enabled the Expropriation Act into law.
Which means the African continent is always moaning and whining, from lack of innovations and inventions. This is also catapulted and worsened by poor governance. Enter Donald Trump, setting laws on the internet and relentlessly pursuing his MAGA ( Make America Great Again) theory. Mr Trump’s government is very individualistic and is in splendid isolation. It doesn’t give a damn about what the next person thinks. Only Americans first. What a wonderful president to have.
And what are African presidents up to? Should we say begging and also individualistic? Why l say so; Sudan, the DRC and Central African Republic are burning and our leaders are clueless about dousing off the flames. They expect Uncle Sam to take care of them. It is the right opportunity for African leaders to chart their way forward. Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping are in quandary. All of them need Africa to advance their technological ambitions. And Africa has all those critical minerals to make these countries boast of their current status.
Why can’t they invite some Arab advisers to tell them how to bargain. Do you want to remain watchers and listeners to this present day geo political environment. Africa has all the ace cards, so what is your problem? African leaders if you don’t adapt the Trump theory; you are condemned.
Africans didn’t put you in those positions to take care of your immediate family members and some few cronies. But to make Africans great again. Why misgovernance in Africa only?
Peter Pomerantsev wrote in his book ” How to Win an Information War, ” What can you do when those you love….slip away from you under a quick sand of lies, and move mentally into an alternative reality where black is white and white is black” he asks.
