Europe, Asia or Arabs: Africa's Promiscuity as a Sign of Corruption and Neo-colonialism

“Why did Africa let Europe cart away millions of Africa's souls from the continent to the four corners of the wind? How could Europe lord it over a continent ten times its size? Why does needy Africa continue to let its wealth meet the needs of those outside its borders and then follow behind with hands outstretched for a loan of the very wealth it let go? How did we arrive at this, that the best leader is the one that knows how to beg for a share of what he has already given away at the price of a broken tool? Where is the future of Africa?”

Yes, I agree that Africa can not blame all her problems on colonialism; but we cannot deny the fact that the damage of those dark times continues to haunt the continent.

The greatest evil caused by colonialism was best described by the former president of the United States of America, Barrack Obama in his book titled 'Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance' when he said:

“The worst thing that colonialism did was to cloud our view of our past.”

Over the years, it is obvious that Africa has lost its sense of identity and we no longer know who we really are! We are kings and princes, not slaves who cannot depend on their own - like the colonial masters made us believe in the past.

It is disheartening that the continent, especially its leaders still go about believing they have to sit at the feet of Europe, America, and Asia for funds and investments before anything tangible can be done in our continent.

Africa has become so promiscuous that we jump from one country/region to the other like whores looking for the highest bidders to bed us.

The sad truth is that this attitude exposes the corruption of our leaders who are so bent on doing anything just to enrich their pockets and satisfy their personal gains. The attitude also proves that Neo-colonialism is in full force.

By wanting something from everyone, Africa has become cheap and our exploitation knows no bounds.

According to reports, a Qatari government delegation led by its Foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was in Rwanda this week for bilateral talks key among them the financing of the Bugesera International Airport.

It is no news that the East African country has been seeking funds for the new airport which the country claims will be its largest after its proposed construction in 2020.

Prior to the meeting with the Qataris, the government has entered an agreement with Portugal for a Portuguese firm, Mota Engil to operate the airport for 25 years to recoup its total investment, estimated at about $820 million, with an option to extend the agreement for 15 years.

One would have thought that African leaders will desist from deals like this which experience has shown has no significant impact but increases the avenue for exploitation in the continent.

After Mota Engil injected $418 million in the initial phase of the project. Rwanda has approached Qatar to inject another $382 million.

As concerned Africans, we cannot help but wonder what deal the country will sign with the Arabs considering that there is one already in effect with Portugal.

Our leaders are selling our future just the same way our past was sold!

The Rwandan delegation that held talks with the Qataris was led by Foreign minister Richard Sezibera.

“We are discussing investment in Bugesera airport and there seems to be good interest in this. Hopefully, the deal will be closed soon. I can’t tell you the size of the investment since negotiations are still ongoing. I can only tell you that the discussions are going on well,” Dr. Sezibera told journalists at a press briefing on Thursday.

Asked whether Mota Engil will be part of the new agreement, Dr. Sezibera said: “Bugesera and other potential investments we have are big enough for many actors. The only challenge is that we don’t have as many investors as we would like to.”

How true? What are your thoughts?

Header Image Credit: The New Times | Rwanda