Gullibility Of The Colonised. Free Congo – Free Africa!

I am struck by a profound sense of irony seeing many African nations cowardly running to their former colonial powers for help and assistance, with a full knowledge that these same powers are benefiting from the very resources that inherently and geographically belong to Africans. Many colonised nations are rich in natural resources, yet they are drowning in the rivers of lack and want. Meanwhile, their former colonial powers continue to benefit from the colonised people’s resources, often through shady deals and corrupt practices.

Colonialism in its entirety is an open exploitation of resources, the imposition of foreign cultures including religion, and the suppression of indigenous identities, which have contributed to the ongoing struggles of African nations. However, what is perhaps most striking is the way in which the African nations have internalized their own oppression by seeking help from those who do not, and will never wish them well.

Many colonized nations continue to look to their former colonial powers for economic, military, medicine or technological assistance. This is despite the fact that these powers have historically exploited and oppressed them. It is as if these nations have forgotten that their former colonizers are still benefiting, and remain committed to the exploitation of their resources.

As a case study, today, multinational corporations such as Trafigura, Total and Glencore are among the main beneficiaries of the Congo’s natural resources. These corporations have been accused of exploiting the Congo’s resources, paying next to nothing taxes, fueling insecurity and disregarding environmental and social regulations. From the brutal regime of King Leopold II of Belgium to the current-day exploitation by multinational corporations, the Congo has been a classic example of the ongoing scourge of colonialism.

The impact of this exploitation on the Congolese people has been devastating. The country is one of the poorest in the world, despite its enormous natural wealth. The majority of the population, in the same vein with the larger part of African population, lacks access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. The Congo Free State, established by King Leopold II in 1885, is a notorious example of colonial brutality. Forced labor, mass killings, rape and many other atrocities were the order of the day. The exploitation of the Congo’s resources and the killing of their people have continued unabated to this day.

To break the cycle of oppression, colonized nations must recognize the inherent value of their own resources and cultures. They must also acknowledge the historical injustices that have been done against them and continue to midwife local solutions for their local problems, rather than relying on their former colonizers.

Please underline this: When the enslaved sees his enslaver as his savior, slavery continues.

After her Olympic in Paris, a Congolese female boxer, Marcelat Sakobi, while rivers of tears flows down her black cheeks, made a powerful gesture of pointing two fingers at her temple and placing a hand to cover her mouth to say it all. We are being killed in Congo while the world remains silence. No two ways about it! Your killer can not be your healer. Save my brothers in Congo! Save Africa!!

– Ambassador Ezewele Cyril Abionanojie is the author of the book ‘The Enemy Called Corruption’ an award winner of Best Columnist of the year 2020, Giant in Security Support, Statesmanship Integrity & Productivity Award Among others. He is the President of Peace Ambassador Global.