Africa left out
Africa, a land of gold, platinum, and infinite riches. The first to ever allow life; second largest continent, yet barely considered in a number of vital things. How did it come to this, that being of your origin seems a handicap? Why are your people judged by the color of their skin, as if it defines their worth or ability?
What wrongs were committed to deserve this fate? Are you living through karma, or is it a result of systemic injustice? You are referred to as third world while they invade you and return rich – yeah, they even brag about it while African children suffer from hunger, illiteracy, and the failures of leadership. Some of your countries have become a testing ground for substandard products such as infrastructure and medicines – You have been a basket case that is in need of being saved.
A relationship of exploitation
Africa – an immensely rich continent in natural resources yet, this wealth benefits others more than Africans themselves. It holds 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 8% of oil reserves, and 7% of natural gas reserves. Minerals make up 70% of its exports and nearly 28% of its GDP (African Development Bank, 2016).
Throughout history, exploitation has evolved. First, it was people exploiting nature, now nations exploit other nations. Foreign investors, who often control your mines, factories, banks, insurance companies, and transportation, take far more than they give. You sell your resources at a fraction of their value, then import finished goods at inflated prices. Loans, presented as development aid, come with interest rates and conditions that cause dependency, literally the wealth flows outward.
You have realized so little of your potential. Take the example of rare earth elements (REEs), critical for modern technologies. China dominates this market, controlling 58% of global production. Much of its supply comes from you Africa. In 2019, sub-Saharan Africa exported $10 billion worth of minerals to China alone (SSRN, 2024). These minerals power the world’s electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. Yet, you see little of this wealth.
Buddy, they seem to know well how to alleviate your crisis because of your exposed vulnerability.
What is your identity?
The most concerning thing is you have devalued your fundaments. What went wrong with your own ideas of governance? Your governance system that prioritized community and sustainability has been varnished. What is your direction of change? Are you in competition with others’ vision? Why are you still fighting yourself? Have you identified yet your state of civilization in contrast with European’s?
Billions of dollars are made annually from people trying to resemble whites because of self-hatred, well I mean, non-acceptance.
Why do leaders hold meetings intended for African people outside the continent?
Religion has played a complex role. Many of your people are taught to focus on the afterlife rather than developing the current life. This has stifled critical thinking and innovation.
Why do your own people contribute greatly to your economic retardation? Many have succumbed to corruption, enriching themselves while leaving their people to suffer. Fearless thinkers who dare to speak out or work for change are often silenced, not just by foreign powers, but by their own.
The capitalist model has widened the gap between the rich and poor. Wealth, extracted from your land, fills the pockets of a few privileged. Meanwhile, your people struggle to access basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare.
There is absurd restriction and non-functional trade within the continent. I am yet to study on this.
Yes 54 countries are diverse and entitled to various ways of thinking and functioning, however, we share the blame, injustice, criminality, and the standards set upon us. Can’t we come together and have the same fight?
Perhaps you too blame your people for their inadequate efforts to stand for you.
Chronic instability
There is always war left and right, ones created by developed countries, others rooted in internal dispute. A lot of which is fueled by the unsatisfied thirst for power of one person or a confederacy of opportunists with an agenda of maintaining authority as a monarch, perhaps because that’s how it used to be but now disguised as democracy. At many occasions you are not your own ally. It doesn’t stop. You go even to taking debts of arms from abroad just to fight yourself. Aid, often presented as a solution, comes with strings attached. Over 50% of some African nations’ budgets are funded by foreign aid, which in the end creates dependency and allows foreign powers to dictate your governance.
They set terms and conditions on you, on your properties. They seem to know better what it means to have what you possess.
The slave trade in the early modem period, and colonialism in the 19th and 20th centuries hit your nations, however, foreign institutions still come to you with colonial ideology. They just changed the name – from colonial masters to multinational corporations (How Europe underdeveloped Africa). This comes with authoritarianism that sustains economic decline.
How much do white people offer, for you to induce self-betrayal? Yes I do acknowledge you have a little contribution to the above illustrated problems you face however long you have gained independence. But why do you inflict self-harm? They hate us for our skin color and we hate each other for ethnicity or pride of getting along with them. Political chaos is so high that people leave their home country in exile, seeking refuge. How can a nation live in isolation and withhold political conflicts with neighbouring countries? How does this benefit a country in any way?
We gonna get there!
Though we have faced defeat and loss for such a long time and as slow as progress may seem, we know no condition is permanent, right? Many more are still and yet to die for pan-africanism but we shall get it done. We shall accomplish this by elevating our minds beyond the confines of poverty in all its form, mental slavery, and the urge to prove ourselves. For we have triumphed before through resilience; our strength will arise from an independent vision and purpose. We are a continent of people, not just animals and desert.
