This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Published on July 29, 2019, the world witnessed a disturbing trend in the rise of far-right leaders, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, both known for their divisive rhetoric, have been accused of promoting xenophobia, islamophobia, and lies to gain power.
Trump's recent rally, where he encouraged the crowd to chant 'Send her home!', sparked widespread outrage. The chant, which has been used to demonize immigrants, plays right into the hands of far-right groups in the US and Europe.
Johnson, the new UK prime minister, has also been criticized for his unsavory comments on immigrants. He once described Muslim women wearing face veils as 'walking around looking like letterboxes' and has supported colonialism, calling the Congolese 'flag-waving piccaninnies.'
Despite their history of making racist comments, Trump and Johnson command huge majorities in their backyards. This massive support for divisive ideology is a concern for the world, particularly in Africa, where leaders have traditionally been held to high standards.
The potential of Trump and Johnson forging a 'special relationship' based on their shared dislike of immigrants is a worrying trend. It lends credence to the rooted intolerance for immigrants and may embolden leaders to rule with impunity.
As Patrick Cockburn noted, leaders who believe they have won power by demonizing foreigners and minorities see no reason to abandon a winning formula. This is a worrying trend for Africa, where leaders have traditionally been held to high standards.
With the West's 'perfect' democracies now tainted by the rise of far-right leaders, it's unclear whether they have the moral latitude to castigate African leaders who fail to uphold the rule of law.
