This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
On November 7, 2019, Joachim Buwembo wrote about the parallels between the transatlantic slave trade and modern-day Africa's economic dependence on foreign powers.
During the slave trade, African chiefs would raid neighboring territories, capturing prisoners to sell to European slavers. The chiefs who sold their own people to the slavers were the worst offenders.
As the slave trade became unsustainable, European colonizers occupied African countries, making the locals slaves in their own homes. The colonizers shipped the products of African sweat abroad, and the chiefs and kings became losers, just like their subjects.
After independence, African leaders were seen as mere agents of European colonial powers. The economic order didn't change much, and many leaders became dictatorial demagogues. The Cold War provided a shield for these dictators, and Africa suffered through the 'false starts' and 'lost decades.'
Today, a modern version of slavery is unfolding in the Middle East and parts of Asia. Africans sell their family assets to ship themselves into slavery, and some even have their organs harvested while still alive.
Meanwhile, African presidents attend summits, begging for loans and causing 'traffic jams' at the economic masters' airports. They fly private jets while the youth cross the Mediterranean in deplorable vessels to reach the same destinations.
Surprisingly, the presidents are aware that Africa is the net transferer of money to foreign economies and that they have enough resources on the continent to make begging unnecessary.
However, the true cost of foreign-funded projects often equals the local counter-fund provided by the borrower, making borrowing unnecessary. The bulk of the loan is often stolen, re-enslaving unborn Africans later.
Some African leaders were promised military aid from Russia, and if you think those weapons are for killing anyone else besides fellow Africans, you might need a head examination.
It's as if Africa was bewitched, and whoever did it must have done it at midday while stark naked in the village road junction and has not yet dressed up.
