Europe and the United States should apologize to Africa for the cruelties of slavery, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told a summit of African leaders in Gambia. “Africa is still weeping and Europe does not recognize it...” the former paratrooper said.
Does Africa need sympathy? Does Africa need apologies? Much as Africa has been sinned against, decades of soliciting apologies will not extricate the continent from entangling snares of economic and social degradation. Needless to say, Africa is still courting alien prescriptions to problems it can solve on its own. Who should apologize to whom?
Instead of perpetually blaming the West for past atrocities, Africa should look inward and restore pillars of development already suffering neglect. The health, communication, judicial, agricultural and diplomatic structures should be restructured to the benefit of the people of Africa.
Well did the sages note that one should not cry over spilt milk. African populations should hold their leaders accountable and “put them on track” whenever they shun owning up the African problem and engage in blame games.
This issue examines areas that need addressing if Africa has to climb the economic ladder hence having a global voice.
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