- By Pius Okaneme
Sir: The presidents of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal were recently invited to the White House by President Trump for a purported business meeting with Africans. The first impression that comes to mind is why would Trump lump African leaders in one meeting as if they are bad products that are priced together in the open market. Is it conceivable that he would have done the same for European leaders? His action evidently manifested the cheap currency with which he rates the black race. He could not deem it necessary to prioritize the unique values each African country brings.
This mind-set did not fail to reflect in the manner in which he conducted the state visit. The atmosphere of the meeting was devoid of the seriousness required to treat the issues pressing to the leaders at the table. Trump instead busied himself with frivolities as if wanting to be entertained by some court jesters. As a result, the highlight of the meeting shown across the world was the moment he chose to embarrass the president of Liberia. He insistently with his smug smile asked the leader where he learned to speak English so well.
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Lost to him is that English is the official language of Liberia. Perhaps, he was bent on perpetuating his cynicism that nothing good can come from Africa. If he loved the polished manner with which President Joseph Boakai spoke English so much, he could have complimented him quietly. Instead, he boisterously suffocated him for an answer in the openness of a state meeting and before the salacious eyes of the television cameras.
Trump’s shameful encounter in the White House with President Cyril Ramaphoza of South Africa was apparently not enough. He wanted to seize the opportunity of the capture of five African leaders before the T.V. camera to drill in his distaste for the continent. His confrontation with President Ramaphoza during their meeting where he presented the doctored video claiming that South Africa was maltreating their white citizens would have been an epic show of poetic justice. It will present for the first time Africa abusing the white race. Only that the act was a figment of his villainous imagination.
The progress Africa seeks will not come from the hands of the exploitative masters of deceit. Africa should dig for her resources with her hand in collaboration with the fair-minded global partners to expand her business interest for a maximum gain.
•Pius Okaneme,
Umuoji, Anambra State