“Africa’s Plea to the West: Leave Us Alone”
For centuries, the Western world has imposed its will on Africa, perpetuating a legacy of exploitation, oppression, and paternalism. From colonialism to neocolonialism, the continent has been treated as a playground for foreign powers to extract resources, dictate policies, and shape destinies. It’s time for the West to leave Africa alone.
The era of colonialism may be over, but its remnants linger. Western nations continue to meddle in African affairs, often under the guise of “humanitarian intervention” or “democracy promotion.” They impose their own brand of democracy, ignoring the unique cultural, historical, and political contexts of African nations. They prop up puppet leaders, fueling corruption and instability.
The West’s obsession with Africa’s resources has led to a new scramble for the continent. Foreign corporations, backed by their governments, exploit Africa’s natural wealth, leaving behind environmental degradation, displacement, and poverty. The benefits of Africa’s riches rarely trickle down to the African people.
Furthermore, Western powers have a history of supporting authoritarian regimes, ignoring human rights abuses, and fueling conflicts. They prioritize their strategic interests over African lives. The consequences are devastating: Libya lies in ruins, the Sahel region is destabilized, and the Horn of Africa is plagued by conflict.
It’s time for the West to recognize Africa’s agency and sovereignty. Africa is not a child that needs guidance; it’s a continent of 55 diverse nations, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Africans must be allowed to determine their own destiny, free from external interference.
We don’t need Western “experts” to tell us how to govern ourselves, how to manage our economies, or how to resolve our conflicts. We have our own experts, our own solutions, and our own way of doing things. We need the West to respect our decisions, our values, and our cultures.
Africa is not a charity case; it’s a continent of opportunities, innovation, and growth. We need partnerships based on mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity. We need investment, not aid; trade, not handouts.
To the West, we say: leave us alone. Let us build our own future, our own way. We’ll make mistakes, but they’ll be our mistakes to learn from. We’ll succeed, and it’ll be our success to celebrate.
Africa’s plea to the West is not a rejection of cooperation or engagement. It’s a call for a new era of relations, built on trust, respect, and equality. Let’s work together as equals, not as patron and client.
The time for Western paternalism is over. It’s time for Africa to rise, to shine, and to take its rightful place on the global stage. Leave us alone, and let us soar.
Idris Ibn Mohammed
