Seeing Our Own Failures First

HERE is my response to the Hitler letter [‘Another Hitler-like Project?’, The Namibian 12 April 2013].

There is no greater freedom than the ability of people to express their views without fear of prosecution. We enjoy such basic rights as these in Africa today primarily because our governments at least allude to the idea of upholding basic human rights.
These rights are primarily pushed by the ‘American imperialists’ as some of us Africans view them. Every nation on this earth is not perfect and has a slew of imperfections and America is certainly part of this, but to compare America to Hitler’s ambitions is certainly ridiculous. It’s always much easier to see the wrongs others commit rather than seeing our own failures.
For years Africans have been weary of the white man’s intentions, and rightfully so after the colonial experience, but let’s examine some our own failures before we vilify others. Our liberation movements were the hopes of the people from the tyrannical white oppressors, yet look at the state of our continent today. We have replaced the previous rulers with incompetent leaders who we dare not criticise. We have embraced a new colonialist (China) that does not oppress directly but is robbing us of our natural resources with the help of our leaders.
Our leaders stay in power oppressing the people for years with no challenge. So should we not pay closer attention to our houses before we go after nations that stand threatened by the North Koreans? I’m willing to bet that given a chance the writer of the Hitler article would much rather live in America as opposed to North Korea or Iran.

Venancio Kassandjo
By email

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