Writes: Tongkeh Joseph

The African continent today is a showcase for poverty, misery, disease and all the taints and hallmarks of underdevelopment. Way back in 1983, futurist author Paul Kennedy described Africa’s future as being ‘extraordinarily gloomy.’ Paul D. Kaplan on his part concluded that Africa was ‘at the end of the abyss.’ This situation of gloom and doom has followed Africa into the 21st Century. Unbridled corruption, state brutality, severe under development, desolation and general frustration are the major traits of the African continent.

Up north, barely 400 miles from Casablanca stands Europe, Africa’s one-time colonizer. This continent unmistakably contrasts with Africa in vibrancy, strength and economic power. Europe is the world’s largest trading bloc. Africa is the world’s poorest trading bloc. This diametrical relationship is explained by history alone. The chapter of this history is called colonialism.

Between Africa and Europe, there is a looming war. This war is either real or imagined. To face this war,. Europe is mobilizing financial resources, soldiers, and building barbed wire fences which are reminiscent of the Cold War era Berlin Blockade. This time, Europe’s opponents are not communists. They are neither terrorists nor fascists nor spies. They are simply armless, defenseless, hungry and desperate African migrants fleeing from poverty, misery, uncertainty and state brutality from their home countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

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