President Paul Kagame has said Africans remain victims of neo-colonialism despite the continent’s abundant riches.
Kagame made the remarks on Friday, during the 45th St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.
The Rwandan leader said Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources than any place in the world but the African people are still dependent on leftovers from donors.
“As Africans, we need to stop being the kind of victims that benefit from the generosity of others…we need to be participants and rise to develop our continent and our own countries,”Kagame warned.
African countries still depend on foreign aid. African Union, a continental block, still lives on donor Aid.
African Union chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told journalists in 2013 that she was shocked to find that nearly all of the AU’s programs are funded by foreign donors.
The continent is still affected by neo-colonialism consequences. However, Kagame said Africans should not make it an excuse.
“Does it matter to accuse people of neocolonialism? Why don’t we just make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said adding that, “Irrespective of challenges we live through, there are so many opportunities in Rwanda and Africa.”
He noted, “I don’t believe there are people who should take good living standards for granted and the rest should forget about it.”
Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke alongside President Kagame, told the gathering of business leaders, academicians and global leading investors that there are more opportunities in Africa.
President Kagame speaking on Friday, during the 45th St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland.
“Africa has great success stories. You have to tell it more.” Commenting on the African Union as a catalyst to the continent’s sustainable development, Okonjo-Iweala said “African Union is important, but should not be a bureaucratic nightmare.”
The 45th St. Gallen Symposium is a global gathering of leaders of today and tomorrow. It takes place every year in May.
