Western countries like to believe that they have equipped the African continent with the capability to achieve freedom. Nevertheless, more than 60 years after the last European countries renounced their colonial claims in Africa, the continent still grapples with corruption, poverty, and instability. Indeed, neocolonialism was initially a natural progression for newly-independent nations; a degree of reliance on the parent country would linger since the African colonies had political and economic structures that were geared towards the needs of its colonizers. However, decades later, neocolonialism persists and African countries have never entirely liberated themselves from imperial control. More wealth leaves Africa than enters it. The continuation of this phenomenon is attributable to the enduring historical legacies of colonization and exploitative trade practices that remained post-colonialism in Africa. Disparities in trade relationships, where African nations frequently export raw materials at undervalued prices while importing manufactured goods at higher costs, perpetuate this wealth drain.Â
The problem lies in the fact that the countries that have the power to make change are the very countries that benefit from the status quo. It is only through united efforts and a dedication to rectifying the imbalances of power that Africa can overcome neocolonialism and realize its true potential. The continent's abundant resources and human capital should act as drivers for sustainable growth and prosperity, rather than perpetuating a system that enriches a few at the cost of many.Â
The cheering crowd then continued as Pope Francis spoke, "Africa is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny!"
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