Italy’s ‘non-predatory’ approach in Africa? Gibson Nyikadzino Correspondent
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Whatever the Italian government will do to try and clearly explain the strategies it will employ to make the Mattei Plan successful, they will be lopsided, tipping Africa’s position to European favour. Remember the Gaddafi agreements and treaties that Italy entered into with Libya. They had commitments that ensured peace would prevail, but when terrorists waged an attack on the Libyan government, even Italy supported actions leading to the demise of Col Gaddafi. Early this month PM Meloni said “a certain paternalistic and predatory approach has not worked so far. What needs to be done in Africa is not charity but strategic partnerships, as equals.” The ‘non predatory’ approach that Italy wants to espouse is not at all a road to glory. It has to be analysed and scrutinised for accepting it at face value might as well be a dangerous road to return to a second Berlin conference. The next step The most inspiring historical episode that embarrasses the Italian establishment is their 1896 defeat of their invading forces at Adwa by an African state, Ethiopia. That decisive victory thwarted the campaign of Italy to expand its colonial empire in the Horn of Africa. That defeat, overseen by Emperor Menelik II who commanded a united and purposed army, was a result of pure political, military and psychological strategy. So, there is precedence. The Europeans can be defeated. At times African leaders should not see attending these summits as a mark of progress for the continent, but rather they should let Italy, for example, deliberate with the members of the AU Commission. Alternatively, those foreign powers that intend to engage and propose their plans to Africa, why should they not present their suggestions at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia? It should be incumbent upon Africa’s leaders to resist the advances of the neo-colonial masters. While acts of the former coloniser may be seen as non-predatory, the repercussions will soon prove to the contrary. We cannot be defeated through colonial condition. It is high time to uncondition ourselves from political subservience in the name of diplomacy! ENDS// Download 33.5 Kb. Share with your friends:
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