Pope Francis denounces “economic colonialism” in Africa

During a trip to Congo Kinshasa, Pope Francis castigated the “economic colonialism” which has succeeded “political colonialism”. A strong speech against, in particular, Europe.

“Take your hands off the Democratic Republic of Congo, take your hands off Africa! During his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Pope Francis did not hesitate to adopt a rare political posture. The sovereign pontiff has in fact denounced the “economic colonialism” affecting Africa, which has succeeded the “political colonialism” of recent centuries.

A strong speech. After having evoked "the exploitation, bloody and illegal, of the wealth" of the DRC, the pope launched "a vibrant appeal to all the people, to all the internal and external entities which pull the strings of the war in the DRC, by plundering it, flogging it and destabilizing it”. Faced with such a situation, Pope Francis asked "forgiveness for the violence of man on man".

Beyond a speech which concerns the violence in the east of the DRC, the sovereign pontiff has broadened his reflection to the whole continent. “Stop suffocating Africa! “, he launched, recalling that the continent “is not a mine to be exploited nor a land to be robbed. Let Africa be the protagonist of its destiny! ".

“To fully assume their independence”

But the pope is not fooled. He thus asks “that Africa, smile and hope of the world, count more: that we talk about it more, that it have more weight and representations among the nations! »

These words from the Argentine are part of a campaign orchestrated by the Vatican on the subject of colonialism. We remember that in the early 1990s, while he was in Gorée, Senegal, Pope John Paul II condemned slavery.

Pope Francis, before going to Africa, gave himself up to the Associated Press agency. He then declared: “There is a historical, geographical reality. In Italian, we say: 'Africa va fruttata', that is to say that Africa is destined to be exploited. And it's a kind of colonialist mentality that remains: to say that Africans are a tribe, that they are black, that they are this or that, are all simplistic qualifiers. The problem comes from our attitude and their lack of courage to fully assume their independence”.

But “we cannot go to Africa pointing the finger, concluded the sovereign pontiff. No, we must listen to their culture, dialogue, learn, speak and promote. It's a fascinating culture”.