It may have come about as a result of a diplomatic spat, France and Italy in disagreement over each others refusal to accept certain refugees, but actually the utterance of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio is strangely honest and accurate, for he said.
“France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our coasts…”
The currency he is speaking of is the CFA franc, a colonial-era currency backed by the French treasury. Mr di Maio hinted at France manipulating countries who use the currency.
So it isn’t just me that can see the effects of colonialism and its latter day manifestations are having on the African continent. To see Africa Prosper, exploitation and colonialism must be stopped. But the fact is those who colonize and exploit African countries “need” to do so to boost their economies. As Mr di Maio again said “if it wasn’t for Africa, France would rank 15th among world economies, not in the top six”.
So there you have it, European countries complain about migrants but are major contributors to the migrant problem, through colonialism, capitalist exploitation, and destabilization. We drive policy where our hearts lead us, Europe values profit and power over humanitarian need and justice.