Date: 2015-08-05

The LGBT discussion has in recent weeks been at the centre of the news globally. Recent events has seen the once discriminated against community in America score a big win, after the American supreme court judgement stated clearly that gay men and women were not to be discriminated against, and deserved equal rights all over the country. The impact of this decision, though within the confines America, has not been without its impact across the globe, even to the far reaching ends of the developing world dominantly in Africa. Some individuals only became alerted to these events via the rainbow display overnight adopted by face book on their walls and pages. The furore brought about by this event in far away America has not however been restricted to members of the Christian/ Muslim religious bodies against the LGBT community, but has once again sparked discussions in the African continent, with many African citizens vehemently speaking out against the movement and  stating the “unafricanness” of such a move.  In a rare occurrence of when African leaders get the backing of the populace, Most African leaders have vehemently stated their resistance to this trend as being advocated for by the west. While many seem content with the expressed outrage being generated, some of us know deep down that it is only a matter of time before it does happen in Africa, and African leaders sing a new tune.

POST COLONIALISM, NEO-COLONIALISM, AND IDEOLOGIES

The era of the 60’s witnessed a revolution of sorts amongst the African nations in the strife for independence. This struggle against colonial rule while a successful one in terms of physically getting the western powers out of Africa, has been viewed by experts as being only a short lived victory. The advent of the cold war; which has been tagged as the war of ideologies between the western bloc and the east was not without its effect on Africa. This has since birthed a neo- colonialism where though not physically present, the west and more powerful developed countries continue to dominate the very core of African nations. As shared by Kwame Nkrumah in his 1965 article; Neo-Colonialism, the Last Stage of imperialism; “the neo-colonialism of today represents imperialism in its final and perhaps its most dangerous stage”.  Recent events have once again seen an attempt by the west to dominate the world ideologically. This war as led by America has got even other world super powers trying to keep up with it. In this regard, Ali Mazuri did hit the nail on the head when he stated that never in history, has one single power been so far ahead of its nearest rivals.

The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, has all the outward trappings of international sovereignty, but in reality, its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside. America with the media as its most powerful tool continues to push and win each of its proposed ideological agendums ranging from capitalism, democratization, to development via its institutions. At present, the rights of LGBT seem to be the latest one pushed and advocated for by America. President Barrack Obama has expressly stated this repeatedly in the media, and like a prophet claiming insight into the nearest future, he remains adamant that like the black movement, the whole world will align itself with this agenda soon enough.

DEVELOPMENT AIDS AND STRINGS

Time and time over, Africa has been controlled by policies as implemented by the west, and has not held its own due to corruption and wasteful spending by its corrupt leaders who continue to put African nations in a difficult position of having to request aid from the developed world. This has often than not brought it to its knees before the WTO, IMF, World Bank for funds. The later have used their coercive powers in promoting their own agendas as a result of this “aids” which have come with strings attached. It is common knowledge that monies offered in terms of aid are used for the exploitation rather than for the development of the less developed parts of the world.  History points out instances where African leaders have boasted and railed against certain decisions and agenda only to do a 360 and sing a new tune regardless of the views of their people.  Uganda has been one of the latest to do a 360 against its earlier stance on the gay marriage bill. Most recently, while the news of president Buhari’s visit to the US was greeted with celebrations, Nigerians could not help but express worry as regards the Gay issue, and if perhaps, this whole attempt at courting him like a newly wedded bride had nothing to do with the sale of the gay agenda. The president’s spoke person did mention that this was discussed but not pressed.  In Kenya, President Obama once again stated this agenda and how Africa must embrace equal rights for all to which President Kenyatta immediately responded stating that this was not on Kenya’s agenda.

ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, OR A LOST CAUSE?

 At the moment, most African leaders appear brave and with the backing of their people, are making a good show of resistance. The real question however is for how long? One thing remains clear, while the LGBT rights issue is widely accepted in the west, not all seem to be caving in to the US’s view. Russia remains strongly against it. The truth is a lot of these western states can certainly hold their own as they remain a part of these policy processes. Africa? not so.  Africa’s trade remains determined and affected by the slightest change in Europe, with even food being affected due to policy shifts. African bodies like ECOWAS, AU and others (not initiated by the west), have been almost nonexistent in their roles of creating a unified front against most western agendas. Each African nation has been left to negotiate for itself in times of crisis; a stance that has made the “divide and conquer” technique by the west, all the more possible.

The west at the moment cannot afford to distant itself from Nigeria at this time, as there are a lot of competitors striving for a piece of this cake, in terms of who attains more influence. A case study of the recent situation in Greece which is having its financial crisis of sorts, had the country rejecting the economic reform as dictated by the IMF and World Bank as not compatible with its goals, and going for a referendum, but even they,  experts say might  have to bend in time to reject the conditionality attached.  If push comes to shove for African nations, will African leaders be able to do the same, or will they have to bend? At the moment, the answer is a big no! Poverty, corruption and poor economic order still tie the hands of most African nations, and like Uganda they may have to do a back track. At that time, the most popular views and opinions of the masses and people African leaders serve may not count as much as a prompt bailout plan for these desperate governments. All this will happen, except by some miracle Africa puts its house in order.  

Femi Tunde Okunlola is a radio broadcast journalist with Royal FM 95.1 Ilorin, located in the North Central part of Nigeria where he is Head, On Air Personality and anchors news programmes. He holds a Masters degree in Peace and Developmental studies, and writes on community focused projects and issues.

You can follow Femi on Twitter: @iam_fto