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Paul Kagame is in a fight to change the world's perception about Africa and corruption
Corruption is never part of the genetic code and not a blood cell in the bloodstream of Africa, it was a borrowed culture.
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Mr Kagame says most of the corrupt acts in the continent are perpetrated by non-Africans.
“Corruption is not African, it’s just corruption. People have developed a misconception that corruption is the way of life in Africa. This is far from the truth,” he told the audience at the Corporate Council on Africa session on U.S.-Africa relations.
“In fact, in Africa when corruption occurs, it involves non-Africans … A lot of what happens in Africa happens around the world. Corruption is not African, it’s just corruption ... In fact, in Africa when corruption occurs, it involves non-Africans,” he added.
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This statement may require investigation as to how corruption was made a social feature of a continent that thrives on high moral values. Pre-colonial records show numerous examples of how governance was held with utmost social trust and justice. The Oyomesi in old Oyo empire was the main check and balance agent for the powerful Alaafin.
The Ubukonde system in the old Rwanda also ensures land wealth is not unlawfully amassed. Simply, lying by men with a traditional title is considered forbidden in the old Igbo acephalous society.
Thus, confirming the assertion made by Kagame about how administrative corruption was at its least before the advent of the white man. Also, in a presentation to the Parliament of Rwanda in July 2012, slave trade and colonialism were identified as the main cause of the prevalence of corruption in Africa.
“Individuals without a character who demanded money in exchange for manipulating the colonial masters enthroned corruption at the highest echelon of governance.”
“To avoid being punished for the grave crime of being citizens, the people saw bribery as a first and last resort, if at all they were to be granted access to the most basic rights.”
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The trend continued till date even as these African countries are independent. Corporations serving the interest of former colonial masters and other advanced countries engage in bribery to secure contracts and licenses.
A study by United Nations in March 2017 also confirms that 99.5% of cross-border corruption cases in Africa were perpetrated by non-African firms. Thus, confirming Paul Kagame’s position that foreign interests are the main drivers of corruption in the continent.
Would this change the world’s perception of corruption in Africa? It is believed that a consistent reaction to these would help change the direction of the narrative in a great deal.
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