When I read such self-praise, I am reminded of the words of Publius Tacitus, ancient Roman orator, lawyer and senator, speaking of his own country’s elite: ‘To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and when they make a desert, they call it peace.’ The rest of the world might in fact see President Trump as a breath of fresh air; no hypocritical twaddle from him. Editor, RE: ‘‘The European Union first’’ (The New Times, February 21) With US president Donald Trump in mind, Javier Solana claims; ‘Casting doubt on these (EU) structures, which have sustained stability over the last seven decades, would merely fuel more nationalism and competition, opening the way for volatility and conflict.’ He continues, ‘If the US cannot be counted on to support global stability, the EU’s model and experience will become even more important. The EU is the embodiment of inclusion, cooperation, and democratic values.’ Perhaps he should tell that to the many victims of European neo-colonial interference in the Global South who have for decades suffered economic and financial sabotage, at times violently. When I read such self-praise, I am reminded of the words of Publius Tacitus, ancient Roman orator, lawyer and senator, speaking of his own country’s elite: ‘To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and when they make a desert, they call it peace.’ The rest of the world might in fact see President Trump as a breath of fresh air; no hypocritical twaddle from him. He says his first concern is the welfare of his country, which is exactly why he was elected. Let Europe for once look to itself, and stop trying to coast on the US’ coattails. We Africans also need to finally realise that nobody owes us anything. And, in case, nobody has tried to do us any favours, talking to us seductive sweet nothings, even as they shafted us for their own benefit ever since they disembarked on our shores centuries ago. Let us grow up, stand on our own feet and take our own decisions about what we want to be and how we make it happen. Europe too will soon find it will need to do so, with the withdrawal of the US to deal with its own internal issues that it has neglected for so long as it attempted to use its finite resources instead to build and sustain an expensive empire straddling the entire globe. Mwene Kalinda
