Trump’s diplomatic gaffe: A lesson to African leaders

US President Donald Trump stirred the hornet’s nest with his controversial diplomatic recklessness that elicited mixed reactions in the country.
Trump is reported by Financial Times to have told his aides he does not want to meet another lifeless president.
The statement came in anticipation of scheduled meeting with the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari visited President Trump in April this year.
The meeting witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements between Nigeria and US on security, trade and economic growth.
If the outcomes of the meeting are fruitful as many people believed, it therefore came to many of us as surprise for Trump to describe Buhari as lifeless president.
Although, looking at Trump’s disdainful attitude, he might say something worse.
Trump once described Africa as a “shit hole”.
Trump has little respect for leaders -comments on Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Tinideau, calling him “meek and mild”, his reference to Germany leader Angela Merkel’s action as insane, etc.
In view of white superiority, African countries should expect more unpleasant comments from Trump and his co-travellers.
The reasons for the name calling are not far-fetched.
Leaders of developed countries look at African countries as haven of corruption, conflict, diseases and poverty.
They also see Africa as dependent, going cap in hand for foreign aid.
What do you expect when 87 million Nigerians are living on less than $1 per day? We should prepare for more insults so long our economies are weak.
Trump’s diplomatic recklessness and insults should serve as a wakeup call to our leaders.
There is the urgent need for African leaders to build first class hospitals to reduce the frequent medical tourism.
African leaders should come up with good policies that will address the high rate of corruption, unemployment and poverty.
There is also the need for the promotion of good governance.
Once African countries adopted these far-reaching measures, they will rapidly grow and become the envy of advanced countries.
This development will restrain the likes of Trump from making disparaging remarks about Nigeria and other African countries.
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna state.
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