EDITORIAL: Africa in Trump’s eyes: Still a shit-hole?

Donald Trump’s 2018 shit-hole comment about Africa sparked widespread outrage, but does his perception remain unchanged?

This is late 2024, and the Republican Party strongman has just been elected president of the United States of America, returning to the office he lost in 2020.

His words, though offensive, highlighted Africa’s challenges: poverty, conflict, corruption, underdevelopment, and dependence on Western aid.

Trump, during the 2024 campaigns, boldly and severally reiterated his position that America should exist for America.

He has been unequivocal in telling citizens of other countries especially African nationals and Latinos to stay back and develop their respective nations instead of plotting to relocate to the United States.

In fact, Trump has vowed to carry out the largest deportation in American history once sworn in in early 2025.

Still in 2018, he infamously urged Nigerian immigrants in the US to “return to their huts.”

Diaspora Digital Media cannot deny the fact that African countries still struggle with many debilitating issues which trigger the urge of citizens to travel abroad. Trump’s statement should therefore be seen as a rude reminder that Africa has to be fixed by Africans, not by Trump and Americans.

Many claimed that Trump’s views are tainted by racism and xenophobia, making his comments a derogatory swipe rather than constructive criticism. They tend to highlight that Africa’s diversity and progress are overlooked, with few growing economies, innovative hubs, and vibrant cultures.

Africa’s challenges remain complex. Poverty and inequality plague many nations, with one-third living in extreme poverty. Conflict and terrorism persist, while corruption hinders development.

To address these challenges, leaders must prioritize good governance, accountability, and sustainable development.

Citizens must demand better, working towards self-empowerment. The international community must recognize the gravity of the situation, supporting African efforts to strengthen democracy.

By promoting democratic resilience, economic development, and regional cooperation, Africa can redirect its trajectory toward stability and prosperity, and finally shake off the derogatory shit-hole tag.

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