NAIROBI, Kenya – Although Queen Elizabeth II is revered by many in Africa, her death also evoked a different kind of conversation – one that was emotional. legacy of the British Empire and the brutality experienced by the monarchy against the inhabitants of its former colonies.
In a generation of young Africans growing up in the post-colonial world, some lament that the queen never faced the grim consequences of colonialism and imperialism, or issue a formal apology. They said they wanted to use this moment to remember oppression and terror their parents and grandparents suffer in the name of the Crown.
Alice Mugo, a 34-year-old lawyer in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, said: “You can look at the monarchy from the point of view of good tea, fine clothing and philanthropy. “But there’s also the bad side, and you ignore the bad side as dishonesty.”
That was when Elizabeth was young had an official tour to Kenya, in 1952, she learned of her father’s death and that she would become empress. The persecution against the Kenyans, which began just a few months after the queen’s accession to the throne, led to the establishment of an extensive system of prisons and camps. torture, rape, castrate and kill of tens of thousands of people.
Ms. Mugo said that those mourning the queen’s death were unaware of how her government had taken away the basic liberties of millions of poor and black people.
Similar views are echoed by a South African political party, Economic Freedom Fighters, said in a statement that it will not mourn the queen, “because for us her death is a reminder of a very tragic period for this country and the history of Africa.”
The queen, they wrote, is “the head of an organization built, sustained, and lived off of the brutal legacy of the dehumanization of millions around the world.”
But to some across the continent, the queen is an admirable figure who represents continuity and balance in a changing world.
In Ghana, tribute to “Maa Lizzy” was shared on Twitter.
Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, a network of organizations that promote good governance, said: “The more I admire her over the years, just watching how she shouldered herself and committed to what she committed to at age 25. “She’s just kept at it and I think there’s a lot to be admired in that regard.”
African leaders mourn The Queen has passed away and sends her condolences to England and her family.
Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria, wrote on Twitter The story of modern Nigeria would never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II, a great global personality and outstanding leader.
William Ruto, Kenya’s president-elect, called the queen’s leadership over the Commonwealth “admirable.” Although the association, born from the embers of the British Empire but lost much of its former glory, it has attracting new members such as Rwanda, Gabon and Togowhich had no colonial ties to Britain.
Abdi Latif Dahir reporting from Nairobi, Kenya; Lynsey Chutel from Johannesburg; and Elian Peltier from Dakar, Senegal. Ben EzeamaluContribution report from Lagos, Nigeria.
