Image Credit, Placidplace
Colonialism has always been a one-way relationship. One where the colonizer takes, controls, exploits, and leaves destruction in their wake. The breakup has been long and messy, especially for African nations that sought an amicable path forward. But the stench of the French Empire, of Britain, the US, and others still lingers, deeply woven into the fabric of continents such as Africa and the Middle East. These powers, unwilling to fully let go, have devastated lives, reshaped borders, and manipulated economies under the guise of progress and development.
We cannot ignore the violent histories of Canada, Britain, and the US regarding Indigenous peoples. Centuries of harm are not undone by symbolic gestures or hollow acknowledgments. Attempts to make amends often fall short, leaving many to question the sincerity behind these efforts. While some may call it progress, others see it as lip service, barely scratching the surface of what is needed to address generations of oppression. This relationship, grounded in exploitation and dominance, has been enforced across the globe and endures despite any cosmetic changes.
Africa, the Middle East, and even parts of North America remain haunted by these old ties. The world sees the damage, knows the pain caused, yet continues to operate within a framework built on subjugation. New names may be given to policies or interventions, but at their core, they are rooted in the same desire to control. Whether it’s called security, aid, or diplomacy, it amounts to the same thing — keeping other nations in a state of dependence.
African nations, for decades, have sought genuine independence and a break from the economic and political grip of their former colonizers. Yet time and again, foreign powers return, reasserting influence through “aid” or “investment” while entrenching themselves in fragile governments or resource-rich regions. The language of domination has shifted, but the intent remains unchanged. We witness this in the French military presence in West Africa, under the guise of combating terrorism, while the real goal is maintaining influence and access to resources. These countries strive for self-determination, but colonial remnants keep pulling them back into the orbit of foreign control.
In the Middle East, the story is no different. Western powers, particularly the US, Britain and Germany, justify interventions as necessary for peace and stability. Yet, these efforts often result in destabilization, puppet regimes, and prolonged cycles of violence. Though direct governance has ended, the grip on the region’s affairs remains tight. The region is locked in a constant struggle to break free from the borders drawn by outsiders and the conflicts stoked by foreign interests. Even as Middle Eastern nations seek autonomy, they are bound by economic dependence and geopolitical manipulation.
Meanwhile, Indigenous peoples in North America continue to suffer the ongoing consequences of colonialism. The theft of land, cultural destruction, and systemic oppression are not relics of the past. Despite efforts to address these injustices, Indigenous communities remain marginalized, their lands exploited, and their rights disregarded. The words offered by governments ring hollow when the policies enacted perpetuate the same exploitation. Whether through resource extraction on sacred lands or the undermining of sovereignty, the core power imbalance remains untouched. How much longer can these nations endure promises that fail to deliver any real justice?
If the world knows this, if we have seen the damage and understand the consequences, why does this one-sided relationship persist? Why does the drive to dominate still hold such power?
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