Europe's Selective Memory on Colonialism: Trump an Imperialist, but Congo's Blood Stains are 'History'
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera's opinion piece argues that European nations are hypocritical for denouncing American 'imperial fantasies' under figures like Trump, while simultaneously failing to reckon with or actively defending their own colonial past and present practices. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Europe's 'colonial past' isn't past. Belgium's brutal rule in the Congo,
which led to the death of an estimated 10 million Congolese under King Leopold II alone (1885-1908), continues to fuel modern conflicts. The scramble for mineral resources like coltan and cobalt, essential for European and American tech industries, still relies on exploitative labor and proxy wars, often shielded by Western-backed leaders or militias, effectively extending colonial extraction into
the 21st century. France, too, maintains significant economic and military influence in its former African colonies through instruments like the CFA franc currency and military bases, actions that consistently undermine true sovereignty. Double Standard: When Russia asserts influence in Ukraine, it's widely condemned as 'imperial aggression' and a violation of sovereignty. Yet, when French troops
intervene in West African nations like Mali or Niger, ostensibly for 'counter-terrorism,' the mainstream narrative often frames it as necessary peacekeeping, ignoring the long history of French resource exploitation and political interference that breeds instability in the first place. The 'rules-based order' applies selectively, depending on whose colonial ambitions are being served. Follow the