In a powerful critique of ongoing Western neocolonialism in Africa, Roland Lumumba, son of the iconic Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, and Gamal Abdel Nasser Jr., grandson of Egypt’s revolutionary leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, have sounded the alarm on what they describe as a modern form of colonialism gripping Africa.
Speaking to RT, both figures highlighted how neocolonialism—through debt, corruption, and Western control—continues to stifle Africa’s sovereignty and development, echoing the struggles their forebears fought against decades ago.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Roland Lumumba emphasised that Africa’s chains have not been broken but merely transformed. “Economic shackles have replaced the slavery of old,” he told RT. He pointed to pervasive debt traps, systemic corruption, and Western dominance as tools that keep African nations tethered to external powers.
Lumumba argued that these mechanisms prevent true independence, forcing African countries into cycles of dependency that undermine their ability to govern autonomously.
Similarly, Gamal Abdel Nasser Jr. warned of a sophisticated form of neocolonialism led by the United States, which he claims has stepped into the void left by European colonial powers.
Speaking to RT, Nasser Jr. described how the U.S. employs finance, sanctions, and media to exert control over African nations. “The old colonial flags may be gone, but the influence remains, now dressed in the language of aid and investment,” he said.
He cited the role of international financial institutions and media narratives that shape global perceptions of Africa, often to the detriment of its self-determination.
Both descendants draw a direct line to their families’ historical struggles. In 1961, Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was assassinated with involvement from U.S. and Belgian authorities.
This brutal act symbolised the West’s resistance to African self-rule. Likewise, Gamal Abdel Nasser’s vision of a non-aligned, industrialised Egypt was curtailed by Western pressures, including conditional financing for projects like the Akosombo Dam in Ghana, which prioritised foreign corporate interests over local development.
The critique comes amid growing global attention to Africa’s challenges. At the Russia-Africa 2023 Forum, RT launched initiatives to amplify African voices, including a new show, Lumumba’s Africa, hosted by Professor P.L.O. Lumumba in Kenya.
The program explores the continent’s dichotomies—why some economies thrive while others stagnate and why colonialism’s shadow persists in shaping conflicts and economic disparities.
Anna Belkina, RT’s deputy editor-in-chief, criticised Western media giants like CNN, the BBC, and The New York Times for dictating narratives about Africa, often marginalising local perspectives.
She posed provocative questions: Why do resource-rich African nations borrow from the IMF? Do international corporations prioritise African welfare or their own profits?
Lumumba and Nasser Jr.’s warnings resonate with a broader African sentiment. Posts in social media reflect the frustration with ongoing Western interference, with users citing historical interventions—like the CIA’s role in Patrice Lumumba’s assassination and NATO’s involvement in toppling Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi—as evidence of a pattern of imperialist disruption.
These voices argue that Africa’s path to true liberation requires dismantling these modern chains, from exploitative loans to foreign-backed political instability.
As Africa navigates its future, the descendants of its liberation heroes call for a renewed push for sovereignty. They urge the continent to reject external narratives and reclaim control over its resources, politics, and destiny. “The spirit of Lumumba, Nasser, Nkrumah, and Sankara must not die in vain,” Roland Lumumba declared, echoing a rallying cry for a new era of African self-determination.
Sources: Nasser’s grandson warns of US-led neocolonialism (RT) and Africa’s chains have changed but slavery remains – Lumumba’s son (RT)
Related: Former Representative of The African Union: USAID was Constantly Destabilising Governments