“Even a University is Richer Than Us” Traore Slams Western Disréspect
The day Africa wakes up, the world will tremble.
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traore has once again activated “paramode” as he tackles the level of disréspect shown to African leaders, especially by the U.S. President, Donald Trump. He didn’t hold back and the facts he dropped are shocking.
“Harvard University in the United States is wealthier than Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and Malawi combined. In fact, if Harvard were a country in Africa, it would rank 13th in terms of wealth, with over $53 billion in endowments. Maybe this is why Trump had no respect for African leaders. To him, they were simply wasting his time and that’s why I chose a path where I would be respected.”
President Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫
Traore’s bold remarks and reflect a bitter truth. During his first term presidency, Donald Trump was accused multiple times of treating African leaders and nations with condescension. From allegedly calling African nations “shithole countries” to repeatedly sidelining African voices in key global discussions, Trump’s administration often portrayed the continent as insignificant or irrelevant. At the 2017 G7 summit, for instance, Trump reportedly walked out during African development talks. In 2018, he infamously referred to Africa in a der0gatory term that sparked global outrage. Even in multilateral events, African leaders were often overlooked or not granted the courtesy extended to European or Asian counterparts.
Traore’s words strike a nerve and rightly so. Africa must wake up. This is no longer just politics; it’s about dignity. Why should our leaders be treated like afterthoughts? Why is African wealth always underestimated, and its potential always ignored?
Do you agree with Ibrahim Traore?
Is the West truly disréspecting Africa, or are we the ones allowing it?
Drop your thoughts in the comments section below.
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