Dear Sir
“This is something that could only have happened in some southern African country 50 years ago, not in the centre of Europe.” (Prime Minister Robert Fico, attacking the opposition's decision to insist on an extraordinary sessionof parliament to discuss its proposed anti-crisis measures)
[The Slovak Spectator's Quote of the Week; Vol. 15, No. 09]
It would be an understatement to say that this kind of comment from the prime minister of a modern-day European State is appalling. It is just shocking to say the least! It would have been better if he could mention some of those southern African countries he was referring to in this statement.
To change this impression, I think that the Prime Minister needs some reminding because either he is too young to know of events happening in Africa 50 years ago or he is just too ill-informed about the history of the continent.
Fifty years ago, there was already a strong democratic movement in Africa. This was the period when African states were in the heat of struggle to liberate the continent from the grip of European colonial masters. It was the height of the fight for freedom and independence from imperial colonialists. At this time Africa already boasted a well-articulated nationalistic movement in a robust democratic setting fighting for the freedom of its people from the impostors and not in a primitive state practicing a “clone democracy” as the Prime Minister would want to imply.
Ben Nkemachor, Komárno, Slovakia
Author: Ben Nkemachor
