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THE visiting European delegation of
Christian leaders has formally apologised to Africa for crimes
committed during the slave trade era and colonisation of the
continent.
The confessions were made before hundreds of delegates who
included former Mozambican president Mr Joachim Chissano,
Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Olivia Muchena
and President of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Fortune Charumbira.
Also present at the occasion were 24 representatives of African
countries.
Christian leaders from European countries which include Britain,
Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands and the United
States made the confessions.
It was a touching moment when the Christian leaders knelt before
Mr Chissano and his delegation asking for forgiveness for the
sins committed against Africa with some of them weeping.
They asked for forgiveness over the slave trade, exploitation of
Africa using divide and rule tactics, fueling of conflicts and
the shedding of innocent blood.
The Christian leaders acknowledged that most of the problems in
Africa today emanated from colonialism.
Confessions were made over the torture and denigrating of
Africans as well as the introduction of the apartheid regime in
South Africa.
Chairperson of the European African Reconciliation Process, Mr
Chris Seaton, who confessed on behalf of Britain, asked for
pardon for the sins committed by Britain against Zimbabwe during
the colonial era.
Mr Seaton was wrapped in the Union Jack, which was hoisted when
Zimbabwe was colonised.
He said the plunder of Africa’s resources culminated in unfair
trade practices that were currently dogging the continent.
Mr Seaton said in Zimbabwe, Britons cheated King Lobengula into
signing the Rudd Concession in 1888, which resulted in white
settler farmers occupying vast tracts of land at the expense of
the black majority.
"We repent for taking rather than giving. Taking the riches and
the lands of Africa. We repent for dehumanising Africans,
treating them as goods, calling them black ivory.
"We repent for robbing Africans of their history and identity.
Today we ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name before you and God,"
he said.
In response, Mr Chissano said he was humbled by the gesture
demonstrated by the Christian leaders.
"I wish I had the mandate to ask for forgiveness as well because
most of the sins committed by Europeans were not committed by
them alone," he said amid applause from the floor.
"It is symbolic that this year’s event is taking place in
Zimbabwe, a country that is suffering the effects of unjust
international relations, in which the mighty impose their will
at will, a vivid reminder of colonialism," he said.
The former Mozambican leader said he hoped the reconciliation
process would encourage Zimbabweans to come together as a united
nation to overcome the challenges facing the country.
It was a pity, Mr Chissano said, that most Europeans were
defensive when confronted with the consequences of colonialism
saying that colonialism had gone and the reasons for African
backwardness should be found only in bad governance and
corruption. |
