AFRICA - "The main problem in Africa is the crisis of values", says a UN African Special Representative

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Libreville (Agenzia Fides) - "The main problem in Africa is the crisis of values", said the UN Special Representative for Central Africa, the Senegalese Abdoulaye Bathily, during a meeting of Heads of the UN missions, which includes 11 Countries, held in Libreville, Gabon. "African countries are neither better nor worse than other areas of the world with regard to ethical values", he said. "One of the most widespread myths about Africa is that in its society, unlike the West, spiritual values abound, people are very generous, family is strong, most of its inhabitants defend human life or are more supportive. I am afraid that none of this is correct".
"What is certain - continues Bathily - is that economic development, good governance and more democratic systems is lacking in Africa, but none of these things can be fulfilled if the mentality does not change and people become more tolerant, more sensitive towards the most vulnerable and more honest people".
Bathily also points out that it is naive to contrast "a corrupt leadership to angelic and well-meaning populations" because "unfortunately in African societies corruption, intolerance are things you find in any corner of an area where one lives, or anywhere in the remotest village".
"Therefore I agree that one of the roots of the evils of this continent is the crisis of values, which can be found in people who do not hesitate even to take advantage of the weakness of others to make money hand over fist or do not hesitate to sell the 'honesty of their teenage daughters", he concluded.
As reported by Fides, the Episcopal Conferences of several African States have repeatedly complained about the moral decay found in the leadership and in the populations of their Countries, as demonstrated by serious corruption, ethnic hatred and xenophobia. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2015)


Share: