Trump says America first. We should say Africa first, says Ambassador Arikana Chihombori

‪@AfricaHereAndNOWPodcast‬ looks at the new head of the African Union. Expectations are high as the continent faces a complex mix of challenges: a rise in conflicts, the damaging impacts of climate change, growing poverty and inequality and the shift in global power dynamics.
Djiboutian, MAHMOUD ALI YOUSSOUF has an overflowing in-tray. We discuss the challenges with the AU's former envoy to Washington, DR ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI.

Anyone who's heard Ambassador Chihombori will know that she does not mince her words. And she certainly doesn't hold back as she gives us her assessment of what the new African Union chairman needs to focus on.

She recommends that the new boss takes an inventory of what lies BEHIND the problems faced by the continent, the root causes.
Ambassador Chihombori blames many of the continent's conflicts on the activities of western multinationals
She applauds President Trump's decision to withdraw overseas aid, saying most USAID money is funding the lavish lifestyles of a few African elites, not helping the people in need.
Dr Chihombori showers with praise the juntas of the Sahel, particularly President Traore of Burkina Faso, for ridding themselves of French neo-colonial influence.
*DONU KOGBARA pushes back and and suggests that Africans are perfectly capable of instigating senseless conflict themselves, without outside influence.
*What would Ambassador do if she were head of the AU? She would counter narratives put out by western media by creating a truly pan-African media to arm Africans with facts and the truth.

Thanks goodness for Africa Here and Now - the conversation you've always wanted to have about the continent!