FARRAKHAN: DON’T POLICE AFRICA

For decades, the United States has portrayed itself as a beacon of good governance, democracy and human rights. However, it also has imposed itself as the moral police of the world, quick to point fingers at other countries that it accuses of corruption or for not abiding by the so-called ‘rules-based order.’ Favourite targets usually include countries in the Global South, such as Nigeria, which some Western media outlets and organisations have labelled as one of the most corrupt countries.

While corruption certainly exists in Nigeria, according to many, including Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, only one country contends for the title of the ‘most corrupt in the world.’

In this now-viral 1996 interview with the US news program, ‘60 Minutes,’ Farrakhan challenged US hypocrisy in judging Nigeria. He said the West African country is a young state working to overcome its challenges. Hence, Farrakhan added, it does not need the United States to lecture it on how to run its affairs.

He questioned the United States’ moral authority. He criticised the United States for disregarding its own past atrocities, such as the atomic bombing of two Japanese cities—Hiroshima and Nagasaki—and its genocide against indigenous peoples.

The ongoing Israeli attack on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip since 7 October also has exposed US hypocrisy. Not only has the US extended military and financial resources to Israel to enable it to carry out its atrocities, it also has provided Tel Aviv with diplomatic support to shield it from accountability.

The US government has publicly condemned and opposed the now-pending genocide case that South Africa recently launched against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In fact, the United States adopted a 2002 law that would require invading the International Criminal Court (different from the ICJ) in the Netherlands if a US official or military personnel was brought in on charges. Doesn’t exactly sound like the champion of human rights that it claims it is.