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Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump praises ‘good English' of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa
US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his strong grasp of the English language on Wednesday. But the African leader was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language. As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: 'Such good English, it's beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?' Boakai informed Trump of his place of education, prompting Trump to express his curiosity. 'That's very interesting,' he said, 'I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well.' Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society whose goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa. The country declared independence from the American Colonization Society in 1847, and a variety of languages are spoken in the country today, with English being the official language. Several Liberians voiced their offense over Trump's comment to Boakai, given the US president's past remarks on African countries and the colonial legacy left by the US organization in Liberia. 'I felt insulted because our country is an English-speaking country,' Archie Tamel Harris, a Liberian youth advocate, told CNN. 'For him to ask that question, I don't see it as a compliment. I feel that the US president and people in the west still see Africans as people in villages who are not educated.' A Liberian diplomat who asked not to be named told CNN that they felt the comment 'was not appropriate.' The diplomat added that 'it was a bit condescending to an African president who's from an English-speaking nation.' Veronica Mente, a South African politician, questioned on X: 'what stops [Boakai] from standing up and leav[ing]?' The White House Press Office defended Trump's statement on Wednesday. 'I was in the meeting and everyone was deeply appreciative of the President's time and effort. The continent of Africa has never had such a friend in the White House as they do in President Trump,' Massad Boulos, the Trump administration's senior advisor for Africa, said in a statement to CNN. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said that Trump's comment was a 'heartfelt compliment' and that 'reporters should recognize that President Trump has already done more to restore global stability and uplift countries in Africa and around the world than Joe Biden did in four years.' Liberia's Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti told CNN that 'there was no offense' from the Liberian president's perspective and that 'many people do not understand the linguistic borders or linguistic demography of the African continent.' 'What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that,' Nyanti said. 'We know that English has different accents and forms, and so him picking up the distinct intonation that has its roots in American English for us was just recognizing a familiar English version,' she continued. Trump has previously applauded the English language abilities of other leaders during diplomatic meetings. During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump complimented his 'good English' and asked if it was as good as his German. Merz laughed and noted that he tries to 'understand almost everything' and said he makes an effort 'to speak as good as I can.' The US president has centered the English language as part of this 'America First' platform. During a 2015 presidential debate, Trump asserted that the US is 'a country where we speak English.' In March, he signed an executive order making English the official language of the US. Trump has previously landed in hot water for things he has said about the African nations. In 2018, the president referred to migrants from African countries and other nations as coming from 'shithole countries.' In May, he lectured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on false claims that White South African farmers are the victims of a genocide. Trump struck a different tone on Wednesday as he met with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal, praising their countries as 'all very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people.' In turn, he was met with approval from the African leaders, who heaped praise on the president as they urged him to invest in their countries and develop their plentiful natural resources. Boakai even remarked that Liberia '(believes) in the policy of making America great again.' CNN's Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this story.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Watch: Donald Trump praises ‘good English' of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa
By Mitchell McCluskey and Larry Madowo , CNN US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his strong grasp of the English language, but the African leader was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language. As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: "Such good English, it's beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?" Boakai informed Trump of his place of education, prompting Trump to express his curiosity. "That's very interesting," he said, "I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well." Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonisation Society whose goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa. The country declared independence from the American Colonisation Society in 1847, and a variety of languages are spoken in the country today, with English being the official language. Liberian President Joseph Boakai, second from right, attends a lunch with other African leaders hosted by US President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 9. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters via CNN Newsource Several Liberians voiced their offence over Trump's comment to Boakai, given the US president's past remarks on African countries and the colonial legacy left by the US organisation in Liberia. "I felt insulted because our country is an English-speaking country," Liberian youth advocate Archie Tamel Harris told CNN. "For him to ask that question, I don't see it as a compliment. I feel that the US president and people in the west still see Africans as people in villages who are not educated." A Liberian diplomat who asked not to be named told CNN that they felt the comment "was not appropriate". The diplomat added that "it was a bit condescending to an African president who's from an English-speaking nation". South African politician Veronica Mente questioned on X: "what stops [Boakai] from standing up and leav[ing]?" The White House Press Office defended Trump's statement on Wednesday (US Time). "I was in the meeting and everyone was deeply appreciative of the President's time and effort. "The continent of Africa has never had such a friend in the White House as they do in President Trump," Trump administration's senior advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said in a statement to CNN. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Trump's comment was a "heartfelt compliment" and that "reporters should recognise that President Trump has already done more to restore global stability and uplift countries in Africa and around the world than Joe Biden did in four years." Liberia's Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti told CNN "there was no offence" from the Liberian president's perspective and that "many people do not understand the linguistic borders or linguistic demography of the African continent." "What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that," Nyanti said. "We know that English has different accents and forms, and so him picking up the distinct intonation that has its roots in American English for us was just recognising a familiar English version," she continued. Trump has previously applauded the English language abilities of other leaders during diplomatic meetings. During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump complimented his "good English" and asked if it was as good as his German. Merz laughed and noted that he tried to "understand almost everything" and said he made an effort "to speak as good as I can". The US president has centred the English language as part of this "America First" platform. During a 2015 presidential debate, Trump asserted that the US was "a country where we speak English". In March, he signed an executive order making English the official language of the US. Trump has previously landed in hot water for things he has said about the African nations. In 2018, the president referred to migrants from African countries and other nations as coming from "shithole countries". In May, he lectured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on false claims that White South African farmers were the victims of a genocide. Trump struck a different tone on Wednesday (US Time) as he met with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, praising their countries as "all very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people". In turn, he was met with approval from the African leaders, who heaped praise on the president as they urged him to invest in their countries and develop their plentiful natural resources. Boakai even remarked that Liberia "(believes) in the policy of making America great again". - CNN
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Trump praises ‘good English' of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa
By Mitchell McCluskey and Larry Madowo , CNN Liberian President Joseph Boakai, second from right, attends a lunch with other African leaders hosted by US President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 9. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters via CNN Newsource US President Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai for his strong grasp of the English language, but the African leader was educated in Liberia, where English is the official language. As he hosted five African leaders at the White House, Trump asked Boakai: "Such good English, it's beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?" Boakai informed Trump of his place of education, prompting Trump to express his curiosity. "That's very interesting," he said, "I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well." Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonisation Society whose goal was to resettle freed slaves in Africa. The country declared independence from the American Colonisation Society in 1847, and a variety of languages are spoken in the country today, with English being the official language. Several Liberians voiced their offence over Trump's comment to Boakai, given the US president's past remarks on African countries and the colonial legacy left by the US organisation in Liberia. "I felt insulted because our country is an English-speaking country," Liberian youth advocate Archie Tamel Harris told CNN. "For him to ask that question, I don't see it as a compliment. I feel that the US president and people in the west still see Africans as people in villages who are not educated." A Liberian diplomat who asked not to be named told CNN that they felt the comment "was not appropriate". The diplomat added that "it was a bit condescending to an African president who's from an English-speaking nation". South African politician Veronica Mente questioned on X: "what stops [Boakai] from standing up and leav[ing]?" The White House Press Office defended Trump's statement on Wednesday (US Time). "I was in the meeting and everyone was deeply appreciative of the President's time and effort. "The continent of Africa has never had such a friend in the White House as they do in President Trump," Trump administration's senior advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said in a statement to CNN. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Trump's comment was a "heartfelt compliment" and that "reporters should recognise that President Trump has already done more to restore global stability and uplift countries in Africa and around the world than Joe Biden did in four years." Liberia's Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti told CNN "there was no offence" from the Liberian president's perspective and that "many people do not understand the linguistic borders or linguistic demography of the African continent." "What President Trump heard distinctly was the American influence on our English in Liberia, and the Liberian president is not offended by that," Nyanti said. "We know that English has different accents and forms, and so him picking up the distinct intonation that has its roots in American English for us was just recognising a familiar English version," she continued. Trump has previously applauded the English language abilities of other leaders during diplomatic meetings. During a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump complimented his "good English" and asked if it was as good as his German. Merz laughed and noted that he tried to "understand almost everything" and said he made an effort "to speak as good as I can". The US president has centred the English language as part of this "America First" platform. During a 2015 presidential debate, Trump asserted that the US was "a country where we speak English". In March, he signed an executive order making English the official language of the US. Trump has previously landed in hot water for things he has said about the African nations. In 2018, the president referred to migrants from African countries and other nations as coming from "shithole countries". In May, he lectured South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on false claims that White South African farmers were the victims of a genocide. Trump struck a different tone on Wednesday (US Time) as he met with the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, praising their countries as "all very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits, and wonderful people". In turn, he was met with approval from the African leaders, who heaped praise on the president as they urged him to invest in their countries and develop their plentiful natural resources. Boakai even remarked that Liberia "(believes) in the policy of making America great again". - CNN
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Belgium seeking to try ex-official over killing of Congolese prime minister Lumumba
Over 60 years after the killing of the first Congolese prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, prosecutors in Belgium announced Tuesday they were looking to try the last of 10 Belgians accused of complicity in the murder of the iconic leader, in the European country's latest effort to reckon with its colonial past. Belgian prosecutors said Tuesday that they were seeking to put a 92-year-old former diplomat on trial over the 1961 killing of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. Etienne Davignon is the only one still alive among 10 Belgians who were accused of complicity in the murder of the independence icon in a 2011 lawsuit filed by Lumumba's children. If he goes on trial, Davignon would be the first Belgian official to face justice in the more than six decades since Lumumba was murdered. A fiery critic of Belgium's colonial rule, Lumumba became his country's first prime minister after it gained independence in 1960. But he fell out with the former colonial power and with the United States and was ousted in a coup a few months after taking office. He was executed on January 17, 1961, aged just 35, in the southern region of Katanga, with the support of Belgian mercenaries. His body was dissolved in acid and never recovered. Davignon, who went on to be a vice president of the European Commission in the 1980s, was a trainee diplomat at the time of the assassination. (FRANCE 24 with AFP) Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:DR Congo inters independence hero Lumumba's remains after national homageRemains of Congolese independence leader Lumumba returned home
Russia Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
BRICS offers hope for Africa's future – Mandela's granddaughter
Africa must shake off its legacy of dependence on Western colonial powers and seek true independence by boosting cooperation with partners such as Russia and the BRICS group, Ndileka Mandela has told RT. In an exclusive interview ahead of International Africa Day, the granddaughter of late South African President Nelson Mandela said the continent remains constrained by economic control and financial systems that continue to favor Western interests over local development. According to Mandela, her grandfather believed that true freedom and independence for Africa as a whole and South Africa in particular lies in regional unity and global partnerships rooted in equality. 'For Africa, the path to freedom isn't just about breaking free from old dependencies; it's about building new ones that align with our own values and interests,' she said. 'Real freedom means harnessing our resources to benefit every South African. It means breaking free from the economic control that has kept us reliant on systems that don't serve our interests.' Mandela called out Western countries and corporations for continuing to drain the country's natural resources long after the end of formal colonial rule. She argued that BRICS – which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and others – offers a path forward for African nations to break free from exploitative models and build prosperity on their own terms. BRICS holds the potential to reshape economies, advance shared interests, and support meaningful development. It's more than just an economic bloc; it's a chance for countries like ours to grow and overcome challenges together, through mutual respect and shared vision. Mandela went on to say that cooperation with Russia within BRICS 'helps pave the way toward a multipolar world.' She praised Russia as a valuable partner capable of supporting Africa's growth without the strings attached by Western institutions. 'Within this alliance, our collaboration with Russia is a natural extension of shared goals… Russia can be a key partner in ensuring that South Africa and other BRICS nations are not dependent on any single global power,' she said, adding that partnership with the group offers the means to build a resilient economy that values people over profit and builds prosperity for all, not for foreign or corporate interests.
