Nigerian women’s rights writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written a foreword to the book “Giù Le Mani Dall’africa!” (Hands off Africa) published in the name of the Pope.
Pope Francis’ latest literary offering: “as a profound beacon of hope for Congo and the vast African continent,” she said,
In her preface to the book, released to bookstores worldwide on May 22, Adichie said it evoked a small glimmer of hope for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the beloved but beleaguered continent she calls home.
She criticised the rampant exploitation and the consequential exhaustion borne by the country and the continent, emphasising the world’s silence surrounding these issues is the greatest tragedy of all.
Adichie described the Pope’s messages as potent and a necessary rebuke, aimed at wealthier nations. In her own resolute words, Adichie emphasised that Africa matters because Africans matter, and its significance lies not in its resources but in the intrinsic value of its people.
The Vatican Publishing House, announcing the book’s release, revealed it compiles Pope Francis’ powerful speeches during his transformative journey to conflict-ridden regions of DRC and South Sudan in January and February 2023.
The Pope’s speeches in the Republic of Congo and South Sudan, which are heavily affected by civil conflicts, are accompanied by the testimonies of the affected people and their life events.
This book highlights the Pope’s condemnation of the exploitation of the African continent by Western rich countries, “Take your hands off Africa. Don’t suffocate Africa. It is not a mine to be exploited, nor a land to be plundered. Let Africa determine its own destiny!” As outlined in the Pope’s first day address in the Republic of Congo.
It is noteworthy that Pope Francis, who called for peace in both countries, called during his apostolic visit that these countries have been reduced to a state of slavery due to political and economic colonialism.
The work, written in Italian, also showcases the authentic voices and narratives of the individuals Pope Francis encountered during his pilgrimage, ensuring their stories are heard and preserved.
Pope Francis set off a global conversation on the first day of his visit to the DRC, passionately proclaiming: “Hands off Africa! Stop choking Africa: it is not a mine to be exploited or a land to be plundered. May Africa be the protagonist of its own destiny.”
As the revered leader of the global Catholic Church and the esteemed bishop of Rome, Pope Francis consistently advocates world peace and harmonious co-existence.
By aligning with Pope Francis’ transformative book, Adichie emphasises the urgent need for change and reinforces the significance of African empowerment within the global community.