Two Africans have made it into the cabinet of Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson as members of his top team that would assist him in running affairs, including plans to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union by October 31.
Their appointments come amidst concerns over the many times the newly elected leader has denigrated Africa as foreign minister and how this would affect Britain’s relations with Africa.
Just three years after Theresa May took over as prime minister of the United Kingdom to clear the Brexit mess left by David Cameron, the country has a new prime minister again.
Boris Johnson emerged as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom after a leadership contest but there has been controversy surrounding his premiership due to some racist, homophobic and sexist statements he has made in the past.
Some social media users have even adopted the hashtag #NotMyPM to express their dislike for the former journalist and columnist who is now Britain’s leader.
Touted by some as ‘the British Trump’, the loud and controversial former London Mayor and UK foreign secretary has been compared with U.S. President Donald Trump as both of them have been noted for making offensive and outrageous remarks.
In Africa, some of his infamous comments include calling Africa “‘a mess, ‘Aids-ridden choristers’ and the ‘Flag-Waving Picaninnies and Tribal Warriors with Watermelon Smiles.’”
He has overtly mocked Africa in insensitive jokes, appreciated the land from an imperialistic high horse and viewed the people from the eyes of the first messengers of the Queen, who, when they arrived on the shores of the continent did not see people, but natives, a significantly inferior species of hominids.
Last Wednesday, Johnson chose members of his government, filling key positions with mostly supporters who campaigned for him to take over the leadership position
“Boris Johnson’s new Cabinet has a strongly pro-Brexit flavour, with the major cabinet posts going to those who have backed his plan to take Britain out of the European Union by October 31 with or without a withdrawal deal,” reports DW.
The following are profiles of the two Africans who made the full list of the over a 100 ministerial and government appointments made by Johnson:
Kemi Badenoch
The 39-year-old Nigerian woman took the office of Junior Minister for Children and Families following a government reshuffle. Badenoch is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden.
The Ghanaian-British MP for Spelthorne in Surrey was, last Thursday, made UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is a senior member of the government attending cabinet.By MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Staff Writer
Mildred Europa Taylor is a writer and content creator. She loves writing about health and women’s issues in Africa and the African diaspora.
