Museveni criticizes colonial exploitation at BRICS summit, urges Global South unity

President Yoweri Museveni has urged the BRICS bloc to champion equitable global growth and serve as a vital counterforce against historical Western dominance. Speaking through Vice President Jessica Alupo at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, Museveni highlighted the significant economic advancements of the Global South while contrasting them with centuries of Western exploitation.

Museveni traced global economic imbalances to the 15th century, noting how European powers, driven by the closure of trade routes, embarked on maritime expansion that led to the colonization of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. He stated that centuries of development were lost to the slave trade and colonial subjugation, though he acknowledged the resilience of traditional structures that helped Africans survive these hardships.

The Ugandan leader pointed to the remarkable rise of emerging economies like China and India as evidence that prosperity spreads when global trade is unfettered. He cited China’s GDP per capita growth from $89 in 1960 to $13,862 and India’s from $82 to $2,702 over the same period. Museveni argued that developing nations escaping poverty would naturally increase their purchases of industrial goods from the West, benefiting developed economies.

Despite reiterating his commitment to Pan-African reconciliation, Museveni cautioned that some Western powers have seemingly learned nothing from history, citing recent interventions like the 2011 NATO-led action in Libya. He called for global affluence and opposition to chauvinism and parasitism, asserting that mutual support among BRICS nations and principled global engagement would lead to a win-win scenario for all.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opening the summit themed “Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth,” welcomed leaders and stressed the need for deeper cooperation to address global disruptions. He highlighted BRICS’ growing appeal due to its inclusive approach, listening to and working with developing nations rather than imposing solutions. Modi also announced initiatives like an Integrated Early Warning System for diseases and a Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)