“Colonialism is not over”
In the interview for the newspaper taz, activist Peter Emorinken-Donatus argues that colonialism has not ended but continues in new forms, particularly through the activities of European corporations in Africa. He describes how multinational companies exploit natural resources, drive environmental destruction, and undermine local communities, often without being held accountable. These dynamics, he explains, are closely linked to the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects countries in the Global South. The discussion resonates with themes addressed at the event “Climate Crisis and Colonialism – Taking Stock and African Responses”, part of the Festival contre le racisme in August 2023 at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, highlighting both the persistence of neo-colonial structures and the importance of African perspectives and solutions.
About Peter Emorinken-Donatus: He is an environmental activist and freelance journalist. A 2022 panterpreis laureate, he campaigns for environmental and climate justice, anti-colonialism, and anti-racism. The panterpreis Award is being organised once a years since 2005 – at first by the taz newspaper, and since 2009 by the taz Panter Foundation. He grew up in Nigeria, was imprisoned during protests against Shell’s environmental destruction in the Niger Delta, and later came to Germany. He is now the first Black person, first person of African origin, and first person from the Global South to serve on the supervisory board of Greenpeace Germany. He advocates for ecocide to be recognized as a crime under international law, arguing that globally enforceable rules are needed to stop European corporations from doing in Africa what is prohibited in Europe.
Here you can read the full interview: https://taz.de/Aktivist-ueber-Oekozide/!5949027/