The only African leader who refused to attend the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in a bus was the President of Ethiopia, Sahile-Work Zewde
Nigeria Online24 reports that when requested to get on the bus, she vehemently stood her ground in refusal. She said:
“I won’t go like this. I need the same level of respect as others. This has many implications I have my own Embassy’s cars for the protocol.”
The British authorities could not convince her otherwise as she was non-commital, and they had to let her attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral with her own Embassy cars.
It was recorded that other Western leaders did ride in their cars, while other African leaders were detailed to go in a bus.
DIPLOMACY OR NEO-COLONIALISM ?
Anger on social media, African Leaders Ride To Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral In Bus While US President Joe Biden Ride In His Convoy
The mode of transportation for African leaders to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday, has been generating reactions.
Social media users have been comparing the privileges given to the US president, Joe Biden, to use his motorcade, while other leaders, not only African leaders had to arrive via buses.
A tweep, Dere R Tesfa said, “African leaders including WilliamsRuto, were lumped into a bus during Queen Elizabeth’s burial. This is considered as an insult and disrespect for Africa
YejeginaLij replied Tesfa, saying, “Shame on the African leaders who accepted such treatment.”
Emmanuel Lumumba shared a video of the arrival of the US president, Joe Biden in his motorcade and that of African leaders on a bus and said, “Our leaders went to the UK and are being treated the way they treat us.”
Kasera Achayo tweeted, “Why even bother to go? it’s obvious their absence wouldn’t have been noticed either way. Neo-colonisation is real, I feel sad at these images of mostly African Heads of States being carted in hired buses that are not even uniformed. What a shame.”
Another tweep, Tony Roufajani, sees the situation in a different light saying, “Why think on colonial grounds instead of traffic & security management! (300 leaders) European & other Eastern Asian leaders hopped into those coaches & I see nothing wrong with that! Just imagine the bilateral talks & acquaintances that will be facilitated. It’s a good thing!”
“Her Excellency President Sahlework Zewde has honored Ethiopia and Africa by saying that I will not go packed in a bus!
Honorable Sahlework Zewde the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, at the funeral ceremony of the Queen of England, when only African leaders were deliberately selected to go to the funeral packed in one bus, but our president did not enter the bus.
Our president saying that she could go alone to the funeral ceremony in a car arranged by the Ethiopian Embassy. Thank you patriotically for honoring our country, our people, the whole of Africa,” Anbessie Debebe said
