Do colonisers still have power? Racing driver Lewis Hamilton has called for African countries to free themselves from European powers — and opened a debate on colonialism today.
‘Time for Africa to take back control’
Colonial legacy: Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has sparked an international conversation on the lasting impact of colonialism after calling for African nations to unite and reclaim their independence from European influence. Glossary
Colonisers - A country or a group of people who take control of another land and its people, often by force, to use its resources and increase their own power.
Colonisation - When one country or region is controlled by another.
Congo Basin - The basin of the Congo River in central Africa. It is home to many tropical rainforests.
Ethiopia - A landlocked country in Africa. With a population of about 120 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures.
Liberia - A country on the West Coast of Africa which, along with Ethiopia, was one of the only two African nations to remain independent during the "Scramble for Africa".
Stranglehold - In this context, it means having complete control over something, making it impossible for others to compete or act freely.
Sovereignty - The authority of a state to govern itself, or sometimes another state.
Mercenaries - Professional soldiers who are hired to fight in an army.
Cobalt - A hard silvery-white magnetic metal best known for its use in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and portable devices.
Globalisation - The growing interdependence of the world's economies, peoples and cultures.