Paris yesterday summoned the Italian ambassador to France, Theresa Castaldo over harsh remarks made by Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Luigi Di Maio about the country of enslaving African countries and causing citizens to migrate from the continent.
While visiting Central Italy last weekend, he said “the EU should impose sanctions on France and all countries like France that impoverish Africa and make these people leave, because Africans should be in Africa, not at the bottom of the Mediterranean.”
He also accused France of manipulating the currencies and economies of Francophone African nations. “France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our coasts.”
“If Europe wants to be brave, it must have the courage to confront the issue of decolonisation in Africa.”
Besides being Deputy Prime Minister, Di Maio doubles as Italy’s Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policies and leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S). He has reiterated his position that without Africa, France will be number fifteen in the world economy as opposed to his current sixth place.
