Trump’s plan to colonise Gaza is rooted in an old white fantasy

The Historical Echoes of Land Entitlement: A Familiar Tale for Africans

The recent declaration by former U.S. President Donald Trump that he plans to expel all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and transform it into an American-controlled "Riviera of the Middle East" has sparked widespread outrage globally. While many have condemned this proposal as a violation of international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibit the forcible displacement of civilian populations, the statement also resonates deeply with Africans. For centuries, Africans have witnessed the same kind of entitlement to other people’s land, a mindset rooted in the legacy of European colonialism. Trump’s remarks are not an isolated incident but rather part of a long continuum of colonial thinking that has been perpetuated for over 500 years. His imagined right to claim Gaza, Greenland, or Panamanian territory reflects a historical pattern of Euro-American expansionism that has consistently disregarded the sovereignty and rights of indigenous peoples.

The Roots of Colonial Entitlement: From the Age of Exploration to Modern Times

The idea of European powers laying claim to lands outside their continent dates back to the 15th century, with treaties like the Treaty of Alcacovas in 1479. This agreement established the principle that European nations could claim territories outside Europe, paving the way for the infamous Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Saragossa, which effectively divided the world between Spain and Portugal. These treaties were not merely symbolic; they laid the legal and ideological groundwork for the brutal colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Fast forward to the Berlin West Africa Conference of 1884-1885, where European powers, including the United States, formalized their claims to African territories under the doctrine of "effective occupation." This doctrine required colonial powers to demonstrate their ability to enforce their rule and protect free trade to legitimize their claims. Today, Trump’s assertion that he can rebuild and internationalize Gaza, creating jobs and prosperity for "everyone," is a modern echo of this colonial mindset. By framing his plan as a development project, Trump is attempting to justify his claim to Gaza under the same logic that once justified the colonization of Africa.

The Colonial Doctrine of "Effective Occupation" and Its Modern Relevance

The doctrine of "effective occupation" articulated at the Berlin Conference is a direct precursor to Trump’s rationale for claiming Gaza. This doctrine essentially allowed European powers to legitimise their colonial claims by demonstrating their ability to enforce their rule and promote capitalist interests. Similarly, Trump’s proposal to expel Palestinians and transform Gaza into a hub of international trade and tourism is an attempt to impose American control under the guise of development and prosperity. The idea that foreign powers can displace native populations and justify their rule through economic development is a colonial trope that has been used repeatedly throughout history. Whether it is the "civilizing mission" of 19th-century colonialism or the "Marshall Plan" proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza, the underlying logic remains the same: local sovereignty must be sacrificed for the sake of economic progress.

Israel’s Plans for Gaza: A Mirror of Colonial Ambitions

Trump’s proposal is not an isolated idea but part of a broader narrative that has been championed by Israel and its allies. In May 2023, Netanyahu’s office unveiled a plan to retain Israeli control over Gaza while justifying it through the implementation of a "Marshall Plan" that would transform the territory into "a significant industrial port on the Mediterranean" and part of a "massive free trade zone." This plan mirrors Trump’s vision of Gaza as a Dubai or Singapore, where economic development is used to legitimise continued occupation and displacement of the native population. As Africans know all too well, such promises of prosperity rarely benefit the indigenous people. Instead, they often lead to further marginalisation and exploitation, as local populations are forced to cede their land and resources to serve the interests of foreign powers.

The Devastating Legacy of Colonial Expansion

The consequences of colonial expansion are well-documented, and Africans have borne the brunt of these policies for centuries. The Berlin Conference, which formalised the Scramble for Africa, led to some of the most horrific chapters in human history. The Congo Free State, established by King Leopold II of Belgium under the guise of free trade, became a hellish regime responsible for the deaths of up to 13 million Congolese people. Similarly, the forced displacement, wars of conquest, and campaigns of extermination that accompanied European colonialism left deep scars across the continent. Today, Africans are still grappling with the economic, political, and social consequences of these colonial policies. Yet, despite this history, the world seems to have forgotten the lessons of Berlin. In 2017, Mamadou Sow, then ICRC Operations Coordinator, remarked on how little educated Europeans know about their colonial history. This collective amnesia allows the same colonial logic to resurface in modern forms, whether in Gaza or elsewhere.

The Call for Justice and Sovereignty: A Lesson from History

The recolonisation of Gaza, whether by Israel, the United States, or any other power, is neither morally justifiable nor practically viable. The history of colonialism has shown time and again that the displacement of indigenous populations and the imposition of foreign rule lead only to suffering and instability. As Africans, who have experienced the horrors of colonialism firsthand, it is incumbent upon us to draw on this history and say with one voice: Never Again! The call for Palestinian sovereignty is not just a political demand but a moral imperative. It is a reminder that the rights of indigenous peoples to their land and self-determination cannot be sacrificed for the interests of foreign powers. As the world moves forward, it is crucial to remember the lessons of the past and to reject any attempt to resurrect the colonial ideologies that have caused so much harm. Only by upholding the principles of justice, equality, and sovereignty can we hope to build a world where such injustices are never repeated.