Members of the African community in Ireland have weighed in to criticise U2 singer Bono’s proclamations on Africa.
Mbemba Jabbi, acting coordinator of Africa Centre, described Bono as “a selfish man”, following the U2 frontman’s remarks at the recent Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York.
During a discussion on Africa, Bono interrupted Sudanese telecoms billionaire Mo Ibrahim, one of the richest businessmen on the continent, who used Ireland to illustrate how the international taxation system was broken.
In his remarks, Bono blamed poverty in Africa on “extractive industries [that] are not returning the wealth to the people in any kind of fair measure”.
Jabbi, who was commenting in a personal capacity, said: “Bono’s career as a musician is for him to build his own empire.”
Jabbi also shared his belief that the singer doesn’t care for ordinary Africans.
“Bono has never campaigned on fair trade issues, or against the tough laws on immigration or for foreign direct investment and the role of African diaspora in its development.”
Such issues should be central in the campaign of anyone advocating for the development of Africa, said Jabbi, who also claimed difficulty understanding how Bono “has never been heard advocating what African countries are doing themselves” or “associating with any African groups in Ireland to show his commitment to the African people.
“This is a bit weird,” said Jabbi.
While he agreed that a lot needs to be changed to reposition Africa in the 21st century, Jabbi said there should not “only be a white person fighting for Africa. Africans themselves need to be heard.”
Meanwhile, Harry Browne, journalist and author of The Frontman: Bono (In The Name of Power), has advised the U2 singer to be more transparent with the people about his tax campaign.
“Bono should really stop digging about this tax situation,” said Browne. “We know that what he calls ‘tax competitiveness’ costs Africa more than €30bn every year.
“U2’s tax arrangements are their own business, but he shouldn’t pretend they are somehow virtuous, even for Ireland.”
