The U.S. embassy hoisted the LGBT Gay Pride of flight flag high, prompting many questions. Was it in defiance of the President of the Republic of Uganda, who had openly spoken out against the recently presented program? Some time ago, Kamala Harris and other American representatives came to Africa to promote the LGBTQ program, aimed at enabling homosexual people to marry and live in society without being discriminated against. However, the President of Ghana was rather soft on the new law. On the other hand, the members of parliament rose up fiercely against this unconstitutional law.
African presidents’ reactions to the imposition of the new law
Similar situations have arisen in other African countries. Some presidents were asked about their position on same-sex marriage. Some replied that it wasn’t a priority for them, while others said it wasn’t part of their culture.
For example, the President of Zimbabwe has been the subject of many questions in relation to this law, to which he has fervently declared that he would never accept such things as it is not part of his responsibilities. On the Kenyan side, the same questions were put to newly elected President William Ruto. He, too, has declared that this is not his priority. His predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, was subject to the same circumstances, and returned the same answers. This shows that the majority of African countries are against this program.
Read more: Suspension of HIV program: Ugandan President refuses to bow to U.S. pressure
The President of Uganda, the main target
Yoweri Museveni
In Uganda, meanwhile, the president openly declared that Western countries were sick and that this program was not part of their culture. Despite this, the US government has advised Uganda not to pass a law criminalizing LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV who engage in sexual activity. However, the law has been passed. Some time after the law was passed, the Americans blocked the visa of the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, Anita Among, prompting chain reactions.
Clearly, many people react differently to this situation. The Ugandan president, for his part, has decided to react by looking elsewhere for better cooperation and good neighborly relations, where there will be no foreign interference. That’s why he recently visited Russia. So, faced with the situation, some are wondering whether waving the Gay Pride flag is an act of defiance. Others wonder why the Americans don’t also impose their laws in countries like Saudi Arabia or Qatar. This is because the United States has major economic and geostrategic interests in these countries.
Mutual respect is a priority
The question of cultural respect and behavior also arises. When visiting a country, it’s important to respect its customs and traditions. In Saudi Arabia, for example, it’s not acceptable to fly the Gay Pride flag because of the respect the United States has for them. But this can be done more easily in countries like South Africa. Mutual respect is essential in international relations.
It remains to be seen how this U.S. stance will be perceived internationally, and whether it will affect its status as a world leader. It is also important to consider how such an action might be interpreted in a country that rejects this law. Ultimately, the question is whether this action is acceptable in a country where such a law is not desired.
Totally inspired by Zack Mwekassa’s video
