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How US perpetuated corruption, bad governance in Africa – Ambassador Gonzales
United States Ambassador to Zambia, Michael C. Gonzales, has highlighted America’s previous role in corruption and bad governance that stunted growth over the decades, particularly in African nations.
In an explosive article, “Breaking the Cycle of Foreign Assistance Enabling Corruption,” published by the State Department, Gonzales decried how the U.S. doled out funds to governments without holding them to account.
“What is needed for economic growth and development is not more money, but sound reforms that incentivize enduring private investment and growth,” he asserted, noting that Africa has received over $200 billion in U.S. aid since 1991.
The envoy cited African Union reports indicating that countries on the continent lose an estimated $88 billion each year through tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption.
Gonzales said that instead of insisting on mutual accountability and using U.S. assistance to address the causes of poverty and underdevelopment, Washington funded outputs to allay the symptoms.
That approach, he noted, failed both American taxpayers and citizens of developing countries who looked to their governments and the U.S. to help create the conditions for a better future.
Criticising the pampering of governments rather than demanding performance, he said America “did not have a consistent policy as to whether assistance was charity or a foreign policy tool.”
Gonzales added that rather than challenge administrations that failed in their professed commitments, the U.S. excused the lack of political will as “capacity constraints,” choosing not to “expect too much.”
The ambassador wondered why Washington did not recognise that leaders of aid-recipient countries often prioritised personal interests at the expense of their people and national development.
“Never did we withhold assistance funds because host governments failed to deliver on their commitments… we responded by providing even more aid because they have needs,” he said.
“By trying to save people from the bad governance and corruption of their leaders, we helped perpetuate that very same corruption and bad governance,” Gonzales declared.
The diplomat said America “fuelled moral hazard,” citing cases ranging from the greed exposed in Malawi’s ‘Cashgate’ scandal under Joyce Banda to the systematic kleptocracies of Bangladesh and South Sudan.
“We have enabled and underwritten government corruption… such as the predatory abuses of Mali’s Ibrahim Keita or Guinea’s Alpha Condé against their own populations,” Gonzales noted.
According to the former deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of African Affairs, corruption and the failure to deliver basic public services have led to military coups and incursions by terrorist organisations.
Stressing that U.S. foreign aid is meant to advance American diplomacy, security, and prosperity, he urged Washington to administer it with “host-government buy-in and mutual accountability for outcomes.”
Gonzales believes such a strategy would create space for market-driven growth and help block the means by which malign international actors exploit developing economies and workers.
He referenced Secretary Marco Rubio’s statement that America should favour “nations that have demonstrated both the ability and the willingness to help themselves,” and avoid “failed governments in faraway lands.”
Among his recommendations, Gonzales called for “performance-based funding” and the “right focus,” centred on systemic reforms that enable sustainable growth and mutual opportunities for the U.S. and recipient countries.
The ambassador suggested adopting contractual approaches, unlike USAID’s Development Objective Agreements (DOAs), which bound the U.S. to fund sectors but rarely included host-government performance commitments.
Gonzales said the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) offers best practice by clearly defining shared objectives and commitments by both governments, reducing uncertainty, and improving accountability.
The envoy added that under President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, America has the opportunity and courage to acknowledge its mistakes, embrace candid lessons learned, and do better.
“Assistance that delivers for the American people and our partners must be founded on transparent engagement,” he said. “Nothing should be imposed, hidden, given as ultimatums, or come at the partner’s expense; we are not China.”
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
Six inmates die in one week amid suspected cholera outbreak in Kano prison
Painful: Blessing CEO Loses Son While Still In Kirikiri Prison
SAD: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s mother is dead
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