Ford Foundation’s Tense Ties with Africa: An Inside View
On Monday, President William Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of funding anti-government protests in the country.
Speaking in Nakuru, Ruto claimed the New York-based NGO sponsored unnamed groups to infiltrate peaceful protests organized by young Kenyans to incite violence.
This revelation put the foundation under intense scrutiny, with Kenyans taking a keen interest in its activities, history, and potential influence on African democracies.
The Ford Foundation has a controversial history in Africa, having been accused of political interference in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Gossipa2z.com investigates these instances and the reasons behind African political leaders’ criticism of the American foundation.
In Kenya, the Ford Foundation was relatively unknown before President Ruto’s public criticism.
However, presidential criticism can thrust an organization into the national spotlight.
“I want to ask the people from Ford Foundation to explain to us what they seek to gain by destabilizing Kenya’s democracy,” President Ruto stated during a development tour in Nakuru.
The president’s comments cast a critical eye on the Ford Foundation’s support for governance and democracy initiatives.
ALSO READ:
- How not to make a mistake when choosing the best bookmaker in Kenya
- Understanding Gatwiri’s Cause of Death: Unraveling Positional Asphyxiation
- KRA Rules Out Tax Relief on SHIF Deductions
- Understanding Why Married Women Cheat: Common Reasons Behind Infidelity
- Violence Erupts in Mozambique: Three Killed, 66 Injured in Protests Over Disputed Election
Political commentators and politicians argued that the foundation’s focus on promoting specific democratic practices and policies could be perceived as interference in Kenya’s internal affairs. The Foundation later released a statement denying any interference in Kenya’s democracy.
“While we acknowledge the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, we repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community,” the statement read.
In Uganda, the Ford Foundation’s support for LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health initiatives has sparked controversy.
In 2014, the foundation partnered with other organizations to create the first LGBTQ Racial Justice Fund.
Given Uganda’s conservative stance on these issues, some politicians and community leaders accused the foundation of promoting values contrary to their cultural and religious beliefs.
President Yoweri Museveni, in August 2019, accused the Ford Foundation of political interference and supporting LGBTQ rights. He stated, “The Ford Foundation is meddling in our affairs, funding activities that are against our culture and values. They support those who promote homosexuality and other un-African behaviors in our country.”
In Nigeria, the Ford Foundation has faced criticism for alleged interference in the country’s democracy.
Former Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, in April 2021, accused the Ford Foundation and other foreign entities of funding activities aimed at undermining the Nigerian government.
“These foundations – Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and the likes – are actively funding separatist movements in Nigeria, attempting to destabilize the country by fueling division and supporting groups that aim to disintegrate Nigeria,” Mohammed was quoted by the Nigerian Tribune.
The Foundation was also accused of clandestine involvement in the Niger Delta region.
ALSO READ: President Ruto Accuses Ford Foundation of Funding Anti-Government Protests in Kenya
Local activists and community leaders argued that the foundation’s programs have not adequately addressed the root causes of conflict and underdevelopment in the region, and its approach sometimes aligns more with the interests of multinational oil companies than with those of the local communities.
In South Africa, the Foundation has also faced backlash.
In 2017, then-South African President Jacob Zuma accused the Ford Foundation of meddling in the country’s political affairs. Zuma claimed the Ford Foundation was funneling funds to organizations seeking to undermine the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
During a press conference in Pretoria on May 5, 2017, Zuma stated, “The Ford Foundation is not just a charity organization. It has become clear that they have a political agenda, one that is not aligned with the interests of South Africa. They are providing financial support to opposition groups and NGOs working tirelessly to destabilize our government.”
Minister of State Security David Mahlobo echoed these sentiments in a parliamentary debate on June 12, 2017, arguing that the Ford Foundation’s activities posed a significant threat to national security. “We have evidence that the Ford Foundation is funding entities involved in subversive activities.”
“These organizations disguise their true intentions under the guise of human rights and democracy promotion. However, their ultimate goal is to create instability and chaos in South Africa,” Mahlobo stated.
Ford Foundation’s Tense Ties with Africa: An Inside View
