Mixed reactions have trailed the viral photos and videos of African leaders bundled on several buses to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in the UK on Monday, September 19, 2022.
Visible in the viral photos are Kenya’s President William Ruto, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen Jeje Odongo, and other African leaders. Also present at the event is Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari represented by his Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
Reports have it that while all African world leaders travelled down to the Queen’s State reception in Buckingham Palace only US President Joe Biden was allowed to ride in his bulletproof Limousine with an entourage in a motorcade.
President Biden received a lot of backlash from social media users for being escorted to the funeral in this manner while other world leaders have traveled together in buses to the service.
Most social media users found the act appalling but others appeared to be thrilled by the incidence. One tweep, @AlinurMohamed_ wrote, “African leaders in a bus in UK being treated the way they treat us after they were invited to attend the burial of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II…”
However, some social media users highlighted that it was not solely African leaders who arrived by bus. Confirming this is another video that shows other world leaders descending a bus at the event.
Expressing their views, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she did not see the “fuss” of using the busses, according she regularly makes her minister travel together in the same car. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also added that “a lot of great conversations happen on the bus.” Former Kenya Governor, Mike Sonko wrote, ” These foreigners lack manners. How can they keep African Presidents in one bus in London? God forbid something bad happens on that bus. What will happen?”
Below are some of the reactions as seen on social media:
@JosephBowyer1 : “Why do Africans like comparison? Yes and Biden is greater than every African President”
@fionamashele : “I am battling to see what is wrong with a bus. Our ppl really struggle with self-esteem. Isn’t a bus a multiple-person ride? Im shocked that this is even a topic. Ganti buses are for the poor? Maybe im missing a point.”
@serg__e : “These guys stop the traffic for hours just to pass when they are in Africa it’s really funny to see how they are being treated by their masters.”
@MPN_MSHIKA : ” Serves them right, they like to involve themselves on things that don’t concern them. Let them ride on a bus like school children.”
@Tiyiselani_TP : “Whether we like it or not, a USA president is no ordinary president, he’s a president of the most powerful nation in the world. His security will be much higher.”
@wakanda_boy : “Why did they go in the first place was she their queen? I agree with the bus. They should have walked even.”
@yemi_ent : “When your leaders start acting like leaders, the world would see them as leaders.”
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