Analysis
The statement matches verbatim a passage from Johnson’s October 2002 column titled *'Africa is a mess, but we can’t blame colonialism'* in *The Daily Telegraph*. The column argued that Africa’s struggles were not due to British colonial rule but rather its absence, a claim widely criticized as oversimplified and historically revisionist. Johnson’s phrasing and intent are well-documented in archived articles and subsequent analyses of his work. No credible evidence disputes his authorship or the quote’s accuracy in this context.
Background
Johnson, then a journalist and later UK Prime Minister (2019–2022), was known for provocative, often polarizing commentary on race, empire, and global politics. This column exemplified his tendency to downplay colonialism’s harms while romanticizing British imperialism, aligning with a broader pattern of controversial remarks. The piece was published amid debates over Britain’s historical role in Africa and reparations, adding to its notoriety.
Verdict summary
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson did write in a 2002 *Daily Telegraph* column that 'the problem is not that we were once in charge, but that we are not in charge any more,' reflecting his controversial views on British colonialism in Africa at the time.