Auma Obama, the sister of the 44th president of the United States of America Barack Obama, has hit out at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over the outlet's description of Africa.
In a blistering tweet on Wednesday, Auma appeared to take offence in the description as it appeared to suggest that Africa was one country.
Expressing her disbelief, she told off the BBC, saying that Africa was a continent comprising of 54 countries with diverse unique cultures and called on the globally renowned station to employ the proper definition.
"Can’t believe it. BBC Wrld just advertised prog. on Africa as: “Africa, a LAND of limitless talent!” Really?! BBC Wrld!? Africa is a CONTINENT of 54 v. diverse unique countries! Call it as it is. Struggle 2 identify wth amoebic def. of Africa favored by the West. Can’t identify.6920, " Auma Obama's tweet read.
Westerners have for long been accused of referring to Africa as a single entity rather than a continent with many countries.
This reference of Africa as a single entity has not sat well with Africans who see the reference as patronising and contemptuous.
The 54 countries see themselves as having diverse cultures as opposed to the homogeneous labels that are used to identify them by people living in the west, far removed from the realities of the continent.