PARASITES: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE CUTOFF FROM ITS HOST? | METAMORPHOSIS

In the natural world, parasites are living organisms that feed off other creatures, called hosts. They cannot survive on their own, so they depend on the energy and resources of the host to live and grow. Whether it’s a tick sucking blood from a dog or a wasp laying eggs inside another insect, these relationships are always one-sided. The host gives, and the parasite takes—until the host is too weak to keep going.

This same pattern doesn’t only exist in the animal or insect world. It also shows up in how some nations and governments operate, especially when it comes to powerful countries and their influence over smaller, resource-rich nations. The roles are the same: one side gives everything, and the other side takes all the benefits. In this modern world, many African countries have been forced into being “hosts” to powerful outside interests.

The Western world, through governments and companies, has treated parts of Africa like a buffet. They come in, take natural resources like gold, oil, and rare minerals, and leave the people with little to nothing. These powers make deals that help only the elite few, not the everyday citizens. The same way a parasite drains the life from its host, these arrangements weaken the countries they claim to help.

But what happens when the host decides to cut off the parasite? What happens when a country says “enough is enough” and takes control of its land, its economy, and its future? In nature, when the host gets strong and removes the parasite, the parasite either finds a new victim—or dies. This is the critical turning point we’re now seeing in parts of Africa.

One of the most powerful examples of this today is President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso. He has made bold moves to stop foreign powers from taking his country’s wealth. Instead, he is choosing to rebuild his nation with its own people and its own resources. He is not alone. A shift is happening, and it’s time we talk about what it really means.

Let’s begin with the insect world. Consider a parasitic wasp that targets a healthy caterpillar. The wasp lays its eggs inside the caterpillar's body. As the eggs hatch, the baby wasps eat the caterpillar from the inside out—slowly, so they don’t kill it too fast. The wasp needs the caterpillar alive as long as possible to feed and grow stronger. This may sound gruesome, but it mirrors what happens between wealthy nations and the countries they exploit.

Now take a closer look at Africa. For decades, powerful Western countries have used African nations like that caterpillar. They offer loans, fake partnerships, or military protection—just enough to keep the country barely functioning. But behind those offers are hidden costs. These outside powers take control of the land, the resources, and the government policies. They install leaders who will obey their orders, often working through shadow governments or secret deals.

This is what we mean when we say “parasites.” They cannot grow without draining someone else. They depend on the poverty of others to maintain their own wealth and status. If the African nations were truly free and self-sufficient, many of these foreign powers would collapse under their own weight. That’s why they fight so hard to keep control, using media, money, and sometimes even war.

But there are signs of change. Countries like Burkina Faso are now breaking free from these systems. When President Traoré chose to reject Western control and claim the country's own natural wealth, it shocked the world. This is the same as a host organism waking up, gaining strength, and shaking off the parasite. And just like in nature, the parasite begins to panic, realizing it has lost its lifeline.

We are now at a turning point in history. These decisions are not just about one country or one president. They are about Africa’s future. They are about whether people will continue to live under unfair systems or rise up to build something truly their own. When the host stands up and says, “No more,” the world changes.

This is not just a political conversation. It’s a life lesson. Whether in nature or in society, parasites only survive as long as the host remains unaware or too weak to fight back. Once the host becomes conscious and strong, the parasite has no power. That’s where we are now—waking up and getting stronger.

We must understand the patterns that have kept us in this cycle. It is no accident. History shows us that colonization, exploitation, and resource theft were never about helping African people. They were about using Africa for someone else’s benefit. Knowing this is the first step to changing it.

This awakening is not only happening in Burkina Faso. It’s spreading across the continent and throughout the African diaspora. From the streets of Accra to the voices of Black Americans in the U.S., there is a rising demand for justice, ownership, and dignity. We are recognizing that the systems we’ve trusted were never built for us—they were built to feed off us.

The question now is: what will we do with this knowledge? Will we keep feeding the parasite, or will we cut it off and take control of our destiny? The time has come to reclaim what belongs to us. Our minds. Our land. Our future.

As we prepare for this important discussion, remember—this is not about hate or revenge. It’s about balance. It’s about no longer allowing ourselves to be used. Just like in nature, healing begins when the parasite is removed. Only then can the host begin to truly live.