THE FIGHT FOR DOMINANCE FOR AFRICA BETWEEN THE WEST( EUROPE AND THE US) AND THE EAST(CHINA), A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT. From time immemorial, Europe and the US have bestrode Africa like a colossus, pilfering our collective patrimony, though in connivance with their stooges cum African leaders they installed. They interfered in our local politics, dictating the pace of our development. This has continued unabated, they claim they give us financial aid but it is given with stringent conditions. Needless reminding us how US and Britain threatened not to release financial dole outs to African countries that dont endorse the practice of gay rights, a story for another day. While the relationship of two strange fellows( The West and Africa) was going on, Africa courted a new ally in CHINA.They invaded Africa with infrastructural goodies, it came with no strings attached. They evaded meddling into the politics of African countries, it has been strictly business. They have outspent the west(Europe and America put together) in financial investment in Africa. recent media release puts their investment in Africa to the tune of $200billion dollars, making them the highest Africa trading partner. Their relationship in East Africa is unparalleled. They reconstructed an airport terminal in Kenya, gutted by fire sometime ago, free of charge. Now they are building a $25billion dollar railway, connecting the state capitals of Kenya,Uganda, Rwanda and south Sudan. Media propaganda say that CHINA does not practice democracy and their non interference in the political and social affairs of African nations will encourage repressive leaders to continue with corruption, it is also said that they do not believe in human rights and thus can not propagate it in African countries. But a Chinese, in an interview , argued that human rights is about providing the basic needs of the people and they do not believe in interfering in the politics of African countries because they believe every country has a way of doing its own things and thus, must be respected. CHINA has been making inroads in Africa, it has over 200 institutes in Africa where Chinese language is taught and the recipients of this education will be well integrated into the Chinese investment. They intend transfering skills also to Africa through the participation of local engineers whom they work together with and they have the cheapest and easiest technology. I am not holding brief for CHINA, both the West( Europe and the US) and the East (CHINA) are after the resources of Africa. The West, despite their propaganda has not helped Africa like CHINA is doing now despite our resources they have stolen all these years. All they are interested in is our politics, giving us orders on how to run our country and giving us conditions before they can give us financial aid. Whichever way the pendulum swings, the onus lies on Africa to succeed. Marcus Garvey said that we should emancipate ourselves from mental slavery cause none but ourselves can free our own mind. In line with this, we need to tackle some issues like tribalism and corruption which is the second colonialism holding us back developmentally after we had our independence from the West. Africa has been the courted bride bride by both the East and the West, we need take advantage of this development. The Vulture said that his wifes pregnancy does not give him cause cause for concern because if she delivers successfully, he celebrates the childs safe delivery but if the child dies, his corpse will be a ready meat. So which ever way, the vulture benefits. In parallel with this above illustration is the African situation, it is a win win situation for Africa if the West and the East compete for influence in Africa developmentally. My take is that Africa should take advantage of this and try Acquiring skills from both parties so that in no long a time,we can be self-reliant. African leaders should jettison the convoluted relationship we have with the West and embrace the East who have proven to be a cornucopia of good tidings, infrastructurally
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 09:25:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015