Africa’s seventy years of Europe-US diplomacy on the line. Epic tragedy. Seismic shifts underway. Africa (most countries now Chinese colonies) not ready to shift upwards and occupy the power vacuum fault lines in Asia.
Not long ago, at a meeting in the US, I remember speaking to a rather skeptical audience about the shift East of global politics that was already evident to a number of African Students Committee. I gave the illustration of the new curricula I was working on as part of a team thinking through the foundations for a new teaching course (module) for our African studies program.
For us, it was already clear that the 21st century would belong to the Indian Ocean as opposed to the Atlantic / Pacific alliances that had dominated the 20th. I’m not sure I’d call this a tragedy; but then of course, for selfish reasons perhaps given my geographical location as a citizen of the Atlantic Ocean country, I am more invested in the Atlantic Ocean connections than in the Indian Ocean. I’m still reflecting on what this shift means for Africa’s place in the world. We are an ancient continent. Perhaps in the greater scheme of things seventy years is just a moment in time.
For African countries, it seems to me we now have to measure which colonialist are better for us. The West exploited Africa dry and left a broken people to figure a way out by themselves (cruel, considering the Marshall plan the US accorded Europe after their World War 2 devastation).
We still haven’t attained the Pan African power to negotiate our way upwards. Our new colonial master, China, is also exploiting Africa dry but while constructing massive infrastructure which we get to enjoy and boast in and look all spiffy. On the surface, it seems looking East is a better deal for Africa. But is it, when we aren’t controlling our own economy? I think a number of African Presidents (including Adama Barrow) are silently buying into the laziness of becoming Chinese satellite states.
This worked for some small nations which to date seem peacefully colonized, secure and developed (e.g., unincorporated territories of the US). Do we want to become territories of China? I think consciously choosing (neo)colonization to maintain an upward trajectory of development and security has to be a temporary last resort (what Botswana did). For African leaders who’ve chosen to look East so completely without a care to the details of the devastating contracts they sign with China, I think it’s a lazy choice with opportunities for corruption and personal wealth. Asia will rule, yes, but we/Africa still have the opportunity to define our place under their domination of world politics. Where are our Kwame Nkrumah’s?
How do we bring back to the current generation the sense of patriotism? How do we create conscious African pride without calling it an economic stigmatization? I can only pray with the shifting tides we are acquiring some sense of independence in being able to sit at the table of negotiation. Our hands are still tied to our backs, but we can only hope the awakening will carry along with it more focus on patriotism rather than individualism.
In the hours after the western bank crash in 2008. President Bush announced to the world that the global economy was realigning and would take some time. This shift towards the East has seen a new world order of economic growth moving east. The upside to this was an unexpected lifeline to the Western nations, whose investment portfolio invested heavily in Eastern markets and assisted the East in maintaining their remarkable annual growth performance. The present story is worrying as economic analysts and leaders are talking of protectionism. Economics like water is free flowing and finds it’s own level. Any attempt to alter the flow generally ends up in a flood in one area and a drought in the other. If Africa could sort out it energy deficit, there is absolutely no reason why Africa could not be a giant and prosperous economy to catch up and take on the world.
China is doing what it has to do, to advance its cause, just as the West have done. Africa is the one that is failing itself, by opening up cheaply to foreign capital, with little or no protection of its own interest, and making no efforts to take control of its resources and development agenda. Disappointing as this may be, there are far more worrying developments around us, to which we seem completely oblivious.
Are we alive to the emerging dangers that Supremacists (Whites & Non Whites), Fascists and Neo-Nazis, who are now gaining momentum in US and Europe (overt/covert), pose to our wellbeing and existence, as people of colour? Why aren’t Africans talking about and pushing our leaders towards adopting a single Defence Doctrine and Programme, with an African High Command, as envisaged by Dr Nkrumah?
Europe, which has NATO, but is unsure of the US’ reliability (as a partner, due to President Trump) and not threatened by anyone, except an imaginary “resurgent Russia”, is already exploring the idea of a European Army, with a single doctrine.
The US, which is the most armed country on earth, is already contemplating a sixth corps {space corps} to dominate space militarily, whilst everyone else, except Africa, is building Defence Capabilities for whatever they know, is coming. Even Japan, whose imperialists wars have wrecked havoc on that part of the world, and who were barred by the UN to militarise, are now reversing and building their military, with US blessings.
Wake up Africa! Your very existence might be at stake. Of course, there are many liberals, like Mike Scales, who would never want this to happen, but they will be powerless when the tide turns fully, as it has already started to turn. If you can’t see it, then consider yourself the proverbial ostrich, with your head deeply buried in the sands of the Sahara Desert.
Has anyone watched pictures of the Polish National Day celebrations this week? Never has a National Day Celebrations hosted so many White Supremacists, Neo-Nazis and Fascists in modern times, as was seen in Poland.
The writings are on the walls and we are ignoring them to our peril.