Perhaps a little too cynical, but yet this one statement by the French anthropologist Stephen Smith has inspired my writing today.
For too many countries, free and fair elections are nothing more than a myth. The anger and resentment against the colonial hand of the western world resonates in far too many minds of the ruling elite in Africa. In their attempt to sever the ties with the west, many African countries have chosen to board the ship caught in tempestuous weather, only to find themselves shipwrecked. The few who survive awaken only to discover they have been washed to the shores of neocolonialism.
When the Chinese came first came to Africa, they saw potential. It is this same potential that Africa needs to see in itself in order to progress and claim its rightful seat in the world.
Nii Akutetteh (Africa Policy Analyst) puts forward a good argument and I agree with him on several points. It is not that I am against China's presence in Africa, I just believe we need some form of body that monitors the activities of the Chinese businessmen and holds them accountable for their actions. In the 1990s Chinese trade with Africa increased by 700%. What is it that the Chinese want so much from Africa?
It is difficult to believe that a nation which has been questioned for years about its form of government and its approach on human rights, has embarked on some benevolent journey to Africa. Many African countries are still trying to establish democracy or atleast some form of a stable institution which will be able to properly deal with the Chinese presence. Without these, like Akuetteh, I too worry!
As the presidnet of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, put it,
By enmeshing ourselves in this clearly unequal relationship, I can only wander what the future holds for Africa. The book I recommend for those who have the same concerns I do is by Serge Michel and Michel Beuret called 'China Safari'
One of the fundamental problems i have with the criticism (normally from the west) that China must be in some way barred from doing business Africa is the because of its human rights record. I find it difficult to take this argument to seriously as it comes from people who did the same in the form of slavery and benefited greatly from it. I am not saying that human rights are not important but i think the fact that China comes into Africa with money to invest rather than the gun leaves a lot of scope for opportunity for Africa. With 1 billion people i think we should focus our energies on strengthening our ties with China as well as ensuring that we negotiate fairer trading regulations. This is up to us Africans ourself and is not the responsibility of the Chinese or anyone else.
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