Hungry for Truth, Peace and Justice

China is good for Africa’s Big Men, bad for the people

By Lonzen Rugira
Daily Monitor
November 10, 2009

Recently, China agreed to $7 billion worth of investment in the West African nation of Guinea. And on Sunday, Reuters news agency reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao offered Africa $10 billion in concessional loans over the next three years, saying China was a “true and trusted friend” of the continent and its people. Under normal circumstances, this would be a reason to cheer. But all it does is bolster the fears that many Africans have against China’s involvement in Africa.

Africa’s Big Men – presidents – love China. They especially like its no-strings-attached approach. Apparently, they are sick and tired of Europeans and Americans who are too nosy to the point that they want to dictate African internal affairs. They see this as a threat to their sovereignty, an encroachment to their hard-won independence. They especially hate it when Western governments raise concerns on issues of good governance and human rights. The Chinese, on the other hand, simply want to do business and they don’t care if the inside is boiling, or rotting.

While speaking to a Germany-based newspaper recently, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, defended the Chinese. He advised the West to learn from the Chinese if they want to have a meaningful and fruitful relationship with Africa – as opposed to the wasted years of hollow aid.

Before I could fully grasp Kagame’s praise for the Chinese, news surfaced that China had just signed a multi-billion dollar investment deal with the illegitimate Junta of Guinea, the newest member of the Big Men’s club, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. Just last December, following the death of the country’s previous dictator Lansana Conte, who had been in power for 24 years, Captain Camara declared himself president in a ‘bloodless’ coup. After suspending the Constitution, he promised to hold elections soon after and that he would not run for president, a promise he later reneged, prompting demonstrations in the capital, Conakry.

As demonstrators gathered, Camara’s military instincts kicked in. He ordered his military to the streets where they indiscriminately shot live bullets. The count of the dead stood at 150. Also, newspaper reports about systematic rape by the military personnel have been circulating. Meanwhile, African leaders have not voiced concern over these atrocities. The Americans and the Europeans, however, have been very critical of Camara’s actions and have threatened sanctions against his government. Likewise, Guinea’s former colonial masters, the French, have suspended all military aid to the country.

What have the Chinese done? They have rewarded the Junta with a multi-billion dollar investment deal. This move should shame those who support China’s approach to business in Africa. But it also reinforces the skepticism that a lot of Africans have against the coming of the Chinese. Sure, as president Kagame pointed out, Africa needs the infrastructure that the Chinese are building. The roads they are building are also important in order to facilitate trade among Africans. But would Kagame defend the deal between China and Camara?

It is true that in many ways the West has failed Africans. But aid conditions that call for improvements in human rights aren’t one of them. It is a shame that African Big Men need the West to remind them to treat their people humanely. And China isn’t helping.

Note:
Mr Rugira lives in Washington DC. He can be contacted at lonzenr@yahoo.com

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posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 8:04 PM