Neo-colonialism in Africa: Africa Should Not Be a Pawn For the West Nor the East

African countries are entangled in a vicious cycle of dependency. It is devastating, as African countries can never realize their full potential, especially when one considers the abundant natural resources we are endowed with, and the human capital we have.

Africa is falling victim to neo-colonialism. We have not yet empowered ourselves to the extent of resisting the sinister overtures from either the West or the East.

At the same time, African governments are highly inept, corrupt, inefficient and insensitive. There is little regard for the welfare of African citizens. Many African governments defend their stay in power (stays characterized by ailing economies) through the use of authoritarian tactics.

In the presence of a dictator, it’s easy for the West to raise the “democracy” card in order to advance their own sinister agendas aimed at fleecing the continent of its rich resources. We have a long way to go as a continent.

There is a battle for global dominance, with the United States on one hand with its allies, and China on the other. Both will use third world countries across the word as their paws in their quest for the much-coveted global dominance.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is a plan aimed at pioneering infrastructural developments in many countries across the world. China advances huge loans to these poor countries, knowing fully well that they do not have the capacity to pay back. It is China’s way of the “debt-trap diplomacy,” a way to conquer the world. China has made significant inroads in Africa and in just a few years, China could just be essentially owning Africa.

The West is displeased with China’s success in these machinations. That’s why a trade war between China and America will have far-reaching effects across the world that will cause a major global economic upset.

In such circumstances, it is prudent for African governments to start realizing the power of giving its people better lives. To empower them. As long as we are not empowered, we remain subservient to the whims of these global superpowers. Africa will just be a piece on the chessboard, where the aim for the superpowers is to control everyone.

African countries should have strong economies to the extent that American sanctions will have little effect on the ordinary person.

Africa should be able to stand on its own, and this can only be achieved through a tremendous sense of overwhelming unity and purpose.

Header image credit - African Curators