Africabeat

Militarization of U.S. Africa Aid

Does the U.S. have military designs in Africa?

Beyond oil, U.S. military officials have cited "a growing terrorist threat" in northern and sub-Saharan Africa to justify a program of stepped up military engagement in the region. General James Jones, head of the U.S. European command, has suggested the need to create a "family of bases" across Africa that would range from forward operating locations that would include an airfield and facilities to house 3,000 to 5,000 U.S. military personnel to "bare-bones" bases that U.S. Special Forces or Marines could "land at and build up as the mission required." (See Eric Schmitt, "Threats and Response; Expanding U.S. Presence: Pentagon Seeks New Access Pacts for African Bases," New York Times, July 5, 2003). These new facilities would not be considered "formal" bases like the growing U.S. base in the Horn of Africa in Djibouti, which has a regular deployment of 1,800 to 2,000 troops stationed there. While new basing arrangements are being worked out, a major increase in U.S. military exercises and training missions throughout Africa will be used to sustain a regular U.S. presence. (From "Militarization of U.S. Africa Aid: 2000-2005")

China's Role in the Darfur Genocide

Western countries argue that China is undermining its efforts to force the Sudanese government to end the genocide in Darfur.  Sudan currently sells more than half of its oil to China, and bids for all rights always include aid, loans, infrastructure and...weapons.

China turns toward Africa

This post contains commentary followed by an extensive list of articles on China's role in Africa.

China's interests in Africa have long been known, but in the last six months, there has been an amazing proliferation of "China goes to Africa" articles in the international media.   

While the rest of the world often views Africa in the context of a donor-recipient relationship, China views Africa as a central part of its strategic plan, most notably for its oil reserves (China’s demand for oil far outstrips its supply) and for its markets for manufactured goods. The Chinese perceive American influence in Africa to be less entrenched than it is in the rest of the world, thus offering unique opportunities for China to pursue its economic interests.   

Nigeria looks to China for military assistance

Nigerian newspaper Daily Sun reports that the Nigerian government is seeking military assistance from China, apparently having grown impatient of waiting for calls for US assistance to protect oil facilities from militants in the Niger Delta to be answered.

This is a prime example of one of the aspects of the China-Africa relationship that I find most interesting: how China's involvement on the continent might influence African governments' decisions by presenting alternatives to Western diplomacy.