China and Africa: What kind of relationship?

Robert, the gentleman who commented on my post about Zimbabwe, beat me to the punch. Well, at least on the issue of China and its political, environment, and economical impact on Africa. Personally, I view anyone, western or eastern, who comes to Africa with so-called "development projects" with skepticism. History has proven time and time again that Africa is probably the easiest place to exploit. Why? We are technologically inferior. We were at the arrival of the Europeans and we still are at this particular moment in time. What baffles my mind is that eastern powers such as China, India, and Japan are legitimate challengers to the US in terms of military and economic hegemony. These, like most african countries today, were colonies of European powers in the last century. Why don't we see African countries do the same?

Recently China has stepped up its efforts on befriending African countries in the name of helping them develop. Now, it is true China helped some African countries with building infrastructure during the Cold War when most of these newly-independent countries sought a non-aligned stance in the US-Soviet union squabble. Some African writers have remarked that there are vast differences in the ideologies of China then and China now. Whatever the case, China is using its past in Africa to shore up supply of valuable raw resources, oil included, in order to bolster its growing economy. In return, China promises aid, monetary and expertise. As Robert pointed out in his comment to my earlier post on Mugabe's genius plan, this "aid" comes at a greater cost to the African country's economy and the environment. There are examples of this in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Ethiopia, as Robert mentioned, not to mention several others.

I believe we are witnessing a former colony become an empire, at least in economic terms. As China's hegemony in Africa solidifies and continue to grow, we will see a new species of cold wars that will rival or surpass THE Cold War. China has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to alienate Taiwan and divert resources meant for markets in Europe and America to its own markets. It might be doing this in fear that should it fail to do so now, the future might not be bright for its economy if a re-emerging Russia beats it to those African resources. That would only mean both Russia and the West would have a leg-up on China in the pursuit of African resources. Therefore, as the West is losing support among African leaders with its promotion of democracy, and Russia is busy straightening its in-house and regional affairs, China's moment to court African leaders and gain the resources needed to sustain its economy is now.

Well, as long as the West's call for democracy continues to alienate African leaders, China will find a welcoming house in Africa. These leaders know that the fact that they are now, or in the past, supported by the West is no guarantee that they will be helped stay in power when their use to them is no more. Mobutu, and many others, found this out the hard way. China is pushing itself as an alternative to self-righteous bigots whose loyalties shift on a whim. As long as these dictators or corrupt regimes continue to see China's support as insurance against their ouster, they will continue to flock to it and its developmental aid delusion.

Mugabe's Genius Plan

All, or at least most, of us are fully aware of the situation in Zimbabwe. The inflation is the worst in the world and political oppression is mild to moderate. Facing increasing pressure from friends and foes alike, Mugabe has come up with a genius plan: Stage a falling-out with a "former" friend, send some high-ranking ZANU-PF with him, and make it look as real as possible.
First of all, I would like to point out, again, that Zimbabwe is in utter economic anarchy. Secondly, its economy, when it was healthy, relied heavily on agriculture. Thirdly, outside aid, which Zimbabwe greatly needs to rebuild, can only come with the end of the Mugabe regime. Mugabe knew these things when he put his plan in motion.
Now look at Simba Makoni. Lately he served as minister of finance where he was sometimes at odds with Mugabe and his upper-echelon ZANU-PF cronies. He also has experience as minister of Industry and Energy Development and deputy minister of Agriculture. Add in there his ten years as Executive Secretary of SADC (Southern African Development Community) and you have someone with the right credentials to get Zimbabwe where it used to be. Zimbabwe's specialty in SADC was agriculture, an area that has taken an enormous hit since the expulsion of the minority white farmers around the turn of the century.
Mugabe staged the defection of Makoni so that he can be a legitimate candidate who can bring in western aid money. The west will like Makoni because of his credentials and so-called courage to stand up to Mugabe. Some people already suspect him to be funded and supported by the West. Which plays into Mugabe's plan. Makoni had denied being a puppet of the West, but he has not denied being anyone's puppet.
So, Mugabe picks this guy, encourages him to run for the presidency, funds him, gives him the protection he needs, sends a few high-ranking party officials to support him, and then sells him to the West. All this, of course, behind the scenes. Come elections time, neither candidate will garner at least 50% of the votes, which means a runoff. The top two vote-getters would be included, which means Tsvangirai, who will get the least votes (because of vote-rigging, of course).
Mugabe vs. Makoni. Makoni comes out a winner in the runoff, but the biggest winner will be Mugabe who will still be making important decisions behind the scenes and enjoying a big chunk of aid money newly pouring into the country as a result of his magnific plan.
All of this, I must admit, is what I would do if I was in his boots.

A Welcome

This is not the first blogging project I have attempted, but I feel a slight difference in the amount of excitement that has led me to embark on making it come alive. For one, I am not looking to talk about my godly-good looks or my unnatural abilities in areas I really don't want to start talking about, lest I talk much about myself and turn this blog into a clone of past endeavors that lie in waste being visited only by occasional web tumbleweed that took an unfortunate wrong turn somewhere.
I, therefore, do solemnly swear to abide by these two rules: I will abstain from self-talk as much as Rwandanly possible, and I will try to update this at least once a day. Not only will the topics be about African politics, I will also be talking about how politics in other regions have the potential of affecting our motherland.
Before I end my first transmission on this here watchamathingy we refer to as the web, I would to mention that I decided to do this because here lately I've grown to embrace and grow my africanness. I honestly am tired of the dishonesty and corruption that is going on, and the fact that most of us shy away from naming its source. Don't ask me what I personnally consider this particular source to be. Patience, my precious, you will find it in my writings.
So to end it all today, power to the people and peace be the journey. Cool Runnings.