solobalbo on Nostr: While it’s tempting to think China/Russia might be actively "funding" or directly ...

While it’s tempting to think China/Russia might be actively "funding" or directly pushing against European influence in Africa, I think it’s more nuanced than that. What’s happening is that they are offering African countries an alternative—partners that don’t come with the same historical baggage as the Europeans. Plus, they often don’t impose the kinds of strict conditions that Western countries have typically attached to aid or loans. This makes them super attractive for many African nations looking to develop infrastructure and grow their economies without feeling controlled.

The former British, Belgian, and French colonies endured brutal massacres at the hands of these colonial powers before gaining independence in the 1960s. Despite this historical context, Western nations continue to maintain a significant presence in Africa, seeking deals that are highly lucrative for them while being deeply unbalanced against African interests, primarily to exploit the continent's natural resources. They often meddle in African elections to prevent leaders with opposing views from coming to power, and in some cases, this interference has led to the assassination of African presidents—France, in particular, has been the most active in these matters. When an African nation refuses to cooperate with Western interests, it frequently faces the emergence of rebel or terrorist groups, or direct military action, as seen with the cases of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Laurent Gbagbo in Côte d'Ivoire.

Moreover, when Western-backed forces, including UN peacekeepers or soldiers from specific countries, are deployed to African nations under the guise of providing protection and humanitarian aid, their actions often extend beyond their stated missions. There have been numerous reports of serious misconduct, including instances of rape involving women and children, the theft of minerals, and even the sharing of intelligence with terrorist groups. These actions further erode trust in Western intentions and highlight the complex dynamics of power and exploitation that continue to characterize the relationship between Africa and the West.

In recent years, several African countries have expelled French and American military forces, partly because these Western powers refused to sell them the weapons needed to defend against terrorist threats. As a result, these nations have turned to other global players, such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran, to meet their defense needs. This shift reflects a broader trend of African countries asserting their sovereignty and seeking partnerships that better align with their interests.

Ultimately, the declining influence of Western countries in Africa is a direct consequence of their own policies and actions. By failing to provide the necessary support and imposing restrictive conditions on collaborations, they have pushed African nations to explore alternative alliances. African countries are now free to choose their partners based on mutual benefit, signaling a new era of independence and strategic decision-making on the continent.