How Africa is becoming China's China- Sulayman Lecturer Darboe

HOW AFRICA IS GRADUALLY BECOMING CHINA'S CHINA

By: Sulayman Lecturer Darboe

Political Science Student, University of The Gambia

Boldly, I can stand and say that in the 21st Century, a Chinese in Africa is more perilous than a European. Despite suffering for about 400 years of European exploitation and rights violations through slavery, with today's unarguable neocolonial projects, Africa now has a bigger and and a steady force to be reckoned with. This is the new force of Chinese invasion and exploitation of Africa and her resources- both human and natural. Dramatically, all this started somewhere and the scenes are presented below.

In a video produced by 'Brilliant.org/wendover' on how political allegiance manifest itself within the United Nations, focus was centered on China and her growing relationship with African countries which is making Africa, 'China's China'.

47 years ago, controversies erupted about which of the Chinese governments should represent the people of China in the United Nations. Both the  Republic of China which used to control both Taiwan and the Mainland but today controls only Taiwan, and People's Republic Of China which today controls the Mainland claimed for representation , The United States is noted  to have allied with The Republic of China because of the strong military cooperation among them at the time. The United States had used her influence on Africa for votes against The People's republic of China. Yes, out of the 35 countries that voted,  majority of them were Africans, paying allegiance to United States to give voice of representation to the Republic of China over the People's Republic of China. However, despite all efforts put by The United States as a Super Power in getting the votes of African Countries, The People's Republic of China managed to escape over the Republic of China(Taiwan) to be the representative  for people of China.

In 2007, something happened. It marked the beginning of a shift in allegiance by African countries from the United States to the People's Republic of China.  This year, it was reported that the United Nations General Assembly met on whether to adopt a resolution passed to condemn against North Korea for human rights violations. Something happened! The two Super Powers stood up again . The United States wanted to vote so She looked for the votes of African countries but China was against the Resolution and equally eyed for the votes of African countries. Both of them rallied behind African countries for votes. Dramatically, majority of the  African countries that voted,  allied behind  the People's Republic of China to say no to the passed Resolution by the UN General Assembly. This move by African Countries marked the beginning of a relationship that would later seem so diplomatic and beneficial to some Africans but equally, exploitative to some. Most African countries now listen  and are allied of People's Republic of China than any other super power in the world. 

The reasons why African countries are paying so much allegiance to China both at National and the United Nations' levels are because of the following facts. Outwardly, China is  pumping huge amount of resources to fun Developmental Projects and establishing firms and Cooperations at every eye blink in most African countries. To a layman and a Dunce Educator, this is commendable. Try to speak to the person next you about the presence of Chinese Cooperation and business in your country, and listen to his/her response. Probable feedbacks would be: they are supporting us, they are employing our people, they build this and that. Fine! Don't fight, argue and make each other understand not necessarily to change opinions as everyone is entitled to his. Now let us look at China -Africa invasion and relationship by focusing on what I called 'China's Inward angle. It is important to note that no matter how supportive China may naively appear  to Africans, it is practically impossible for China to fund African Projects with their resources for Free. Not in this world! Even the fund we consider  as grants are used to eye for a bigger exploitative project. In fact, there is no Chinese business established in Africa which is not at the detriment of Africans. Maybe, you want to tell me that the exploitative Golden Lead Factory in Gunjur is a blessing for the Gambia! What China gives to you is incomparable with what She gets out of exploitation. You may check in any Chinese-led Cooperation in The Gambia and have direct experience on the low wages, and benefits attached to their work. It is the same as how most African Governments exploit their citizens.

In 2015, it is estimated that  China loaned $12,000,000,000 to Africa and invested about $3,000,000,000 the same year. It sounds so huge right. Should we say thank you China? Despite this huge loans and investment by the Chinese Government, what she earns indirectly through private business owned by Chinese in Africa is incomparable.  It is estimated that China has about 10,000 businesses in Africa. Out of this number, 90% of them are privately owned. The Loans, Grants and Aids given usually involve the media which  make it known globally. The huge amount of money that the Chinese take back home through their business in Africa is never known. The truth of the matter is , Africa makes China the Superpower through our votes at the United Nations General Assembly, we give influence to her and in return, she gives us loans and grants with other infrastructural investments to create the impression that she is paying us for our allegiance. Childishly, we open doors for their businesses and allow them to exploit our resources anyhow like we see in The Gambia. This must be critically looked into.

China is after nothing but her interest in Africa and to better prove this, just ask your Government to vote against China in any resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly. Starting that year, China will invest little or nothing in your country's  development projects. Even if She does, it would solely be after her Interest.

China's agenda in Africa is a replica of the 15th Century Colonial Project- exploitative and interest based. It has been said that  If an African country recognizes Taiwan as a country at the United Nations, She receives fewer infrastructural projects. Conversely, a country receives more projects from China when she fails to recognize Taiwan as a country at the United Nations General Assembly. What should this be called?

According to Dr. Israel Noyerem Davidson, "Africa is 10 times bigger than China. It has a total area space larger than all of Europe, China, and the United States combined. It is three times the area of Europe, three times the area of China and three times the area of the United States of America. Meaning, you can transplant China, Europe, the United States and several other countries and they would fit neatly." Why then should Africa be faced with severe  exploitation by so-called world powers which are so minute in the eye of Africa?

WHAT SHOULD AFRICAN COUNTRIES DO 

The first thing that African countries must do through their respective leaders is to be mindful of  Chinese loans. Please loans are payable. If there is anything that will put the entire African continent in the selfish hand of China in the near future, I will argue vehemently that loans will be the cause. African Leaders are risking our continent on daily basis by eyeing for Chinese Loans. Sadly, this loans are spent on projects which are either not revenue-generating-focused or not sustainable at all. African Leaders are busy taking loans to outwardly impress their citizens with fake-sculptured development projects. Leaders must know that they will stay and passed on but the loans taken stays and are expected to be paid. Do you ever think of What will happen if an African country is financially incapacitated at a time when a particular loan is to be paid? Where can you stand? Do not use Chinese loans as tactic to win elections.

Africa has proven to be one of the biggest market for Chinese companies and factories. From technology-based products like mobile phones , foods etc. Africa is politically and economically aligned to China. it is reported that in 2016, United States had traded about $48,000,000,000 net worth of goods with Africa. China alone traded about $128, 000,000,000 worth of goods the same year. This has proven than China is Africa's biggest trading partner. What African leaders must do is to take charge of the market and ensure that our cooperation with China is not at our detriment. Legal means must be encouraged and explored by all means necessary. This cannot be done without patriotism. Our leaders must now know that it is time to be true and not to be corrupt. 

"Africa needs to control its resources, no doubt. For productive, patriotic and effective leadership, we need our best and ablest citizens with fortified character in local states and federal governments. This must be given utmost consideration in upcoming elections"- Dr. Israel Noyerem .

Together, we can take ownership of our Africa.