It’s all fun and games until you realized that we just might be colonized again and this time, by the Chinese. Whether we want to agree or not, the truth is that Kenya as a country and Africa as a continent is heavily dependent on the Chinese.
Kenyans have in the past lamented just how much this powerful nation has taken over the country, not just because of the huge debt we owe them but because of how they have dominated the job market in the country, especially in technology and infrastructure.
It now looks like not only Kenyans are bothered by the Chinese domination in Africa, the United States is too.
National Security Adviser John Bolton has heavily criticized the manner in which China is expanding itself in the African region. According to Bolton, America’s vision for Africa is one of independence, self-reliance and growth not dependency, domination and debt as is the case with China.
John Bolton was speaking when he unveiled President Donald Trump’s Africa strategy, outlining a plan that he said focuses heavily on countering China and Russia’s expanding influence across Africa.
“This strategy is the result of an intensive inter-agency process, and reflects the core tenets of President Trump’s foreign policy doctrine. Importantly, the strategy remains true to his central campaign promise to put the interests of the American people first, both at home and abroad,” Bolton told the audience at the Heritage Foundation on Thursday.
“Under our new approach, every decision we make, every policy we pursue, and every dollar of aid we spend will further US priorities in the region,” he added.
Bolton further said that great power competitors, namely China and Russia were rapidly expanding their financial and political influence across Africa by deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage over the United States.
The US Security Advisor said that they want the nations of the Africa to take ownership over peace and security in their own neighbourhood. Trump’s administration’s economic push in Africa is also intended to challenge inroads that have allowed China and Russian to exert a growing amount of influence on the continent.
There have been many episodes involving discriminatory behaviour by the region’s growing Chinese work force which have unsettled many Kenyans, particularly at a time when the Kenyan government seeks closer ties with China.
Bolton said that the predatory practices pursued by China and Russia stunt economic growth in Africa, threaten the financial independence of African nations, inhibit opportunities for US investment, interfere with US military operations and pose a significant threat to US national security interests.
This China, Russia vs. US war is clearly a remake of the scramble and partition for Africa as they all want to gain something from the continent.
Do you think Africa has the potential to develop herself without external influence/aid?