Fred M’membe: a Zambian journalist gives his views on the relationship between Africa, Europe and China
Another African personality who has dared to express himself emphatically in front of everyone. Fred M’membe is a Zambian journalist who is highly respected and recognized for his good editorial work at the Zambian post. He has received numerous international awards for his reporting. In 2000, the International Press Institute named him one of the world’s heroes of press freedom. Indeed, Fred M’membe made a comment about the United States and the West in relation to their relationship with Africa and China.
Westerners fear loss of power and control
China is investing massively in Africa. Some people think this shouldn’t happen, so it’s important to keep a clear head and not idealize these people. Fred M’membe points out that the real issue is not China per se, but rather the world’s preoccupation with a multipolar environment. Europe and the West claim to defend freedom and democracy, but in reality, they are worried about the emergence of a new force, China, which could become as powerful as they are.
The division of the world facilitates its exploitation, whether at the level of tribes, countries or continents. This is how tribalism was created, by dividing to better dominate. Fred M’membe takes the question of Iraqi independence as an example. One wonders whether colonization has really come to an end, or whether it has simply changed form over time. According to him, Iraq is still a colony of the United States, as its oil money is paid to the United States.
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Fred M’membe on the reasons for the conflict between the West and China
The journalist argues that the West’s hostility to the Chinese is in fact racism. He believes that Americans can’t stand the fact that the Chinese are superior to them. In fact, some countries simply can’t accept that a “non-white” country, or one with a predominantly black population, can prosper. During the Covid 19 period, for example, the Malagasy were highly envied for having found an antidote to beat the disease.
The difficulty African presidents have in keeping the same values in power and in managing themselves
It’s also worth noting the change in attitude of African presidents once they’ve been elected. Many presidents come with progressive concepts and mindsets for the people. However, once in power, they have a script to follow, preventing them from defending the interests of the people. If you don’t, either you leave power – which happens very rarely in most cases – or you die. Leaders like Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara and John Pombe Magufuli, who dared to challenge the established system, paid a heavy price.
This journalist also criticizes the inability of African countries to protect themselves and find internal solutions to their problems. Take, for example, the situation during the covid19 pandemic, during which most African countries were waiting for drugs against the virus to come from elsewhere, despite the fact that Africa has great virology researchers. It’s sad to see that!
For the continent’s emergence, it would be wise for all nations to pool their efforts in order to alleviate any problems that may arise. Although some accuse Fred M’membe of being manipulated by Chinese propaganda, it’s essential to recognize that his words are coherent and not devoid of meaning.
Totally inspired by Zack Mwekassa’s video
