Geopolitical stakes in Africa: resources, financial interests and the struggle for economic autonomy

We wonder about the origins of Africa’s troubles, wars and difficulties. There’s an important element to take into account, a story that needs special attention. Note that the areas of turmoil, war, guerrilla warfare and rebellion in Africa are generally those where resources are to be found. In other words, regions where the West has financial interests. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a case in point, with the cobalt, lithium, gold, diamonds and coltan needed for electronics and the manufacture of phones like the iPhone we use today. The West therefore maintains a certain form of difficulty in these regions to preserve its financial interests.

Political decisions are often not taken by the countries themselves, but rather by the companies that finance the politicians. In the USA, for example, these companies can finance members of the government to become governors or hold important political positions. After supporting these people, companies can influence political decisions in their favor. For example, a company that sells arms can push the government to buy its weapons.

That’s why private companies play such an essential role in conflicts. They sell their weapons to other countries, creating situations of war and chaos to exploit resources more easily. There are even private companies with their own militias guarding gold mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo without the government’s knowledge.

Debt in Africa: a challenge to economic sovereignty

Debt is another important aspect. Africa is indebted to international lenders, but it’s hard to see how this money is contributing to the continent’s real development. African countries need to understand that nobody really wants Africa to develop. Political families, the IMF and the World Bank are not the actors who have developed countries. In fact, no country has been developed thanks to money from these institutions.

African debt has its origins in colonialism. It was the former colonial powers that put Africa in debt with the lenders. Current debt is controlled and dominated by imperialism, creating standards that do not correspond to African reality. African leaders are faced with complex financial arrangements and decades of debt, depriving countries of their economic sovereignty.

In a video, Thomas Sankara, former president of Burkina Faso, called on the people to rebel against the West and not pay the debt. If people refuse to pay the family debt, there will be no consequences. Unfortunately, many were cowardly and did not oppose Western domination. Many have even criticized him for using sharp judgments and sometimes going too far. Nevertheless, this leader shares the same ideologies as John Pombe Magufuli, former president of Tanzania, who refused to borrow money from foreigners and used taxpayers’ money, i.e. the population’s money, to rebuild his country.

A Lire: International cooperation: Zimbabwe strengthens its partnership with Russia

A call for unity and the fight against corruption

These examples call on African leaders to use the resources of their own countries instead of begging for money from abroad. Africa is rich in natural resources, but foreign nations don’t want to develop it. We need to emphasize unity in Africa and the common struggle to move forward and progress. No one should give up fighting for personal gain. People need to help each other, because nobody can save Africa except Africans themselves. There are many examples of honest presidents who have refused Western money and criticized the frenetic capitalism that really only benefits an elite. Gaddafi is a perfect model of menthorship by virtue of the positive actions he has undertaken for his people, despite being both criticized and accused of being a dictator.

Ultimately, it is essential that African countries stand up and join forces to combat this situation. Every population must fight for justice and against corruption. It’s important to understand that the aim is not to reject the West and turn to other powers, but rather to rise and progress as a unified continent.

Totally inspired by Zack Mwekassa’s video