President
Obama in Ghana in 2009: Are visits to Africa by
U.S.
chief executives all about 'robbing' the continent of
its mineral wealth?
Why Visit by 'Big Brother Obama' Should Worry Tanzania (The
Citizen, Tanzania)
"I regard Obama's visit as only the newest approach to robbing
us of our much-needed natural resources. ... Kenyans need not envy our three
countries. In fact, they should pray for Tanzania and the others that have been
so 'blessed' as to have Big Brother call on them. ... Tanzanians should be
worried - very worried. There is a high probability that their wealth is about
to be up for grabs."
Then-Senator Barack Obama at Kenya's Masai Mara game reserve in 2006. His decision not to visit the country during his presidency is a particularly pointed message to that nation's political leadership.
Some
Kenyans are perturbed, even angry, that U.S. President Barack Obama is skipping
their country on his longest tour yet of the African continent. The disappointment
springs from the fact that Kenya, being the homeland of his father, might have
been expected to be a priority in Mr. Obama's itinerary.
On
his first prolonged tour of Africa, Mr. Obama is scheduled to spend eight days
in three countries. The visit will take him to Senegal, Tanzania and South
Africa. According to the U.S. State Department, the tour is meant to reinforce
the importance that the United States places on its “deep and growing” ties
with countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These interests include expanding
economic growth, investment and trade; strengthening democratic institutions;
and investing in the next generation of African leaders.
Mr.
Obama is scheduled to meet a wide array of leaders from government, business
and civil society, including young people, to discuss our strategic
partnerships on bilateral and global issues. Predictably, there will be
handouts and most likely "investment deals" that, we will be told,
are designed to hasten Tanzania's economic transformation.
If
I were Kenyan, I would worry about why Mr. Obama excluded my country. But as a
Tanzanian, I worry even more that he has singled out next-door Tanzania for attention. I say that because I regard
Obama's visit as only the newest approach to robbing us of our much-needed
natural resources. We are all aware of the “improving economic ties” farce that
is invariably attached to such visits, when Big Brother’s true aim is to sniff
out how to strategically place itself in a position to enjoy the untapped
wealth of Africa.
After
the much-touted visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping,
I very much expected Mr. Obama to take “revenge” with his tour. We were told
that Mr. Xi’s entourage signed 17 trade deals. These agreements were supposed
to be public, but so far, the authorities have treated them as confidential.
Months
later, promises to disclose the contents of these contracts remain just that - and
probably only a handful of Tanzanians know what their country has agreed to
give China, and what China granted Tanzania.
Most
of the time, this is what happens when African countries enter into agreements
with superpowers. But, thanks to investigative reporting, we now know that all
of the secrecy is intended to keep the public at bay, because most of such contracts
are decidedly in favor of the great powers.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
We
also know that what Big Brother nations are so keen on: Africa’s natural
wealth. There is no better way of accessing it than to form superficial
friendships. Within the prevailing economic context, relations between poor
African states and wealthy Western ones are simply a platform for setting off a
modern scramble for African wealth.
It's
unfortunate that business models like the African
Growth and Opportunity Act have failed to work for Africa. But unfortunate
might not be the right word. The possibility is real that such arrangements are
designed to fail.
If
such arrangements fail to provide chances for both sides to benefit equally, there
is no way Africa can boast of its relations with wealthy nations. As things
stand now, Africa’s relations with wealthy states are designed as if they are
doing is a favor. Given its deposits of natural wealth, however, in any
business or economic deal, Africa should be treated more than equally.
By
and large, this is what Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania will “reap” from Obama's
much-publicized tour. Under such circumstances, Kenyans need not envy our three
countries. In fact, they should pray for Tanzania and the others that have been
so “blessed” as to have Big Brother call on them.
Tanzanians
should be worried - very worried. There is a high probability that their wealth
is about to be up for grabs.
