On an unrelated note, if any global power is culturally unsuited for engagement with Africa, then it must be the US.Originally Posted by Stan
I would be careful using Wikileaks as a source of Western intelligence and their thoughts.
The quoted concerns and documents are but a bunch of junior staff with ridiculous and profound thoughts from their desktops. Those that fear to even breach the city walls into what is really the city where all walks of life live day to day.
We were also cautioned on a potential rise in Chinese influence in Zaire. What we determined was they were taking over defunct construction contracts that most Westerners abandoned long ago.
Yes, they are after natural resources. But to take over the continent for security or intelligence
Hanging onto 8% of the US debt, China is not a big deal. Imagine the pressure if we say "the hell with you" and stop paying
It takes two to tango !
I look at the hundred odd years of relationship between the British and the ruling class in Nigeria's North - deep, solid, personal relationships. US has nothing near to that and if the US were to try to cultivate those relationships in this day and age, it would be accused of favoring one part of Nigeria over the other.
If you look at cultural similarities, Chinese have a lot in common with Africans - extended families, respect for elders, respect for culture & a sense of "morality" that tolerates bribery. Americans on the other hand, are often seen as "rigid" & possibly "moralistic" (both the French & British had to compromise a lot during colonial rule - they might not tell Americans that).
In Nigeria, the Chinese are already speaking Hausa, Berom & other native languages. They have an instinctive understanding of the land - many Americans will struggle to grasp that; the cultural gulf is far too wide.
Smarter people than myself have pointed out how complex West Africa & Africa are. Neat nation states don't exist & terrorism isn't a problem, but merely the symptom of a problem - i.e. the Tuareg rebellion long precedes the 2012/13 assault on Mali by Al Qaeda.
Does the US have the right mind set to navigate through these cultural landmines? I doubt it. Americans lack the patience to deal with deep rooted historical issues, we've seen it time and time again: Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq - I don't think Africa will be any different.
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