After African presidents met with president Barack Obama to discuss economic cooperation, what must Africans expect from this just concluded summit? Should they wait to hear a lot of noises about this “milestone?” If anything, the just ended US-Africa summit epitomized the big man syndrome that’s been going on since independence. US didn't want to miss the opportunity especially after China proved to be a stone in a shoe for it.
Looking at how the big man of the fashion in which the summit was conducted, one’d doubt if African is to benefit. The time spent was not enough to exhaust all important issues such as parity in business, terrorism and the way America deals with it especially in Africa by issuing travel advisories and the whole issue of democracy and accountability for government officials.
Was the summit about African or her resources? It depends on how you look at it. How it was about Africa if at all the champion and teacher of democracy was able to invite stinking dictators such as Theodoro Nguema Obiang? When asked why the US invited Equatorial Guinea’s dictator, Obiang, one of its officers told Al Jazeera that if they didn't Chinese would have invited him. Thus, America would have lost business opportunities Obiang has to offer.
Ironically, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe America likes to refer to as a dictator, wasn't invited as if Chinese can’t invite and dine and wine him. Does it mean that Zimbabwe doesn't have business opportunities? Why’s democracy important for Zimbabwe but not for Equatorial Guinea? How can economy grow in Africa without political accountability as it is in the US? Why didn't US ensconce democracy in its deals? It knows. If it does, it won’t be able to plunder as pleased given that the people will have a big say in their economies. This is way it makes sense to do business with dictators like Obiang. Were the reason business opportunities or the opportunity to easily entice and fool African leaders to offer good deals at the peril of his people as it is currently in many African countries?
Once again, by inviting Obiang and boycotting Mugabe, the US has shown its true double faces. Those who can’t toe the line aren't wanted just like Mugabe. Human rights activists were infuriated. Lisa Misol, senior business and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch was quoted as saying, “President Obiang is trying to shed his image as the head of a corrupt and abusive government.” Again, do Human Rights matters before America’s interests? Ask DRC under its former plunderer Joseph Desire Mobutu who was always a welcome guest at the White House.
The major question we need to ask is will Africa benefit from this summit? The answer is likely to be in the negative given that Africa didn't benefit from Agoa a few years ago. Will America’s investment consider vital areas such as infrastructure, human development and parity in business? Bob Collymore, chief executive officer of Safaricom Ltd., East Africa’s largest mobile-phone operator has the right answer as he was quoted as saying in one interview in Washington , “Does America want to invest in infrastructure in roads? Probably not.” If anything, here is where China scores greatly despite its weakness. Many Chinese companies are busy building roads and dams while American companies want to offer services such as mobile phones, estate agency and whatnot. If china underscores this, chances are that it will keep on beating America in the game.
Will African benefit really? Many are worried given that when African leaders went to the just concluded Summit, they seem not to be prepared. One would hope that the whole issue of equality in business would have been addressed. One’d hope that America’s business protectionism would be addressed. Again, nope, many were chest beating as one Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania’s president said, “These resources give a chance for our country to bid farewell to poverty…I want my successor to lead a different country.” Is this realistic or just sweet words aimed at self-pleasing and killing time? Looking at what has been going on in Tanzania; one wonders if Kikwete was really serious.
Looking at how Africa’s been losing big, one may ask: Were African leaders prepared and were they offered the opportunity to negotiate deals or just to show off in Washington, New York and elsewhere? African needs good results but not photo ops and many bold but empty words like those quoted above regarding presiding over a poor country but rich in resources.
Source: The African Executive Magazine Aug., 20, 2014.