China or The West, Africa must stand for its interests

Editor, Refer to Lonzen Rugira’s article, “Africa must refrain from being patronised” (The New Times, May 12). I would have headlined this “Africa must refuse Western patronisation” as “refrain” implies that Africans are the ones who induce self-interested and self-appointed Westerners to patronise us — which is obviously false. The analysis needn’t also be as long as it is because the real concerns of the West regarding the growing Chinese trade links with Africa can be summarised in one single word: Competition. The attitude is of a predator not wanting a fellow predator on its hunting territory. That is all. Not for concern for the prey, of course, but out of pure self-interest to not share the prey with an additional predator. Hitherto, Africa has been a preserve of the West which has had a monopoly exploiting our abundant natural resources and dumping their products in our countries—made mostly with our natural resources which have helped grow and sustain their industries and employment—on our markets. They have also done all they could to ensure competing industries did not develop in our countries where the raw materials originate and where it would make sense to add value before the products made from our natural resources are exported around the world. The West has not done a great job helping our continent develop. They have no leg to stand on criticising China and the African countries with which it is expanding economic ties. Mwene Kalinda, Rwanda ************************************ I thank Mr. Rugira for a wonderful conclusion: “In essence, a new global environment is emerging where Africa and Africans are set to gain much if they play their cards right and refuse to be patronised by anyone”. I believe that China comes to Africa at the right moment. Those who are making too much noise about the Chinese contribution to Africa’s development are those in the Western hemisphere, who don’t want other people to become economically and politically independent. Unfortunately, nobody on this planet earth can stop history. On the other side, because of ignorance, some African leaders and scholars still don’t understand that China’s presence has changed the Western foreign policy toward Africa. Eddy Chico, Baltimore, United States ************************************ This is a wonderful piece that needs to be shared on many social-platforms, particularly those run by the so-called super powers. Rwandans are blessed with the leadership that foresees what is best for its people and thus choose the right partners at the right time and don’t shy away from delinking itself from exploiters and dictators. Long live Rwanda, long live President Kagame. Robert Ssali, Rwanda ************************************ The difference between the powers (China and the West) if I may say, is that the West gives pre-conditioned aid and grants while China does not. It seems to me that China has got a long term strategy for the market of her industrial products, while the West has lived in and still has the colonial mentality of giving aid but wrapping it in highly conditional package. Competition has always been a blessing to the beneficiaries. But let’s watch out, we were never meant to be dumping grounds for Europe nor Asia. Let’s look ahead at developing local industries. We can do better than importing match boxes and tooth picks from China. James Munanura, Rwanda

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China or The West, Africa must stand for its interests