adminFor so many years, however, we have heard of the potential of the motherland without going further to set the terms of how that potential can be unlocked and in partnership with whom, if need be. It is an inescapable fact that the world revolves around relationships, be they political, economic or cultural, hence the need to engage other partners in tapping into our potential, borrowing certain technologies from elsewhere to uplift our standards of living.
China is one growing economy and Africa-friendly nation that continues to grow its relationship with Africa and has always pledged to support the African continent, treating its nations as partners, as opposed to the bullying by the Western nations that place conditions in their relations.
China has demonstrated its commitment to the African cause by funding African Union projects and partnering various countries without attaching any political strings to its assistance.
In a solidarity speech at the ongoing 18th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Jia Qinglin, said China supported African countries in their efforts to uphold their sovereignty and independence.
“We have always treated African countries on an equal footing and pursued mutually beneficial and win-win co-operation with them. We have always regarded assistance and support between China and Africa as mutual and have never attached political strings to our assistance,” said Mr Qinglin.
We believe the stance by China should be applauded and that African leaders should strengthen relations with the Chinese in order to turn the latent potential that the continent boasts of into an improved standard of living for their people.
We also believe the West can learn from the Chinese’s policy of non-interference and not bully Africa and the rest of the Third World into pursuing policies foisted upon them to make them poorer so that they continue to rely on the same Western nations for aid.
It is important for African countries to close ranks under the banner of the African Union so that our resources are not looted by outsiders that turn us against one another.
As outgoing AU chairman Teodoro Obiang Nguema pointed out, the continent was being manipulated by outside powers leading to instability. It is the potential and the bountiful resources that attract these outsiders to the continent and the earlier we realise how rich
we are the better for the coming generations. We say this because there are still countries that fear to take control of their resources and yet claim to be independent, leaders controlled from Western capitals yet claiming to be African and also resources being siphoned out of the continent to enrich the West when our own people are wallowing in poverty.
These are the challenges that our leaders should tackle at the AU to ensure that their unity of purpose safeguards our resources in order to guarantee a future for the next generation. As the incoming AU chairman, Mr Boni Yayi, pointed out, “Africa is the continent of the future,” though we determine today what our future shall be like hence our call for genuine, fair partnerships that will translate our often talked about potential into better standards of living through fuller participation in economic exploitation of our natural resources.
This, we know, is not sweet music to the Western ear but we need to play it over and over until our win-win partnership chorus soaks into their ears and they dance to our rhythm. He who has the resources must naturally call the tune.
Online Reporter