AFRICOM

An article by BBC reporter Daniel Gordon caught my interest today. American Imperialism or the pseudo-recolonization of Africa? I'm not convinced I just used that phrase correctly, but since I made it up, no worries. I digress.

Lol. Hmmn, let's see:

US Africa Command - a unit designed to run all of America's military operations in Africa - opened for business this month.

Africom takes over the work currently done by three different command centres, all of them based outside Africa. While it is stationed in Germany for now, there has been a hostile reaction from many African countries to the idea of such a major US military installation moving onto African soil.

And then.....:

The Bush administration insists there's nothing sinister about the Africom initiative.

According to US Under-Secretary of Defence Ryan Henry, it amounts merely to the redeployment of a few hundred personnel.

"All we're doing is realigning that to put it under a single commander, so that we have somebody who is making an attempt to work with Africans on a day-in and day-out basis, rather than three different commanders who have their priorities in other places."

Patronizing? Dunno yet. Already the little African in me is squirming uncomfortably at this. I feel as though I am meant ot be in a cage, swinging from branches just now, but let's don't be hasty, it's still early days yeah?

Let's go on.....:

But not everyone is convinced.

Salim Lone, a columnist for a daily newspaper in Kenya, believes the creation of Africom is a milestone in US foreign policy - and that the fact Mr Bush is advertising it as a kind of panacea for Africa proves that the only future engagement the US plans for Africa is a military one.

"It will militarize society," he says.

"The military now is going to be working with civil society, to promote health and education.

"Africa is going to look at all its development efforts through the lens of the Pentagon. That's a truly dangerous dimension. We don't need militarization of Africa, we don't need securitization of aid and development in Africa."

Well what exactly do we need then? I'm a little bit on the fence on this point but I haven't done intensive research so I must limit my comments for now I suppose.

Ok, last bit....:

Meanwhile, Helmut Heitman says the US is not the only foreign power trying to secure its grip on the region; the difference is others are more covert in the way they're going about it.

"I think China, India and to a lesser extent Brazil will try to expand their interests in Africa," he says.

"But they won't do things as obviously. I think they will only be indirectly involved militarily, by supporting their favoured government, opposition group or warlord."

Hmmn. That is true, especially in Zim right now. Asian Invasion anyone? I'm not degrading and deriding, just stating fact with a somewhat crass cliche.

I was riveted by the creation of Africom, which I had not heard of up until today. Sad, I know but I've been busy lately.

AFRICOM. That sounds like a corporation. It sounds sinister. I am wary of this.

Am I too defensive? Could this truly be aid and not imperialism encroaching on African soil once again?

Why are Africans so stupid I wonder? Why do we watch this all happening and then gape in horror when the few of us with balls (I know, "language Miss Nhema!") become dictatorial and screw us over? We are getting screwed from both ends.

Foolish, foolish Africans.