We don't hear a lot of geopolitical news involving Africa. Well, this may change soon. American interests in this continent could get another boost as Washington has hosted a three day US-Africa summit. US President Barack Obama has indicated that Washington may be looking to Africa to become the region's major investor and tutor following the summit. Essentially, Obama’s initiative is seen as an attempt to outsmart China which has secured leading position on the continent with its multi-million investments.
Does the US have the necessary resources to contest China – the biggest international investor in Africa? Or – has it come up with a new strategy particularly attractive for the developing continent? We have discussed this and other questions with renowned experts on Burning Point. We also have a Red Line program dedicated to the issue.
Here is our listeners' and readers' feedback:
Aleksandar Adzic believes: “They have nothing to offer apart from new military outposts. Africa is clearly looking to China and other BRICS for future development. Summits like this are pure PR exercise and nothing more. Good photo opportunities.”
Konstantinos Pang shared his opinion: “The US administration is way ahead of Russia on Africa! They are already "educating" the sons and daughters of African dictators, in Harvard, all ready for tomorrow's joint exploitation of the poor native Africans. In Africa, you can control regional villages by placing 5 gunmen on the local water well.”
Scott Smith has a different opinion: “The Fact is that Africans love and look towards and hope to achieve the American way of life. You can tell by the clothes, lifestyles, growth, and music most Africans seek to purchase. The US has a large African American population. China's involvement in Africa is a little scary. They are buying up land to that has no name on it because it's always been a communal share with the people of a village, and been that way always. And due to the lack of structure, or paper work claiming ownership, China's food corporations are snatching them up from villages for the sole purpose to farm and then export food from Africa to China to feed their people. In the future the people of China won't have enough food to feed themselves. Already the US 1/5 of exports to China is agriculture. So Chinese are already looking into the African land. American way of life, Chinese owned, much like how the US is today, is the future of Africa. And fact is the US has a lot of offer.”
What's your take on the situation? Send us an e-mail! As always, we are eager to hear and share your feedback. Visit en.ria.ru/radio.
