Tahir Mahmoud
Leading up to the conference, the US embassy in Gaborone and the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) issued a joint press release claiming that US and African defence chiefs will “exchange knowledge, encourage partnerships, and foster collaboration toward addressing shared security and stability challenges.” This was the first time that AFRICOM conference was held in an African country.
Expressions like “shared security” and “stability challenges” are code words. Shared security in reality means a free hand for the US military to target people in critically resource-rich regions under the pretext of fighting terrorism. To understand this, one only has to look at Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen where US forces have directly or indirectly slaughtered millions of people in the last 20 years.
The other reason for US intrusion is to undermine Russian and Chinese engagement with African countries. Both have made important contributions to Africa’s development by providing genuine security and support for projects that benefit recipient countries.
This is a far cry from what the European colonialists have done for centuries and still continuing. They have plundered its resources and ravaged Africa. The French went into the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali and Niger ostensibly to fight terrorism.
After 10 years, terrorism increased in these countries while the French were busy plundering their resources. The French were booted out of all three. On June 24, Niger announced it had taken public control of one of the largest uranium mines in the world from the French company Orano.
Now the US wants to take over “security” responsibilities that will have even more devastating consequences for the people of Africa. Like France before it, the US has been booted out of some countries in Africa where it sent its so-called peacekeeping forces.
US AFRICOM forces were operating in Niger stationed at Base 101 and Base 201 and also used the Chadian air base in N’Djamena. Chad’s Military Council headed by General Mahamat Idriss Deby ordered them out last April. Niger has also given the US the boot.
Africom forces will be out of Niger by September 15. The US is seeking new bases in Libya, Benin and Ghana. The US-led Nato forces had attacked Libya in 2011 devastating its economy, stealing its gold and controlling its oil before unleashing terrorists that continue to threaten West Asia and many parts of Africa to this day.
To understand how the US is playing a cynical game, consider this: The head of AFRICOM, General Michael Langley is black. So is the Pentagon chief, General Lloyd Austin. Are these appointments coincidental? It would be naïve to not see the connection between the appointment of black men to top military posts and America’s scramble for bases and resources in Africa. Barack Obama’s selection as US president was part of the same project to facilitate American penetration of Africa.
The AFRICOM-supervised defence chiefs’ conference in Gaborone raises the question, why Botswana? The landlocked country has a population of merely 2.4 million compared to US’s 335 million. Botswana (GDP $22 billion) is the largest producer of diamonds by value globally but it owns only 15% shares in the De Beers-owned diamond production which controls 85% of shares.
De Beers in turn is controlled by Anglo-American and had obtained its stake from the Oppenheimer family. In 1917, Ernest Oppenheimer, a Jewish émigré from Germany, established Anglo-American in Johannesburg. Funding came from J P Morgan.
It would be reasonable to assume that with vast mineral resources, African countries would have a relatively high standard of living. Perish the thought.
Instead, poverty stalks the continent, leading to discontent among disenfranchised people. Seeing little or no hope of improvement in their lives, they resort to armed struggle. Not all groups are genuine. Some are gangs of thugs, aided and abetted by the French and the Americans.
Until the war on Gaza intensified last October, western regimes and media outlets constantly harped on the threat from ISIS. Since then, it has fallen off the radar screen. Has ISIS members suddenly turned into peaceniks? Presumably, they are now singing, “All we are saying is give peace a chance.” John Lennon would probably join them from his grave.
With their American enablers, financiers and suppliers focused on the war on Gaza, ISIS is put on hold, at least in West Asia. In Africa, the group continues to be utilized for US imperialist designs and the scramble for the continent’s resources. Langley told the right-wing Fox News that “Islamic Jihadist terrorists” have grown 10 times in Africa since 2008.
If Langley’s figures are correct, then the terrorists have grown in size under the watchful eye of the French and American forces. So, what have they been doing in Africa during all this time? The Jihadist bogey is invoked to prepare the ground for increased American military presence in Africa.
Putting a positive spin on the purpose of the Botswana conference, AFRICOM spokesman Lt. Commander Bobby Dixon said, “From counterterrorism efforts to cyber threats and peacekeeping missions, this conference will cover it all. Experts and military leaders will share insights, strategies, and forge partnerships that will strengthen the collective defense capabilities for all of Africa. This is more than just a conference — it’s a significant step towards a unified approach in safeguarding the African continent.”
Since when has the US become concerned about the well-being of other people, especially Africans? The US’s heightened interest in Africa is a resource grab venture and to undermine Russian, Chinese and Iranian engagement with the continent.
There is another reason as well. The African continent is poised for impressive economic growth in the next two decades (see also here). The US wants to exploit this progress to its own advantage. While all countries take advantage of such opportunities, America’s policies are geared toward denying others any benefits.
For instance, the US is courting India in order to undermine China’s rise as an economic power. Sorry, too late! It is barging into Africa to keep Russia, China and Iran out.
“It is evident that Africa faces a series of challenges,” said Jakkie Cilliers, a political scientist at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria.
“It is not always clear that the model that the US presents is appropriate for Africa. In recent years, we have seen a variety of coups in Africa, sometimes executed by African forces that have been trained in the US, the UK and France. And it is also evident that a number of UN peacekeeping missions, such as that in the D. R. Congo and Mali, are withdrawing from Africa.
“On the other hand, the role of Russia and the so-called Africa Corps [linked with Russia] is expanding. So, it’s clear that Africa is facing a security challenge, and partners can and should do as much as possible to help.”
The US is not in Africa to help, it is there to plunder. French forces were operating in the Central African Republic (CAR) for decades, ostensibly to fight terrorist groups. Instead, the terrorists expanded their reach into the capital Bangui. Universities were shut down. When the CAR threw the French out and Russia’s Africa Corps came in, they cleared Bangui and the universities have reopened.
African leaders should be wary of Uncle Sam’s charm offensive. He is a devil. As the saying goes, when you sup with the devil, use a long spoon, a very, very long spoon!
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