Madam, - John O'Shea (August 30th) argues that China's courting of corrupt African leaders in order to sustain its seemingly insatiable demand for raw materials has enabled these same African countries to "snub" the West.
The implication here, as I understand it, is that if these same corrupt leaders were to seek closer economic and political ties with the West they would somehow become less corrupt and instigate a swathe of democratic reforms that would benefit the ordinary people of Africa.
Since the earliest days of the slave trade the West has exploited Africa's ethnic diversity for political and economic gain, consciously applying a policy of divide and rule, fostering relations with élites from certain tribal groups to the detriment of others. The examples are numerous and include the British in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana and the Belgians in Rwanda and the Congo. America's policy in the Congo, Rwanda and Darfur has always been guided by self-interest. Why have their soundbites about "genocide" never been backed up by political action?
Ireland too has, unwittingly or not, supported the West's economic expansion in Africa. Irish UN peacekeepers were deployed in the Congo in 1961 to stabilise the "crisis". The West has systematically engendered relations with corrupt élites for centuries to further its own insatiable desire for slaves, gold, diamonds, precious metals, timber, oil, coffee, foodstuffs, etc. China's courting of corrupt African leaders since the 1960s is a continuation of this policy.
The West's aid to Africa, whether "tied" to accountability or conditions, as John O'Shea would advocate, military spending or inequitable trade agreements, has not improved the lot of the vast majority of ordinary Africans. Indeed, the aid "industry" has arguably helped some of the continent's corrupt rulers to tighten their political control and curtail sustainable, local development. If the African people are to throw away their shackles and end exploitation by the ruling élites, China and the West, radical change will have to occur from below. - Yours, etc,
PAUL STEWART,
The Liberties,
Dublin 8.