As is usual, the sub Saharan states of Africa are debating what having a
black American as US president has meant .... and the conclusion seems to
be .. not a lot. They seem to have been expecting either a lot of US
attention in the form of money or possibly in political settlements .... in
fact they got much the same as under a white US president. Total
Indifference.
The question as to whether China is a better bedfellow and aid model to the Africans, is the one currently being asked ..... I would argue yes.
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| Obama Not A Saviour For Africa |
The question as to whether China is a better bedfellow and aid model to the Africans, is the one currently being asked ..... I would argue yes.
The western model of cash, for lecturing and
hectoring, has only resulted in a swathe of NGO's, promoting the unsustainable birth rates
via food and medicines, while doing nothing to provide jobs, or a
sustainable economic model. We haven't even been able to promote good
governance, because we actually have covered up the thefts by the 'big man'
and his cronies, by providing those services that the state should
provide, for free.
I believe that in fact the West needs to adopt a far more pragmatic approach to Africa.
No more 'free aid' anymore. Infrastructure projects should be undertaken in return for resources, and all managed via western managers. In other words the 'Chinese' aid model, which may be tough, but it puts money into the bottom end of African society via jobs, and produces buildings and roads the people can use.
The Western Aid model has only produced rampant corruption and the 'African Big Man'.
I believe that in fact the West needs to adopt a far more pragmatic approach to Africa.
No more 'free aid' anymore. Infrastructure projects should be undertaken in return for resources, and all managed via western managers. In other words the 'Chinese' aid model, which may be tough, but it puts money into the bottom end of African society via jobs, and produces buildings and roads the people can use.
The Western Aid model has only produced rampant corruption and the 'African Big Man'.
Well according to yor recent post Chinese money was not a better aid model than the Western one, unless you could keep up the repayments. I guess time makes fools of us all eh?
ReplyDeleteHindsight can make fools of us all. Yep I was wrong. Thanks for the comment.
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