West orchestrating coups in Africa to stop China’s advances on the Continent

Ensuring Socio-economic Justice

Dr Mustafa Bothwell Mheta

Rajab 05, 1443 2022-02-06

Daily News Analysis

by Dr Mustafa Bothwell Mheta

The current wave of military takeovers on the African continent is a western imperialist attempt to try and stop China’s march in the region.

The fact that nearly all of the so-called coup leaders are western-trained, raises many questions.

Why at this time when there is heightened tension in the world, especially between China and the US?

The US is whipping tension in the South China Sea and Washington is also trying to mobilize countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to join it in provoking the Chinese.

To determine who the aggressor is, one only has to look at the contested territories; most of them belong to China, not the US.

Would the US accept if China were to lay claim to Hawaii?

The imperialist western regimes have devised this grand plan to use their contacts among military men in Africa to try and roll back China’s advance.

It is payback time from these western-trained military officers who are now being asked to stage coups as part of the west’s grand plan.

It envisages a divided Africa, one which is either under western or Sino-Russia influence.

Though they do not accept the rise of China as a superpower, they are aware that it is now inevitable.

They western imperialists have a backup plan similar to the one that prevails between North and South Korea, and the now failed North and South Yemen, and the division of Vietnam.

They don’t want to completely lose the cake but would rather keep the other half.

If Africa is not careful, this is what the continent would end up looking like in a few years’ time.

The problem is that hitherto, the imperial west has looked upon Africa as its backyard that oils western economies.

Western regimes are not prepared to accept any other power emerging to compete with them.

If there is anything that gives sleepless nights to the US empire, it is the rise of China economically, politically, and militarily.

China’s rise challenges the once-mighty empire and it is willing to employ any trick to stop such an outcome.

If the African leadership remains asleep, this could become a reality.

There is need for African leadership that is conscientious and non-aligned to be able to see through the machinations of the superpowers.

In a few years’ time, Africa could become the battleground for superpowers.

Given that Africa is the main provider of raw materials for almost everything that fuels industries in the west and China, the battle could be fought on the continent.

With the kind of leadership at the African Union (AU) and lack of unity that is bedevils the continent, Africa stands to lose much.

The west will continue to prop up dictators and military strongmen in Africa in order to continue exploiting its resources.

Much bloodshed could be spilled across the continent as the

military men in West Africa do the bidding of the imperial west.

The military dictators’ promises to revert back to democracy ring hollow.

They should not underestimate the intelligence of the people. When pushed to the wall, the people will turn against them and drive them out of power.

In the wake of the imperial west’s machinations, Africa needs to go back to the spirit of ‘neither east, nor west’, and embrace non-alignment as it was during the cold war era.

Africa should start to look out for itself, its people, and its interests while being friends with anyone who wants to be their friend.

The AU should be on alert and keep an eye on its members lest they are recruited by the enemies of the African people.

Dr. Mustafa Mheta, Senior researcher/Head of Africa Desk, Media Review Network, South Africa and, Dean: School of Languages at Somali National University (SNU), Mogadishu, Somalia