The Olympic torch in Africa

The Olympic torch was in Tanzania last week. Everything went as planned, no free Tibet demonstrations. Let’s come back on the recent links between China and Africa.

Is China, after Europe and the US, the latest country to steal the African continent? The torch and the way everything was so smooth showed how the Chinese and Tanzanian government get along. China has turned to Africa because of the huge Chinese oil demand. China is the 2nd biggest oil consumer after the US and its natural resources are very limited. Thanks to free 1st class travels for African officials, free education in China for Gabonese, Congolese and so, China has already started taking advantage of Africa. China invests in African oil companies, builds Stadium and hospitals. The last Olympic relay was held in a “made in China” stadium.

The 2nd major point is the arms sales. The main customers are Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tanzania…the Olympic stage. According to the Overseas Development Institute, China has delivered at least thirteen covert shipments of weapons labelled as agricultural equipment to Dar-Es-Salaam in the past year.

Africa, watch out, China is gonna worn you out!