AFRICOM: Imperialism, neo-colonialism and the fight for African resources

by Kuumba Chi Nia

30 November 2007

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ran for President with the campaign slogan – "All the men have failed Liberia; let's try a woman." She is known as Africa's "Iron Woman," who reduced corruption, increased government revenue, restored relations with international lenders, and launched a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In the midst of President Johnson's fame and “first time” recognition, it must be recognized that she is no better for Liberia than the former dictator President Charles Taylor of Liberia who currently is before the International Criminal Court on 11 counts that mount to crimes against humanity and corruption. Women can rule or hold a leadership position equal to men or better, nevertheless, the struggle for us is ideological in nature and particular to the leader.

African heads of states are forging toward continental unity and in the tradition of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Sekou Ture, Tinia Sila, Tedora Gomes, Amil Cabral (Abdel Djassi) and other revolutionary Pan-Africanists. Non-alignment is essential for the independence of Africa. However, Johnson is attempting to align herself and Liberia with U.S. imperialism and ever since the 1800s and the “Back To Africa” movement the U.S. and Liberia have remained aligned in one form or the other. There is danger in this partnership. This partnership moves along the lines of slave-master relationship or exploiter and the exploited.

In his book Neo-colonialism the Last Stage of Imperialism, Nkrumah spelled out the problems with imperialist intervention through finance capital and military occupation. That is why it is a stab in the back of all Pan-Africanists and to the Pan-African movement to witness the first woman elected president in Africa – Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf – become the first African woman neo-colonialist. She follows the path of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor and former US pupper Samuel Doe. Taylor himself is on trial in The Hague for 11 counts of various indictments.

The United States established a base in Liberia during World War II, coupled with Firestone gaining land concessions to exploit the labor and raw materials that were used for U.S. military hardware and for other motor vehicle needs. Firestone remains in Liberia amidst a battle against the corporation for deplorable labor treatment especially the exploitation of children slave workers. The Sirleaf government is inept and allows it to continue. This vicious cycle of puppet prerogative, imperialist exploitation, and mass denigration must be challenged and stopped by any means necessary.

If Sirleaf loved the masses of Africa well enough, and Liberians in particular, then she would be an advocate for one military true enough, but an African High Command akin to Nkrumah's vision in the Handbook of Revolutionary Warfare. In addition she would call for strengthening the African Union and its military so that Africa can secure its own land and people.

The revolutionary leader Amil Cabral clearly pointed out the dilemma of neo-colonialists and simply put it as their lack of a revolutionary consciousness, echoing President Fidel Castro. In a speech he delivered in Cuba at the first Tricontinental Conference of the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America in 1966, Cabral spoke about theory as a weapon. He said:

''The neo-colonial situation, which demands the elimination of the native pseudo-bourgeoisie so that national liberation can be attained, also offers the petty bourgeoisie the chance of playing a role of major and even decisive importance in the struggle for the elimination of foreign domination. But in this case, by virtue of the progress made in the social structure, the function of leading the struggle is shared (to a greater or lesser extent) with the more educated sectors of the working classes and even with some elements of the national pseudo-bourgeoisie who are inspired by patriotic sentiments. The role of the sector of the petty bourgeoisie which participates in leading the struggle is all the more important since it is a fact that in the neo-colonial situation it is the most suitable sector to assume these functions, both because of the economic and cultural limitations of the working masses, and because of the complexes and limitations of an ideological nature which characterize the sector of the national pseudo-bourgeoisie which supports the struggle. In this case it is important to note that the role with which it is entrusted demands from this sector of the petty bourgeoisie a greater revolutionary consciousness, and the capacity for faithfully interpreting the aspirations of the masses in each phase of the struggle and for identifying themselves more and more with the masses.

But however high the degree of revolutionary consciousness of the sector of the petty bourgeoisie called on to fulfill this historical function, it cannot free itself from one objective of reality: the petty bourgeoisie, as a service class (that is to say that a class not directly involved in the process of production) does not possess the economic base to guarantee the taking over of power. In fact history has shown that whatever the role – sometimes important – played by individuals coming from the petty bourgeoisie in the process of a revolution, this class has never possessed political control. And it never could possess it, since political control (the state) is based on the economic capacity of the ruling class, and in the conditions of colonial and neo-colonial society this capacity is retained by two entities: imperialist capital and the native working classes.''

Cabral's words 41-years ago are compatible with neo-colonialism in the 21st century AD. Ryan Henry, principal Defense Department under secretary for policy told reporters the purpose of AFRICOM is not waging war, but "to work in concert with our African partners for a more stable environment in which political and economic growth can take place." In the same breath he skillfully bites his tongue and slightly dances around the true reason for wanting to establish a base in Africa and it is in concert with the rich deposits of oil and natural gas in Africa. Henry propagated the idea that economic development for the West African region is an aspect of the high command and that in other words means Liberia and West Africa are ripe for the pickings. Liberia represents a historical ally that the U.S. relied upon even through the 14-year war and the U.S. keeps its eyes on the prize – oil.

The U.S. consumes nearly 20 million barrels of oil with last year 22 percent of that oil imported from Africa. That was an increase of 7 percent in 2004. The National Intelligence Council projects that Africa will account for 25 percent by 2015, a staggering percentage amount from a continent that is in abject poverty and the masses will suffer, from not having electricity to study, wash dishes, bath, and cook or provide their homes with security of a well lit porch light. Several other countries are on the horizon for the oil exploitation and they are Ghana (currently talking about a U.S. military base), Angola and Equatorial Guinea. ExxonMobil and Chevron, France's Total and British Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell will invest billions of dollars in Africa in the coming years. The cash cow Nigeria became the third largest exporter of oil to the U.S. in 2007 outstripping Saudi Arabia.

According to a report from Monrovia, Liberia, date July 6, on July 4th at a reception “marking the 231st Independence Anniversary of the United States", President Sirleaf said "Liberia, the U.S. historic ally, has stood resolutely with the United States, through good times and bad, and is offering its territory as it has done in the past, for the establishment of AFRICOM headquarters."

Chief Executive Bush indicated that historical and strategic reasons make Liberia an ideal location for this important American initiative that will undoubtedly have a most beneficial effect on the West African sub-region, as well as the entire continent.

President Sirleaf welcomed the new United States policy towards Africa's security and development as reflected in the proposed establishment of a new Africa Command (AFRICOM).

If this puppet regime and Sirleaf believe that the U.S. is a friend of Africa then they are sadly mistaken and the helm is essentially the same as the former dictator Charles Taylor and puppet Samuel Doe before him who died naked on the floor and begging, once the African masses caught up with him. President Sirleaf would do well tp wash her hands of U.S. imperialism and reject any attempt to further the cause of neo-colonialism in Africa. The resources of Liberia make it an attractive country to predators.

Kuumba Chi Nia is a Mathaba author.
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