The fact that China’s economy valued at $ 1.33 trillion has overtaken Japan’s at $1.28 trillion to become the world's second-biggest economy after that of U.S.A ought to get African fingers on the panic button. History does not seem to favor the notion that Western economies will take it with a smile and congratulate the winner. Africa should prepare for tough times ahead as global giants plunge once more into new global power games.
This is the time for Africa to exercise maximum discipline on how it manages her affairs. China, the West and other emerging powers are out to serve their interests. Going forward, it might become a big challenge to rely on international institutions that were set up to pacify the world after the great two wars of the early 20th century to protect Africa’s interests. Africa will have to increasingly dig deeper into the sinuses of reason if it has to benefit from the ensuing competition between her traditional allies and resurgent powers. A likely scenario of China – West alliance to exploit the continent is likely; another possibility of China going on its own does exist but that will translate into vicious competition on the African soil.
Although this century has been declared as "Africa's Century," how the continent will juggle the competing powers' appetites for its own good will determine whether the century will really be Africa's. Africa should exploit China's neutrality (while it lasts) to build the continent's momentum for stability.
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