The recent $7 bn agreement between the Chinese company, China International Fund, and the Guinean government is unbelievable; especially since only last month, dozens civilians were killed and raped by the Guinean junta during a pro-democracy demonstration.
The investment is aimed at improving the country’s aviation infrastructure and electricity, in return for a strategic partnership in all mining projects. It is understandable why China has decided to invest in Guinea, for the same reason that it has invested in many other African countries; due to its abundance of raw materials. Still, there is the impression that the large some of money is to help fund the military government.
China has made its mark all over the continent, from copper-rich Zambia to the Congolese province of Katanga, all the way to Kenya, Ethiopia, Angola and Mozambique. But the question is, why have they been allowed to invest in a country that is ruled by a military government and is responsible for the murder and rape of dozens of citizens? Even more, with China’s investment in the country, sanctions by the international community are likely to be ineffective.
It disturbs me to know that very little will be done to rid Guinea its military elites, so as make way for a democratic government. And the only reason for this, is so that no one steps on China’s toes. Action must be taken against the China International Fund, after which the Guinean government must be dealt with.
Thomas Mills
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/world/africa/14guinea.html?_r=1&ref=world
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