For centuries, Western empires looted the continent’s gold, oil, rubber, and people. Today, the same powers wear suits, fly flags of “democracy,” and use institutions, corporations, and military forces to continue the theft.
Neo-colonialism 2.0:
Gone are the days of British and French governors, but now we have Glencore, Shell, and Anglo American—corporate giants draining Africa’s wealth under the pretext of “investment.” These corporations reap billions from African soil while leaving behind poisoned rivers, broken economies, and suffering people.
Military muscle disguised as security:
When boardroom tactics don’t work, bullets take over. The U.S. AFRICOM maintains over 29 bases across Africa. France militarizes uranium-rich Niger and gold-laden Mali. It’s all about access—not security. The 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya proved that: Gaddafi fell, chaos rose, and oil quietly changed hands.
Cultural warfare:
Western media and NGOs paint Africa as helpless, corrupt, and chaotic to justify “intervention.” But these narratives mask a deeper agenda: control.
Burkina Faso fights back:
In August 2024, the revolutionary government of Burkina Faso nationalized two gold mines, defying the London-based Endeavour Mining. This was not just economic policy—it was a declaration of sovereignty.
Today, that same revolution is under threat. AFRICOM is now implicated in managing the fallout from an attempted assassination of President Ibrahim Traoré, a revolutionary leader seen as a threat to Western dominance in the Sahel. The empire is nervous.
Africa’s wealth vs. its poverty:
Africa owns 30% of global mineral reserves, 40% of gold, 90% of chromium and platinum, and over 50% of cobalt (from DRC)—yet 413+ million Africans live in extreme poverty. How? Because wealth extraction still favors the West.
Debt as a weapon:
Institutions like the IMF and World Bank trap countries like Zambia into austerity and dependency. Structural Adjustment Programs force African nations to privatize their wealth, clearing the way for foreign control.
A new wave of resistance:
Today, Africa is pushing back.
•Radical leaders like Traoré (Burkina Faso), Goïta (Mali), and Tchiani (Niger) are rejecting Western military ties.
•The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to unify markets and reduce dependence on former colonial powers.
•Public support is rising for ideas once championed by Gaddafi: an African currency, resource-based banking, and continental integration.
Looking eastward:
Africa is building new alliances with China, Russia, India, and Brazil—nations offering infrastructure, development, and fairer terms. This strategic diversification is reducing Western leverage.
Reclaiming sovereignty:
Africans are saying: enough. Grassroots uprisings in Kenya, resource nationalization in Burkina Faso, and land rights movements across the continent show that Africa is no longer passive.
To the West: Africa is not your colony, your mine, or your military base. The days of unchecked plunder are ending. If you’re still treating Africa as your buffet, beware: the guests are waking up, and the table is turning.
Moussa Ibrahim is a Pan-African Journalist and Libyan Politician.