Conscience and the guilt card

“But there is a contradiction in the position of some African leaders: wanting, in spirit, for Europe to treat Africa as an equal, yet wanting anything but that when it comes to formal trade deals.

Post-colonial rancour was a running theme of the summit, with Europe blamed for Africa’s underdevelopment and thus for the current wave of migration northwards. President Wade also gave Europe warning that it was in danger of losing the competition for the new Africa to China, which is rushing to pour billions into resources deals, no strings attached.

Guilt and fear: African leaders may extract something from the EU by pulling those strings. But they would do better with an argument based on the economics of trade and development — and only the poorest among them can make that.” Bronwen Maddox, “Africa must drop the Guilt Card to strengthen its Hand.”