THE POLITICS OF OIL IN THE NEW SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA UNITED STATES AND CHINA IN ANGOLA

THE POLITICS OF OIL IN THE NEW SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA UNITED STATES AND CHINA IN ANGOLA

ABSTRACT

Without much ado, Africa has evolved as the epicenter of the 21st century scramble. And this is so since the major powers, particularly China and the US scrambled for African units in order to securitize their oil and gas resources intake. Although the US has discovered and is presently exploiting shale oil within its confines; however, it still forms part of the neo-scramblers for several African units, especially because of the large market and their being festooned with cornucopia of several other mineral resources which are necessary for the sustenance of the dimension of development being witnessed globally in the present. Against this backdrop, existing literature have demonstrated that African units – especially the oil producing states- would enjoy a win-win relationship with the extra-African powers. Without disregard for existing views on the benefits that would accrue to African countries, especially Angola, in the ongoing extra-regional powers-African relationships, this study seeks to demonstrate that the ongoing relationships, oily one particularly, between Angola and China and the US consist of some negative contents, some of which are presently manifesting. In the bid to achieve this research goal, this study adopts both primary and secondary sources of data gathering.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND

The scramble for Africa can be explained according to historical documents as a period of rapid colonization of territories and this is in line with the belief that man is a political animal that will continue to struggle for survival; hence the survival of the fittest. Having noted that, it is therefore understandable to a large extent the reason why states in the international system sought to expand their territories which in turn led to the scramble. The scramble is colonization for three basic reasons; political, economic and religious expansion. Africa has been and is still the ground for international exploits and this has affected the economy of nations within it for ill or good. States that possess the power in the International system have maintained their positions through the level of influence they possess in the international system. This is done through influencing of various political leaders and in turn the affairs of their various states in other to achieve their personal interest. This however, has led to anarchy in the international system as there is the expression of Egotism and ‗flexing of muscles‘. States display this by use of Power Politics.

On the other hand, the contemporary international system is different from what it used to be. States are a lot more liberal in their relationship with other states because there is now the presence of International Institutions guiding the conduct of state relations so as to prevent the outbreak of war (although this was unsuccessful twice in 1914 and 1939).

Based on the foregoing, it can be assumed that Africa has always been under the control of the superpowers and has been used as a pawn in the hands of the bigger states. The new scramble for Africa manifested much more in the 21st century and has been aided by the era of globalization. Africa has been and is still struggling to catch up with the pace of development and modern technology of the modern age. Take, for example the fact that most of the African states do not fully understand the concept of liberal democracy and are still having to cope with incidents of civil war .A good example is the subject of this project, Angola. The country is known to have suffered major civil unrest since its independence. However in recent times, it is known to be one of the oil producing countries to reckon with. As at 2008, Angola was said to be the fifth largest supplier of oil to U.S. (two places above Nigeria) also it became the largest exporter of oil to China (taking the place of Saudi Arabia). The relationship between Angola‘s oil production and its internal crisis is based on the role of transnational oil corporations.

Angola has therefore been vulnerable to the super powers in the international system because it does not fully understand what it is to be a war free state. However, most states in the international system had not only gained independence years ago, but have grown to become better states based on the evolution of the international system. China‘s relations with Angola began politically during the era of anti-colonial struggle when it supported three liberation movements; FNLA (National Front for the liberation of Angola), MPLA (Popular Movement for the liberation of Angola) and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola). These relations were however defined by the cold war era. Up until 1960s when the UNITA and FNLA became the only two recognized liberation movements, China mainly supported the MPLA. After the recognition of the two liberation groups China reduced, perhaps even totally withdrew, all support from the MPLA. Attention and resources were focused on the two recognized groups (Corkin, 2011).

After Angola gained its independence, China refused to acknowledge its independence, however, relations between the two countries only improved in the 1990s. it can be said that China‘s relations with Angola was only a military and security based one until after the crisis in 2002 when it shifted to an economic relationship. On March 4th 2004, china granted loan to Angola worth two billion dollars for reforming its damaged infrastructure. That move by the Chinese government is said to have strengthened the bilateral ties between the two countries and has led to the signing of various diplomatic treaties. It has also led to the creation of embassies both in China from Angola and otherwise. Also in 2007, china granted and oil backed loan to Angola in order for the country.

1.2STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Against the backdrop of the Africa becoming the epicenter of the scramble for oil and some other mineral resources, several studies have been conducted into how the 21st century scramble affects the continent and its units, particularly the oil producing countries, Angola inclusive. This majorly, has been on the basis of the implications that the presence and interests of the major powers would have on the continent and some of its units. However, there has been scanty literature on how the presence of China and the United States, two important players in the neo-scramble for Africa, in Angola impacts on the country; hence this study. As such, this study seeks to demonstrate the grave implications that the politico-economic dimension of the US and China‘s scramble for oil and gas resources in Angola might have on the country.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. examine the growing importance of the continent to national, regional and global security;

2. identify the complex issues involved in the international politics of oil in Angola; and to

3. analyze the politico-economic and security implications engendered by the different American and Chinese interests and presence in Angola for the country.

TOPIC: THE POLITICS OF OIL IN THE NEW SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA UNITED STATES AND CHINA IN ANGOLA

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 68

Price: 3000 NGN

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