ZAMBIAASIA Wild cats and King Cobra 10th November 2011 The sun rises over the wetlands of Lake Bangweulu, Zambia. Credit: Kieran Dodds / Panos Image courtesy of Panos Pictures After being elected president, Michael Sata has softened his combative stance towards Chinese mine owners so now the trades unions are leading the charge After just two months in office, President Michael Chilufya Sata has made a complete turnaround in his attitude to China. He once criticised Chinese investors but now wants to use them to develop Zambia’s economy. The full force of his government is focused on reassuring its partners in Beijing, leaving workers and human rights groups to attack the activities of Chinese mining companies. In opposition, Sata (aka King Cobra) blamed Chinese investors for abuse and corruption; as President, he blames the former government for fraud in handing out working papers.
ZAMBIACHINA Underground and under threat 10th November 2011 Image courtesy of Panos Pictures View site Non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch launched the first in-depth report about abusive practices in Chinese-owned mines in Zambia on 3 November. It is based on the evide...
ZIMBABWECHINA Harare in the sky with diamonds 10th November 2011 Image courtesy of Panos Pictures View site The government is working on a diamond-backed deal to buy new aeroplanes as the Kimberley Process allows the country to export gems again The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government has tried to disguise its plan for China Sonangol to finance new airplanes for Air Zimbabwe. The joint vent...
ZIMBABWECHINA Protection makes a racket 10th November 2011 South Korean companies had worried that they would not receive the same advantages as Chinese companies (AAC Vol 4 No 12, Faith, Grace and intervention). However, Indigenisation Mi...
CONGO-KINSHASACHINA Frozen funds 10th November 2011 The finance for the Congolese-Chinese joint venture has been held up and Kinshasa wants the mining companies to bridge the gap China is withholding money that is needed to rehabilitate 700 kilometres of railway in Katanga and Kasai, leading the Congolese government to call on mining companies to raise the ...
SOUTH AFRICACHINABRIEFING The unions turn up the pressure 10th November 2011 Chinese companies’ treatment of trades unions in South Africa has come to national attention again, just as the elections in Zambia have highlighted the government’s role in managi...
MOZAMBIQUEASIA Maputo’s pan-Asian business plan 10th November 2011 The government is bringing in investment from every substantial economy in Asia to back its industrialisation and energy projects From the roads and rail networks to telecoms, the energy sector and the myriad minerals buried in its soil, there has been a sharp spike in the presence of Asian companies in the s...
CONGO-KINSHASACHINA IMF worried about Chinese loans again 10th November 2011 The award of the copper and cobalt mines at the Lonshi and Frontier sites to the Hong Kong company Fortune Ahead Limited is causing concern at the International Monetary Fund. Cong...
INDIAWEST AFRICABRIEFING Indian mining houses struggle for contracts 10th November 2011 India-linked mining companies have had less luck than their Chinese counterparts in breaking into the West African market, arriving later on the scene than Chinese companies. Howev...
MOZAMBIQUEASIA Diverse diplomats 10th November 2011 The array of investments across the economy shows that the government is keen to see Mozambique diversify away from purely resource-based flows. The variety of Asian partners is a ...
CHINAUNITED STATESAFRICABRIEFING National interests and hard cash 10th November 2011 The United States Senate is again raising the alarm about Washington losing out to Beijing in Africa. On 1 November, the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs, chaired by Senator ...
TURKEY Recep Tayyip Erdogan 10th November 2011 Prime Minister, Turkey In the past year, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has devoted renewed attention to foreign policy as he pursues greater regional influence. In August, he led a group of Muslim ...
ZAMBIA Wylbur Simuusa 10th November 2011 Minister of Mines, Zambia Once known for his firey anti-Chinese rhetoric, Zambian President Michael Sata has moved on. He now refers to China as a partner who must behave responsibly in return for Zambia’s ...
INDONESIA Mahendra Siregar 10th November 2011 Deputy Finance Minister, Indonesia Mahendra Siregar led a trade delegation to Nigeria and Ghana on 25-30 September. Indonesia is cultivating Africa as an export destination: exports stood at US$3.5 bn. in 2010 and a...
SOUTH AFRICA Gwede Mantashe 10th November 2011 African National Congress Secretary General, South Africa Gwede Mantashe may have hoped for a quiet study tour in China, but it was not to be. The African National Congress Secretary General led a delegation to Beijing on 4-20 October, fo...
