There's a belief that since Africa got a raw deal from the colonial West, then the Chinese must be Africa's best friend. But the evidence doesn't show that, and the main criticism is that they are building infrastructure in exchange for Africa's resources in deals that are structured to favor China.
George AyitteyWhen Uganda got debt relief in 1999, the first item President Museveni bought was a presidential jacket for himself.
George AyitteyThere was free trade in Africa. There was free enterprise in Africa before the colonialists came.
George AyitteyLook at the history of peace accords in Africa. They have a terrible record. They are shredded even before the ink on them is dry.
George AyitteyDictators cause the worldโs worst problems: all the collapsed states, and all the devastated economies. All the vapid cases of corruption, grand theft, and naked plunder of the treasury are caused by dictators, leaving in their wake trails of wanton destruction, horrendous carnage and human debris.
George Ayittey