President Joe Biden with Angolan President João Lourenço.
Image: Picture: Potus/X
In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, Africa has emerged as a focal point for major world powers, particularly with the rise of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Among these dynamics, the United States Empire finds itself navigating a complex web of interests, particularly in Angola a country which is rich in resources vital for the global economy.
Having fought a proxy war against the Angolan state using its lackeys UNITA, FNLA and the racist Apartheid regime of South Africa and having lost as it lost in Vietnam, Afghanistan and as it is losing in Ukraine America has turned to a new strategy of enticement.
America is now promising Angola to build a transport corridor, This article delves into America’s strategic manoeuvres against BRICS expansion in Africa, focusing on its historical opposition to the MPLA government, the significance of Angola's natural resources, and the broader implications of its policies. President Biden's visit to Angola on Monday 2 December 2024 thus does not come as a surprise.
For decades, the United States has aligned itself against the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), which has been in power since the country's independence in 1975. The relationship soured primarily during the Cold War era when the MPLA received support from the Soviet Union, prompting the US to back its rivals, notably the UNITA movement.
The backing of UNITA was not just political; it involved significant financial resources and military support, all aimed at destabilising an administration that Washington viewed as too aligned with Russia. Only in 1991 did America recognize the MPLA government as the legitimate government in Angola having done all in its power to undermine and overthrow the MPLA government through arming UNITA leading to the destruction of billions of Dollars in infrastructure damage and the death of thousands of innocent civilians and leading to mental scarring of a whole generation.
In the contemporary setting, this interest in Angola from the anti-MPLA stance of yesteryear is re-emerging as ironically as a pro-MPLA stance, fueled by Angola’s vast resources—particularly lithium, cobalt and copper which are all essential for technologies like electric vehicles (EVs). As the global economy pivots toward cleaner energy solutions, the demand for these critical minerals has surged. America recognizes that controlling access to these resources is paramount in curbing BRICS' influence on the continent and defending its economic interests.
As Henry Kissinger said America does not have friends or enemies only interests. Today America's interest is to control Angola's essential minerals in order to thwart Russia and China as the premier BRICS countries.
Whilst America's attempt to bankrupt Russia has failed in Ukraine it is America which is suffering economically. This interest in Angola is to force this country to supply cheap oil and minerals to America in order to boost America's economy at the cost of the Angolan people. With the Biden visit to Angola, a two-day holiday was declared and the public was forbidden to come within 500m of Biden as the current government know that the people in Angola still harbour hatred towards America for having destroyed Angola for generations by fueling a civil war through its UNITA proxy controlled by Dr Jonas Savimbi.
Angola boasts some of the world’s largest deposits of oil and critical minerals, making it a strategic asset in any global power play. The country is now considered by American think tanks as a crucial bulwark against the expanding BRICS influence, particularly as China deepens its economic engagement within Africa. With initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, China has poured investments into Angola, fostering infrastructure development that could tilt the balance of power favourably towards Beijing and BRICS which America is hellbent on preventing.
America's response has been multifaceted. While there have been accusations of "gunship diplomacy,” where military might is used to assert influence, the US has also wielded soft power, utilizing economic incentives to entice Angola into a favourable alliance.
The CIA is also used to spy on and blackmail foreign leaders. The Lobito Corridor, a significant transport route linking Angola's coastal regions to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, exemplifies America’s interest in facilitating trade routes that could counterbalance Chinese advancements in the interest of BRICS.
The strategies employed by the US in Angola raise questions about whether it has mostly relied on financial incentives, political pressures, or a combination of both to sway the Angolan government. Some geopolitical analysts argue that America's interventions have been geared towards creating a network of economic dependencies that can be manipulated when necessary. For instance, America has strategically positioned itself as a partner in the oil sector, investing heavily in exploration and production to ensure that Angola remains tethered to its interests.
In America, most politicians are bought and paid for by the oligarchs and we think also of the massive influence Tiny Rowland had on African leaders in his lifetime.
However, allegations of political blackmail are not unfounded either. Reports have surfaced about US pressure on Angolan leaders to implement policies favorable to American corporations in exchange for international support or debt relief. This duality—offering assistance while simultaneously exerting pressure—often characterises America's foreign policy strategy, especially in resource-rich nations.
America refuses to fund the Inga Dam project of the AU Agenda 2063 but it is prepared to fund billions of dollars for the Lobito Transport Railway project as it will benefit America, unlike the Inga Dam project which would benefit Africa.
As the US continues to push against BRICS’ expansion within Africa through various deceptive means, the repercussions are likely to be felt beyond Angola. This contest for influence not only shapes the political landscape but also directly affects the continent's development trajectory. The decisions made by Angola’s leadership in light of US overtures will potentially set the tone for how other African nations navigate similar pressures from superpowers vying for dominance over critical resources.
Furthermore, the increasing need for sustainable energy solutions in line with COP29, aided by minerals such as lithium and cobalt, will only heighten the geopolitical competition. As the world transitions towards electric vehicles, nations rich in these resources will find themselves at the center of international attention, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Looking ahead it is clear that America’s endeavors in Angola reflect a calculated approach designed to stifle BRICS' influence while securing vital resources essential for maintaining its economic competitive edge against a rising China and Russia. The interplay of historical animosities, resource dependencies, and geopolitical dirty tactics highlights the complexities of international relations in an era where resources are scarce, and strategic partnerships are paramount.
As Angola in desperate financial straits due to falling oil prices and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 84% at the end of 2023 navigates this intricate landscape, it stands at a crossroads, with the potential to either align closer with Washington or deepen its ties with BRICS, shaping the future of not just Angola but the broader African continent as well. It is clear America's intent is to derail BRICS using Angola as the springboard. What South Africa should do is to encourage Angolo to drop the oppressor language of Portugues and switch to English making more people aware of a larger source of news instead of the pro-Western Portugues media houses. The intense wooing of Angola into the USA fold has been intense and readers can read here - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/02/fact-sheet-president-bidens-trip-to-angola/
In a world where the stakes are continually rising, the unfolding dynamics between America and Angola will serve as a crucial lens through which we can better understand the fast-evolving geopolitical landscape in Africa.
The fact that America is implementing a 19th-century colonial economic strategy of Pit-to-Port speaks volumes of America's total disregard for the people of Angola who will benefit nought out of these deals. It is time that BRICS flex their muscles and see that just as this strategy was designed in Washington as the GNU was designed in Washington at the Council on Foreign Relations.
** Masibongwe Sihlahla is an independent writer, political commentator and social justice activist.
** The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of IOL or Independent Media
