re: #213 wheat-dogg

Fascinating story. And the description of China’s role in the not-a-coup, but-ok-it’s-a-coup is spot-on, IMO. China has become a colonial power of sorts in Africa. While it does not worry about human rights and democratic values, as the USA would, it does care very much about ROI. Mugabe suddenly dying (if that’s possible when one is 93) would certainly plunge Zim into chaos, with Grace desperately trying to hold onto power and the military just as desperately trying to get rid of her. So, China wanting a smooth, if somewhat undemocratic transition makes a lot of sense.

China has plunged billions into projects in Africa, all with economic strings attached. It remains to be seen what China would do if an African debtor nation tried to nationalize Chinese-built projects or refused to pay its debts to China.

From what I’m hearing from friends in East African countries - and reading on assorted websites - is that other national leaders are scared shitless they might be next…..most particularly, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who’s been in power for waaaay too long.

I also wonder what China would do if an African debtor nation tried to stiff them? I’m thinking a hard coup, 180 the opposite of what we just saw in Zimbabwe.