Comments by "Paul Aiello" (@paul1979uk2000) on "What Europe is REALLY doing in Africa" video.

  1. This isn't really about control and more about building better ties for both sides, but honestly, I would be more worried about China than I would with the EU because China aim is to get more control over shows African countries by using debt trap diplomacy. I think if the EU is to be successful in Africa, it has to offer something better than what China is offer, money helps in the short term but overall, it doesn't make that much of a dent in economic growth, what Africa needs is know-how in building a modern economy, the EU is very successful in doing that as it's shown with countless countries that joined the EU and became a lot richer for it. If the EU helps Africa to develop, that would be worth far more than any money the EU or China gives Africa because the know-how will allow Africa to stand on it's own feet, that would be far more useful than throwing money at the problem which a lot of it gets wasted anyway, but then, it's up to the African countries to choose.
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  2. The EU is a massive economy and can focus on both things, besides, the issues with Russia and energy is very short term of just a few years, not a big deal overall. As for helping Africa, I agree, the EU should have helped a long time ago, but things tend to have a reactive effect depending on what others are doing, in this case China. Personally, I think China is trapping many countries in Africa with debt trap diplomacy, that's not a good thing because it could make those countries poorer in the long run whiles signing over assets over to China as they can't pay off the debts, it's a smart move from China but it's bad news for Africa, but for many, it's too little too late already.
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  3. Oh I don't know about that, negotiate is a powerful tool and it's very effective for the EU and far more peaceful of a tool than force and it seems to work, the EU regulates a lot of rules and regulations around the world and thanks in part because the standards are higher than what others offer, in other words, it's much more likely that countries will want to adopt higher standards than lower ones. Also, I think China and Russia will be very effective with it's disinformation in Africa, which is unfortunate for the African people because it's clear to see that they are being used by those countries, especially if you look at the terms China demands, it's basically debt trap which could makes those countries involved poorer in the long run or worse yet, have less control over their own country. You've got to be careful with your dealings when it comes to China and Russia because they are noons friends and are just looking at countries to take advantage off and sadly, it looks like it will work on many countries in Africa, especially from China.
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  4. What Africa actually needs is know-how in building a modern economy, the EU is good at doing that as it's shown that many times with countries that join the EU. Money helps but the problem with money is that most of it gets wasted without any real change and you end up going around in circles, making little to no progress, which is really where the problem is with help from China, it doesn't really help Africa to modernize, the EU could if they push that policy with benefits for reforms, not that different to how the EU operates but without membership. I also feel because of the geography of Europe and Africa, both are in a good position to benefit the most from helping each other, Africa can benefit from EU help in creating stability, wealth and know-how, whereas the EU can benefit with better trade links, but both will have to want that for it to work and as we know, it's not as easy as it sounds, but there is a lot of potential for both sides if they are both open to it. I do worry about Africa thought, if you look at the terms of some of the agreements that China does in the continent, it looks like a land grab for China which isn't in the interest of the African people, but I have a feeling that they are only going to realize this when it's too late and China has too much control in Africa.
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  5. The problem is, China isn't doing this to help Africa, its entrapment with debt traps and control over a lot of Africa resources and in some ways, even a land grab which isn't in the interest of the African people but I think it will be too late before they realize that but I hope I'm wrong on that.
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