FindAfrica Blog

An earlier recent report about China giving secret scholarships to the children of top officials in Namibia is yet another indication why Africans must remain vigilant, keeping a watchful eye for signs of corruption involving foreign governments and theirs. China has moved quickly in recent years to build relationships with countries in Africa. These relationships have included not only the sale of goods but the purchasing of rights to mineral resources by China. Now, there is nothing necessarily wrong with this. But in too may of these types of cases we see corruption rear its ugly head because somewhere along the way someone decides it’s necessary or desirable to move forward. 

In the Namibian scholarships case, China awarded secret scholarships for up to 5 years to children of the president, the inspector general of the Namibian police, the justice minister, the defense minister, whose agency buys weapons from China, and the home affairs and immigration minister, whose agency is responsible for approving residence and work permits for Chinese workers whose companies have won contracts to do work in Namibia. According to the New York Times, the disclosure of these scholarships has “unleashed a wave of fury from the nation’s civil society groups and youth organizations.” 

Corruption is a huge problem in many countries in Africa. Indeed, in some African countries bribes are essentially factored into the cost of doing business. However this is no reason to relent, especially when new forms of corruption threaten to make Africa an even more corrupt place. Corruption involving other countries is concerning because it has to potential to subject citizens of one country to the will of the government of another without due process.

The revelation of these secret scholarships should serve as a reminder to African to keep a watchful eye on their government’s interaction with other countries, whether it’s China, Germany or America.

Today, we have good news out of Switzerland. According to the BBC, a Swiss court has ordered the seizure of $350 million in assets from the son of Nigeria’s former military ruler, General Sani Abacha. General Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. Swiss authorities have been investigating laundering of Nigerian state funds, up to as much as $2.2 billion, since 1999. This $350 million is on top of $700 million that Swiss authorities have already returned to Nigeria. Abba Abacha, Sani Abacha, was also given a suspended custodial sentence.

The outcome in this case is good news for two reasons. The first reason this is good news is that it allows Nigeria to put these financial resources to better use. Granted, Nigeria continues to have problems with corruption. But surely some of these funds will find their way to appropriate governmental use. No?

The second, perhaps even more important reason this is good news is that it sends a signal to African dictators, thieves and embezzlers: steal and the money could be taken away from you. For too long theft of national funds by African rulers were aided by western countries. Western countries asked no questions when these rules deposited millions and in the case of General Sani Abacha, billions, knowing these funds could only have been acquired by illegal means. As a result, African rulers were encouraged, knowing that all they had to do was get the funds into a private western bank. At that point, even if they died or were overthrown, their family could access and use the funds.

No doubt, many of these rulers calculated and perhaps still calculate that becoming the ruler of an African country is a desirable goal only because it enables one to loot the national treasury. Indeed, the probably calculate as much even knowing that a disproportionate number of African rulers, compared to other parts of the world, are overthrown. To them, it is a worthy sacrifice to loot the national coffers if the reward is millions and potentially billions of dollars provided their families can keep the loot.

That is why this case is important. It sends the message that being an African ruler is no longer a guaranteed way to becoming a millionaire or a sure way to set up your children as millionaires. Even after you’re dead, the authorities may be willing to come after you family, including your children, to retrieve looted state funds. Hopefully, that message will discourage at least some would be thieves.