Zimbabwe Crisis: A Credibility Handicap for China's Africa Politics

Abstract

Since the Cold War ended in 1991, Africa-China relationship has been in the ascendant. Africans, believing that China can inspire and drive fresh hopes for their development, have been wittingly and unwittingly encouraging her deepening presence on their continent. They particularly believe that a closer relationship with China can play a very big role in their efforts to scale down their dependence on their traditional aid givers and development partners such as the US and the former colonial powers. In short, what Africa expects from China are assurances that she can play the role of benefactor and protector which the US and other Western countries have been playing for their clients on the continent. This expectation, however, is being jeopardised by China's inability to give Mugabe sufficient protection against his critics and help him recall his country from the politico-economic crisis that has dragged it to the brink of failed statehood. This paper looked at this debacle of unfulfilled expectation, concluding that it could undermine China's image in China.