Africa: In Peril from Without

By DON ROLLINS

Per an Associated Press poll taken in February, 60% of Americans fear China’s burgeoning influence on the world. Although not part of the study, other research indicates Americans are particularly troubled by China’s efforts to affect parts of the African continent. Given the two entities’ very public quid pro quo relationship (African resources for Chinese investment) those fears are well founded.

This almost surgical economic foray into dozens of today’s 54 African nations should not be taken lightly, especially given Beijing would certainly use some of the spoils to shore up what is already the world’s largest military. Or worse, to make good on an equally public threat to funnel armaments to Russia’s war machine.

Dangerous as this ongoing geopolitical courtship appears to be, China isn’t the only entity seeking to wield more influence in that part of the world. And not every attempt to control Africa’s is rooted in economics.

If you’ve never heard of Family Watch International (formerly Global Helping to Advance Women) if you read on, you may wish you hadn’t. Founded in 1999 by US-based, anti-choice Christian fundamentalists, FWI has spent nearly a quarter of a century — and raised millions of US dollars — advancing a rightwing agenda to withhold abortion services from even African’s most bereft women. (Note: The organization is also active in stamping out LGBTQ+ rights across Africa, and maintains a robust United Nations lobbying arm.)

As with smaller, similar agencies across the continent, FWI was more than encouraged by the US Supreme Court’s Roe reversal. The ruling prompted a 20-African nation summit last spring, where US-based FWI staff celebrated a return to “family values” that is serving as a “beacon” for every other nation, everywhere. America was “finally leading the way.”

But to where? Sub-Saharan women are more prone to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and severe birth complications than those in any other region of the world. The dwindling number of abortion providers are regularly harassed and threatened, especially in East Africa where few if any exceptions are written into law. And nations that previous to the Supreme Court decision allowed the procedure have come in for warnings, within and without their borders.

As to FWI’s particular role in this mass suppression of women’s choices and dignity, it is considerable. The Southern Poverty Law Center recently designated the organization as a hate group, targeting Africa with a perverse message and methods: The Supreme Court’s mandate has not given shelter for FWI’s bad actions.

It’s neither accurate nor fair to define Africa according to the deep suffering it’s people and land have endured. The continent has been ruthlessly exploited over and over, yet Africa’s is infinitely more than a narrative of pain. But for all it’s richness, Africa is once again facing peril from without — this time on account of a court decision made half a world away.

Don Rollins is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister in Jackson, Ohio. Email donaldlrollins@gmail.com.

From The Progressive Populist, August 1, 2023

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