The Crude Intentions

Abstract

America's technological, military, and economic security is growing increasingly vulnerable because of a lack of energy security. As a result, America's need to locate, exploit, and control fuel resources has intensified its engagement of the African continent. The nature of America's relationship with the African continent is being progressively guided by U.S. energy policy. Moreover, this relationship must be analyzed in light of the continuing legacy of European colonialism on the African continent. There is a need to ensure that the majority of African people benefit from activity in Africa's energy sector on a just and sustained basis. Fulfilling this need will require the adoption of a foreign policy that is reflective of Africa's unifying cultural beliefs and values, holds foreign countries and companies who would do business with Africa to a set of standards that disallows Africa's exploitation, and is aligned with African development on African terms.