Africa doesn't need US advice on China

The recent visit to some African countries by Rex Tillerson, who was sacked as secretary of state by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, appeared to have one major purpose: to arm twist African countries into abandoning the flourishing trade deals and ties with China. The statements Tillerson made on Africa-China relations were considered by many Africans as arrogant, undiplomatic, and abusive to African countries.

After his meeting with African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tillerson said America thinks it is important that African countries carefully consider the terms of Chinese investments in Africa because to the United States, China's investments do not create a significant number of jobs or training programs, or enable African people to participate more fully in the future. He also said China needs to follow international rules and norms.

These statements and assertions are not only insincere - given the conduct of the country he represents and the nature of US international engagement - but outright lies.