Africa: the next victim in our quest for cheap oil?

That's why I'm scared of the AFRICOM (BTW-- I still say it--why isn't EGYPT in the AFRICOM?? Last I knew, Egypt was in Africa) . Of course, we'd get some Uncle Tom or Aunt Jane general to run it (a white general'd be too much like the British in the 19th century). But if the fools in DC sent troops EN MASSE into REAL Africa, you'll see racial problems in the US military like you won't believe. It does not look good.

BLACK LIBERATION!!! AFRICAN LIBERATION!!!!
No more blood for oil!!!

The Darfur/Sudan crisis is happening or the same reason right now. China/America's greedy quest for MORE oil.

I wish China would go back to bikes and the US would follow.

Great topic. Unfortunately, Africa has been raped for it's resources for centuries. Colonialism had a devastating effect on the continent that is plump in natural resources. Sadly, it doesn't seem like this trend is going to change anytime soon. However, awareness on this topic is never a bad thing, and hopefully people in larger numbers will give their support to this part of the world that has given the planet so much and received so very little...

well im glad W nation building wont include africa

Africa is the next undiscovered frontier to become an oil colony with a defacto fascist theocracy represented by a military dictatoship.

Who isn't a victim in our crusade for cheap oil?

Beware in tangling alliances with people who could turn and create a problem for you did Thomas Jefferson say this

I feel bad. Africa has been taking shit for centuries. slaves, racisms, etc.

Great conversations going on this topic; this is really interesting and something that will cause catastrophic issues in human rights and oppressive governments fighting for wealth when our generation is up to bat.. Just wanted to throw in one thing, surprising to many Americans, we get about most of our oil from Canada, with Saudi coming in a close 2nd, followed by Mexico and then small contributors tag along (mostly economic dependent Latin American nations who;s exports drastically outweigh their imports) after that, including good ol' Louisiana..
[EIA-Energy Information Administration]

well with the population expected to be at 9 billion by 2030 or 2050 oil wouldn't be the only resource that Africa will be forced or asked to offer depending on how you look at it. Africa has vast amount of arable land that's unpopulated and food is going to be a top priority for the growing global economy. so Africa would be required to provide both oil and food for the world. this can be a great thing for Africa if done right because finally investments will be made in Africa. but with the culture of greed in our world I doubt this would be a good thing.

Considering the ultimate high price humanity is paying over oil concerns, "cheap" and "oil", like water and oil, just don't mix.

You are correct, Drew. China is neck deep in African politics for several reasons. One is access to natural resources. Their other most valuable service to African leaders is an avenue to "launder" stolen gov't, funds. For instance, Nigerian politicians are immune to prosecution while they are in office. But, once they are out of office it becomes a catfight with their old adversaries attempting to re-claim stolen funds. They are forced to get the money out of country to protect it . China is facilitating and supporting this need! Chinese Engineering firms, bid and win huge public projects at inflated prices, the inflationary quotient is the Nigerian politicians cut, and is kept out of the country until re-claimed. Hundreds of Billions of dollars leave the country this way.

Nah, China already staked claims in Africa. That's why we do nothing about Sudan and Uganda.

West Africa, likely contains some of the greatest undiscovered oil and gas reserves in the World. It has already attracted major investment for the current discoveries. Check out RigZone.com However, oil contributes to major political instability, with little benefits to the common people.

Please don't let there be enough oil there for us to bother those people.

It is time for us to start using our own resources. Continually raping the lands and the people of other countries for our selfish gain is not only the wrong way, it is not going to remain a viable option for our bankrupt empire much longer.

O.k., we pay every time we put gas in our tanks. When will the the world be through paying for the oil that we are using? We all pay constantly. We pay in lives, health, enviromental damage, and economic devastation.

Now, this is truly a subject dear to me, since I live in Nigeria and work in the oilfield business. The U.S. and all other countries should allow Nigeria to follow it's "Manifest Destiny". Eventually falling to civil war and ethnic strife, making Darfur and Zimbabwe, look like child's play.