“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won over our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together, and we have fallen apart.”

These are the words of Obierika, the friend of Okonkwo, the protagonist in Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart (1958). In this timeless statement, which also gives us the novel's title, he observes how Western colonialism, under the guise of a civilising mission, eventually eroded the cohesive structure of his African Igbo society.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, and several African societies are again at a crossroads. This time, a new white man—not from the West but from the East—is arriving and actively seeking a piece of Africa.

Remembering Obierika

As several countries administer painful heartbreaks on Western governments and fall in love with Russia instead, remembering Obierika is imperative.

Unlike the first white man in Igboland, China's dramatic arrival and Russia's post-Cold War return to Africa in this century have been all but quiet and peaceful as they offer solutions to desperate leaders grappling with insurrections, rebellions, and political instability.

Nevertheless, the truth is many Africans, like many Igbos and households in Obierika’s society, have welcomed these new white men and allowed them to stay. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In an increasingly interconnected world, the imperative to trade and develop alone is enough reason to align oneself with even the most unlikely ally.

The fear, however, is time. Okonkwo and Obierika only realised the consequences of colonialism and treachery in hindsight. Way after the damage had been exacted, their clans had no choice but to lament and resigningly mourn the death of a society that once was.

What story shall we tell posterity about our so-called new and Eastern allies fifty years into the future? Will it portray yet another past mistake of an Africa that once again danced to the glory of monsters?

What would Obierika say?

This question does not suggest that this newer white man is worse. But, as the Akans say, he, who has survived a snake bite, runs at the sight of a worm. Our continent has seen many treacherous strangers. And worms and snakes are eerily similar.

The fierce urgency to remember
After decades of exploitation and brutal economic policies, Europe’s inhuman record in Africa has come to bite countries like France and the United States. Meanwhile, China is riding on tangible investments and infrastructure in Africa to make claims of friendship and win-win partnerships that are difficult to deny.

The Kremlin-aligned Africa Corps is holidaying on the promise of a shadowy security alternative across Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, etc.

Though accusing Russia and China of new colonialism is sometimes self-serving and very convenient for Western countries, it is also too early to speak of better alternatives for Africa when discussing these Eastern countries.

In saying that, I follow the advice of Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He warned us not to “forget that colonialism and imperialism may come to us yet in a different guise. Not necessarily from Europe. We must alert ourselves to be able to recognise this when it rears its head.”

Like the arrival of Christianity on the same ship as colonialism, Russia’s involvement in Africa isn’t inherently problematic. After all, security, like religion, is vital for the continent’s growth and its people.

However, concerns arise when these engagements come at the cost of Africa’s agency and unity. Already, we see some disturbing signs.

Déjà vu?

Reports suggest that the Africa Corps—formerly the Wagner Group—has been tied to securing valuable mineral rights for Russian companies in countries like the Central African Republic. This is reminiscent of the historical extraction of Africa’s wealth, albeit in a modern guise.

On the security front, reports suggest human rights abuses and deteriorating security in countries where Africa Corps have supplanted the presence of Western countries.

Many Chinese companies, too, have been accused of desecrating our forests and abusing the environment for precious stones. In places like Kenya, some of them have been accused of practices that remind us of the despicable innards of racial segregation.

Perhaps worse is a return to Cold War-like rivalry that foretells a disturbing Déjà vu.

The waving of Russian flags across the Sahel, including in Nigeria, points to another East vs. West showdown. So is Ukraine’s proxy war against Russia in the Sahel. Russia’s accusation of Ukraine’s opening a new war front in Africa is as true in Mali as it is for Sudan.

So, what else is on the ship?

The monster of colonial interference comes in different guises.

The first Whiteman promised Christianity and added colonialism. He brought the gun wrapped in the Bible. What else is on Russia’s ship besides the promise of mutual friendship and security solutions?

Pointing in the direction of caution about Africa’s Eastern partners may sound like an endorsement of Western countries. Especially as the latter conveniently makes it sound like Russia and China are inherently worse. Russia and China may even offer better security and development pathways and options than they promise.

Still, until some time has passed, and until we have had enough time to assess the role of these newer partners in Africa’s evolving political terrain, we cannot begin to celebrate.

There is likely something else on Russia's ship apart from the promise of security and win-win politics. And from the self-help realist playbook of world politics, that is not a crime per se.

Similarly, African countries have their citizens’ interests to protect and must do so by all means necessary. They must work to help themselves by remembering history.

Adopt, Adapt, Reject

In the 1960s, Dr Nkrumah showed us the way, as he always did. He said:

“If we find the methods used by others suitable for our social environment, we shall ADOPT, or ADAPT them. If we find them unsuitable, we shall REJECT them.”

In applying this Nkrumahist strategy, African countries must know that Russia and China are not the answer. Neither is Euro-America. Though they are—and should be—a part of it.

However, the options available to African governments as they relate and interact with others are ADOPT, ADAPT, and REJECT.

But because worms and snakes are eerily similar, I pray the default mode is always to reject, unless the other options are proven unharmful, fair and just by Africa and its people.

Anything that looks like colonial interference is guilty until proven innocent.

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Muhammad is the founder of the Centre for Alternative Politics & Security, West Africa, and the Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars. He is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at KFUPM Business School, Saudi Arabia, and a Research Fellow at the Curtin Centre for Australia-Africa Relations, Australia. Email: mld.suleiman@gmail.com.