The Cold War may be over – only to be replaced in Africa by the colonial-style scramble for mineral riches. This new scramble for Africa is revealed through Wikileaks documents. US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Johnnie Carson, told oil executives in Nigeria: “China is not in Africa for altruistic reasons. China is in Africa for China primarily,” he said, according to a confidential cable written by the US consulgeneral in Lagos in February. African leaders are not spared in the “leaks”. The illicit diamond trade in Zimbabwe has led to the murder of thousands, enriched those close to President Robert Mugabe, according to US documents in which a British mining executive is quoted. Corporates also come under the spotlight – with BHP Billiton being accused of sabotaging an investment by China’s Chinalco in rival Rio Tinto. Cables sent from Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan’s chief of staff to US officials describe how BHP “played its cards with consummate skill” in lobbying the government to delay a decision on a deal between Rio Tinto and Chinalco.
