Jean-Pierre Bekolo’s 2009 documentary The New Scramble for Africa offers a stark and often unsettling look at the resurgent influx of foreign powers into the African continent, drawing direct parallels to the colonial era of the late 19th century. The film argues that while the methods may have changed—shifting from overt military occupation to economic and political influence—the underlying goal of resource extraction remains consistent. Through a series of interviews with African intellectuals, activists, and ordinary citizens, alongside evocative archival footage and contemporary imagery, Bekolo constructs a compelling case that Africa is once again being carved up, not by European powers, but by a complex web of global corporations, emerging economic giants like China, and international financial institutions. This essay will explore how The New Scramble for Africa uses its visual language and narrative structure to critique this neocolonial phenomenon, highlighting the exploitation of natural resources, the manipulation of African leadership, and the nascent forms of resistance emerging from within the continent.
A central theme in the film is the relentless pursuit of Africa's vast natural resources—oil, minerals, arable land—by external actors. Bekolo presents scenes of vast mining operations, often staffed by foreign workers, juxtaposed with images of impoverished local communities. The documentary points to the opaque nature of many resource extraction deals, suggesting they are negotiated behind closed doors, often to the detriment of the African populations whose lands are being exploited. For instance, the film touches upon the controversial land deals with China, where vast tracts of fertile land are leased for agricultural purposes, ostensibly for food security in China, but with minimal benefit trickling down to local African farmers who are displaced or marginalized. The narrative implicitly questions who truly benefits from these agreements, suggesting a continuation of historical patterns where African wealth is extracted for the enrichment of foreign entities, echoing the extractive economies established during the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, which formalized the partition of Africa among European powers.
Furthermore, The New Scramble for Africa scrutinizes the political and economic leverage wielded by foreign powers and corporations. The documentary illustrates how international financial institutions, like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, can impose structural adjustment programs that open African economies to foreign investment and privatization, often at the cost of social services and national sovereignty. Similarly, the film hints at the ways in which burgeoning global powers, particularly China, employ a different but equally effective model of engagement, characterized by infrastructure-for-resources deals. These agreements, while offering development projects, also tether African nations to specific trading partners and can create significant debt burdens, raising questions about true economic independence. The interviews highlight a sense of frustration and betrayal, with subjects expressing concern over leaders who seem more beholden to foreign interests than to their own electorates.
Despite the grim portrayal of exploitation, Bekolo’s film is not without a sense of hope, found in the burgeoning resistance and burgeoning self-awareness among Africans. The documentary showcases individuals and groups actively working to reclaim their narratives and challenge external dominance. This includes intellectual discussions about Pan-Africanism and economic self-sufficiency, as well as grassroots movements advocating for fair trade practices and environmental protection. The presence of articulate and passionate voices within the film—philosophers, activists, journalists—serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance. Bekolo suggests that by understanding the historical context of the "scramble" and recognizing the current machinations, Africans can better strategize for a future where they control their own destinies and resources. The film leaves the viewer with the understanding that while the "scramble" persists, the seeds of a new African agency are also being sown.
In conclusion, The New Scramble for Africa is a powerful indictment of contemporary global economic practices in Africa. Bekolo masterfully employs documentary filmmaking to draw uncomfortable parallels between historical colonialism and present-day neocolonialism, focusing on resource exploitation and foreign influence. The film’s strength lies in its direct engagement with African voices and its unflinching critique of power dynamics. While the narrative paints a bleak picture, it ultimately offers a call to awareness and action, highlighting the ongoing struggle for genuine sovereignty and self-determination on the continent.