When George W. Bush assumed office he dismissed Africa as being off the radar screen Before departing for his trip to Africa in July, he was singing a different tune.
"For a century, America has acted to defend peace, liberate oppressed...America is committed to the success of Africa because we recognise a moral duty to bring hope where there is despair... America also understands that unprecedented influence brings tremendous responsibilities. We have duties in the world." Stripping away his sanctimonious hypocrisy, the real reason for his trip to Africa emerges. Africa, like the rest of the globe, is subject to the expansion of the American empire.
Bush visited five countries in Africa Senegal, Nigeria, Uganda, Botswana and South Africa. Among the strategic reasons for his trip is the increasing importance of oil imported from Africa to the US. In 2001, imports. This is almost as much as the oil imported from Saudi Arabia.
The US National Intelligence Council projects US oil supplies from West Africa will increase to 25% by 2015. Aside from Nigeria, the major oil producers in West Africa include Angola, Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. the Billions of barrels of oil lie offshore in the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf of Guinea and oil companies are expected to bid at least $300 million for exploration rights there. "Family" of military bases
The US has used "the war on terrorism" to increase its military presence in Africa. It already has a military base in Djibouti, East Africa, where there are 1800 troops.
With the increasing importance of Africa as a source of oil supply, the US is seeking to establish more military bases as well as securing access to ports and airfields in
General James Jones, commander of the sub-Saharan Africa supplied 18% of US oil US European command with responsibility
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