By Gamal Nkrumah Long before the first Europeans set foot in Africa, Chinese traders of the Ming Dynasty were doing brisk business in eastern Africa.
Common interests have a tendency to bring countries together.
The shared concern du jour is the challenge posed by globalisation, and it is driving the Chinese to revive the African connection. But the onus is now being placed on modern political ties, first cultivated by Mao Zedong and his premier Chou En-Lai, stressing Beijing's Third World credentials. If ever an African leader offered himself up as a hostage to his country's fast declining fortunes, it is veteran socialist firebrand Laurent Gbagbo, who was sworn in as president of the west African nation of Ivory Coast last Thursday. More politically powerful candidates were disqualified from running in the presidential race, so when a humbled Gen. Guei made his abrupt exit from the Ivorian political scene, eyes fell on Gbagbo to pick up the gauntlet. Troops were ordered to use tear gas and fire into crowds of angry Ivorians who took to the streets in protest.