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While the founder of Blackwater, Erik Prince, openly calls for a « recolonization » AfricaThe imperial spectrum reappears in a global context marked by the return of raw power relations and Donald Trump's second mandate. Fragiled by its internal contradictions but rich in coveted strategic resources, the African continent finds itself at a crossroads: resisting this new imperialist temptation or risking its destiny being confiscated again.
The return of the imperial spectrum
In his podcast Off Leach, Erik Prince, founder of the sulphurous private military company Blackwater, dropped a diplomatic bomb. In his view, the United States must « become imperialists again » and take charge of the fate of African countries he considers « unable to manage themselves ». When asked about a possible resurgence of colonialism, his answer was icy: « Yes absolutely. »
These words, which would have seemed delusional a few decades ago, find today a disturbing echo. They are part of an international climate in which the balance of power becomes stronger and the logic of raw power resumes its rights. Donald Trump's return to the White House for a second term accentuated this tendency: the idea that domination, annexation and colonial tutelage could once again become legitimate political instruments is no longer confined to the margins, it gains power circles.
For Africa, a continent marked by the deep scars of colonization and the persistent legacy of neocolonialism, these statements sound like an alert. As it struggles to overcome its internal contradictions and to find a model for sustainable development, the threat of recolonization — whether it takes the form of political control, economic control or security control — is no longer a fantasy, but a credible hypothesis.
The crucial question is therefore asked: is Africa doomed to see others write its destiny in its place, or will it be able to find in itself the strength to resist this return of the imperial spectrum?
Africa weakened by its own contradictions
Fragile Successes in an Ocean of Crisis
Sixty years after independence, Africa still struggles to assert its autonomy. Of course, successes exist: relatively stable democracies such as the Senegal, Ghana, Cape Verde or Botswana ; rapid economic growth in some countries; a dynamic, innovative and highly present youth in the digital revolution. But these glimmers of hope must not mask a picture that is generally darkened by persistent crises.
The governance crisis
One of the Achilles' heels of the continent lies in governance. Too many states remain prisoners of authoritarian regimes where leaders cling to power beyond their legitimacy. The manipulation of constitutions to extend mandates has become a common practice. Elections are often contested, defrauded and followed by deadly violence.
This political stagnation undermines the confidence of citizens, feeds disenchantment and weakens citizenship. Without real alternation, without effective counter-powers, many African regimes are reduced to predation systems more than real democracies.
Chronic instability
Since the 1960s, the continent has been shaken by a series of coups d'état. The phenomenon is now experiencing a worrying revival, particularly in the Sahel — Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea. These military coups, far from bringing stability, exacerbate the vulnerability of countries already threatened by jihadist insecurity and poverty.
There are also recurrent civil wars: in Central African Republic, in Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Ethiopia with the Tigray crisis. Intercommunal violence, exacerbated by weak national cohesion and external interference, produces millions of internally displaced persons and refugees.
The poison of corruption
Another endemic scourge: Corruption. Political and economic elites divert domestic resources to their advantage. Financial scandals follow one another with almost total impunity, while vital infrastructure — hospitals, schools, roads — are neglected. This capture of wealth fuels citizen distrust, undermines social cohesion and deprives millions of Africans of a dignified future.
The mass exodus of young people
Faced with this harmful climate, emigration appears as the only horizon for millions of young Africans. They flee unemployment, poverty and the lack of prospects. This exodus has multiple consequences: loss of human capital for the countries of origin, migratory tensions in Europe, rise of right extremes in the West. Migration flows are instrumentalized to present Africa as a threat, fuelling security and xenophobic discourse.
In short, the continent's internal contradictions fuel an external perception which, in the eyes of some, justifies the idea of foreign guardianship.
The Covet of African Wealth
A continent sitting on a treasure
Africa is one of the most resource-rich continents. Oil, gas, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lithium, rare earths: all the minerals essential to the world economy. The Congo alone holds nearly 70 per cent of the world's cobalt reserves, which are essential to electric batteries. Niger provides a strategic share of global uranium. Southern Africa has some of the richest platinum and diamond deposits.
In addition, vast arable land is still underexploited, making the continent a global food attic potential.
A global battle for access to resources
These riches fuel the appetite of powers. China has increased its infrastructure investment in return for privileged access to minerals. Russia has consolidated its influence in Central African Republic, Mali and elsewhere. The United States and Europe seek to preserve their historical position, but their grip is contested.
Behind official speeches of cooperation, a fierce struggle is being waged to control strategic resources.
Security speech as alibi
It is in this context that Erik Prince's remarks are made. The reasoning is cynical: Since some African countries would be unable to manage their resources, an external power would have to impose order.. Safety — fight against terrorism, control of migratory flows, political stabilisation — used for mask a predatory logic.
The « recolonization » modern would drape in the clothes of stability and cooperation, but its essence would remain the same: to capture African wealth for the benefit of the powerful.
The growing role of private armies
Blackwater and Erik Prince: the shadow of modern mercenarism
Created in 1997 by Erik Prince, Blackwater became the symbol of contemporary mercenarism. Its rise took place during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Washington outsourced its military operations massively. Renamed Xe then Academic, society was at the heart of resounding scandals, including the massacre of Nisour Square in Baghdad in 2007.
At the centre of this story: Erik Prince, wealthy heir, former Navy SEAL and close to American conservative circles. For him, war is a commercial service. His call for the recolonization of Africa is not an isolated provocation, but a logical extension of a vision where military power is privatized and sovereignty can be traded.
When security becomes a market
To entrust its security to mercenaries is to give up part of its sovereignty. Governments that do so expose themselves to asymmetric dependence: protection is exchanged against mining concessions, opaque contracts or political alignments.
Security is now an international market, where companies sell war to the highest bidder. This commodification weakens the independence of States and establishes a new form of guardianship.
Mercenaries and parallel diplomacy: sovereignty suspended
Private armies are not content to intervene militarily: they become instruments of parallel diplomacy.
In the 1990s, Executive Outcomes had already imposed its mark in Sierra Leone and in Angola, breaking rebellions against mining concessions.
More recently, the group Wagner has taken foot in Central African Republic and Malisecuring fragile regimes while controlling strategic resources.
Dyck Advisory Group to Mozambique or STETEP to Nigeria The same mechanism is illustrated by the fact that, in the face of overstretched armies, mercenaries impose themselves as the ultimate remedy, but their help is never free.
The consequences are heavy.
Central African Republic, whole sections of the mining economy were granted to the Russians.
In Mali Wagner, supposedly fighting terrorism, was accused of killing civilians.
MozambiqueThe intervention of the Dyck Advisory Group certainly contained an insurrection, but at the price of abuses denounced by Amnesty International.
In each of these cases, national sovereignty is weakened and local populations pay a high price.
Trump 2 and the trivialization of imperialism
America First without shadow
Donald Trump's second term marks a clear break with multilateralism. His doctrine is brutal: lalliances are only valid if they directly serve American interests. International law is relegated to the background of force.
This vision opens the door to a decomplexed discourse whereAnnexation, domination and even recolonization become political options.
When imperialism becomes a project
In this climate, Erik Prince's words are no longer marginal. They are part of a broader ideological trend that tends to trivialize the idea of an imperial return. What seemed unthinkable yesterday becomes a scenario discussed today.
When speech ceases to be a provocation
Prince is not alone. Voices like that of Candace Owens, American commentator, osent describe colonization as « positive balance ».
In some Western strategic circles, the idea of external tutelage is formulated under the following terms: « responsibility to protect », « stabilisation », « order restoration ».
Many consider these speeches absurd or anachronistic. But recent history has shown that what seems extravagant can quickly become reality. Ukraine is proof of this: no one would have thought possible the return of a war of conquest in Europe.
In Africa, internal fractures and global competition for resources create a ground for the resurgence of imperialist logic.
To take these warnings lightly would be to expose tomorrow to a brutal reality. Because behind the ideological varnish, what motivates these calls remains constant: the lust of African riches.
The urgent need for African awareness
Africa is at a crossroads. Either it continues to sink into its internal contradictions and lets other powers dictate its future, or it resolutely takes over its destiny.
The threat of recolonization, brandie without detour by Erik Prince, is not an isolated provocation: it is a warning. In a world where brutality resumes its rights, the weak are called to be dominated if they do not find in themselves the strength to resist.
The African response must be multiple:
- strengthening democratic institutions and ending predatory regimes ;
- uniting nations in a genuine political and economic community ;
- value natural wealth for local people ;
- building independent security independent of mercenaries and foreign armies.
'Cause if Africa doesn't take control, others will do it in its place. — And not in his interest. History has already shown what this means: exploitation, domination, dispossession. The current generation bears the historic responsibility not to let this scenario repeat itself.
