• Economic Hitmen
• Frank Tietie

AFRICA’S WAR ON INSURGENCY: ECONOMIC HITMEN FUEL CONFLICTS

• 

  Nicolas Adekeye / 2 weeks
• 0
• 2 min read

Africa is facing a daunting challenge in its fight against insurgencies, with “economic hitmen” secretly fueling these conflicts. According to Frank Tietie, Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), these individuals and groups are exploiting Africa’s vast resources, destabilizing nations, and profiting from the chaos. Tietie revealed that economic hitmen are professionals who disguise themselves as altruistic advisors but actually work to advance the interests of their home countries or corporate sponsors, often at the expense of the targeted country’s resources and prosperity. “Their influence in Africa was particularly pronounced from the late 1960s to the 1990s, and disturbingly, their tactics have been revived in recent years,” Tietie said. The impact of these economic hitmen is felt across the continent, with countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso bearing the brunt of these conflicts. Tietie cited the recent scandal surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) activities in Nigeria as an example. He alleged that the Americans are culprits in the use of economic hitmen, whether they are sponsored by state agencies or corporate interests. Tietie’s assertion may be linked to recent allegations made by US Congressman Scott Perry, who claimed that USAID has inadvertently been funding terrorist groups, including the notorious Boko Haram. Perry alleged that USAID has been channeling $697 million annually, plus shipments of cash, to support terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram and ISIS. The deployment of economic hitmen has had a profoundly destabilizing impact on Africa, contributing to numerous political crises and conflicts from the 1970s to the present day. Tietie emphasized that their actions have severe consequences, including the displacement of millions of people, destruction of infrastructure, and a significant loss of economic potential.