Africa is facing a daunting challenge in its fight against insurgencies, and according to Frank Tietie, Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), “economic hitmen” are secretly fueling these conflicts.
These individuals and groups are exploiting Africa’s vast resources, destabilizing nations, and profiting from the chaos.
This exploitation has severe consequences, including the displacement of millions of people, destruction of infrastructure, and a significant loss of economic potential.
The impact is felt across the continent, with countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso bearing the brunt of these conflicts.
Tietie said this became clearer with the recent scandal surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) activities in Nigeria.
The Abuja-based lawyer made the revelation on Tuesday February 18, 2025, when he appeared on Channel Africa’s “Africa in business podcast”, monitored by Persecondnews.
According to him, the Americans are culprits in the use of economic hitmen, whether they are sponsored by state agencies or corporate interests.
Tietie said their activities are widespread across the African continent.
He said: “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, with Africa bearing the brunt of their activities as they aggressively target the continent’s rich mineral resources, including gold, oil, and gas, as seen in countries like Nigeria.
“They often extend large loans to vulnerable countries under the guise of economic support, but these loans frequently become unsustainable debts that are restructured to grant foreign banks or creditor nations significant control over the debtor country’s natural resources.
“They often disguised as development workers or diplomats, exploit vulnerable countries by negotiating loans in exchange for control of natural resources, and when unsuccessful, can incite political crises and conflict, as seen in recent scandals involving organizations like USAID in Africa and parts of Asia.
“A true economic hitman typically operates with the tacit support of their home country, often through clandestine means involving intelligence agencies like the CIA, a phenomenon that emerged during the Cold War era, when the Eastern and Western blocs engaged in a covert struggle for influence and resources.
“The deployment of economic hitmen transcends mere economic interests, as it is often a tool for advancing imperialist ambitions, with nations like the United States having historically utilized this tactic, while China is now employing ‘debt diplomacy’ to exert influence over developing countries through massive loans.
“Their actions have had a profoundly destabilizing impact on Africa, contributing to numerous political crises and conflicts from the 1970s to the present day, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Libya, where competition for control of valuable natural resources has fueled violence and instability.”
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.
Persecondnews recalls that Perry alleged during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency that the USAID has been channeling $697 million annually, plus shipments of cash, to support terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram and ISIS.
He also questioned the effectiveness of USAID-funded projects, such as allocating $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan, yet providing “zero evidence” of their existence.
In addition, Perry criticized USAID’s women’s empowerment programs in Afghanistan, citing Taliban restrictions on women’s rights.
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