Many Newfrontiers churches, and others, have a deep love for and interest in Africa. The Rift will challenge your perspectives and may give insights you have not previously experienced.
Much has changed in Africa since I first visited 30 years ago. Politically there have been huge upheavals through the many conflicts such as the Sierra Leonean civil war, the genocides in Rwanda and Burundi, the division of Sudan and the Somali conflict, each often being fuelled by corruption and despotic dictatorships such as former president Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Then there has been the rise of the Islamic groups and the various factions along the Sahel, such as Boko Haram in northern Nigeria.
But in this time there have also been many signs of hope as African nations have been liberated both physically and emotionally, there now being more of a belief that they do not need to rely on ‘hand-outs’. ‘Trade not Aid’ is one of the many slogans with which we have become familiar. Indeed, in this book Perry demonstrates how often aid has been at the root of societal breakdown and the perpetuation of economic poverty at both local and national levels. Sadly, these initiatives to ‘do good’ have frequently been the cause of harm and conflict.
China – friend or foe?
Then what about China? Many see the Chinese as the new colonisers of Africa with their apparent self-interest in building infrastructure to extract mineral wealth etc. But others would say that there can also be significant benefits, particularly in contrast to such traditional models as IMF loans which have then resulted in huge un-repayable debt.
Africa is, of course, highly complex and cannot be thought of in any sense as being homogeneous. Yet there are many common features. No book can be wholly accurate or ‘right’, but in The Rift Perry at least causes the reader to stop and think, and wonder if his perspectives need challenging. Thoroughly researched and drawing from remarkable access the author has had to individuals at all levels, on both government-sympathetic sides and ‘rebels’, and across many nations, this book is well-worth reading.